Saturday, April 4, 2026

Residents rally against downtown business closures. New coffee shop opens. Polka Dotz staying. Farmers Market is today 8–1. Storms arriving Monday.

Good Morning Winter Garden

Saturday, April 4, 2026

West Orange County, FL

☀️ 84° · Mostly sunny

Your daily dispatch from the heart of West Orange County.

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Residents Rally Against Loss of Downtown Businesses

Winter Garden residents have taken to the streets to protest the displacement of longtime downtown tenants following the sale of the Exchange Building — a flash of public anger over the pace of change on Plant Street.

The acquisition of the Exchange Building by Legacy Exchange LLC triggered the closure or forced relocation of several businesses that had anchored the downtown corridor. Protesters gathered to voice opposition, reflecting broad community concern about what the turnover means for the character of Winter Garden's historic core. The demonstration follows the news reported Thursday that multiple established tenants received notices to vacate. City officials have not announced any intervention; business owners are actively searching for new locations within the community.

Fox 35 → Orange Observer →

CFS Coffee Shop Now Open in Winter Garden

A new coffee shop, CFS, has opened its doors in Winter Garden, adding to the local café scene just as the downtown business landscape is in flux. Orange Observer →

Polka Dotz to Remain in Downtown Winter Garden

Amid the displacement of other Exchange Building tenants, Polka Dotz has confirmed it will stay in the downtown district — a rare piece of good news for Plant Street this week. Orange Observer →

📣 This Week in Winter Garden

Farmers Market is open now. Downtown keeps moving.

Today's the best day of the week on Plant Street — head to the Pavilion by 8 AM. The community showed up this week to push back on downtown business losses, and two businesses brought good news of their own. A new coffee shop opened, and Polka Dotz confirmed it's staying. Spring Fever in the Garden is one week out, April 11–12.

Today: Farmers Market 🌿 Apr 7: P&Z Board 🏛️ Apr 11–12: Spring Fever 🌸

☀️ This Week's Weather

Winter Garden, FL · Apr 4 – 8 · NWS Melbourne

Perfect market morning · Afternoon storms possible Sunday · Wet week ahead · NWS Melbourne

City Hall Retrofitted with Energy-Efficient Lighting

Winter Garden City Hall has completed a lighting upgrade to more energy-efficient fixtures, reducing the building's power consumption and operating costs. Orange Observer →

New Public Parking Lot Opens in Downtown Winter Garden

A new public parking lot has opened in the downtown core, adding capacity for visitors to Plant Street businesses, the Farmers Market, and weekend events. Orange Observer →

SR 429 Overnight Closures Scheduled This Weekend

State Road 429 will see overnight lane and ramp closures this weekend. Drivers should plan alternate routes during late-night hours; check FDOT alerts for the affected segments and times. Orange Observer →

Driver Attacked After Stopping to Help Crash Victim in Winter Garden

A driver who stopped to assist after a crash in Winter Garden was attacked by another person at the scene. Authorities are investigating what they called a targeted assault on a would-be Good Samaritan. Fox 35 →

Winter Garden Eyes 70-Acre Mega-Sports Complex

City leaders are weighing a proposal for a 70-acre sports complex that would bring major tournament facilities to Winter Garden. The project is in early consideration stages. Fox 35 →

Ocoee Mourns Death of 4-Year-Old Girl Struck by Car

The Ocoee community is grieving after a 4-year-old girl died after being run over by a car. Authorities are investigating the circumstances of the tragedy. Orange Observer →

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Winter Garden Farmers Market 🌿

8 AM–1 PM · Downtown Pavilion · Plant Street · Every Saturday · wintergardenfarmersmarket.com →

National Prescription Drug Take Back Day 💊

6:30 PM · City Hall Chambers · Drop off unused medications safely · cwgdn.com →

Planning & Zoning Board Meeting 🏛️

6:15 PM · City Hall Chambers · Open to the public · cwgdn.com →

Fridays on the Plaza & Easter Kids' Craft 🎪🐣

Plaza: 8 AM–1 PM · Kids' Craft evening: 7–9 PM · Downtown Pavilion · cwgdn.com →

Spring Fever in the Garden 🌸

Apr 11–12 · Downtown Winter Garden · Roads closed · springfeverinthegarden.org →

City Commission Meeting 🏛️

6 PM · City Hall Chambers · Regular monthly meeting · cwgdn.com →

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Fox 35 Orlando · Orange Observer · City of Winter Garden · NWS Melbourne · Apr 4, 2026

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