Sunday, March 22, 2026

Writer's Block closing. Driftwood finds a new home. Harlow Grove is open. + Clear skies 79° · Evening at the Pops next Saturday · Farmers Market today

Good Morning Winter Garden

Sunday, March 22, 2026 · West Orange County, FL

☀️ 79° · Clear & Sunny

Your daily dispatch from the heart of West Orange County.

Plant Street & the West Orange Trail · Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA)

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Writer's Block Bookstore Closing by End of April — Another Downtown Casualty

The beloved Plant Street bookstore is the latest small business forced out as rising rents reshape downtown Winter Garden.

Writer's Block Bookstore at 32 W. Plant St. will close at the end of April after its landlord terminated the lease in favor of a new tenant willing to pay significantly higher rent. Owner Lauren Zimmerman announced the closure on March 10 — making it the third local business displaced downtown in recent months, following Three Birds Café and Ruby & Rust. The Winter Park location and online store will continue. Meanwhile, there's a bright spot: Driftwood Market, which also lost its Plant Street space, announced Friday it has found a new home at 49 S. Main St. in downtown Winter Garden. Opening details are still forthcoming.

Observer → · WFTV → · Driftwood update →

Harlow Grove Restaurant & Lounge Now Open on Main St.

Two-story restaurant at 186 S. Main St. Three vibes: dining room, oak-shaded terrace, upstairs cocktail lounge. Mon–Sun, dinner from 4 PM. Read more →

OCPS Votes to Close 7 Schools Amid Enrollment Decline

Board voted unanimously March 10. None in WG area, but district faces $17M funding cut from declining enrollment statewide. Read more →

The buyout tally keeps growing. $40M+ and counting.

James Larweth's network of 26 LLCs has now spent more than $40 million acquiring 36 properties in and around downtown Winter Garden since 2015. Over 150 residents packed a City Commission meeting earlier this month to voice concerns. Larweth has met with city officials but still hasn't released a public plan — only saying he wants to "restore" the buildings. The city is reviewing all zoning, architecture, and signage ordinances. Next Commission meeting with second reading on the church annexation: March 26.

36 properties, 26 LLCs Driftwood → 49 S. Main Writer's Block closes April

☀️ This Week's Weather

Winter Garden, FL · Mar 22–28 · NWS Melbourne

Clear today, storms possible Tue–Wed (40%) · NWS Melbourne

West Orange High Senior Dies After Drowning at Ormond Beach

Ricky Alejandro Martinez, 19, was caught in a rip current March 14 during spring break. He was swimming in an area without lifeguards. Observer →

Commission Approves Church Annexation, Lake Apopka Shoreline Grant

3.5-acre annexation for New Life Slavic Church. Plus $600K DEP grant for 60 acres of Lake Apopka shoreline at Newton Park. Read more →

School Zone Speed Cameras Going Live — $100 Fines Start Soon

Esteem Academy citations start March 25. Whispering Oak Elementary starts April 1. Warning period ending. City updates →

Tucker Ranch Park Addition Wins National Architecture Award

25.6-acre wellness center, teaching farm & activity center opening late 2026. Historic West Orange Country Club arch being moved as centerpiece. Read more →

Tremaine St. Still Closed Through May

Between S. Boyd & S. Main St. — water tower refurbishment. Local access maintained, detour in place. City updates →

350+ Evacuated From Sand Lake Rd. Apartment Building

Residents of The Rialto reported popping sounds and cracks Thursday. Structural engineers evaluating — no return date yet. Read more →

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"We're not leaving Winter Garden — we're just moving around the corner. This next chapter is going to be something special."

Driftwood Market, announcing its new location at 49 S. Main St. — West Orange Observer

Farmers Market — Today!

8 AM–1 PM · Downtown Pavilion, 104 S. Lakeview Ave. · 100+ vendors, live music, free parking · details →

School Zone Speed Cameras Active — Esteem Academy

Warning period ends · $100 civil citations for speeding begin · city alert →

City Commission Meeting — Church Annexation Vote

Second reading & final vote on New Life Slavic Church annexation · agenda →

Fridays on the Plaza 🎵

7–9 PM · Centennial Plaza Gazebo · Free live music · details →

Evening at the Pops 🎶 Newton Park

6–9:30 PM · Newton Park on Lake Apopka · Plant Street Pops Orchestra · Free community event

Speed Camera Citations Begin — Whispering Oak Elementary

$100 civil citations for speeding in school zone · city alert →

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West Orange Observer · WFTV · Central Florida Public Media · NWS Melbourne · Mar 22, 2026

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