Sanford Main Street

01/10/2025

145 years ago today, on Jan. 10, 1880, the city of Sanford and President Ulysses S Grant broke ground for the South Florida Railroad station on Oak Avenue. The station no longer exist today, and would have been located across the street from the PICOI Building, about where the new townhomes are located.

The Sanford Museum has the shovel President Grant used during the ceremony.

Originally only a 10-mile track between Sanford and Longwood, the rail line expanded to Orlando within the first 6 months of operation. By 1883, Henry B. Plant had purchased 3/5 of the South Florida rail company and made it part of his Plant System and the Plant investment Company (PICO), which connected Sanford and Tampa by rail. 

12/20/2024

City installs new public art around downtown.

12/20/2024

A special announcement from one of Downtown, Sanford‘s longest continuously operating businesses. 

12/19/2024

DOWNTOWN PARKING ALERT:

As of Wednesday, Dec. 18, the parking lot at Palmetto Avenue and 2nd Street has been fenced off, Including the street parking on the west side of Palmetto Avenue.

The parking lot is being developed into a mixed-use complex, with apartment upstairs, and retail/restaurants on the first floor.

Some folks have asked why the street parking was closed. The developer, Dan Mathews, says they need to close off that parking for staging of equipment and supplies. Also, the projrct will come to the edge of the property line with an awning hanging over the sidewalk.

For now, the parking spaces on the south side of 2nd Street remain open, but those will be closed at some point during construction.

Dan Matthews was the developer for the San Leon project at Sanford Avenue and 2nd Street, where Foxtail Coffee is located. The project at Palmetto and 2nd will be very similar, but will be two buildings: one facing Palmetto Avenue and the other facing 2nd Street.

One other project locals and visitors to downtown should be aware of coming in 2025 is the 2nd Street streetscape project from Sanford Avenue to Oak Avenue.

This is a CRA project similar to the one on Myrtle Avenue in front of Tuffy’s and on the west side of Henry’s Depot that was completed a couple of years ago. There is not a firm timeline when work will start, but I’m guessing sometime in late spring or summer.

At this time there are no details on how the project will be staged. Suffice to say, traffic along 2nd Street in those 4 blocks will be disrupted and/or detoured for several months.

12/19/2024

Congratulations to the winners of the Sanford Main Street Holiday Window decorating contest.

1st - Colonial Room Restaurant Country Store, 105 E 1st St., impressive lights and a elf cookie factory theme.
2nd - The Warehouse Resale/Thrift, 222 Magnolia Ave., 2 decorated windows with a classic holiday styling.
3rd - Deviant Wolfe Brewing, 121 W 1st Street., a festive window featuring an alligator with reindeer antlers.

West End Trading Co. was an honorable mention, finishing 1 point behind Deviant Wolfe. West End’s window had Santa enjoying a Sunshine State Bomb, the bar’s signature drink.

The judges used a 4-point scale in three separate categories:

Originality – the window display is unique and creative
Design – the window display has a visible plan and theme
Wow, factor – the window display immediately grabs your attention and makes you say wow!

We had 14 businesses participate this year, which is one of our better years. The judges were impressed with the creativity the businesses showed, and commented that it added to downtown’s charm.

Thanks to everyone who participated, and congratulations to the winners.

Happy holidays!

12/05/2024

“Get Stamped” in Downtown Sanford!

"Get Stamped" in Sanford!
Did you know? Sanford is an officially designated Trail Town!

As part of the Florida Department of Environmental Protection’s Office of Greenways & Trails program, visitors can now collect stamps in the Trail Town booklet each time they visit a designated Trail Town—and of course, Sanford is a must-stop!
Head over to the Sanford Information Center at 230 East First Street to start collecting your stamps today.

Not only does this program celebrate outdoor adventure, but it also supports sustainable tourism in our community.

For more info about the Trail Town designation and how you can get involved, visit: https://floridadep.gov/ogt

12/04/2024

Check out the poinsettias at the Sanford Information Center! A great big thank you to Heather, Pam, Brandy and Dicky from the Sanford Historic Trust for volunteering to plant the flowers. Excellent work, ladies it’s beautiful! The public is welcome to stop by and take pictures of the poinsettias as well as the Christmas decorations inside the Information Center, which includes a 9-foot Christmas tree and two 6-foot nutcrackers named Statler and Waldorf.

11/25/2024

NEW RESTROOMS OPEN:

Beginning today (Monday, Nov. 25) the city of Sanford’s new public restrooms are open for use. The facility is located in the courtyard next to the Sanford Information Center (230 E 1st Street).

The new structure has 2 single-person, unisex restrooms.

For now the facility will be open 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Wednesday; 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. Thursday through Sunday.

City of Sanford, FL Government

11/07/2024

A GIANT thank you to James and Matthew from Seminole Pool Supply for installing Christmas ornaments from the skylight and wreaths in the arched window at the Historic Sanford Welcome Center. Stop by and see the amazing Christmas display.

11/05/2024

It’s beginning to look a lot like …

10/07/2024

BUSINESS AND PROPERTY OWNERS:

After the hurricane, here are some resources available for those who may need them:

* Disaster Legal Hotline is open to assist and refer callers: 833-514-2940

* Samaritan's Purse hotline: 1-833-747-1234
Free assistance for homeowners affected by the disaster. Volunteers may be able to assist with removal of personal property and furniture, flood cleanup, sanitizing with shockwave treatment, chainsaw work and Debris Clean-up, temporary roof tarping.

* Red Cross Hotline is open to assist: 1-800-Red Cross

* Florida Baptists Disaster Relief Public Assistance: 904-253-0502.
Free Assistance for homeowners affected by the disaster. Volunteers may be able to assist with Storm Debris Cleanup, Temporary Roof Tarping, Chainsaw work, and muckouts.

* Crisis Cleanup number: 844-965-1386

* The Hope Florida HOPE LINE:
833-GET-HOPE
Available to assist those in need of resources or other assistance after the storm. It is now available 24/7 for the next two-plus weeks.

• HOPE FLORIDA:
Floridians impacted by the storm who need help and resources like FOOD, SUPPLIES, HOME REPAIRS, and more can request help through the Hope Florida organization by completing the form at this link: https://hopeflorida.com/get-help/hurricanerecovery.html

10/07/2024

SMALL BUSINESS OWNERS: In addition to the many other things y’all are doing to prepare for Hurricane Milton, don’t forget to to photograph the interior and exterior of your businesses. If your business suffers damage, having pre-storm photos will help with insurance claims.

Also back up all important digital documents. If you have paper copies of your important business documents, make sure to secure them in a safe, dry place. Better yet, consider scanning or photographing them.

Good luck, and stay safe.

08/22/2024

Join Sanford Main Street, Sanford, Sanford Chamber of Commerce and the City of Sanford, FL Government for a “State of the City” Luncheon on Wednesday, Oct. 16. Tickets are available at the link below.

Join the Sanford Chamber of Commerce in partnership with Sanford Main Street as they present and host the 2024 Sanford State of the City Luncheon. This annual luncheon is a time to reflect on the recent accomplishments of the City of Sanford and to look ahead at what's next for the city.

05/03/2024

Historic Sanford is your gateway to fun! Join our all-inclusive day trips to Historic Sanford from The Villages, and let the locals show you around.

To book a day trip, follow the link: https://experiencesanfordfl.com/MainStreet/

Your day trip will include:

- Round trip transportation from The Villages
- Lunch: Choose from 3 locally-owned dining options.
- Guided Tour: Choose from 3 unique tours hosted by Sanford locals.
- Shopping Spree: Spend and win a chance for a “I love Sanford“ gift basket.

$130 per person. Choose between 2 dates: May 29, 2024 ,or June 13, 2024.

04/09/2024

We need your help! Please share your opinion on how we can improve Downtown Sanford. The Survey takes about 5 minutes to complete, the survey is not just for residents of Sanford, we want visitors to please comment, too.

Thank you for your help!

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