WINTER GARDEN, Fla. – Concerned residents and business owners packed City Hall in Winter Garden on Thursday night, filling commission chambers to capacity as they voiced fears over how recent downtown property sales could reshape the community and force out small businesses.
Even though the issue was not listed on the meeting agenda, people showed up. Their concerns center on multiple property transactions downtown that have coincided with business closures and lease terminations.
“Small businesses aren’t just a storefront,” one resident told commissioners. “They are families and employees. Students having their first jobs.”
Several speakers addressed city leaders directly, saying recent sales have already led to the loss of longtime businesses and could threaten the area’s small-town identity.
According to property records, at least nine buildings in downtown Winter Garden were sold in 2025. Six of those properties were purchased by the same buyer, who already has ties to the area.
News 6 has contacted the buyer for comment, but has not received a response regarding future plans for the properties.
During the meeting, city representatives explained that there are constitutional and federal restrictions that limit their ability to deny most new businesses from operating. However, city leaders said they can regulate zoning categories and architectural standards to help preserve the historic character of downtown.
For some residents, the changes already feel personal.
“We went to get coffee at Three Birds Cafe,” said Kayla Statland. “We heard they were closing, so we wanted to try it one last time.”
Three Birds Cafe served its final customers Thursday, closing after seven years in downtown Winter Garden. Workers were seen clearing tables and cleaning the space in the business’s final hours.
“We were sad,” Statland said. “We always go there.”
Residents said locally owned shops and cafes help define the community.
[WATCH: Frustrated residents rally around Winter Garden businesses closed amid buying spree]
“Just supporting local businesses,” one customer said. “It’s so beautiful out here. You can come out, drink some coffee and enjoy it.”
Valerie Mann said the small businesses are a major reason she chose to live in the area.
“It is a small town inside a big area,” Mann said. “I moved here because of this place. I walk here every day.”
Several additional downtown businesses say their leases are expected to be terminated in the coming months. City officials say no formal development plans have been submitted yet, but residents are urging transparency as changes continue to unfold.