As you’ve travelled through downtown Winter Park the last few months, you’ve probably noticed there’s been a lot going on at the corner of Rosie’s Way and US 40. The historic building, once home to The Kitchen, and most recently, The Mountain Rose Café, has undergone extensive  remodeling since it was purchased by owner, Andras Horanyi, in 2018.

Tim Hodson, principal of SALTworkshop Ltd design firm, said, “I feel privileged to have been able to work on this project, which has been made even more satisfying by my clients’ insistence on maintaining the spirit of this iconic Winter Park building”.

Offering fresh-brewed coffee, specialty drinks and an assortment of pastries baked from scratch each morning, Horanyi said “the Stoked Meeting House caters to the morning and afternoon crowd, providing a family-friendly atmosphere prior to and aprés skiing or riding in winter, and hiking and biking in summer”.

Horanyi said the shop is intended to serve as a community gathering place, a creative space to work, play, converse and rest. Inside, he’s started a collection of board games, available for customers to play while they relax and enjoy their beverage of choice. Once summer comes around, he plans to expand to offering outdoor games, such as corn hole. Warmer weather will also allow him to also complete the exterior projects he had planned before winter set in. The projects include a front patio build-out and a garden on the south side of the building.

Horanyi welcomes everyone to “come here, hang out, be a part of the community”. He’s already scheduled a paint & sip class for February 8th and is looking into hosting meditation and yoga classes as well. The shop is open daily, from 7 am – 7 pm. You can find out more by visiting the website: stokedmeetinghouse.com.

In the rear of the shop, you’ll find The Sweet Life candy store, run by owner Megan Luther. A broker/owner of local real estate agency, The Simple Life, Luther was in the right place at the right time when Horanyi asked the agents if they knew anyone who might be interested in leasing space in the shop. Luther told me she had always wanted to run a candy store and this presented her with the perfect opportunity.

The Sweet Life features a variety of candy favorites, both old and new, as well as bulk candy, including 56 different flavors of Jelly Belly gourmet jelly beans and 30 different flavors of taffy. The shop is open daily from 9 am – 6 pm, but Horanyi also covers for Luther when she’s not in.

Stoked Meeting House and The Sweet Life opened last Saturday and word is spreading quickly. The shop’s warm and vibrant atmosphere makes it certain to become a local favorite. A place to have coffee, hot chocolate, a beer or a glass of wine, enjoy good conversation, and, satisfy your sweet tooth. It is a welcome addition to the community. The Winter Park & Fraser Chamber will host a ribbon cutting on Friday, February 1.