click. clack. click. clack. The sounds of my heels as they hit the brick. The playground is quiet. The sun shines brightly behind an old oak. A local passes by on his evening bike ride. A couple walks by with their dogs, arms full of dinner from one of the many local restaurants now offering takeout. Signs are posted on the front doors and windows of local businesses announcing their closure until further notice. Things are quieter than normal around Sanford, around the world. But if you look closely, if you really listen you’ll hear the buzz of the community and the way people are coming together to encourage one another as locals support local.

© Benevolence Photography
We are sharing with you little moments of joy as we have seen many in the way our community has come together to support each other and our local businesses. We would love to see how you are supporting our local Sanford businesses during this time of social distancing. Please share your photos on instagram using the hashtags #Sanford365 and #PickUpSanford, send us a message on Facebook or simply fill out our contact form HERE.

© Benevolence Photography

© Benevolence Photography
Let’s join Orlando and #PickUpLocal – Let’s #PickUpSanford
As the convener and catalyst for the business community, the Orlando Economic Partnership, along with the Orlando Regional Chamber and Orlando Tech Council, is working to align the region with one voice when it comes to supporting local businesses. That’s why they started the #PickUpOrlando social media campaign encouraging community members to tell everyone how they “pick up” their community and support local business during this crisis.
We think this is a great idea and decided to join this campaign using #PickUpSanford on our posts to spread the positive message. Just as the Orlando Economic Partnership, we want to simply encourage everyone to creatively support and patronize our small business community during these challenging times – and we know that Sanfordites already are real experts at that!
Here’s what the challenge includes:
- Tell us how you “pick up” Sanford!
- Post a photo of yourself supporting a local business and tag? 3 friends to do the same.??
- Use the verbiage “I support (name of business or organization) and use hashtag #PickUpSanford. Please also use #PickUpOrlando to reach an even larger audience and spread the Sanford Love!
Here’s how WE pick up Sanford!
With a combined following of over 22,000 locals (Facebook, Instagram and our weekly newsletter), we see it not only as our responsibility but also as our never ending mission to support our local businesses – in good times and in bad times! Since Day 1, Sanford365 has been here for the sole purpose of spreading the love we have for Sanford and its amazing community and inspiring everyone around us to do the same!
- @Chris_technomadia: “No matter what happens, Sanford is still a cocktail town – and today we discovered Celery City Craft is offering up jumbo-sized togo cocktails in sippy juice pouches. Score!”
- Tina Kadolph: Getting supplies for Palate and stopped to have a social distancing picnic on the Sanford waterfront. It was super windy yesterday no one around, no surfaces to clean, just the beautiful outdoors. A great way to have some family time. The kids loved it!? Gotta be creative?
- Ginger Updike: When COVID cancels the family camping trip you bring the great outdoors home. Now with an outdoor movie area and a pool ?. #Sanfording #gratitudegratitudegratitude #ThisTooShallPass #NuggetInATent
- @Sanfordbrewcrew: Grabbed some lunch at thecornercafesanfordfl to support our awesome historicdowntownsanford on #407day. They have the best soup, sandwich, or salad combos around!!! Added another #sanfordstimulus card to our collection, too.
- Julia Vander Molen: Last night’s “selective” social distancing with one of my favorite men on this weird planet. Thank you for the delicious noms “to go” The Empress Table
- @Sanfordfllady: “There are still many local restaurants open for take out and delivery. Got that stimulus check? Use it! Support your local businesses. Every little bit helps.”
- Tammy Agnini: Perfect night for a takeout sunset dinner (@elzocalomexsanford ) with a perfect view. Supporting local + getting out of the house = win/win @ Monroe Harbour Marina
- Much needed break from the normal routine. ********* #Sanfording #LakeMonroe #Sanford #Florida
- @TheSavvyMe: We are so happy to have found @waterkistfarm.sanford and that they are only 5 minutes from us. The first night we made veggie burgers wrapped in their lettuce and juicy heirloom tomatoes. The second night we had a stir fry with their yummy Datil pepper and Sunflower sprouts. The produce has been some of the best we have had since moving to Florida.
- Andrea Cochran: We hung out and practiced social distancing tonight. We brought our own chairs, drank our own drinks and didn’t hug hello or good-bye. It’s the new normal for now. Stay safe, everyone! (Andrea’s evening wine choice Luisa’s Cellar).
- 1st Street trifecta! Deviant Wolfe Brewing Sourmanjaro The Tennessee Truffle catfish and grits Hollerbach’s Willow Tree Café Apple Strudel Zach Waters” All were great as always.
- Vicki Costanza?: “SO I’ve been very lax with my posting but that doesn’t mean we haven’t been busy “supportin”!! We are quick to gobble everything up so I apologize no food pics! We hit so many places this past week and a half – everywhere we’ve been has been so appreciative and so very kind! We are being very conscience about tipping WELL (please do the same if you can) and continue to pray for our little town businesses!! Here’s some of our amazing eats – The Tennessee Truffle, Fuel BBQ – Sanford, FL, Salvatore’s Prime Sandwiches, Colonial Room Restaurant, Sanford Pizza Company, Sanford Brewing Company, Palate Coffee Brewery and Palate Bubs and Ice Cream”
- Maguire Wise: Golf cart drive-in for a growler fill-up, thanks Celery City! #sanfording #ilovesanfordflorida #historicdowntownsanford #celerycitycraft #32771
- Vicki Costanza: “Had the most amazing brunch with Luisa’s Cellar / The Empress Table this afternoon. The French toast and quiche were to die for and the Sangria was cold & refreshingYou don’t want to miss out! So good to meet you Mary!”
- Stephanie Heller Pilk?: My favorite gargoyles are at it again.
- Shana Gorondy: Stocking up on the essentials. More then ever it’s time to support small business. Thanks @magnoliasquaremarket for the buns, Turkey, chicken salad and of course dessert. You rock! #sanfording6feetaway #supportlocal
- @Karaann2121: ” Ice cream delivery from Wondermade tonight!”
- @TheSavvyMe: JB is happy to receive his delivery from our #local #winery @brixandmortarurbanwinery ?
- Shana Gorondy: “Thanks Tennessee Truffle for this delicious Chicken pot pie”
- @Schusterstealsanddeals: “@celerycitycraft @loggerheaddistillery for the win! Their sweet tea vodka cocktail to go is a win! And they brought it out to my minivan.”
- @Schusterstealsanddeals: “@fuel_bbq did not disappoint. Take out – mama win – no dishes – no cooking – and we have leftovers!”
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Andrea McCrory Bandy “HUGE shout out to Shantell & her AMAZING team! I think we were the last served of the night <
> I’ve been craving the fish dinner for DAYS!!!!! Sooo good and worth the wait! The mac & cheese, okra, yams, and extras were the comfort food I desperately needed. Thanks, again!! I’ll be back for chicken & waffles, this week.”