WINTER GARDEN, Fla. \u2013 Downtown Winter Garden is a hot real estate market, but some say the growth is coming at a steep cost, particularly for some small businesses that will have to close up shop after their storefronts were sold. <\/p>\n
In the past year, at least nine commercial buildings have sold for millions of dollars. The historic Edgewater Hotel building on West Plant Street, for instance, sold for $10.3 million in August.<\/p>\n
The building at 2 W Plant Street sold on Dec. 31 for $2.2 million. That building was home to Three Birds Cafe \u2014 was, because now the owner is being forced to close.<\/p>\n
\u201cEveryone tells me we were the staple of this corner specifically,\u201d said cafe owner Ashley Morton, who got a letter from her new landlord saying her lease would not be renewed.<\/p>\n
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Morton says she tried to negotiate with her previous landlord to be able to stay in the building. <\/p>\n
\u201cI said, \u2018hey, if it\u2019s a market value, we could be at market value, we could afford it\u2019,\u201d Morton said. \u201cHe said it wasn\u2019t a question about that, he didn\u2019t want to give us an extension so that the building looked more appealing to a buyer, which it did.\u201d<\/p>\n
Three Birds Cafe, which operated in Downtown Winter Garden for seven years, will close next Thursday.<\/p>\n
Just down the street from the cafe, Driftwood Market posted on social media that its lease was also not renewed. That building was sold on Oct. 10 to a different buyer.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhat is to become of Winter Garden in the future?\u201d Morton asked.<\/p>\n
Six buildings were sold in 2025 to entities tied to James Larweth, who owns Anton RX and Anton Health, a pharmaceutical rebate management company in Winter Garden. <\/p>\n
The sale prices ranged from almost $1.8 million for a building at 20 S. Main Street to $10.3 million for the Edgewater Hotel.<\/p>\n
News 6 reached out to Larweth to ask what his plans were, but we have not heard back yet.<\/p>\n
At least three other buildings, two on Plant Street and one on Boyd Street, were sold in October, November, and December. The Boyd Street location is actually home to an Anton RX office.<\/p>\n
With all the changes in Winter Garden, we reached out to several real estate agents.<\/p>\n
\u201cLast 10 years, I would say Winter Garden really turned a corner,\u201d said Josiah Moore with Millenia Partners. <\/p>\n
\u201cAny time there is new development, new residents coming to the area, commercial real estate will follow,\u201d said Orlando real estate agent Hafid Boujidi.<\/p>\n
The city of Winter Garden prides itself on its small-town feel. The city\u2019s Living Local Campaign notes more than 2,000 businesses in the area are majority locally owned. <\/p>\n
But there\u2019s not much the city can do if a building owner chooses to sell.<\/p>\n
\u201cThere\u2019s a lot of hunger for that market,\u201d Moore said.<\/p>\n
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The city sent a statement to News 6 Tuesday afternoon on behalf of Marc O. Hutchinson, Winter Garden\u2019s economic development director:<\/p>\n
\u201cThe City is aware of recent purchases of several downtown properties and the impact on certain local businesses. We know that these businesses are valued parts of our downtown brand, and we recognize the deep concerns expressed by residents, fellow business owners, and patrons.<\/p>\n
\u201cProperty ownership and lease agreements are private, contractual matters between property owners and tenants. Individuals and corporations have the right to buy, sell, and lease property. The City does not have the legal authority to intervene in or control these private real estate transactions or lease decisions, provided they comply with applicable laws and codes.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe City remains committed to supporting a vibrant and desirable downtown. We will continue working with property owners, business operators, and community stakeholders to preserve the character of our downtown, encourage investment, and support opportunities for small locally owned businesses.\u201d<\/p>\n
Ashley Morton says officials with the city have reached out to her to see if there are ways they can help her business. She says she is not losing hope that Three Birds Cafe will continue to live on in Winter Garden.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m more hopeful now,\u201d Morton said. \u201cHopefully, this will not be the end of our Winter Garden journey.\u201d<\/p>\n
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