Best of ORL 2022: Home & Shopping
From pool builders to local shops, our readers have selected their favorites!
(ROBERTO GONZALEZ)
Best Gift Shop
The Primrose Shop
A small space with a big dream. By Jennifer McLeod.
Jennifer describes The Primrose Shop as a “small space with a big dream.” During their 19 years in business, the shop has survived the 2008 recession and the COVID-19 pandemic. “There were days when we weren’t sure if we could keep our doors open. But our customers didn’t give up on us. They kept us going.”
Jennifer always knew that wanted to own a boutique. “I worked in retail for many years and when the kids were small, I began making ‘name bracelets’ that were popular at the time. I met many of my dearest current customers because they invited me into their homes for shows all those years ago.”
Eventually, her dream came true in 2003 when she opened her shop with her friend, Jane Greenway. “We were down the street in a tiny space with no stockroom and the rent was $500 a month. We thought it wouldn’t be a disaster if we didn’t like it and wanted to close. Somewhere around mid 2004 we moved down the street to the present location and I couldn’t love it more.”
Orlando has always been a special place for Jennifer. “We love Orlando. Orlando is a special place. It’s the biggest small town you’ve ever been to. Getting to see the growth of Orlando and the Audubon Park area has been incredible. We love being a part of such a vibrant, diverse community. We love our neighbors and the surrounding small businesses.”
Looking ahead, Jennifer plans to keep doing what she’s been doing for the past 19 years. “We are so extremely grateful to our customers that stayed with us and continued shopping with us. We wouldn’t be here today without all of you. My customers truly bring me joy.”
Gift Shop
1 The Primrose Shop
Orlando
2 Good Crowd
Orlando
3 Maffrey’s
Orlando
Bookstore-NEW
1 Spiral Circle
Orlando
2 Barnes & Noble
Orlando
3 Bright Light Books
Fern Park and Oviedo
Car Dealership
1 Tesla
Orlando
2 Fields BMW
Orlando, Winter Park
3 Massey Cadillac
Orlando
In Bloom Florist. (ROBERTO GONZALEZ)
Florist
1 In Bloom Florist
Orlando
2 City Oasis
Orlando
facebook@cityoasis
3 Dahlia’s Flower Truck
Orlando
Home Builder
1 Charles Clayton Construction
Winter Park
2 Phil Kean
Winter Park
3 Taylor Morrison
Maitland
Home Décor
1 HomeGoods
Orlando
2 Ted Maines Interiors
Winter Park
3 Tuesday Morning
Winter Park
Ted Maines Interiors. (ROBERTO GONZALEZ)
Interior Designer
1 Ted Maines Interiors
Winter Park
2 KBF Design Gallery
Maitland
3 Sandy Crawford
Orlando
IT Services
1 Smart Guys Computers
Sanford
2 Nu-Age Systems
Orlando
3 Levco Tech
Orlando
Jeweler
1 Almut Belote Jewelry
Orlando
2 Bay Hill Jewelers
Orlando, Winter Park
3 Uno de 50
Lake Buena Vista
Kitchen & Bath
1 Bed, Bath & Beyond
Multiple locations
2 Artisan
Winter Park
3 KBF Design Gallery
Maitland
The Mall at Millenia. (COURTESY OF THE MALL OF MILLENIA)
Mall
1 The Mall at Millenia
Orlando
2 The Florida Mall
Orlando
simon.com/mall/the-florida-mall
3 Altamonte Mall
Altamonte Springs
Men’s Clothing Store
1 John Craig Clothier
Winter Park
2 Men’s Wearhouse
Orlando
3 Neiman Marcus
Orlando
Place for Antiques
1 Renningers Florida Twin Markets
Mount Dora
2 Adjectives
Multiple location
3 Wirewood Market
Altamonte Springs
Premier Pools of Central Florida. (COURTESY OF PREMIER POOLS OF CENTRAL FLORIDA)
Pool Builder
1 Premier Pools of Central Florida
Winter Park
2 Pools by Bradley
Lake Mary
3 Artesian Pools
Orlando
Resale Shop
1 Chic Boutique
Orlando
2 Out of the Closet
Orlando
3 Dechoes Resale
Orlando
Women’s Clothing Store
1 Jarboe
Orlando
2 Downtown Divas
Orlando
3 Sultre
Winter Park
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