Locals are passionate about the many shops, restaurants, live music venues, charming neighborhoods and other distinctive features that make Mount Dora a thriving community.   The Best of Mount Dora awards gives residents the chance to share their appreciation and spread the good word.   

This fall's 14 new categories asks 'Buzz' readers to vote for their favorite chef, happy hour, local musician, salon, neighborhoods and more.    

​Click here to get your ballot.  Voting ends October 7. 
 To read the winners of 2015 spring categories, click here...

 ​Shoppers have something to smile about this Saturday.  Downtown's Facebook Fan Appreciation Day is giving over 25 businesses the opportunity to show their gratitude to fans on social media by sharing generous discounts exclusively for them.

To date the following businesses are participating:

Zen Cowgirl, Checkered Moon, Papilio,  Wow! Factory, Memories and Marvels, Home and Garden Treasures, Malena & Magda's Boutique, Norm's Palette, Walk in the Woods, Ashley's Flags, Blue Sky Blue Water, Meant to Bee Treasures, Noni, Whispering Winds, Modernism Museum Store, KayDee Kay, Artisans on 5th, Cupcake Delights, Alleyway Comics, Under the Cherry Blossoms,  Barrrel of Books and Games, The Lacy Lady Bug, Amy Sellers Art Gallery, Sassy Seconds, Julianne's Coastal Cottage Temptations, Segway, Piglet's Pantry, Le Petit Sweet, Breezeway Cafe, The Secret Garden and more.   

For more local news, click here...
To cast your vote for the Best of Mount Dora, click here...
For a directory of local stores, click here...

Parents often say, 'It's not what you say, it's how you say it."  One friendly downtown store scores points on both.  

Visitors that walk inside Julianne's Coastal Cottage, a beach-inspired gift shop, are typically welcomed with a tempting invitation.  A cheerful voice from behind the tiki hut counter typically asks "Can I offer you a wine smoothie?" and promptly scores a customer for life.   Read more...

'Tis the season for many vacant spaces to be dusted off, repainted and given new life downtown.  Finishing touches are currently being done to the decor, displays and merchandising of The Lacy Ladybug, a women's boutique set to open September 26 in the Renaissance Building. 

The bright, contemporary store distinguishes itself as being "a unique, chic, curvy ladies' boutique" featuring fashionable women's apparel in sizes twelve and above.   The shop will also stock complementary women's handbags and costume jewelry.

For more local scoop click here...

New restaurants take time to build a following.  Occasionally, one starts with a driving force.

Tavares' newest restaurant, Eduardo's Lokos Tacos, opened earlier this month after one year pleasing patrons out of a popular food truck in Mount Dora at the intersection of US 441 and Wolf Branch Road.  Read more and its review...

Amid the vibrant shops and diverse restaurants,  Mount Dora's prize gem is its creative subculture. 

Sitting atop a short hill, a large contemporary building veils its treasure trove of artists from sight.  The three-story Baker Building on 3rd Avenue and Baker Street is the current epicenter of the city's growing colony of artists.  Read more...