Supporting Small Businesses This and Every Season

As another year draws to a close, I find myself reflecting on what makes Avalon Park so special. I have spent much of my life working on projects around the world, but it is here—right in this community—that I feel the strongest sense of home. It is not just the buildings or the beautiful streets that make this place meaningful, but the people and the shared values that bring us together.

More than 25 years ago, when we first began building Avalon Park, I often thought about the towns where I grew up in Switzerland. Places where daily life happened on foot, where you knew your neighbors, and where the corner shop owner greeted you by name. Over the years, I have watched those same qualities take root here. Today, Avalon Park Orlando is a living example of what it means to create a place where you can truly live, learn, work, and play.

A recent Channel 13 News feature on Small Business Saturday reminded me once again how important our small businesses are to the fabric of this town. These are not just storefronts; they are the dreams and hard work of local families who invest everything they have into serving this community. They are the people who open their doors early, stay late, sponsor local teams, donate to school programs, and help create the vibrant atmosphere we all enjoy.

Small Business Saturday is a wonderful celebration, but supporting local businesses cannot be something we think about only once a year. These merchants depend on steady support—from all of us—to continue growing and thriving. When you choose to shop locally, enjoy a meal from a neighborhood restaurant, or purchase a gift card for a friend, you are strengthening the very heart of this town. Every purchase, big or small, keeps dollars in our community and helps ensure that Avalon Park remains a place full of opportunity and character.

As we enter the holiday season, I invite you to take part in the many ways Avalon Park comes alive this month. Our signature celebration, Avalon Aglow, returns on December 6th from 3–9 p.m. The afternoon begins with the beloved holiday parade and continues with performances, treats, activities, and real snow. It is one of my favorite events of the year because it demonstrates exactly what a close-knit community can create together.

As we look ahead to a new year, I remain grateful for each of you who call Avalon Park home. Thank you for supporting our local businesses, for showing up to community events, and for continuing to build the kind of town that people feel proud to belong to.

Wishing you and your family a joyful and peaceful holiday season.