General store opens in town of Oakland

The owners of the West Orange Creamery and Soda Fountain have opened a general store in Oakland, a sister concept to the ice cream shop in Ocoee.

Oakland General opened in the concession space at the Healthy West Orange Arts and Heritage Center at the town of Oakland in March.

The popular family business is run by Jo and Chris Eveland, as well as their children Christopher Anthony, 12, and Isabella, soon to be 17.

Madison Ludwig, the West Orange Creamery manager, and Skylar Worthington, the Oakland General manager, also play an integral role in the businesses.

OAKLAND OPERATION

The Evelands said the concept for the general store started when the creamery began a partnership with the town of Oakland. The creamery began to help with small events, and the family quickly fell in love with the town.  

Although the plan never was to expand, the Evelands said the opportunity fell into their laps.

“The general store end of it just kind of fit in line with our vintage-y feel, and we knew we didn’t want new real estate but something more historic,” Chris Eveland said. “We were thinking that this would kind of open us up to changing what we can provide.”

The general store blends in with the historic feel of the town and heritage center, and pays tribute to the original small general store that opened in a building once located in the center of town. The building opened in 1912 and was operated by the Michael family. 

Currently, the general store offers items such as pizza, breakfast sandwiches, fresh fruit, smoothies and, of course, ice cream.

The Evelands said not every offering they have presented at the store works, and the location is still in the process of figuring out the needs and wants of the community.

Although the store is currently only operating as a snack bar that has balanced food options, the Evelands have goals for the future of the business.

“Mostly, we just want to fuel people,” Jo Eveland said. “But the whole concept is going to be not just a fuel station. If you have a tire that all of a sudden went flat … we could be able to provide that little kit for you that you could buy. Or if you need a Band-aid, or you have a bug bite or need sunscreen. … We actually have a list inside where if anybody comes in asking for something they write it down.”

The Evelands said their current focus is putting themselves out more in the community and letting locals know the store is there. The family said the staff in the town and at the heritage center have been nothing short of amazing in providing support.

“We want this space to bring people together and be recognized as a community hub,” Jo Eveland said.

CREAMERY CONCEPT

The Evelands said the creamery, which is going on six years in business, has been a blessing.

Jo Eveland said she wanted to have a business in the specific area because of the freedom it would allow her to raise her children and have the flexibility she was not being offered in her current position at the time at Walt Disney World. 

“We wanted to better our family and also teach our kids to work hard,” Chris Eveland said. “Business ownership in general just kind of presents opportunities to become teaching moments for the kids all the way through their lives.”

The Evelands said they picked Ocoee specifically because of the West Orange Cinema.

“While we were dating, we used to go to a place in St. Pete called Larry’s Ice Cream, and we still go there with our children now,” Jo Eveland said. “I knew I needed to be able to transition out of Disney to take care of our children. … I told Chris I loved ice cream, and we should open a shop. … We knew that it just had to be by the theater. That would be perfect. There was no other place, really it was non-negotiable. It was so unique, close to our house and family owned.” 

The availability of the location was fate.

“Chris said, ‘If we drive down from St. Pete tonight and there’s an open place, then we’re doing it,’” Jo Eveland said. “I kid you not, we drove down, and there was a rent sign for the place right next to where we are at right now.”

The Evelands knew they wanted their business to not be flashy and to instead exhibit a Prohibition-era feel.

“We wanted it to be something where people could come back and experience something a little different,” Jo Eveland said. 

Even the name of the employees, known as Jerks, pays tribute to a past time in history.

FAMILY FOUNDATION

Although Chris Eveland grew up in the West Orange County area, Jo Eveland first came to the United States in 2002 from Puerto Rico.

The couple met working at Walt Disney World that same year and later got married, building their family home in the Gotha area.

When not helping out at the creamery or general store, Chris Eveland works for the Reedy Creek Fire Department. 

However, the concept of family expands outside of just the blood ties. 

The business owners have conducted myriad fundraisers, partnered with local small businesses, memorized local regulars orders, invited employees into their home and watched babies grow up, all from the connections the creamery has offered. 

“At first, it was really nerve-racking for all of these people to trust us with their special moments,” Jo Eveland said. “But as you become part of their community, people actually become more flexible, and they get to meet all of our employees and we really become family.”

Another resident used to come in regularly to get ice cream for herself and her husband, who was in the middle of dialysis and would wait in the car. When the husband died, the wife donated his collection of New York Yankee memorabilia to the store. The wife said his dream was to have the collection displayed, and if the creamery were to ever sell any of the items, that the money was to go to the Jerks for college.  

“We are becoming part of these people’s lives,” Jo Eveland said. “The community has been such a blessing.”

Only a few weeks ago, a firefighter who works with Chris Eveland and whose daughter works at the Eveland’s business was brought back to life after dying on shift. 

The Evelands have partnered with the Reedy Creek Benevolent and the Reedy Creek Fire Department Pipes & Drums to host a “new” birthday celebration fundraiser for Steve Hollingsworth.

The event will take place from 2 to 6 p.m. Sunday, June 25, at the Winter Garden Elks Lodge.