Click on a store name to visit their website and view more of their goodies!
Places to Shop for Unique Gifts:
You can find an array of merchandise from local Sanford merchants, from art to instruments, furniture to home-brew supplies. On your next trip to town, check out these top shopping spots and get just the right thing for everyone on your list.
Shop at these local stores for Unique Gifts, Stocking stuffers and be sure to ask about Gift Baskets & Gift Cards!
Magpies Modern General Store
215 E. 1st Street, Sanford, FL 32771 – (407) 495-8549
Tues.-Thurs. 10am-6pm|Fri. 11am-8pm|Sun. 12pm-5pm
A modern twist on the community based general stores of old, carrying both small batch and handmade goods. Gourmet treats for the entire family including hand-crafted popcorn, caramels and artisanal ice pops.
Click here to read more about Magpies General Store on our blog!
The Rosie Lee Co.
111 E 1st Street Sanford, Florida 32771 – (321) 315-1370
Tues.-Sat. 10am-6pm|Sun. 12pm-5pm
Purveyors Of Fine Teas, Soaps, Antiquities & Oddments
Rosie Lee: n. Cockney rhyming slang. Tea.
The Rosie Lee Co. is a storehouse of curiosities and treasures located in historic downtown Sanford, Florida. From our diverse selection of international teas and soaps to popular English Provisions & assortments of strange and unique oddments, The Rosie Lee Co. has you covered. Stop in today and see what all the buzz is about!
Click here to read more about The Rosie Lee. and owner Kim!
Rustic and Pipe Decor
(THIS BUSINESS HAS CLOSED)
Custom farmhouse/industrial/steampunk home decor for your home – toilet paper holders, hooks, door handles, paper towel holders, candle holders, farmhouse shelves and brackets, and so much more. Each handmade and customized just for you.
Jeanine Taylor Folk Art Gallery
211 East First Street, Sanford, FL – 407-323-2774
Fri. 10am-6pm|Sat. 10am-9pm|Sun. 12pm-5pm
Calling Sanford home for over ten years, the Jeanine Taylor Folk Art Gallery celebrates the work of contemporary folk artists who all bring a unique flair to the eclectic space. Their fun, off beat holiday window displays and interior décor will draw your eye and raise your spirits as you shop for the perfect pieces for the art enthusiasts in your life. The gallery sells everything from felted scarves and ornaments to jewelry and jarred jellies.
Maya Books and Music
204 E 1st Street, Sanford, Florida – (407) 321-6504
Mon.-Wed. 10am-5pm|Thurs.-Sat. 10am-7pm|Sun. 12pm-5pm
A trip through Maya Books is a treat for any literature lover. Shop the towering stacks of gently used books, vinyl records, and eclectic clothing with a friend before you grab lunch in Downtown Sanford or take a secret trip and buy a bevy of her favorite author’s books! Maya is also a great (and sometimes the only) place to buy certain books by Sanford authors, such as Bill Belleville.
Washburn Imports
116 E 1st St, Sanford, FL – 407-322-1449
Hours: Mon.-Sat. 10am-6pm|Sun. 11am-5pm
John Washburn chose Sanford for his second exotic imports store location almost ten years ago– and it’s been a staple ever since! From beautiful glass front cabinets from India to Thai Buddha statuettes, the store overflows with colors, textures, and shapes of Asia. A Washburn piece is the best gift for those with the travel bug, whether it’s a small decorative vase or a showpiece opium bed. The best part is that you can really get to know the furniture as you sip cocktails at the Imperial; consolidation at its finest!
Historic Sanford Welcome Center
230 E. 1st Street, Sanford – 407-302-2586
Hours: Mon.-Thurs. 10am – 5pm|Fri.-Sat. 10am-8pm|Sun. Noon – 5pm
Shop local this holiday season at the Historic Sanford Welcome Center Gift Shop. With a variety of items, many locally made or hand-crafted, and others that celebrate the Florida lifestyle, 100% of the profits stay right here in Sanford and benefit the non-profit that makes Alive After 5 possible. They also offer convenient gift wrapping of your purchase.
Sanford Flower Shop
209 E Commercial St, Sanford, FL 32771 – 407-322-1822
Hours: Mon.-Fri. 8am-5pm|Sat. 8am-12pm
Not only offering their expertise in flowers, the Sanford Flower shop also has a small gift shop offering ornaments, candles and other fun gifts for this holiday season. They carry gorgeous holiday blooms, which can be made into a gift basket or used as décor. Ask for their advice in making an eye-catching centerpiece or wreath for your guests to admire. Just take a look at their gorgeous front window display for proof of their expertise!
Click here to read more about the owners of the Sanford Flower Shop on our blog!
SMASH Comics Games and Toys
For all your comic loving friends and family members this is the perfect spot to find all of your nerd needs from comics, games, toys, statues, Pokèmon, D&D, MTG and more!
Sanford Marketplace at Magnolia
Every Saturday from 9am-2pm on Magnolia Square
Right in the heart of Historic Downtown, this collection of local vendors will help make your holiday entertaining extra special! Pick up fresh produce from State of Harmony Farm and handmade bread from Chad to fill your table with a local cornucopia. For a hostess gift, local honey and handmade soap are great choices, and any Sanfordite would be happy to receive a bat house made from upcycled materials to keep the mosquitos away. Shopping around in beautiful Magnolia Square with Sanford’s giant Christmas tree will also help get you in the holiday spirit.
Goldsboro Farmers Market
Fridays 2pm-6pm
Fresh produce, raw honey and other goods are sold at the Farmers Market.
The Market hours are Fridays from 2pm to 6pm at 1203 S. Olive Ave|Allen Chapel AME
Handmade Gifts:
Thistle & Grain
223 W 3rd St-(863) 344-1417
Hours: Mon.-Fri. 8:30am-5pm | Sat. 10am-2pm
Husband and wife team specializing in one-of-a-kind fine woodworks and textiles. Mike andCorie are quite a duo, each creating beautiful pieces with their hands, using only the finest of wood and fabric.
Park and Seventh
223 W 3rd St-(863) 344-1417
Mike S. is a local who knows how to build beautiful pieces of furniture, his work can be seen all around Sanford and in many local businesses.
Gifts for Vintage Lovers:
The Chiffon Cat Vintage
The Chiffon Cat Vintage often has Pop-ups at The Rosie Lee Co., but you can also support this Sanford business by shopping online!
The Chiffon Cat Vintage continually creates vintage vibes by recycling hand-picked secondhand finds and combining modern fashion with classic style.
Gifts for those who can’t get enough of Office Supplies:
Doc Paper Scissors
200 E. Commercial St. Suite 5, Sanford, Florida 32771-(407) 322-5842
Hours: Mon.-Fri. 8:30am-5pm|Sat. 10am-2pm
With competitiv
Gifts for Antique Lovers
Antiques and Dustibles
Park & 2nd Antiques
102 E 1st St. Sanford, Florida 32771-(407) 322-5842
Hours: Mon.10am-4pm|Tues.-Sat. 10am-6pm
At Park and 2nd Antiques we have a very eclectic collection of antiques, curiosities, and vintage. We are always adding and changing our store inventory. Park and 2nd is filled with quality and curious items from many different eras. If you’re looking to add to your collection, create a new look, refinish or re-purpose, we have a variety of different items just for you! We are conveniently locatedin historic-downtown Sanford, at the corner of Park and 2nd.
Tree House Antiques
Gifts for all of us, because we all love to Relax:
© Benevolence Photography
Antidote Apothecary & Spa
Harmonious Healing Massage
Gifts for the Health Nuts:
For those who enjoy getting up at the crack of dawn to hit the gym and take pride in their health, these places are a must for their gifts!
Root’s Raw Juice Bar
Trainer’s Edge
Gifts Adventure Lovers:
© Benevolence Photography
Pedal Driven
Crosswind Flight Training
Gifts for those who love something to do:
The winter season always takes a lot of all of us, so it’s important to reconnect with family and the community. Here are some local activities to enjoy this season!
Wayne Densch Performing Arts Center
Hours: Mon.-Fri. 9:30am-5:30am|Open during performances which dates and times vary
Whether you love plays, live music from your favorite past bands or movie classics the Wayne Densch Performing Arts Center has something for everyone!
Click here to see the newly painted performing arts center!
Limocycle
303 W 3rd St, Sanford, FL – 855-756-9386
Hours: Mon. 9am-10pm|Tues-Sun. 10am-10pm
Pedaling around town on the Limocycle is a great way to keep warm, spend time with friends, and work off some of those Thanksgiving calories! Pick fourteen of your favorite drinking buddies and your favorite libations and tour Sanford from this unique perspective.
Through Saturday November 28, 2015, Limocycle is offering an amazing BOGO deal. Don’t miss out!
Read here about Sanford365’s adventures on the Limocycle
© Benevolence Photography
Sanford Food Tours
203-980-8774
The Sanford Food and History Tour is a three-hour walking food tour through the heart of Downtown Sanford. We’ll “walk” you through the timeline of events from the Seminole Indian wars, the arrival of Henry Sanford, the haunting tales of the I-4 dead zone and the evolution of this quaint town.
You’ll enjoy large, sample-sized portions of food with roots in the Deep South and Europe. You’ll also see live demonstrations and taste the finished product. You’ll learn the stories behind the venues, hear from the folks that created the concepts and understand why they all chose Sanford.
Read here about Sanford365’s Food Tour experience!
Escape Artists
© Benevolence Photography
Board & Brush Creative Studio
At Board & Brush Creative Studio, our goal is to turn you into a ‘woodworking master’ by encouraging you to understand and appreciate the beauty of raw materials……the wood, the knots, the color variations and the simple imperfections that will make your sign unique. Distressing, sanding with the grain and staining are a few of the important steps we will guide you through to make your décor piece one that will look as though it has been with you for years….like a vintage heirloom.
In addition, our custom stencil process allows you to personalize your piece with your surname, monogram, the year of your special event or the names of your beloved children….the possibilities are endless and our design choices are expansive.
Read all about the Sanford365 gals visit to Board & Brush!
© Steven Miller Photography
Theater West End
Gifts for those with a Sweet Tooth:
Wondermade
Well, who wouldn’t want to find some of the most uniquely flavored marshmallows under their Christmas tree. How about a Boozy Set for Dad? That’s Bourbon, Beer, Fireball and Gin. You could also keep it more Christmas like with Peppermint, Sugar Cookie and Eggnog. Stop by today and pick up some boxes…
Click here to read about our past blog post about Wondermade!
Gifts for those who love all things German:
Magnolia Square Market
117 S Magnolia Ave, Sanford, FL – 407-878-4942
Hours: Mon.-Thurs. 10am-7pm|Fri.&Sat. 10am-8pm|Sun. 10am-7pm
So many of our holiday traditions come from Germany, so don’t forget to stop by Magnolia Square Market! Get a loaf of stollen to share with friends, and pick up advent calendars filled with German chocolate for the little ones. The Market’s house-roasted meats and imported cheeses make an enviable appetizer platter, especially served with their fresh baked pretzels and some pickles. Pair it with some wine or beer for your celebration, whether at home or abroad. (And don’t forget that the Market carries gluten-free bread, muffins, cookies, flour, and cake mixes!)
Hollerbach’s Willow Tree Cafe
They pride themselves in providing you with an authentic German Food Experience based on recipes from the 80’s and Gemütlichkeit (that feeling you have when enjoying great food and drink amongst friends and family). Looking for an authentic German meal and atmosphere, this is the place!
Hollerbach’s Outfitters
“Christina and Linda Hollerbach originally founded the Art Haus as a gallery and creative studio, where guests could create and collect original art. Due to increasing enthusiasm for German culture and a desire to provide additional Gemütlichkeit to the wonderful guests of our other family businesses in Downtown Sanford (Hollerbach’s Willow Tree Cafe and the Magnolia Square Market), we will now be offering imported and custom German clothing and accessories as Hollerbach’s Outfitters.
Enjoy the rare experience (at least in the US) of trying on a traditional German dirndl or set of lederhosen in person and having it personally sized to your figure. Perfect for Oktoberfest, Fasching, Christmas, and (of course) any night you have dinner at Hollerbach’s!”
Gifts for Coffee Lovers:
Akshar Patel
Palate Coffee Brewery
Caffe Di Riverwalk
Enjoy a delicious cup of coffee with your breakfast or lunch with the serene view of Lake Monroe on Caffe Di Riverwalks patio seating and relax!
Taste of Thyme Cafe
Open Tuesday through Saturday, we are a locally, owned and operated cafe located in the heart of historic, downtown Sanford. We use fresh ingredients and serve a variety of gourmet cafe food including breakfast and deli sandwiches, paninis, salads, ice cream and specialty coffee drinks. Take some time and taste for yourself!
Gifts for Beer Lovers:
Wop’s Hops Brewing Company
419 S. Sanford Ave. Sanford,FL 32771 – (407) 878-7819
Hours: Wed. 4pm-10pm| Thurs. 4pm-11PM|Fri. 4pm-12am|Sat. 1pm-2am|Sun. 11:30am-9pm
Take a visit to Sanford’s very first microbrewery this holiday season! Sample handcrafted beer in the beer garden and enjoy Florida’s mild winter weather. Try the vanilla cream ale or the scottish ale, both made right here in Sanford!
© Benevolence Photography
Celery City
114 S Palmetto Ave, Sanford, FL – 407-915-5541
Mon.-Wed. 11am-12am|Thurs.-Sat. 11am-2am|Sun. 11am-12am
Want to kick your holiday party beer selection up a notch? Try picking up a few growlers and bottles of Florida craft beer from Celery City Craft. With a few stouts and ales from different breweries around the state, you’ll keep your guests tipsy and impressed through the whole night! If you want to get fancy, pick up a few snifters for your guests to sip from and take home. And let’s face it, no one has ever complained about receiving Celery Bucks or one of Celery City’s all cotton V-neck shirts as a present! Go #sanfording 😉
Click here to read about the bigger and better Celery City!
Sanford Homebrew Shop
115 Magnolia Ave – Sanford FL – 407-732-6931
Hours: Mon.&Tues. 11am-7pm|Thurs.&Fri. 11am-7pm|Sat. 10am-7pm|Sun. 10am-2pm
With the explosion of craft beer and microbreweries across the country, you probably know one or two beer lovers who want to learn to brew! Fortunately, the Sanford Homebrew Shop has everything a brewing neophyte could need, including classes and starter kits. You can even purchase classes with open dates as gifts. For a seasoned brewer, try a gift certificate so they can pick up their own hops and malt. You might just receive the fruits of their labor as a thank you!
Tuffy’s Bottle Shop & Lounge
200 S Myrtle Ave Sanford, Florida 32771
Tuffy’s Bottle Shop & Lounge We make Cider! We have a great selection of local craft beers to enjoy here and/or to take home with you. Cocktails, giant Beer Garden, live entertainment & events
© Benevolence Photography
Sanford Brewing Company
400 S Sanford Ave. Sanford, FL 32771
Enjoy a 100+ seat taproom with a 15bbl brewhouse and a 3bbl pilot system. Part eatery, part pub, part brewery – Sanford Brewing Company is your community brewhouse. Savor handcrafted beer, meads, ciders and specialty sodas. Taste the freshness of locally sourced ingredients. Relish the company of local musicians. Soak in quintessential southern hospitality.
Offering Gift Cards, perfect for this holiday season!
Buster’s Bistro
300 S. Sanford Ave. Sanford, FL 32771 – (407) 732-6880
Hours: Tues.-Thurs. 11am-10pm|Fri.& Sat. 11am-1am|Sun.11am-10pm
Belgium has more breweries per head than any country in the world, over two thousand to put a number on it. Of these many about seven-hundred sell beer outside Belgium’s border. Of these we have a vast selection of styles and history to choose from. Like kids in a candy store we here at Buster’s do our best to choose the best eighteen draught beers and fifty bottles to best represent the pride and heritage of the motherland of beer. We then do our part to ensure that each beer is served in it’s proper glass designed and provided by the brewery to ensure the flavor is perfect from the luscious head all the way down to the last drop. We top the experience off with traditional Belgian pub fare and an educated staff to compliment the variety of complex and artistically crafted beers we have to offer. We hope to see you soon. Cheers!
Little Fish Huge Pond
Gifts for Cocktail Lovers:
Bitters & Brass
Gifts for Wine Lovers:
Luisa’s Cellar
206 Sanford Avenue, Sanford, Florida 32771 – (407) 915-7309
Hours:
- Monday: 6:00 AM – 1:00 PM & 6:00 PM – 10:00 PM
- Tuesday: 6:00 AM – 11:00 PM
- Wednesday: 6:00 AM – 11:00 PM
- Thursday: 6:00 AM – 11:00 PM
- Friday: 6:00 AM – 2:00 AM
- Saturday: 8:00 AM – 2:00 AM
- Sunday: 8:00 AM – 9:00 PM
Luisa’s Cellar is a premier boutique wine & craft beer bar desserts and exclusive Sumatran & Brazilian coffee blends. The ambiance is part book store part bottle shop mixed with live music and performing arts – a unique and entertaining experience for Historic Downtown Sanford!
Ellen’s Wine Room
Gifts for Food Lovers:
Be sure to check with your favorite Sanford Restaurants as most of them offer Gift Cards!!
The Tennessee Truffle
125 W. 1st St Sanford, Florida 32771-(407) 942-3977
Hours: Wed.-Fri. 9am-2pm, 5:30pm-9:30pm|Sat. 9am-3pm, 5:30pm-10pm
Known for their biscuits and grits, but no matter what you order you’re sure to want more! Fresh and natural ingredients!
The District in Sanford
112 W. 2nd Street Sanford, Florida 32771-(407) 330-2730
Hours: Tues.-Thurs. 11am-9pm| Fri. 11am-10pm| Sat. 5pm-10pm|Sun. 11am-3pm
“Our restaurant showcases local artisan décor throughout the rustic dining room and industrial bar highlighting the existing architecture of Sanford’s Historic District.The kitchen strives to combine America’s culinary history with contemporary, seasonal dishes. Made from scratch and inspired by locally sourced ingredients, our menu interprets classic American fare.Our food is complimented by a hand-selected wine list from America’s best regions, a rotating line-up of local craft beers and signature-artisanal cocktails made with seasonal ingredients.”
The Smiling Bison
107 S Magnolia Ave Sanford, Florida 32771-(407) 915-6086
Hours: Tues. 5pm-9:30pm|Wed.-Sat. 11am-2pm, 5pm-9:30pm
Our vision includes a primary focus on handcrafting creative, high quality, delicious tasting foods while utilizing the local food supply chain whenever possible. Additionally, within the restaurant, we take great pride in creating and sustaining an environment that completely compliments the food.
Our beverage menu contains a strong selection of craft beers coupled with an assortment of the best tasting wines available. Our décor is a collage of local artists and photographers, while our stage is a platform for some of the best local musical talent around. We have set the bar very high for service as well, and we are continually improving.
Our goal was to create a fun and comfortable dining place for anyone and everyone, where we serve up some of the highest quality, creative, and most importantly, tasty food in town. As for Late Night. we transform into a more lively social scene featuring some of the best musicians in town, and accompanying that with a late night food menu to compliment.”
Jimotti’s Restaurant
Hours: Mon.-Thurs. 11:30am-2:30pm, 5pm-9pm| Fri. 11:30am-2:30pm, 5pm-10pm| Sat. 5pm-9:30pm
The Colonial Room
105 E 1st St Sanford, Florida 32771-(407) 323-2999
Hours: Mon.-Sat. 6:30am-2:30pm| Sun. 8am-2pm
Negril Spice Cuisine
114 S Sanford Ave Sanford, Florida 32771-(407) 878-2726
Hours: Mon.-Thurs. 9am-9pm| Fri.-Sat. 9am-3pm| Sun. 12pm-9pm
Chianti’s Pizza and Pasta – Italian RestaurantNegril Spice Cuisine
Hours: Mon.-Thurs. 11am-9pm| Fri.-Sat. 11am-10pm| Sun. 11am-9pm
We offer Gluten Free Pastas and Pizza. We have many Vegetarian options
Christo’s
Hours: Mon. 11am-3pm| Tues.-Thurs. & Sun. 11am-10pm| Fri.-Sat. 11am-11pm| Sun. 8am-3pm
Zorba’s Greek Restaurant
Hours: Wed.-Thurs. & Sun. 11am-8pm| Fri.-Sat. 11am-9pm
craving for Greek food in the area and so he was inspired to open Zorba’s Restaurant & Pizzeria. While he cannot bring the majestic views of Mediterranean mountains covered in olive trees, he can satisfy your craving for Greek cuisine. So sit, relax and enjoy your meal! …and as the Greeks say,“Kali Orexi!” or “Good Appetite!”
Fuel BBQ
Hours: Tues.-Thurs. 11am-9pm| Fri.-Sat. 11am-10pm| Sun. 11am-9pm
St Johns River Steak & Seafood
Hours: Mon.-Thurs. 11am-9pm| Fri.-Sat. 11am-10pm| Sun. 11am-8pm
The Breezeway Restaurant and Bar
Hours: Mon.-Thurs. 11am-9pm| Fri.-Sat. 11am-11pm| Sun. 11am-8pm
“Great for lunch and dinner, The Breezeway Restaurant & Bar is a casual grill serving the freshest fish and juiciest steaks around. We prepare everything to order using high quality ingredients. We have everything from seafood to steak and have excellent lunch specials and weekly fish specials. Some of our customers’ favorites include our big fish sandwiches and our firecracker shrimp appetizer. Offering an extensive menu, you’re sure to find something that will suit your appetite.
The Breezeway has remained the locals’ destination for casual dining with friends or family. Our bar and grill has a great atmosphere offering both indoor and outdoor dining. We’re dedicated to providing you with high quality food, refreshing drinks, and a fun atmosphere, and we promise to provide you with complete customer satisfaction on every visit. We hope to see you soon!”
The Corner Cafe
Hours: Mon.-Sat. 11am-4pm
Riverwalk Pizzeria
Hours: Mon.- Thurs. 11am-9pm| Fri.-Sat. 11am-10pm| Sun. 12pm-9pm
“In addition to our wonderful cuisine we now offer a full bar. We make our own dough and sauces to ensure a quality product. Our menu is full of items made to your order, so it is fresh and served at its best.
Riverwalk Pizzeria won 3rd “Best Pizza Place” in Seminole County”
