An eerie red glow haunts the holiday scene at Stardust Video and Coffee. This fifteen year old establishment has certainly established itself as an avante garde hangout in Orlando. It’s part video store, part coffee shop, part bar, book store, poetry reading, music spot.
It was originally built as a 7-11 back in the ’60s with a side laundromat.
It’s Christmas at the independently owned Tom Falvey’s Men’s Store in the Paddock Mall in Ocala. The decorations were all assembled by employees Michael, Amy and Tanya.
The store has a full line of men’s wear from fedora to tuxedo. Very few non-chain stores like this surviving in malls.
The store opened in the mall in 1984 by Tom Falvey. Tom’s son now runs the store.
Just learned that long time figure in Florida politics, Doyle Conner died Sunday. He served under seven governors. As Agriculture Commissioner from the ’60s until 1991, he shaped our vast agriculture business to what it is today.
http://www.tampabay.com/news/obituaries/longtime-florida-agriculture-commissioner-doyle-conner-dies-at-83/1266416
I wish I had time to list Florida book suggestions for Christmas gifts. Here’s one of my favorites: Weeki Wachee by Lu Vickers – Well written and beautifully illustrated. An excellent history of Weeki Wachee itself and springs in Florida. Tucked inside is a great history of Newt Perry and his development of his underwater breathing apparatus.
I highly recommend the entire University Press of Florida series of this kind, including the books by Tim Hollis and Lu Vickers’ ‘Cypress Gardens’.
You can purchase a copy of ‘Weeki Wachee’ by clicking here.
You can purchase a copy of Cypress Gardens’ by clicking here.
You can purchase Tim Hollis’ ‘Selling the Sunshine Sate’ by clicking here.
You can purchase a copy of Tim Hollis’ ‘Wish You Were Here’ by clicking here.
