You’ve heard of Small Business Saturday, but why limit shopping locally and supporting your community to just one day a year? Those looking to score some great finds, enjoy a day out with friends, support economic development, or a mixture of all three can are invited to get involved with Main Street Winter Haven. Keep reading to learn more about how you can help!

What Is Main Street Winter Haven

Main Street Winter Haven is a not-for-profit organization with the mission of developing and preserving the downtown area. This is done with a focus on economics, cultural, and historic qualities of Winter Haven. Created in 1995 after Winter Haven was named a Florida Main Street, Main Street Winter Haven has been pursuing the goal of revitalizing the downtown district into the flourishing community center it is now. After all, they understand that a community is only as strong as its roots—which was once the empty stores the city had to offer. Now, over 20 years later, Main Street Winter Haven has been able to turn Winter Haven into a bustling community area once more.

How to Get Involved

Did you know that Main Street Winter Haven is funded completely through memberships, fundraising, and partnerships with the city? That means that they don’t receive any grants to hep fund the program. Thankfully for you, there are many ways you can get involved. One easy way you get help the program is by purchasing a membership. Membership benefits range in having your name on their website to four complementary tickets to a handful of events throughout the year. By purchasing a membership, some of the ways you help to further strengthen the community, preserve architectural history, and help create social and cultural activities for others in the area.

Main Street Winter Haven Projects & Programs

Another way that you can get involved with Main Street Winter Haven is by participating in one of the projects and programs they offer. Fortunately, there are several programs you can get involved with.

Gram Parsons Derry Down

This program works to restore teen clubs and music venues in Winter Haven. This two-year restoration project provides young musicians a place to get together to create music. Gram Parsons Derry Down hosts many live music shows that feature these young musicians throughout the year.

Carl J Strang Jr. Urban Tree Canopy Fund

Donations to the Carl J Strang Jr. Urban Tree Canopy Fund help to create an urban forest in the heart of downtown Winter Haven. The goal of the tree canopy fund is to create social, environmental, and economic benefits to the city.

Support Your Community Today

As Main Street Winter Haven perfectly said, a community is only as strong as its roots. That’s why this organization was created. While there’s been significant improvements to Downtown Winter Haven over the past few decades there’s always ways you can help. You can become a member, participate in their offered programs, or attend local events, which are featured on their Facebook page. Help give back to the community by donating to Main Street Winter Haven today!

Are you hungry? Don’t know what to make for dinner? Then don’t cook! Go out to eat tonight at Nutwood. We’ve made Nutwood our local spotlight this month because we think it’s a Winter Haven area gem that everyone should have the opportunity to experience.

You can learn more about what we love about it here. Also, be sure to check out their Facebook page!

About Nutwood

Nutwood is a conscious eatery, serving up dishes made with sustainably sourced, local ingredients that support neighborhood farmers and the environment. They do all this while creating tasty and mouth-watering dishes that you won’t be able to stop thinking about long after your meal.

They’re a farm to table restaurant, so you can be sure that their food is as fresh as can be. Since they’re fresh and seasonal, they feature a changing menu based on the ingredients available from the local farmers and ranchers with whom they have a close relationship.

Grab Some Brunch

If you’re enjoying a lazy Sunday, there’s no better place to grab a late breakfast or early lunch than Nutwood. Their menu changes with the season based on ingredient availability, but they have a few staples.

If you want something savory, we love their Crushed Avocado Toast. This serves two poached farm eggs, pickled vegetables, and Hollandaise sauce on top of a piece of avocado-covered grilled sourdough bread. This comes served with a mini kale salad.

They also have sweet dishes like Lemon Ricotta Pancakes that we absolutely adore.

Dinnertime at Nutwood

For those fun nights out with friends or romantic evenings with that special someone, Nutwood features a dinner menu with something for everyone. Start with the Belgian White Ale Steamed Mussels to hold you over.

Save room for dinner, though! The Potato Gnocchi Carbonara is one of our favorite dishes. It’s served with shaved parmesan and brown butter breadcrumbs.

Of course, don’t forget dessert! Their Warm Bread Pudding is served with a berry compote and ice cream and really hits the spot!

The Lunch Menu

For mid-day stops to eat, their sandwiches really satisfy. The Pressed Ciabatta Sandwich and Open-Faced Steak Sandwich are two popular picks. They also have a daily burger for those times you want an especially savory and filling lunch.

Grab a Bite!

Is your mouth watering yet? We aren’t surprised if it is. Check them out on Instagram to see pictures of their most delectable dishes, then head on over and grab a bite to eat!