Finding Authenticity in Orlando with Parlor and Pantry
As I sat on the crummy wooden couch on my back porch and lit up the Grapefruit and Mangosteen candle I was given by Richie from Parlor and Pantry, I couldn’t help but imagine the charming sight of every shop and the personality of every piece that I have yet to discover right here in Orlando.
Inimitable is the word that can define the feeling you get when you come across a hidden gem in your hometown. It is indescribable to find something as rustic, authentic, and personal as the items you pick up from your local shop. As I gazed around Parlor & Pantry’s page I felt as I had just come across a personalized shop just for me and every shop I have unintentionally ignored throughout every corner of this city.
There is a definite distinction as you franticly parade through the mall full of big-brand names and franchises than when you take a stroll down the unspeakably genuine boutiques, the inspiring hand-crafted markets, and your local mom and pop shops.
I have a bit of mixed up feelings now and again about Orlando mostly due to the fact that I only dream of waking up one morning to the unrestful city of New York. I want authentic; I want different; I want fast-paced, slightly hipster, and very personal. I have lived in Orlando more than half my life and I still feel as if there’s not enough and everything that follows is impossible to find.
The idea grew from just that. A boy and a girl in love with their hometown and his need to meet his severe entrepreneurism. In a town like Orlando, we tend to miss out on the cultural rawness of it all, the “little guys”, and the undetected difficulty for these shops to stand out, let alone survive. When you live in such a spread out city you miss out on the hand-crafted products and the authenticity we neglectfully miss.
I met with Richie a few days after getting a feel for Parlor and Pantry to get a sense of how the ever-growing demand for local goods and services and his inspiring support for the small business drove him to his creation of this rustic online marketplace. Richie and his wife tell the story of the local vendor’s brilliance and uniqueness that is hidden within the streets of this scenic city and give us a genuine introduction.
Whether you’re a local or not, or you’re just missing the city terribly, visit Parlor and Pantry for their grand opening!
Micaela de Oliveira
What!!!! As soon as I’m back home I want to go there! The candle you have smells amazing!!! I can’t wait to get one well maybe a few for the house 🙂
sarah lindner
ooOooO I love grapefruit candles! Will have to visit next time I am in Orlando!
xoxo http://www.thehouseofsequins.com
Delirium Style
Its actually an online marketplace so you can visit the store wherever you are! They have the most amazing hand-crafted products 🙂
Jessica W
I love when people shop locally. It is so nice to support your neighbors! And it is always better when that shop makes you feel at home!
xo Jessica
http://www.whatsfordinneresq.com
Delirium Style
I know I love it and the things you buy are always so unique!
jordan
LOVE this post, the idea of shopping local in a tourist town and the concept of still focusing on the small details! I moved from orlando to Richmond VA about 5 years ago and love that we have such a local feel here. I miss the ever changing culture from florida, and the almost always warm weather, but it was so hard to find the small in a place so seemingly large! So happy to hear that there are still budding businesses growing at home!
xx | jordan taylor | petiteMODERN
Delirium Style
Wow that must’ve been a pretty big change but I’m sure the most shocking change is the weather lol 🙂
You should definitely check out P&P’s website whenever you’re missing Orlando a little too much!
Jess Delmos
Such a great post!
Xoxo
Jess
http://www.mustheartstyle.com
Delirium Style
Thanks Jess!
Carina
I haven’t visited, but want to! That candle must smell amazingly!
xo
http://www.carinavardie.com
Delirium Style
Thanks Carina it does! It’s an online marketplace so you can visit whenever. They have some pretty amazing homemade crafts on there 🙂
Kait Elizabeth
I wish I could smell through the computer! Sounds amazing! Hugs, Kait
http://www.makeminemaroon.com
Delirium Style
Thanks Kait! It is amazing. I think its the best candle I have so far
Brittany
Looks like a great candle! I feel ya- Central Florida can be so difficult to feel like home- I’ve been here basically all my life and totally relate!
Emily
Parlor and Pantry sounds wonderful! Just clicking through their website, I love so many of the items! I live in quite the opposite location, where hand-crafted products are hard to miss. We’re made of the little guys:)!
Emily
Darling, Dearest
Ciera Chang
I need to try this candle! Lovely pictures babe!
xoxo, CiCi
http://www.worldwidestylista.com
Mariam
Sounds like a wonderful place! I am a picker and antique shop enthusiast and finding items that speak to me are really important! Great post, girl!
xo Mariam
http://www.thepetitebijou.com
Clarissa
Boulder is full of original, little shops full of wonder – but being from Tampa, I know what you mean about getting lost in all the store conglomerates – it’s so nice to go back home and find a place that would make me think “this place belongs in Boulder” 😉
-Clarissa @ The View From Here