Nissan Frontier Named Best Truck for Tailgating: A Win for Florida Football Fans

Four consecutive Toyota President's Awards. A national TIME Dealer of the Year nomination tied to our family. A nod from local readers heading into 2026. Toyota Motor Sales, U.S.A., Inc. has validated this pattern year after year, and it's why customers keep pointing to Walla Walla Toyota when they talk about dealerships that actually deliver. If you'd rather see what that track record looks like on the lot than read about it, you can always contact our team directly. Walla Walla Toyota's Award-Winning Reputation in the Walla Walla Valley Walla Walla Toyota has built its name on more than inventory and location. What sets us apart in the Walla Walla Valley is consistency in how customers get treated, whether they're buying a first car or bringing one in for routine maintenance. That consistency shows up in independent recognition, not just marketing claims. CARFAX reports that verified customers rate our dealership 4.9 out of 5 stars across 30+ reviews, and general sentiment from Capital One Auto Navigator reviews echoes that our service department goes above and beyond to satisfy every customer who walks through the doors. Awards from Toyota itself, a national nomination, and local honors all point in the same direction. Toyota President's Award: A Four-Year Streak of Excellence The Toyota President's Award isn't handed out for popularity. Toyota Motor Sales, U.S.A., Inc. awards it to dealerships that hit specific, measurable performance standards year after year. What the President's Award Recognizes The award evaluates dealerships primarily on Customer Sales Satisfaction and Customer Service Satisfaction, the two qualifying categories every winner must clear. Beyond that baseline, Toyota also weighs Sales Satisfaction, Service Satisfaction, Market Share Attainment, Vehicle Delivery Excellence, and Employee Training and Certification. In plain terms, Toyota checks whether our sales team communicates honestly, whether our technicians are properly trained and certified, and whether customers leave satisfied after both a purchase and a service visit. For someone shopping at our dealership, that means fewer surprises during the buying process and a service lane staffed by people who've actually met Toyota's training benchmarks. Walla Walla Toyota's Consecutive Wins: 2022, 2023, 2024 & 2025 We've won the Toyota President's Award four years running: 2022, 2023, 2024, and 2025. A single win can happen on a good year. Four in a row means the standards behind our sales process and our service department aren't a one-time push. They're how we operate by default. The Lum family's flagship dealership in Oregon has earned the Toyota President's Award multiple times as well, which tells us these standards run through how the family operates every store it owns, not just one team having a good stretch. Lori Lum's Nomination for the 2025 TIME Dealer of the Year Award Awards aren't only about dealership operations. Sometimes they recognize the person setting the tone from the top, and in 2025 that recognition reached our ownership. About the TIME Dealer of the Year Nomination Lori Lum, Dealer Principal of Lum's Auto Center in Warrenton, Ore., was named among the nominees for the 2025 TIME Dealer of the Year award, an honor sponsored by Ally Financial and recognized by TIME and NADA. The program celebrates franchised new-car dealers for both business performance and community service. Nominees are put forward by Automotive Trade Association Executives, and finalists are chosen by a panel from the Tauber Institute for Global Operations at the University of Michigan. Judging requires at least a five-year record of active participation in the nominee's state or local dealer association, a bar Lori Lum cleared through her service on the Board of Directors of the Oregon Automobile Dealers Association. The 2025 winner was announced Jan. 25 at NADA Show 2025 in New Orleans, and Ally donated $1,000 to each nominee's chosen 501(c)3 charity. Lori Lum didn't take home the win, but reaching that shortlist alone puts her among a small group of dealers nationally. What Lori Lum's Oregon Nomination Means for Walla Walla Toyota The nomination technically belongs to Lum's Auto Center in Oregon, not to our Walla Walla location directly. But Lori Lum is the same Dealer Principal whose family owns and operates Walla Walla Toyota, so the standards being recognized on a national stage are the same ones applied here. Her background reinforces that: she's a graduate of both the Chrysler Sons & Daughters Dealer Academy and the NADA Dealer Academy, where she served as president of her graduating class. When we describe our dealership as family-led with a national reputation behind it, this is a big part of why. > "While our time has been relatively short in Walla Walla, we certainly feel deeply connected to this lively community and are proud to have grown alongside it, building lasting relationships and contributing to the town's unique spirit." — Lori Lum Nominated for the 2026 Walla Walla Union-Bulletin Readers' Choice Awards Closer to home, we've also been named among the nominees for the 2026 Walla Walla Union-Bulletin Readers' Choice Awards. Readers submit nominations and vote directly, with no judging panel involved, across more than 130 categories. Nominations ran July 6 through 24, the most-nominated businesses in each category advanced, and voting has now closed. As of publication, the winners haven't been announced yet, so this one is still open. Making the nomination round at all says something about how this community sees us. If you want to see what's currently on the lot while that vote plays out, you can browse our current inventory of family SUVs or check our used selection. Additional Community Recognition None of this happens in a vacuum. We invest in local organizations and programs with a focus on youth and education, along with health and wellness, because a dealership that's part of the community should act like it. Whether it's supporting a school program or a local health initiative, we treat community investment as an extension of the same commitment that drives our sales and service standards, not a separate marketing effort. If you'd like to experience that commitment firsthand, contact our team to set up a visit. What These Awards and Nominations Say About Customer Care and Ethics Customer Service Excellence Backed by Recognition Four straight Toyota President's Awards don't happen without consistent execution on the sales floor and in the service bay. Combined with a 4.9 out of 5 CARFAX rating across verified reviews, the pattern is hard to dismiss as coincidence. When people research our reviews before deciding where to buy or service a vehicle, this is the kind of evidence we'd want them to find, coming from independent sources and repeated year after year. Community Leadership and Ethical Business Practices Recognition like this also speaks to how we operate off the sales floor. Our family history runs deep here. David Lum opened the original Lum's Toyota in Astoria, OR, in 1969, and the Lum family has operated Pacific Northwest dealerships for more than 50 years since. That tradition carried forward when the family purchased this location in 2021 and renamed it Walla Walla Toyota, previously known as McCurley Integrity Toyota. You can learn more about our dealership and the family story behind it if you want the full history. Experience the Award-Winning Difference Awards alone don't sell a vehicle or earn a service appointment. What they do is give you a reason to trust that the experience behind them is real. Four consecutive President's Awards, Lori Lum's national TIME Dealer of the Year nomination, and local recognition from both readers and independent evaluators all point to the same standard we hold ourselves to daily. Visit Us or Schedule a Service Appointment Our mission has always been straightforward: make vehicle ownership easy and enjoyable, starting the moment you walk onto the lot and continuing through every maintenance visit that follows. If you're ready to see that in person, visit us at 606 N Wilbur Ave, Walla Walla, WA 99362, call (509) 525-1920, or contact our team to schedule a visit. We're open Monday through Friday from 8:30 am to 6:30 pm, Saturday from 9:00 am to 6:00 pm, and Sunday from 10:00 am to 5:00 pm. You can also schedule a service appointment online whenever it's convenient. Come see why our Toyota President's Award-winning standards are worth experiencing firsthand.

Grab a mug, find a seat by the water, and you'll understand why so many locals start their day right here. Downtown Clermont sits on the southern shore of Lake Minneola, earning its nickname "Gem of the Hills" from the rolling terrain around it. Between the boutique shops, waterfront views, and a coffee scene that punches well above its weight, this stretch of Historic Clermont has become the place where mornings feel intentional rather than rushed. Why Downtown Clermont Is a Morning Must-Visit Starting your day near Waterfront Park changes the whole tone of the morning. The park connects to South Lake Trail, a paved trail that runs about 14 miles one-way (roughly 25 miles round trip), perfect for a walk or bike ride before or after coffee. Downtown Clermont spans roughly ten city blocks, and with over 1,000 free public parking spaces, finding a spot is rarely a hassle. Time your visit right, and you might catch the weekly Clermont Farmer's Market, held every Sunday, or stumble onto live music near Clermont's Historic Village at West Avenue and Osceola Street, home to the Townsend House, built around 1895. Add in a strong lineup of coffee shops and breakfast spots, and you have a genuine reason to linger. Best Coffee Shops in Downtown Clermont Every coffee shop downtown has carved out its own identity, whether through rare equipment, single-origin beans, or a setting that makes you want to stay past your first cup. Here are the standouts. Citrus Coffee Company Tucked into the first floor of the historic Citrus Tower, a 22-story landmark that's stood since 1956, Citrus Coffee Company brews on the only La Marzocco KB90 2 Group espresso machine in Central Florida. The Orange Creme Latte is the drink locals keep coming back for, a nod to the citrus heritage that shaped this part of Lake County. Located at 141 N Hwy 27, it's open Sunday through Thursday from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m., Friday through Saturday until 11 p.m. Grab a seat at the base of the tower for panoramic views that are hard to beat anywhere else downtown. The Energy Lab Set inside the newly renovated Epic Cycles building, The Energy Lab feels like a European café crossed with a cyclist's clubhouse. The Steampunk full-immersion brewer and Slayer espresso machine turn out drinks made from single-origin beans sourced from the top 1% quality tier. Try the Macademian Almond Macchiato or the Cherry Blush if you want something memorable. Located at 528 8th St, it's open Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. and weekends from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. It also doubles as a quick breakfast stop, with juices and smoothies rounding out the menu. The Black Rabbit The Black Rabbit leans into a moody, bookish theme that sets it apart from most coffee shops around town. Along with handmade specialty coffee and tea, you'll find sweet treats, a curated selection of books and merchandise, and a small community market. The signature drinks, the Gingerdead Man and the Ghost Malone lattes, match the shop's slightly darker aesthetic. Address is 650 7th St, open Monday through Saturday from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. and Sunday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. With free WiFi and genuinely cozy corners, it's one of the better spots downtown for settling in with a laptop or a good book. Minch Coffee A short drive south of the downtown core, Minch Coffee sits in Cagan Crossings Town Center at 532 Cagan Park Avenue. It's family-run by Mathias and Suzanne Bernal, who've been in the coffee business since 2005. Beyond espresso and artisan teas, the menu includes blended drinks, smoothies, pastries, and bagels. The Black Cat Mocha and the KitTea Latte, a nod to the neighboring Orlando Cat Café, are worth trying. It's a reliable grab-and-go option if you're heading south from downtown. Foxtail Coffee - Clermont Paired with Kelly's Ice Cream at 2608 S Hwy 27, Foxtail Coffee - Clermont has an industrial-chic feel with both indoor and outdoor seating, including high tops, a coffee bar, and lounge chairs. It's pet-friendly, too. The shop serves locally roasted coffee alongside Kelly's ice cream flavors like Lemon Cake and Blueberry Pancakes. WiFi and outlets make it workable for a laptop session. Open daily from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m., it's flexible enough for an early coffee or a late-afternoon treat. Filigree Coffee Filigree Coffee sits just outside the downtown core in Winter Garden, next to Home State Brewing Co, but it's worth the short drive. As a multi-roaster specialty shop, it offers single-origin drip, lattes, mochas, and cold brew, with a seasonal menu that changes four times a year. Pastries come from Buttermilk Bakery, adding another layer of craft to the experience. Located at 16016 New Independence Pkwy, Suite 110, it's open daily from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. Top Breakfast and Brunch Spots Near Downtown Clermont Downtown Clermont's food scene goes well beyond coffee. Whether you want to sit down for a full plate or grab something fast, the breakfast options here hold their own. Sit-Down Breakfast Favorites Cheeser's Palace Cafe, at 707 W Montrose St, is a cheese-centric café and chocolate shop that serves eggs Benedict, omelets, crepes, fruit, and smoked salmon. It's open Tuesday through Sunday from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m., closed Mondays. Clermont Cafe, at 824 W Montrose St, is run by a husband-and-wife team known for homemade breakfast and lunch, plus desserts. Their signature dish, "The Town Favorite" Biscuits & Sausage Gravy, is a genuine crowd-pleaser. Hours run Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. and Saturday from 10:30 a.m. to 2 p.m., closed Sundays. Twisted Biscuit Diner has built a local following for its biscuit sandwiches, especially the Chicken Biscuit dipped in spicy honey. Quick and Casual Breakfast Options Keke's Breakfast Cafe, located at 2435 S Hwy 27, serves pancakes, omelets, waffles, and Eggs Benedict from 7 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. If you're already at The Black Rabbit or The Energy Lab, both double nicely as quick breakfast stops without needing a separate destination. Finding the Right Spot for Your Morning Different mornings call for different setups, so match your plans to the right spot below. Best for Working or Studying Foxtail Coffee - Clermont offers reliable WiFi, outlets, and enough seating variety to settle in for a few hours. The Black Rabbit is another solid choice, with free WiFi and a cozy, bookish atmosphere that makes long study sessions feel less like work. Best for Outdoor Seating and People-Watching Foxtail Coffee - Clermont's mix of indoor and outdoor seating, including high tops and lounge chairs, makes it easy to post up outside. Citrus Coffee Company offers something different: panoramic views from the base of the Citrus Tower that are hard to match anywhere else downtown. Best for Grab-and-Go Mornings The Energy Lab keeps things fast with coffee, juices, and smoothies ready to go. Minch Coffee is another dependable option, with espresso, teas, smoothies, pastries, and bagels that don't require much of a wait. Making a Morning of It in Downtown Clermont Once you've had your coffee and breakfast, there's plenty to keep the morning going. A walk along South Lake Trail or through Waterfront Park is an easy way to work off breakfast while taking in the Lake Minneola views. If it's a Sunday, the Clermont Farmer's Market is worth a stop for fresh produce and local goods. History buffs can wander over to Clermont's Historic Village near West Avenue and Osceola Street, where the Townsend House offers a glimpse into the area's past. Between the boutique shops, the lake, and the steady calendar of local events, downtown Clermont has a way of turning a simple coffee run into a full morning out. Swing by Reed Nissan Clermont After Your Coffee Run Once you've made your way through downtown, Reed Nissan Clermont is just a short drive away at 16005 State Road 50. Our dealership sits on ten acres with a lake on-site, and the Reed family has been locally owned and operated for over 75 years, serving Floridians across the region. Whether you're curious about a new Nissan, need a service checkup, or just want to look around, our team is ready to help. Sales hours run Monday through Saturday from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. and Sunday from noon to 6 p.m., so you can check our current hours before you stop by. It's an easy way to pair your morning coffee with a practical errand, all in the same trip.

Fall in Central Florida means cooler mornings, tangerines showing up at market stalls, and tables loaded with just-picked produce. Whether you're loyal to a Saturday tradition or prefer a slower Sunday stroll, there's a market worth building a weekend around. Here are five stops around the region, with hours, parking details, and vendor highlights to help you plan your visit. Why Fall Is the Perfect Time for Orlando Farmers Markets Florida's fall harvest kicks off earlier than most people realize. Fallglo tangerines typically show up by mid- to late September, with grapefruit season getting underway that same month and Navel oranges following in early October. Cucumbers and squash start appearing that same month, alongside the first tomatoes of the season. By November, tables fill out with bell peppers, green beans, sweet corn, lettuce, and eggplant. Carrots and radishes stick around until May, and sweet potatoes get harvested in the fall and early winter. Central Florida's most productive agricultural stretch starts in the fall and carries through spring, so fall visitors catch the harvest right as it's picking up steam. Pair that with milder temperatures, and you've got a great window for hopping between markets around Orlando. Winter Park Farmers Market: A Charming Saturday Tradition The Winter Park Farmers' Market draws steady crowds every Saturday morning to Central Park, and it's one of the most established markets in the area. Hours, Location, and Parking Tips It runs every Saturday from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Central Park West Meadow, on the corner of New York Avenue and Morse Boulevard. It temporarily relocates to Seven Oaks Park during major events such as the Sidewalk Art Festival and the Autumn Art Festival, so check the calendar before planning a trip during festival season. Free parking is available in the lot near the SunRail station on Morse Boulevard, along nearby side streets, or in the Park Place Parking Garage at 150 W Canton Ave, levels 4 and 5. Dogs are welcome on leash, and Park Avenue sits just steps away if you want to browse shops afterward. Fresh Produce and Artisan Goods to Look For Vendors sell produce, plants, baked goods, coffee, and flowers, plus a few unexpected finds like popcorn, Indian food, cakes, sauces, and nut butters. There's also a solid lineup of treats and products made for dogs and cats, so this is an easy stop if you're bringing a pet along. Orlando Farmers Market at Lake Eola: Downtown's Sunday Favorite For a Sunday option, the Orlando Farmers Market at Lake Eola has been an official downtown fixture since 1987, and it's one of the best farmers markets in Central Florida for sheer variety. Hours, Location, and Parking Tips It runs Sundays from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Lake Eola Park, at the corner of E. Central Blvd and N. Eola Drive, Orlando 32806. Free on-street parking sits within walking distance, and paid garages on S. Osceola Avenue and N. Eola Drive pick up the overflow. Downtown foot traffic picks up fast on weekends, so arriving closer to opening gives you the best shot at nearby street parking. Seasonal Finds and Family-Friendly Fun Close to 50 vendors set up here, selling gourmet cheese, kettle corn, art, handmade jewelry, pottery, birdhouses, soaps, and clothing, along with fresh produce, local honey, and artisanal cheeses. Entertainment runs throughout the day, and the paved pathways around the park make it easy to navigate with a stroller or wheelchair. Winter Garden Farmers Market: Historic Downtown Charm The Winter Garden Farmers Market has earned a reputation among shoppers who want a true small-town feel without leaving the Orlando area. Hours, Location, and Parking Tips It runs every Saturday, 8 a.m. to 1 p.m., at the Winter Garden Downtown Pavilion, 104 S. Lakeview Avenue, and it operates year-round. Parking is plentiful and free: a three-level garage at 160 S. Boyd Street sits right next to the market, spots line West Plant Street, and a 117-space lot at 37 N. Boyd Street is a short walk away. Leashed dogs and cats are welcome, but leashes are required at all times. Live music plays from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., and EBT/SNAP is accepted for eligible items, with vendor Farmacy also taking Fresh Access Bucks. Local Vendors and Fall Produce Highlights Long-running vendor Gardner's Fresh Produce is a reliable stop for seasonal fruits and vegetables, while Boca Fresca serves plant-based Latin dishes if you want lunch on-site. The surrounding downtown offers boutiques, cafes, museums, an art gallery, the Interactive Fountain, and Butterfly Sculpture Park, so it's easy to stretch a market run into a half-day outing. More Central Florida Farmers Markets Worth Visiting Two smaller neighborhood markets round out the list and are worth working into your fall rotation. Audubon Park Community Market The Audubon Park Community Market has run every Monday since 2009, from 5 to 8 p.m. in the Stardust parking lot at 1842 E Winter Park Road. It's pet- and family-friendly, with vendors selling produce, cow and goat milk, cheese, eggs, yogurt, breads, pies, honey, seafood, grass-fed beef and lamb, pastured chicken and pork, plus desserts, jams, salsa, and pickles. Skip parking at the ABC Liquors nearby; towing there is strictly enforced. Maitland Farmers Market The Maitland Farmers Market runs Sundays from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Lake Lily Park, 701 Lake Lily Drive off Maitland Avenue. Free parking surrounds the park, with additional spots in the south lot behind the Cottage and Waterhouse buildings. Shoppers will find two produce stands, breakfast and lunch options, flowers, plants, fresh meats and seafood, jams, sauces, boiled peanuts, and baked goods, all set against live music from Performing Arts Matter. The five-acre park has a lake trail, boardwalk, playground, and gazebo, making it one of the more relaxed stops if you're bringing kids. Tips for a Smooth Farmers Market Visit This Fall A little planning goes a long way when you're hitting more than one market in a weekend. A few things worth keeping in mind: Bring a cooler or insulated bag with an ice pack to keep cheese, pasta, and eggs cool on the drive home. On hot mornings, park in a garage when one's available for shade, especially at Lake Eola or Winter Garden. Bring both cash and a card, since several markets, including Winter Garden, accept EBT/SNAP for eligible items. Keep pets leashed at all times, particularly at Winter Garden, where leash rules are enforced. Double-check the calendar for fall festival schedule changes, since Winter Park relocates to Seven Oaks Park during the Autumn Art Festival. Make It a Day Trip: Fuel Up at Reed Nissan Before You Go Get Your Vehicle Ready Hopping between Winter Park, Lake Eola, and Winter Garden in one weekend adds up to a fair amount of driving, so it's worth making sure your vehicle can handle it. Reed Nissan, serving Orlando drivers since 1950, sits at 3776 W. Colonial Drive and offers complete maintenance for Nissan and other makes, including brakes, tire service, wheel alignments, tune-ups, oil changes, battery checks, and EV system service, all using genuine Nissan parts. A quick stop before a full day of market visits means you won't be thinking about your A/C or tire pressure while you're loading up on Navel oranges and fresh produce. Schedule Your Visit Service hours run Monday through Friday, 7:30 a.m. to 6 p.m., and Saturday 7:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., so a Friday afternoon or early Saturday appointment fits nicely before a weekend of market visits. You can schedule service online or call 407-278-8270. If you have questions about maintenance, financing, or anything else, feel free to contact Reed Nissan directly, and enjoy the fall harvest around Central Florida. Photo by Jacopo Maiarelli on Unsplash