Couple Hopes to Make Eco-Friendly Lifestyle the Norm in Orlando
October 9, 2022
Swirlery Brings Together Community and Education Around Wine Tasting
October 17, 2022
A Curation of Orlando with the Founders of Freehand Goods and The Neighbors
When Freehand Goods first opened their shop in East End Market, owner Jacob Zepf worked on creating a line of men’s goods. The six year old business has amassed a few locations around Orlando and a reputation for creating some of the best products in town.
Jacob Zepf is an Orlando native. He was born in Winter Park, grew up in College Park and even attended UCF, so naturally he chose Orlando as the place to start his business. His fiance, Brittany, from Clearwater, also attended UCF where the two met during an internship.
The start of Freehand Goods
Before Freehand Goods, Jacob Zepf owned a retail shop in Winter Park when he was given an opportunity to have a pop-up in front of East End Market. Being incredibly successful, market owner John Rife invited him to take over an open space in the market. Just two months later, Jacob Zepf opened his store in the East End Market.
Freehand Goods started with all Orlando-based things but mostly leather goods. It has since evolved to include grooming goods, candles and eventually even more. Even with the additional merchandise, the style has remained pretty much the same.
images from Freehand Goods website
Today, Freehand Goods is still local, expanding that definition to the state of Florida. Their leather goods and grooming products are all created on-site at East End Market. Candles are poured at the storefront, where the scents fill the store. The shirts are printed by UCF, and the artist who designs them lives nearby in Tampa.
The start of Neighbors
The Neighbors is the two’s new project, and as much of a community space as it is a bar. Almost hidden from the trafficked market on the second floor, the tucked away space offers Florida brews and cocktails inspired by the neighborhoods in Orlando.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, the former space saw all of its events canceled. The two saw the space sitting empty, proposed an idea to Rife and Neighbors was born.
Working as the former bar manager for Domu, Brittany Zepf combined her experience with Jacob Zepf’s retail to create the space. Sold inside, the items for purchase all come from local artists
When opening the space, the two wanted to expand on East End Market’s vision for helping local artists break into the market. Neighbors is doing this by curating an area for the different artists to display their work, and offering guests the chance to buy it.
“John Rife [East End Market owner] gave me the opportunity, so I wanted to continue that for other small businesses in this space,” Jacob Zepf said. “That’s what we feel like we’ve accomplished here – giving other small businesses the same opportunity I was given.”
images from @theneighborsorl
Over at the bar, every cocktail on the menu has a story behind its creation.
‘College Park’, a nod to 99 Bananas, ‘Wekiva Island’, a tropical drink based off “Orlando’s closest island”, and ‘MCO’, a coffee/bourbon drink are a few offered. “The Baldwin” is a take on a classic Army/Navy cocktail as there was a Navy base in Baldwin Park before the neighborhood.
“I think it gets people excited when they come in and are like ‘That’s my neighborhood, I’m going to get that cocktail’ even if they've never had anything like that drink before,” said Brittany Zepf.
Aside from cocktails, the bar serves “Lo-boys”, a low ABV alcoholic drink, spirit free concoctions and boozy ice cream.
Curating Community
Outside of drinks and retail hosted by the bar, Neighbor’s space is utilized for a ton of community events.
“We do a lot of things that other bars, or restaurants typically wouldn’t do or wouldn’t be able to,” Brittany Zepf said. These things include comedy nights, movie nights and even free community yoga. Every weekend has live music. All local musicians, the two see it as another opportunity to showcase Orlando talent.
The Chef’s Table experience lets a local chef develop their restaurant. Working through a partnership with Domu, the 8-seat experience is one of the best places to sample a new chef.
“Neighbors is the incubator for up and coming chefs in the area,” said Brittany Zepf. “The idea is that they come in here, establish themself, then move on to a brick and mortar.”
Camille, the current concept, headlined by Chef Tung Phan, has been open with the space for a year. It will be opening a location of its own in Baldwin Park this winter. A new concept will move into Neighbors early next year.
On November 5, Neighbors will host a one-year celebration at the market. Many of the artists displayed in the space will have a pop-up, offering the chance to meet some of their customers. Camille will also be serving one of the most popular dishes to-go.
Both Jacob Zepf and Brittany Zepf cite Orlando’s small business scene when asked about the city’s best quality. “We like that we are supporting people no matter where we go,” said Brittany Zepf. “We know that it's a small business who started from essentially nothing, and grew into what they are now. There’s little things that are opening all the time.”
The two also love the variety of food mixed around the city. “There’s definitely a great mix of types of food,” Jacob Zepf said. “Whether it’s a hole-in-the-wall, or the fanciest place you’ve ever imagined, we have a little bit of it here.”
Opening a business in Orlando
As for those looking to open a business in the city? Both Zepfs advised that while everyone flocks to the newest thing, it is always important to stay on top of the game. With all of the competition around Orlando, it’s important to always have your best customer service and ensure your drinks are always delicious and your shop is always clean.
Freehand Goods can be found on the first floor of East End Market, off of Curry Ford Road in the Hourglass District, or online. Neighbors bar and retail space is at East End Market.
1 Comment
Interesting article. I’m impressed with the Zepf’s vision and how creative they are in helping other small businesses. Looking forward to visiting Neighbors!