While the season of holiday sales is upon us, donβt forget to support local business owners on Small Business Saturday, Nov. 24. These entrepreneurs are some of the ΒιΆΉΣ³»΄«Γ½ alumni who provide goods and services that make Orlando an even greater place to shop, eat and relax.
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Pop Parlour
Serving up sweets is practically in graduate Brandon Chandler β10βs DNA. In 2013, Chandleropened Pop Parlour, a shop offering fruity, creamy and boozy frozen treats as a tribute to his grandfather PopPop, who sold similar items after World War II. Pop Parlour has grown to two locations and serves coffee, tea, craft beer and wine, depending on which spot you visit.
³’΄Η³¦²Ή³ΩΎ±΄Η²Τ²υ:Μύ4214 E. Plaza Drive on the ΒιΆΉΣ³»΄«Γ½ campus; 431 E. Central Blvd., Suite C; ThePopParlour.com
(Pop Parlour’s ΒιΆΉΣ³»΄«Γ½ location will be closed on Small BusinessΒ Saturday due to campus closures, but you can still visit the downtown location or stop by another day.)
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Six28 Boutique
Six months after graduating with a degree in elementary education, Rachel Ledbetter β16Β took a risk to pursue entrepreneurship by opening clothing boutique Six28. Located near ΒιΆΉΣ³»΄«Γ½, Six28 sells trendy, affordable womenβs clothing and accessories, which can also be purchased on the storeβs online site.
Location:12082 Collegiate Way; 407-630-3890; Six28Boutique.com
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Bikes, Beans & Bordeaux
Cycling enthusiasts Darrell Cunningham β93Β and Jen Cunningham β95 β96MSWΒ opened Bikes, Beans and Bordeaux to provide a space for people to bond over good food, drinks and company. With a commitment to health in mind, the shop sells breakfast items, sandwiches, soups, salads, desserts, beer, wine and more daily and at special events each month. While at ΒιΆΉΣ³»΄«Γ½, Darrell studied civil engineering and Jen majored in social work.
Location:3022 Corrine Drive; 407-427-1440; BikesBeansandBordeaux.com
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Deli Fresh Threads
Marketing major Anthony βBiggieβ Bencomo β98Β merged his love of sandwiches with another creative passion by opening Deli Fresh Threads, a clothing store? with designs inspired by what he considers the #KingOfMeals. You can buy foodie fashion in the form of T-shirts, hats, pins and stickers on the online shop. Bencomo also hosts a monthly #SandwichEatUp at local shops around Central Florida to help support other small businesses.
Location: 321-303-5129; DeliFreshThreads.com
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Tactical Brewing Company
Owned and operated by veteran and psychology graduate Doug Meyer β14 β16MBA, Tactical Brewing Company serves craft brews created on-site to veterans, first responders and all beer lovers alike.
³’΄Η³¦²Ή³ΩΎ±΄Η²Τ:Μύ4882 New Broad St.; 407-203-2033; TacticalBeer.com
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Retrolando
Retro Orlando captures the City Beautifulβs history while giving back to others. The online T-shirt company offers men and womenβs clothing inspired by former iconic Orlando businesses, organizations and landmarks. Each purchase is something you can feel good about because owner and English major Shannon Flesch Couillard β04, donates a new shirt to a local homeless shelter for each shirt sold.
³’΄Η³¦²Ή³ΩΎ±΄Η²Τ:ΜύRetrolando.com
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Yaupon Brothers Tea Co.
Brothers β ΒιΆΉΣ³»΄«Γ½ senior hospitality major Kyle White and legal studies graduate Bryon β09β have revived an ancient Native American superfood with their yaupon holly tea company. The brothers sustainably harvest their organic crop and distribute their product at restaurants and shops. Online purchases can also be made on their official site and Amazon.Β Yaupon Brothers also offers sustainable agricultural consulting services for Florida farmers looking for alternative crops.
³’΄Η³¦²Ή³ΩΎ±΄Η²Τ²υ:ΜύVarious local shops such as Luckyβs Market, Credo Coffee, Infusion Tea and Dandelion Communitea CafΓ©; YauponBrothers.com
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A Piece of Work
Started by marketing graduate Curtis Young β04Β in 2007, A Piece of Work apparel company creates custom embroidery and screen printing. Through partnerships with companies such as the Orlando Magic, Funky Buddha and more, the online site offers quality work clothing. A Piece of Work also sells eco-friendly items such as recycled journals and organic cotton totes.
³’΄Η³¦²Ή³ΩΎ±΄Η²Τ:Μύ321-662-3836; APieceofWorkGear.com
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Just Save the Date
Whether you need to put together a small intimate gathering or a major extravagant event, Just Save the Date can help make any occasion special. Communication graduate and ownerΒ Kelly Erickson Fowler β02Β started the event planning company after planning her own destination wedding. Just Save the Date operates from two locations in the Orlando and Key West areas.
³’΄Η³¦²Ή³ΩΎ±΄Η²Τ²υ:ΜύOrlando β 407-258-1944;Β Key West β 305-767-3774; JustSaveTheDate.com