Winter Garden Downtown Pavilion and Farmers Market — Local services in Winter Garden

The good; the bad; and the very ugly!

From the cobblestone streets to the Bose speakers piping music through the pedestrian walkways, Winter Garden is the second village, I have discovered that is totally different than any other place in Florida, with the exception that is, than my absolute favorite, ‘Celebration.’

So last week on a cloudy day I decided to go for a stroll and experience what Winter Garden had to offer: the good, the bad, and... the ugly!

The Good: The Village Square—“Centennial Plaza”—is situated right on the center of the cobblestone street and beautifully framed by an array of flowering trees, fountains, swings, and music being piped through the ivy ground covers and onto the streets.

With Plant Street running on both side of the center square, you can’t help but to be pulled into both sides of the street as you see shops, restaurants, and even an old fashioned barbershop trying to embrace you with every little step you take.

The Bad: From what I was able to observe, not many residential spaces seemed to exist in the immediate surrounding area. There was one urban-style complex that seemed pretty new and parts, still under construction.

Across from the new urbanist style luxury homes, was a much less attractive and considerably older complex, Park Place Villas—I believe that’s the name—and that my friends, with it’s Dusty Rose coloring, seemed to—at least to me—bring that whole area down the drain.

But please don’t get me wrong, there’s a good two or even three little blocks right within the cobblestones streets where you have beautiful homes adorning the outer perimeters of the charming little village.

But that’s about it.

That’s pretty much where the charming beauty of this little enclave of oak framed streets and cute little stores with even cuter names ends and dilapidated shacks begin.

The Ugly: If you drive two blocks on either side of Market Street, where the enclosed Winter Garden Market is, you will start seeing what the area is truly like.

And it’s not pretty.

Once you get onto the main avenue, no matter which way you turn, you’ll have no choice but to say to yourself, “we’re not in Winter Garden anymore!”

But unfortunately, you are.

As I drove by the rows of streets right outside the village, also known as downtown Winter Garden, I couldn’t find one single street that remotely mirrored the charming cove.

In Florida, I’ve seen more beautiful areas than impoverished ones. Take Ft Walton Beach for example. I don’t know where the good areas are, but what I saw was one huge junk yard by the Hollywood Blvd area.

Street after street, flat houses with what seemed to be aluminum roofs, filled the rows of streets with salvaged junk surrounding the properties as if it was, outdoor decor.

Then, parked on the driveways of a few of the flats, all of the sudden you would see, a brand new boat; a Range Rover; and a motor home or two.

And even in a couple of streets, you have these individual beautiful homes being built on lots surrounded by houses filled with salvaged junk from the front to as far as the eye can see. And the only thing you can ask yourself as you experience such dilapidation is... ‘why?’

There’s no question, in Ft Walton Beach, there’s a lot of poverty. But the one thing, you’re not quite prepared for, is seeing street signs on certain areas which say, “No Handouts from Here to Corner.”

I’m sorry to have to say this, but Ft. Walton Beach was not my cup of tea. And I truly hope the village of Winter Garden figures out a way to prevent the town of Winter Garden from becoming another Ft Walton Beach.

As I was leaving the town of Winter Garden, I saw a handwritten sign with big block letters, which indeed, also took me by surprise.

“We buy ugly houses,” the sign said. And although it may seem funny at first, sadly, that pretty much...

If you're looking for an incredible place to spend your Saturday morning, the Winter Garden Farmers Market is, without a doubt, the perfect choice! This market is simply one of the best I’ve ever visited in Florida. Located in the historic downtown of Winter Garden, the market not only offers a wide variety of fresh and artisanal products but also provides an experience that goes far beyond just shopping.

The fresh produce is of the highest quality. You’ll find locally grown fruits, vegetables, and greens, as well as flowers and plants that add a special touch to your home. If you’re a fan of artisanal cheeses, breads, jams, and honey, this is the place for you. The selection of handcrafted goods is equally impressive, with everything from handmade soaps and candles to jewelry and other unique crafts.

Moreover, the atmosphere of the market is something you won’t find just anywhere. The environment is vibrant and welcoming, perfect for strolling with family or meeting up with friends. The live music adds an extra layer of charm, making the visit even more enjoyable. The Winter Garden Farmers Market truly captures the community spirit and is a great place to learn more about local producers.

If you love fresh products, enjoy craftsmanship, and appreciate a friendly, laid-back atmosphere, don’t miss the chance to visit the Winter Garden Farmers Market. It’s an event worth attending...

I was very disappointed in my last visit here. I am not really a regular customer but I have been here several times during the past decade.

2 weeks ago was my first return visit in almost a year. The items I bought barely lasted 2 days.😲 First of all the strawberries,🍓 which used to be fresh from Plant City years ago, are terrible....They are fake GMO!🫨 They have absolutely no taste or smell and they look weird. 😵‍💫Most of them are doubles, a clear sign of genetic engineering.☢️

What happened to the times when strawberries used to have such a pungent odor you could smell them from 10 ft away? 👃🏻And the taste 😋. These strawberries which look perfect have absolutely no flavor. And they sell like crazy! Are people that stupid? 🤷🏻‍♂️🤔

The cherry tomatoes🍅 had spots and mold on them within 2 days. The spinach in the bag became wet and soggy within 24 hours of opening the bag. The yellow pepper I bought was soft 3 days later. The Hass avocados appeared to be okay but have little taste 🤷🏻‍♂️🤔. I suppose they are GMO as well. I mean, how can so many millions of them be at markets all over the country all year round? Are they really from Mexico? 🤔

The place is obviously a gold mine on Saturday mornings. People spend thousands. And the market is very expensive. Everything there is close to double what it was before COVID. And it's just not that good. 😕 Yet people flock there and...