Audubon Park Garden District – Orlando, Florida
The Audubon Park Garden District is a Great American Main Street Award (GAMSA) winner from 2016. East End Market serves as the physical and civic center of the district.
During a quick visit in 2016 after they had won the award, we had a chance to see their hard work firsthand.
Rather than having a bland front lawn to drain resources, the front is converted for urban agriculture. This serves the purpose of producing food, while also brining the mission and purpose of the market out on to the street.
A raised bed in another section was not yet planted. It showed the rigid pipe drip irrigation system installed. This keeps the plants watered while saving time and labor.
Another key to the success of the market is the number of businesses that share the location. Lineage is a coffee roasting company serving pour overs, espresso, cappuccinos, lattes and more.
The values of the farm are on display in small interpretive panels. They feature themes including seasonality, philosophy, production, composting, and learning.
An outdoor gathering and dining area is semi-protected with a sun shade. There a selfie wall, community bulletin board, and mature plantings along with other plants for sale create a truly unique space.
To keep the community informed of what is happening in the market, a wine cork board and display rack is available for postings and to put literature out.
Likewise, these DIY plant racks increase the sales space and add a biophilic element to the outdoor seating, dining, and event area.
A clever way was even found to incorporate plants into the selfie wall.
Upstairs are a number of other businesses including several offices. This location with evident creativity, vibrant public spaces, food, and wine appeals to businesses that value these same things. Therefore it is not surprise that Edible Orlando Magazine, the Audubon Park Garden District, and Orlando Wedding Artists join a demonstration kitchen and other innovative businesses.
The DIY aesthetic that makes East End Market so appealing extends far beyond the market itself. No doubt many of these installations are inspired by if not orchestrated by the same people at East End Market.
A nearby store selling plants has a DIY display cart on rollers that they position on the sidewalk outside of their store.
Another store, The Lovely, is unabashedly cool. They convey this by their open sign that says, “Come in, we’re Awesome.” Once inside a number of different sections appeal to varying taste and interests. We bought a business book there, but one could just as easily leave with home decor, fashion, or jewelry.
Most of the buildings and businesses are in one story multi-unit strip buildings along the main thoroughfare. While not the most visually appealing, they function well and allow for a density of businesses in close proximity to one another.
Down another street we found a bookstore with full service restaurant and alcohol service. The combination of books and brews was a potent one encouraging a higher purchase overall and stronger place attachment. The message board by the front door signaled the fun loving spirit of the business inside “If U Can Read This, U R Not Thumbnig Your Life Away.”
Reflecting on the visit, one is reminded how the Great American Main Street Award is intended to recognize excellence in economic and community development. This was on display in many different ways throughout the Audubon Park Garden District. It goes to show that not every downtown has to be multi-historic buildings on traditional Main Streets. Occasionally you can find the seeds of economic resilience, innovation, and civic activity in the most unexpected of places.