WINTER GARDEN, Fla. — The future of historic downtown Winter Garden is uncertain as a new owner has recently purchased several commercial buildings, forcing current small businesses out of their leased spaces.
What You Need To Know
Several businesses in downtown Winter Garden will close their doors as a new owner has purchased multiple commercial properties along Plant Street
Polka Dotz owner Heidi Hardman said last month she got a letter from her landlord saying he did not intend to renew or extend her lease, which is set to expire on June 30
Business owners and members of the community plan to attend Thursday night’s city commission meeting to express their concerns
Red brick streets and mom and pop shops have been staples of downtown Winter Garden for decades, a small-town charm that attracts thousands of people to stroll along Plant Street.
“People come because they like the, if you would, the Mayberry-old town quaint feel of Winter Garden,” Winter Garden Wheel Works owner Dennis Jones said. “A lot of smaller independent businesses, restaurants, things like that. Very quaint, and that’s what people I think enjoy coming for.”
His bike shop has been located on Plant Street for 18 years.
“We came here primarily because of the bicycle trail and what Winter Garden had to offer as far as a safe place for people to ride,” Jones said.
Downtown has changed over the past few decades, he said.
“A lot of businesses have definitely come and gone for different reasons,” Jones said. “There’s still a lot of us. I say ‘us’ as in smaller, single-owned businesses around still.”
Polka Dotz owner Heidi Hardman said she has had her popular, locally owned boutique on Plant Street for the past 19 years.
Last month, she received a letter saying her landlord did not intend to renew or extend the lease, which is set to expire on June 30.
“It’s devastating. I mean, we’re really a big, big part of the community, and we’re feeling the love on our Facebook and Instagram,” Hardman said. “But it’s pretty devastating just to have that ripped out from under you.”
Orange County Property Appraiser records show the property sold to Anton Properties Investors LLC for $2.2 million on Dec. 31, 2025.
A statement provided to Spectrum News 13 on behalf of Marc O. Hutchinson, economic development director with the city of Winter Garden said, “The City is aware of recent purchases of several downtown properties and the impact on certain local businesses. We know that these businesses are valued parts of our downtown brand, and we recognize the deep concerns expressed by residents, fellow business owners, and patrons.
“Property ownership and lease agreements are private, contractual matters between property owners and tenants. Individuals and corporations have the right to buy, sell, and lease property. The City does not have the legal authority to intervene in or control these private real estate transactions or lease decisions, provided they comply with applicable laws and codes.
The City remains committed to supporting a vibrant and desirable downtown. We will continue working with property owners, business operators, and community stakeholders to preserve the character of our downtown, encourage investment, and support opportunities for small, locally owned businesses.”
Polka Dotz is among several businesses facing the same issue. Its next door neighbor, Three Birds Cafe, is also affected, and its lease was up Thursday.
Hardman said she did not get an opportunity to talk to the new owner about the possibility of renewing her store’s lease.
“We didn’t get that option. There was no communication,” Hardman said. “All I got was a letter saying, we’re not going to extend or renew your lease.”
The building where she leases space for her business is located in one of nine commercial buildings in downtown Winter Garden that have been sold to a new owner.
“What concerns me is the vision the city had is now gone because this gentleman can do whatever he wants here with the buildings,” Hardman said. “I know we have to keep the facade because it’s historic, but I think that’s about the extent of it. You can put anything you want, so and nobody knows. And I think, as a resident, that’s what bothers me the most, is that we don’t know anything.”
Commercial real estate expert and principal of Align Commercial Real Estate Yog Melwani explained that in recent years downtown Winter Garden has become a desirable spot for investors for a variety of reasons.
“There’s been explosive population growth in the city of Winter Garden,” he said. “The population of Winter Garden today sits at about 42,000. It has very attractive demographics, household average, household income of over $103,000, which is in the 3-mile radius.”
According to Melwani, average vacancy of 5% in commercial real estate is considered 100% occupancy. The current vacancy rate in the Winter Garden submarket is around 2%-3%. That is considered full capacity, meaning there is much more demand than supply available.
“So, because of a shortage of good retail space, especially in good demographic submarkets such as Winter Garden, the demand for space exceeds the supply,” Melwani said.
Spectrum News 13 reached out several times to the buyer of the buildings for comment on plans for the properties, but the buyer did not respond.
Several business owners and community members said they plan to attend Thursday night’s Winter Garden City Commission meeting to have a chance to talk during public comment and express their concerns about the changes in downtown Winter Garden. That meeting will start at 6:30 p.m. in the commission chambers at city hall.
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