Click on a store name to visit their website and view more of their goodies!
Places to Shop for Unique Gifts:
You can find an array of merchandise from local Sanford merchants, from art to instruments, furniture to home-brew supplies. On your next trip to town, check out these top shopping spots and get just the right thing for everyone on your list.
Shop at these local stores for Unique Gifts, Stocking stuffers and be sure to ask about Gift Baskets & Gift Cards!
Marcie Fry Copyright (Full)
Boxelder
278 S Palmetto Ave, Sanford, FL – 407-323-6060
Mon.-Sat. 10am-5pm|Sun. 11am-4pm
For a truly sophisticated shopping experience, you can’t top Boxelder. Slightly off the traditional Sanford beaten track, this refined gift shop is worth exploring for its selection of American made cards, jewelry, glasses, candles, soaps, and spa items. And with complimentary gift wrapping for every purchase, you can cross one more thing off your list!
Magpies Modern General Store
215 E. 1st Street, Sanford, FL 32771 – (407) 495-8549
Tues.-Thurs. 10am-6pm|Fri.-Sat. 10am-8pm|Sun. 12pm-5pm
New to Sanford this store is a must as your stroll through the streets of Downtown. Offering fun items such as unique flavored cotton candy with flavors in Jalepeno & Merlot, crazy socks, beautiful handmade jewlery and fine leather purses you’re sure to find the perfect gift at Magpies.
Magpies will be offering fun stockings full of goodies for the holidays as well as gift cards!
Jeanine Taylor Folk Art Gallery
211 East First Street, Sanford, FL – 407-323-2774
Tues.-Sat. 10am-6pm|Sunday 12pm-5pm
Calling Sanford home for over ten years, the Jeanine Taylor Folk Art Gallery celebrates the work of contemporary folk artists who all bring a unique flair to the eclectic space. Their fun, off beat holiday window displays and interior décor will draw your eye and raise your spirits as you shop for the perfect pieces for the art enthusiasts in your life. The gallery sells everything from felted scarves and ornaments to jewelry and jarred jellies.
Maya Books and Music
201 E 1st St, Sanford, FL – 407-321-6504
Mon.-Wed. 10am-5pm|Thurs.-Sat. 10am-7pm|Sun. 12pm-5pm
A trip through Maya Books is a treat for any literature lover. Shop the towering stacks of gently used books, vinyl records, and eclectic clothing with a friend before you grab lunch in Downtown Sanford or take a secret trip and buy a bevy of her favorite author’s books! Maya is also a great (and sometimes the only) place to buy certain books by Sanford authors, such as Bill Belleville.
Washburn Imports
116 E 1st St, Sanford, FL – 407-322-1449
Hours: Mon.-Sat. 10am-6pm|Sun. 11am-5pm
John Washburn chose Sanford for his second exotic imports store location almost ten years ago– and it’s been a staple ever since! From beautiful glass front cabinets from India to Thai Buddha statuettes, the store overflows with colors, textures, and shapes of Asia. A Washburn piece is the best gift for those with the travel bug, whether it’s a small decorative vase or a showpiece opium bed. The best part is that you can really get to know the furniture as you sip cocktails at the Imperial; consolidation at its finest!
Antidote Apothecary
500 S Sanford Ave. Sanford, FL 32771
Hours: Tues.-Thurs. 10am-7pm, Fri. 10am-5pm, Sat. 10am-3pm
And for those of you who know someone that would enjoy a little relaxation with a wonderful massage, facial or some time in her salt room she offers all of this as well! Although Antidote is known for it’s natural beauty products such as beard oil for your mans itchy winter beard, they also offer beautiful and unique jewelry, bath bombs, all natural teas and more. And for those of you who know someone that would enjoy a little relaxation with a wonderful massage, facial or some time in her salt room she offers all of this as well!
Antidote will be offering salt lamps, gift cards and packages for organic skin care services and salt therapy for the holidays!
Historic Sanford Welcome Center
230 E. 1st Street, Sanford – 407-302-2586
Hours: Mon.-Sat. 10am – 5pm|Sun. Noon – 5pm
Shop local this holiday season at the Historic Sanford Welcome Center Gift Shop. With a variety of items, many locally made or hand-crafted, and others that celebrate the Florida lifestyle, 100% of the profits stay right here in Sanford and benefit the non-profit that makes Alive After 5 possible. They also offer convenient gift wrapping of your purchase.
Sanford Flower Shop
209 E Commercial St, Sanford, FL 32771 – 407-322-1822
Hours: Mon.-Fri. 8am-5pm|Sat. 8am-12pm
Not only offering their expertise in flowers, the Sanford Flower shop also has a small gift shop offering ornaments, candles and other fun gifts for this holiday season. They carry gorgeous holiday blooms, which can be made into a gift basket or used as décor. Ask for their advice in making an eye-catching centerpiece or wreath for your guests to admire. Just take a look at their gorgeous front window display for proof of their expertise!
Tuned Up Music Store
111 E 1st St. Sanford, Florida – (407) 302-3166
Hours: Mon.-Thurs. 10am-7:30pm|Fri.&Sat. 10am-6pm
Have a family member or friend who wants to learn guitar? Want to get back into saxophone but need a repair? Stop by Tuned Up and let the professionals there help you give the gift of music this season. The store carries a full range of instruments, from trumpets to drums, clarinet to banjos. You’ll also find supporting equipment, such as microphones, speakers, and amps. Tuned Up offers lessons in every instrument, as well as repairs and even recording services!
SMASH Comics Games and Toys
228 East 1st Street Sanford, FL 32771
Hours: Tues. 11am-7pm|Wed. 10am-8pm|Thurs. 11am-7pm| Fri.&Sat. 11am-10pm|Sun. 12pm-6pm
For all your comic loving friends and family members this is the perfect spot to find all of your nerd needs from comics, games, toys, statues, Pokèmon, D&D, MTG and more!
Sanford Farmer’s Market
Every Saturday from 10am-3pm on Magnolia Square
Right in the heart of Historic Downtown, this collection of local vendors will help make your holiday entertaining extra special! Pick up fresh produce from State of Harmony Farm and handmade bread from Chad to fill your table with a local cornucopia. For a hostess gift, local honey and handmade soap are great choices, and any Sanfordite would be happy to receive a bat house made from upcycled materials to keep the mosquitos away. Shopping around in beautiful Magnolia Square with Sanford’s giant Christmas tree will also help get you in the holiday spirit.
Gifts for the Health Nuts:
For those who enjoy getting up at the crack of dawn to hit the gym and take pride in their health, these places are a must for their gifts!
Root’s Raw Juice Bar
516 S Sanford Ave Sanford, FL 32771 – (407) 725-2620
Hours: Mon.-Fri. 8am-6pm|Sat. 10am-4pm
Providing only the best of the best with delicious and all natural ingredient smoothies, juices, salads hummus and homemade granola bars, Root’s is sure to provide some tasty options!
The Center of Wellness
116 S. Park Avenue Sanford, FL 32771 – (407) 777-6831
Hours: Mon.&Tues. 9am-4pm|Wed. 1pm-8pm|Thurs. 9am-4m|Fri. 9am-3pm
This upscale collaborative is the first of its kind in Central Florida and addresses the growing need for outside the box thinking when it comes to healing the mind, body and spirit. This fantastic center is owned by a couple that truly cares about your health. They offer am array of feel goods such as pain management, life coaching, avazzia training, business coaching, neuro-feedback, crystal therapy, acupuncture, massage, vedic astrology, nutritional counseling, herbal and supplement pharmacy and corporate coaching and let’s not forget the array of fun exercise classes such as Hula Hooping, Laughter Yoga, Basic Yoga, Meditation and much more.
Seminole Crossfit
121 W 1st St, Sanford, FL 32771 – 407-463-5215
Everyone in your life probably makes resolutions to get in shape…help them keep their promise with a Seminole Crossfit membership! Crossfit is a fitness program designed to condition the body for life’s everyday challenges, such as lifting, squatting, and running. If someone in your life is searching for a new fitness addiction, this is it!
Trainer’s Edge
770 Monroe Rd. Sanford, FL 32771 – (407) 330-4202
Open 24hrs.
Do You Want the Only Total Fitness Option in Central Florida Incorporating Cutting Edge Programs from ‘Down Under Australia’ that Customized to You & Your Goals? Trainers Edge Fitness Center provides a 24-hour Gym with Breakthrough Australian Techniques for Personal Training, Bootcamps & Fitness Programs. Our total body workouts and fitness programs cater for all ages, genders, body types and fitness levels.
Gifts for those who love something to do:
The winter season always takes a lot of all of us, so it’s important to reconnect with family and the community. Here are some local activities to enjoy this season!
Dinner and a Show
Winter is a great time to experience Sanford’s theatre community! For a family outing, try an early dinner at one of Downtown Sanford’s many restaurants such as Buster’s Bistro, Fuel BBQ, Smiling Bison, Hollerbach’s Willow Tree, Jimotti’s Japanese Restaurant, The Corner Cafe, Negril Spice Jamaican Restaurant, Christo’s, Taste of Thyme Cafe, Riverwalk Pizzeria, Chianti’s Pizza and Pasta, St. John’s River Steak and Seafood, Zorba’s Greek Restaurant, The Breezeway followed by a classic performance of the Nutcracker at the Wayne Densch (203 S Magnolia Ave, 407-321-8111). For a cozy date night, start with the afternoon performance of the Sanford Jazz Ensemble: Winter Edition, then jump across Magnolia Square for a quiet dinner at any of the above restaurants and a night cap at The Imperial (116 E 1st St, 407-732-6956).
Also available at the Wayne Densch Performing Arts Center is a special GIFT CARD PROGRAM: You can purchase gift cards at their box office for any of their (restaurant) business partners and they will donate at least 20% of the value to the theater! Support your local Community Theater and your local businesses at the same time.
Classes at Hollerbach’s Art Haus
204 E 1st St, Sanford, FL – 407-732-7801
Hours: Wed.&Thurs. 10am-5pm|Fri.&Sat. 10am-8pm
If you want to create custom gifts for the ladies in your life but aren’t sure how to get started, dive in with a beading class at String Theory Creations! Not only will you learn a new skill and leave with a handmade gift, but you will also spend time getting to know irreplaceable Sanfordite mother-daughter team, Linda and Christina Hollerbach. If you’re looking for a festive girl’s night, try booking a party!
Limocycle
303 W 3rd St, Sanford, FL – 855-756-9386
Hours: Tues-Sat. 10am-10pm|Sun.10am-5pm
Pedaling around town on the Limocycle is a great way to keep warm, spend time with friends, and work off some of those Thanksgiving calories! Pick fourteen of your favorite drinking buddies and your favorite libations and tour Sanford from this unique perspective.
Through Saturday November 28, 2015, Limocycle is offering an amazing BOGO deal. Don’t miss out!
Read here about Sanford365’s adventures on the Limocycle…
Sanford Food Tours
855-7569-FUN
Hours: Thurs.-Sat. 11am
The Sanford Food and History Tour is a three-hour walking food tour through the heart of Downtown Sanford. We’ll “walk” you through the timeline of events from the Seminole Indian wars, the arrival of Henry Sanford, the haunting tales of the I-4 dead zone and the evolution of this quaint town.
You’ll enjoy large, sample-sized portions of food with roots in the Deep South and Europe. You’ll also see live demonstrations and taste the finished product. You’ll learn the stories behind the venues, hear from the folks that created the concepts and understand why they all chose Sanford.
Escape Artists
115 N Oak Ave. Sanford, FL 32771 – (321) 200-5304
Hours: Mon.-Thurs. 12pm-9pm|Fri. 12pm-12am|Sat. 11pm-12am|Sun. 11am-10pm
We here at Sanford365 had a fantastic girls night at the fantastic new Escape Artists that is now offered in downtown Sanford and we can vouch for this being a great gift for this holiday season! Gift cards are available as well as the option to book a room online for a future great gift!
Gifts for those with a Sweet Tooth:
Wondermade
214 E 1st St Sanford, FL 32771
Hours: Mon.&Tues. 11am-7pm| Wed.&Thurs. 11am-9pm|Fri.&Sat. 11am-10pm|Sun.12pm-9pm
Well, who wouldn’t want to find some of the most uniquely flavored marshmallows under their Christmas tree. How about a Boozy Set for Dad? That’s Bourbon, Beer, Fireball and Gin. You could also keep it more Christmas like with Peppermint, Sugar Cookie and Eggnog. Stop by today and pick up some boxes…
The Popcorn Shoppe
108 S Park Ave, Sanford, FL – 321-363-4937
Hours: Mon.-Sat. 11am-6pm|Sun. 1pm-5pm
Keep yummy snacks at hand all season from the Park Avenue Popcorn Shoppe! From gourmet flavors like caramel corn with pecans and heath bar to candied flavors like banana split and green apple, the Shoppe carries popcorn to spark anyone’s obsession. Offer your guests a mix of savory and sweet treats to munch on between meals or give one of the Shoppe’s holiday themed tins as a gift. (Always a hit!)
Dreamy Cakes
114 W. 2nd St. Sanford, FL 32771
Hours: Tues.-Thurs. 11am-6pm| Fri.&Sat. 11am-7pm
Dreamy Cakes Bakery offers top of the line gourmet creations with fresh ingredients and artistic designs. Our shop in historic Sanford is a cozy place to eat delicious and unique local creations!
Mattie’s Delectable Desserts
110 S. Park Ave. Sanford, FL 32771
Hours: Mon.-Thurs. 11am-8pm|Fri.&Sat. 11am-9pm|Sun. 12pm-5pm
Baked from scratch: Wedding Cakes, Celebratory Cakes, pies, cinnamon buns, cookies, croissants, fruit tarts, brownies, seafood chowder, deli sandwiches and more
Gifts for those who love all things German:
Magnolia Square Market
117 S Magnolia Ave, Sanford, FL – 407-878-4942
Hours: Mon.-Thurs.10am-7pm|Fri.&Sat. 10am-8pm|Sun. 10am-7pm
So many of our holiday traditions come from Germany, so don’t forget to stop by Magnolia Square Market! Get a loaf of stollen to share with friends, and pick up advent calendars filled with German chocolate for the little ones. The Market’s house-roasted meats and imported cheeses make an enviable appetizer platter, especially served with their fresh baked pretzels and some pickles. Pair it with some wine or beer for your celebration, whether at home or abroad. (And don’t forget that the Market carries gluten-free bread, muffins, cookies, flour, and cake mixes!)
Hollerbach’s Willow Tree Cafe
205 E 1st St. Sanford, FL 32771
Hours: Mon.-Thurs. 11am-9pm|Fri.&Sat. 11am-10pm|Sun. 11am-9pm
They pride themselves in providing you with an authentic German Food Experience based on recipes from the 80’s and Gemütlichkeit (that feeling you have when enjoying great food and drink amongst friends and family). Looking for an authentic German meal and atmosphere, this is the place!
Gifts for Coffee Lovers:
Rabbitfoot Records Coffee Lounge
307 E 2nd St, Sanford, FL – 321-926-3417
Hours: Mon.-Thurs. 7am-9pm|Fri.7pm-10pm|Sat.9am-10pm|Sun.9am-6pm
What better way to warm up and wind down during the holiday rush than with a yummy hot beverage at Rabbitfoot Records? Pick a record, sip a latte, and enjoy the conversation at Downtown Sanford’s favorite place to run into friends. Who knows, with their huge selection of vinyl records, you may walk out with a few gifts for loved ones (or yourself)!
Palate Coffee Brewery
105 W 2nd St. Sanford, Florida – (321) 363-0661
Hours: Tues.-Thurs. 7am-8pm|Fri.7am-9pm|Sat.8am-9pm
Palate Coffee Brewery is family run hometown business in historical
downtown Sanford. The freshest beans locally roasted. Best coffee around.
Caffe Di Riverwalk
225 W Seminole Blvd, # 106 Sanford, Florida 32771 – (407) 328-8792
Hours: Mon.-Fri. 7am-2pm|Sat. 8am-2pm
Enjoy a delicious cup of coffee with your breakfast or lunch with the serene view of Lake Monroe on Caffe Di Riverwalks patio seating and relax!
Gifts for Beer Lovers:
Wop’s Hops Brewing Company
419 S. Sanford Ave. Sanford,FL 32771 – (407) 878-7819
Hours: Wed. 4pm-10pm| Thurs. 4pm-11PM|Fri. 4pm-12am|Sat. 1pm-2am|Sun. 11:30am-9pm
Take a visit to Sanford’s very first microbrewery this holiday season! Sample handcrafted beer in the beer garden and enjoy Florida’s mild winter weather. Try the vanilla cream ale or the scottish ale, both made right here in Sanford!
Celery City
114 S Palmetto Ave, Sanford, FL – 407-915-5541
Mon.-Wed. 11am-12am|Thurs.-Sat. 11am-2am|Sun. 11am-12am
Want to kick your holiday party beer selection up a notch? Try picking up a few growlers and bottles of Florida craft beer from Celery City Craft. With a few stouts and ales from different breweries around the state, you’ll keep your guests tipsy and impressed through the whole night! If you want to get fancy, pick up a few snifters for your guests to sip from and take home. And let’s face it, no one has ever complained about receiving Celery Bucks or one of Celery City’s all cotton V-neck shirts as a present! Go #sanfording <img src="https://s.w.org/images/core/emoji/72x72/1f609.png" alt="