Thursday is the last day for two Winter Garden businesses after a new landlord purchased their buildings and chose not to renew the leases. Three Birds Cafe owner Ashley Morton was busy as people came out for coffee and food Thursday to show support, but when she had a moment to reflect on the finality of today, she said, “Sad. A lot of tears are going to be shed over the weekend. At the end of today, it’s a lot of emotions going on. But I think there is a big hope factor that I’m very much looking forward to the future and seeing what’s next for us.”Morton opened her business in 2019, weathered the pandemic, and says the business truly took off after moving to this spot.“This location specifically built Three Birds.” Morton reflected on all she will miss at the spot on Plant Street: “The community, my regulars that come in every day, my staff that I’ve built.”Down the block, Ruby and Rust is also closing Thursday. Customer Heather Heaton walked out with a 5-foot-tall plant, stating, “This baby here is coming home with me. This is my souvenir because I want to support a small business, and I want to remember that growth can happen naturally. Growth can happen through small businesses.”Heaton is not thrilled with the changes happening in the area. She does handiwork nearby, and says 85% to 90% of her business is in Winter Garden.”I find that we do more work out here than anywhere else because the people here care about what’s around them in their immediate area,” she explained. One big question remains: What is the new vision for Plant Street? As WESH 2 reported last week, nine commercial buildings, eight along Plant Street, were sold in the last year. Six of those were purchased by Anton RX or Anton Properties.WESH 2 reached out to the companies last week but has not heard back. While Thursday was bittersweet for Morton, she said the community has been incredible, “Business has doubled over the last week. Winter Garden has definitely come out. They’ve shown up for small businesses.”She is already planning what is next: starting with farmers markets in Winter Garden and Clermont, with a new location to be announced soon. You can stay up to date by following her on social media.
Thursday is the last day for two Winter Garden businesses after a new landlord purchased their buildings and chose not to renew the leases.
Three Birds Cafe owner Ashley Morton was busy as people came out for coffee and food Thursday to show support, but when she had a moment to reflect on the finality of today, she said, “Sad. A lot of tears are going to be shed over the weekend. At the end of today, it’s a lot of emotions going on. But I think there is a big hope factor that I’m very much looking forward to the future and seeing what’s next for us.”
Morton opened her business in 2019, weathered the pandemic, and says the business truly took off after moving to this spot.
“This location specifically built Three Birds.” Morton reflected on all she will miss at the spot on Plant Street: “The community, my regulars that come in every day, my staff that I’ve built.”
Down the block, Ruby and Rust is also closing Thursday. Customer Heather Heaton walked out with a 5-foot-tall plant, stating, “This baby here is coming home with me. This is my souvenir because I want to support a small business, and I want to remember that growth can happen naturally. Growth can happen through small businesses.”
Heaton is not thrilled with the changes happening in the area. She does handiwork nearby, and says 85% to 90% of her business is in Winter Garden.
“I find that we do more work out here than anywhere else because the people here care about what’s around them in their immediate area,” she explained.
One big question remains: What is the new vision for Plant Street? As WESH 2 reported last week, nine commercial buildings, eight along Plant Street, were sold in the last year. Six of those were purchased by Anton RX or Anton Properties.
WESH 2 reached out to the companies last week but has not heard back.
While Thursday was bittersweet for Morton, she said the community has been incredible, “Business has doubled over the last week. Winter Garden has definitely come out. They’ve shown up for small businesses.”
She is already planning what is next: starting with farmers markets in Winter Garden and Clermont, with a new location to be announced soon. You can stay up to date by following her on social media.
