Sanford has been getting A LOT of press lately. Personally, we aren’t surprised; we think it’s well-deserved with all of the ongoings happening there. However, we’re no Sanford experts so we wanted to talk to someone who could tell us more about the scene, someone who knows Bokey. We reached out to our friend and Pulptown reader, Shana Gorondy. Shana is one of four women who recently put together the kickass community event PorchFest.

How long have you lived in Sanford?

We’ve lived in Sanford for 10 years, bought our first house in the historic district in 2008 and our second house in 2015. I grew up in Winter Springs, so I’m kind of a native.

What has been the biggest change that you’ve seen happening since your arrival ten years ago? 

Sanford has grown tremendously in the food, entertainment, and shopping industry. I had my first store on Sanford Avenue back in 2010 before there was much on that street. It has now turned into a flourishing entertainment district, with two breweries and a lot of great restaurants. It’s good to see people come off that beaten path of the first street and explore more.

People are also investing in Sanford. We’ve have had so many new businesses open up in the past three years – it’s just so rewarding to see our downtown busy and alive.

What are you most excited about in Sanford’s future?

Loggerhead Distillery is opening in the Fall. Heritage Park, a historic, waterfront living mixed-used neighborhood is currently under construction in the heart of downtown. A new hotel is coming, name still TBD.

Also, really looking forward to Henry’s Depot, an open-air culinary collective with outstanding food vendors (Dixie Dharma!), all anchored by an old Florida themed bar, The Basin. There’s a new Irish pub coming in the Fall. Also Tuffy’s Bottle Shop just opened and it’s such a cool venue! Great food there too (Da Kine Poke!).

I’m just excited to see people coming to our city and realizing the magic and potential that us locals love about our town. Sanford is finally getting the respect it deserves.

Tell us more about Porchfest. 

Sanford’s Porchfest  was started by 4 amazing women, who had a dream to bring a free music festival to Sanford and showcase our amazing community. It all happened kinda organically.We only posted the event on facebook and social. We had 30 acts and 6 porches, with all 28 bands playing for free.  All of the participating homes were located in the historic district. We totally kicked ass, had over 600 people in attendance and raised some money for charity too.

If we were to visit you in Sanford on a random Thursday, where would you take us?

First stop: coffee at Caffe di Riverwalk (right on the water)
The Tennessee Truffle for a breakfast sandwich
Visit the Welcome Center to shop everything 32771.
Head across the street to Magpies General Store.
Next up, tea at Rosie Lee (on-point loose tea collection and a great selection of British and Victorian gifts).
Relax with a Victorian foot bath at Antidote Apothecary & Spa. (Everything here is made in-house!)
LUNCH. You can’t come to Sanford without having one of Magnolia Market’s yummy sandwiches, (think Pub subs but everything made in house) finished with a German beer (they sell them by the bottle, and are the same owners as Willowtree)
Head over to Inner Compass Brewery for a pint.
Then Tuffys Bottle Shop for yummy ciders and great outdoor seating.
We’d round out the night with happy hour at Smiling Bison.

Thanks Shana for entertaining all of our questions.

Now the question is, How do YOU Sanford? Send us an email to katie@pulp.town and tag us at #pulptown/@pulptown on your adventures. (We also accept invites to Sanfording with you).

Homeless youth. The results of an October survey were just released suggesting that close to 300 youth in Central Florida are homeless, either couch-surfing or staying in vacant homes, motels, cars or on the streets. This count was the first-ever regional study of unaccompanied homeless people between the ages of 13 and 24 in Orange, Seminole and Osceola counties. (WFTV Channel 9)

Parkland shooter will share inheritance. Word on the street is that Nikolas Cruz is expected to receive $800,000 from an inheritance trust upon turning 22. Assuming Cruz is indeed entitled to it, he has said that he wants to donate it all to the victims’ families of the Parkland high school shooting in February. (New York Post)

Hogwarts on a budget for Florida residents. Living ever so close to the theme parks can be a huge tease sometimes; knowing all that fun and excitement is a mere I-4 trip away but at what cost? Well, for Florida residents, that cost just went down. Until June 28th, Universal is offering four single park tickets for less than $42/day (the cost for out-of-towners is more than four times that). (Orlando Weekly)

Speaking of Universal. In Universal business news, just yesterday, more news circulated about the potential of a fourth theme park by them. Deeds have been filed that reveal UO has indeed (pun intended) acquired new land. This new endeavor is rumored to include a Nintendo-themed land. (WESH 2 News)

Simply Elementary. Is your elementary-aged child creative? Do they love America? These sound like questions from some out of touch congressman but they can actually win your student’s school $2,500 if chosen by the public. The deal is three– 30-60 second videos about “What America means to me” will be chosen by the public, via facebook. The contest is sponsored by not-for-profit organization WoodmensLife. Deadline is April 26th. (The Apopka Chief)

Get native or get out. Have you ever wondered why your beautiful St. Augustine grass needs so much attention? The answer is simple – it isn’t native. Native plants hardly need any maintenance because they are meant to be here – they have acclimated to our climate thus needing less irrigation and contributing to water conservation. The Florida Native Plant Society is urging residents to adorn their yards with native grasses and plants to create a more natural but still diverse area, one that is better for the environment as well as the native animal species that inhabit the area. To find out more info, attend one of the monthly meetings held by the Florida Native Plant Society, every fourth Thursday. (Osceola News Gazette)

Charge on. A Lakewood Ranch teen is the current champion in the “Jeapordy!” College Championship series which runs until April 20th. Hannah Sage is the current UCF sophomore making Central Florida proud – earning $15,000 so far, outsmarting students from both Stanford and Rochester Institute of Technology. Here’s to hoping that Hannah can make it through another (K)night! (Herald Tribune)

A little extra.

Check out these 30 Free and Fun things to do around Orlando this Spring by the Orlando Date Night Guide.

Or our 13 things to do this weekend listed above.

And don’t forget, the Florida Film Festival is still going on. Tonight’s the night to meet Ellen Burstyn and watch a ton of good movie shorts and features!

See you in your inbox Monday!