The response to the tragedy at Pulse has made every Orlandoan prouder to call the City Beautiful home. The unity and love the city has fought back with has been an inspiration to the world.
Still, this event has rocked 49 families, and enormous ripple effects are being felt throughout a fabric of connected communities. As a well-established Main Street program, Downtown South is particularly focused on the impact this is having on our local business community.
Businesses south of downtown Orlando have been significantly impacted by the closure of Orange Ave. In the face of tragedy, many of these businesses showed incredible generosity to first responders, victim’s families, and the media. All have demonstrated patience for the thorough federal investigation.
Still some businesses have been closed for nearly a third of the month. As Orange Ave slowly reopens, it is our responsibility to ensure these businesses, representing families throughout Central Florida, recover.
In response to every call to action since the tragedy, from donating blood to fundraising for victim’s families, Orlando has stepped up and exceeded every expectation. Now Downtown South is asking that Orlando come together once more and rally behind these local businesses.
Below is a list of businesses that have ben directly affected by the S. Orange Ave Road closure. However, it is important to emphasize that this closure has touched the entire area, not just the businesses lining Orange Ave. Please consider patronizing more Downtown South businesses, including those in the Sodo plaza and located on side streets off of Orange Ave.