My Small-Business Saturday Hopping Route Through Oviedo
Forget the mall – here’s the loop I take every year to hit the best little shops and eateries in our town.
I've lived in Oviedo for going on twelve years now, and every Small Business Saturday I do the same little route. It started by accident – I just wanted to avoid the mall crowds – but now it feels like a tradition. The shops are all within a mile of each other, the owners remember your name (or at least your dog's name), and there's always something weird and wonderful to find.
Fuel Up at the Farmers Market
I grab a coffee from the roastery tent – they use beans from a local roaster in Sanford – and a ham-and-cheese croissant from the French baker lady. The market runs from 8 to noon, so I get there early to beat the rush.
After I've caffeinated, I wander the produce stalls. One farmer always has the best honey; another sells cut flowers wrapped in newspaper. It's the kind of place where you run into your kid's teacher buying kale.
Boutiques on Center Lake Lane
From the market, I walk over to Center Lake Lane. There's a little cluster of shops there – a boutique that sells handmade jewelry and colorful scarves, a store full of quirky home goods like flamingo-shaped salt shakers, and an art gallery that features local painters.
My favorite is the one that carries vintage-style Oviedo T-shirts and rooster-themed kitchen towels. Last year I picked up a set of coasters painted with scenes from the Black Hammock. The owner told me she designs them herself, based on old photos from the historical society.
Two Lunch Options, One Great Route
| Cuban Diner | Taqueria |
|---|---|
| Ropa vieja, black beans, rice, plantains | Al pastor tacos with cilantro and onion |
| ~$12 per person | ~$8 per person |
| Sit-down with table service | Counter order, fast casual |
| Indoor seating, air conditioning | Small patio, mostly takeout |
Lunch at a Family Spot
By noon I'm hungry, so I head to a little Cuban diner on Broadway. The owner is usually there, and he'll tell you about his grandmother's recipe for the black beans. I always get the ropa vieja with rice and plantains. The prices haven't changed much in the five years I've been going.
If I'm in the mood for something different, I'll swing by the taqueria a block over. Their al pastor is sliced off a vertical spit, and they use fresh cilantro and onions. No frills, just good food.
Antiques and Old Books
After lunch, I walk off the food at the antique mall on the corner of Division Street. It's two floors of booths with everything from vintage radios to Depression glass to old brass doorknobs. I'm not really looking for anything, but I always find something – last year it was a cast-iron rooster doorstop.
Right next door is a used bookstore that smells like paper and dust. The owner is a retired librarian who organizes everything by genre and subgenre. She keeps a cat named Dewey on the counter. I usually pick up a mystery novel and a local history book.
Sweet Finish at the Ice Cream Parlor
My last stop is the old-fashioned ice cream parlor in the same strip mall. They make their own flavors – the honey lavender is my favorite, but the rooster-themed "Oviedo Orange Crush" is a close second. I get a cone and sit on the bench outside, watching people walk by with their shopping bags.
It's a small thing, but that moment always feels like a perfect end to the day. The sun is getting low, the air cools down, and I'm full of good food and good finds.
Find it on YouTube → “Oviedo Florida small business Saturday walkthrough”
Questions folks ask me
Is there parking near the Farmers Market?
Yes, there's a free lot behind City Hall and street parking on Center Lake Lane. But it fills up fast – I usually park in the lot by the library and walk over.
What if it rains on Small Business Saturday?
The market goes on rain or shine (they have tents), and most of the shops are indoors. The parking lot can get muddy, so wear shoes you don't mind getting dirty.
Are dogs allowed in the shops?
Most of the boutiques and the bookstore are dog-friendly. The diner and taqueria have outdoor seating that welcomes dogs. I always bring my beagle and she gets treats at three different stores.
Do the shops offer any specials for Small Business Saturday?
Yes, many do! Usually 10-20% off, free gift wrapping, or a small freebie like a sticker or magnet. The antique mall sometimes has a raffle.
That's my route – nothing fancy, just a loop through the parts of Oviedo that feel like home. I hope you give it a try this year, or even just pick one spot you've never been to. The best part isn't the shopping, really; it's the feeling of being part of a place where people know each other. Plus, you might end up with a cast-iron rooster doorstop. Trust me, it's a conversation starter.
More from the Oviedo blog
- Where to Actually See the Oviedo Chickens (and the Unwritten Rules)
- My honest newcomer's guide to moving to Oviedo, FL
- My Oviedo on the Park Survival Guide: Parking, Events, and the Best Benches
- Why I keep going back to Black Hammock (and why you should too)
- Oviedo vs Winter Springs: where we almost bought, and why we chose Oviedo
- The family-friendly restaurants we keep going back to in Oviedo
