Yelp Orlando Shops Local

Orlando is deep in the Yelp challenge to spend your holiday shopping dollars with boutique and specialty neighborhood merchants; we are taking the Yelp Shops Local Pledge! Not only are local businesses pumped about being part of such a great initiative, but they are also getting the word out about where they shop local and what Orlando holiday festivities they love.

We chatted with a wide range of local personalities in Orlando so make sure to check them all out and get some ideas of where you can shop local!

Scott Joseph, the most trusted restaurant critic in Central Florida, gives us his insight on where to dine out locally this season if you are not for spending hours in the kitchen. However, you won’t find him here towards the end of December because for the holidays, he gifts himself with travel! “Last year I was in Vienna, Prague and Berlin. This year it will be Britain, with visits to London and Edinburgh. I enjoy seeing the holiday traditions of other cultures.”

Jami W of Peterbrooke Chocolatier in Winter Park has literally dreamed of owning her own chocolate Shoppe since she was a kid. “The original version of the movie Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory was released the year I was born, 1971, and it was my absolute favorite book as a child – pretty sure it was my destiny to own Peterbrooke. Chocolate is in my veins.” She also shares her Top 10 Shop Local stops in our City Beautiful.

Dana R lives and breathes shopping local and has dedicated her business to it! Other Peoples Property, more loving known as OPP, has a two-fold purpose: 1. Encouraging people to buy less NEW items, therefore, creating less waste and 2. To create revenue streams for giving. This is done through selling the most amazing Vintage around and sponsoring local events to spread our vision. Find out what her favorite holiday tradition is and checking out her next Swap & Shop event in 2012.

You can find Melissa F and her husband, John F, owners of Mother Falcon & The Falcon Bar & Gallery in Thornton Park, doing their shopping at this Sunday’s Grandma Party Bazaar. She also shares other local stops she plans on making while wrapping up her holiday shopping. They also have a great deal going on for shopping local at Mother Falcon, don’t miss out.

Orlando’s own local fashion hero, J from J Everyday Fashion, loves “all the boutiques along Park Avenue, and the second-hand furniture stores in Ivanhoe Village.” Also a fun Orlando fact about her and her favorite gift she ever received was when she was 10 and that “year all my gifts were The Little Mermaid themed.”