Inside Look: Audubon Park Garden District

Along Corrine Drive between Leu Gardens in the west to Baldwin Park in the east, the beloved and quirky Audubon Park Garden District is one of the tiniest commercial districts in the United States, but it packs a lot of flavor into that small space. The district is known for two community passions: sustainable living and food innovations.

It’s no surprise that one of Central Florida’s first food halls was founded here: East End Market has become a trailblazer and incubator for some of the best restaurants in Orlando.

The neighborhood is also home to the Audubon Park Community Market. At the time of its founding, it was a local farmers market, the only one where you could actually meet the grower. A few years ago, Market Director Gabby Lothrop pursued making the market SNAP-certified, so more people could get fresh groceries and vegetable plants there. Since then, those concepts have expanded to other markets, but Lothrop’s was the first. (She has consulted to help some of the others.)

We spoke with Jennifer Marvel, executive director for the Audubon Park Garden Main Street District, via email:

What were some classic food and dining establishments in the past?

The one that surprises people the most is the Krispy Kreme that used to be where Sushi Lola’s is now. It opened sometime in the 1950s. It is listed in the 1958 phone book, so that would make it one of the earliest Krispy Kremes in Florida. People still pine for Junior’s Diner; Bikes, Beans & Bordeaux Cafe; and P is for Pie [Bake Shop]. We need more restaurants! Not a dining establishment, but where Flower No. 5 is was once a liquor store called JW Liquors. (Also in the same 1958 phone book. You can learn a lot from those bygone relics.)

What makes the Audubon Park Garden District special in your opinion?

Neighborhoods can have true character and charm when regional and national brands can’t dominate the landscape for one reason or another. Our community has benefited from the fact that Corrine Drive is actually made up of numerous properties, all owned by different people with their own pursuits. It’s those locally owned small businesses that give the neighborhood its unique vibe and character. Stardust [Video & Coffee] set the tone years ago for quirky community engagement, so between that, Park Ave CDs’ many activities, Joybird Books’ programming, our own community events, and everyone else, I’d say it’s just a cool, authentic place.

What are some popular things to do and eat in the District?

Kelly’s Homemade Ice Cream — which makes all their ice cream by hand in their Corrine Drive location — is the obvious top answer here, but I want to give them a special shout out for their Banana Pudding Ice Cream. It’s literally my favorite ice cream of all time anywhere. Looking for a crazy amount of food for a crazy low price? Totzilla at Stardust does not disappoint. In fact, I want Totzilla right now. The salmon and avocado flatbread at Lobos Coffee Roasters is my go-to there every time, as is their fresh, handmade limeade. I keep saying I’m going to get their limeade to go and then walk over to Stardust and pay them to put a shot of Tito’s in it. I think that would be sheer perfection. Finally, the Florida shrimp and white bean dish at Redlight Redlight is heaven for $15. So good.

What are some new things happening this year in the District?

We’re doing Night Owl Thursdays now, where participating shops stay open until 8, and one Thursday night a month we’re bringing in live, outdoor music, a wine stroll, games and more.