The Florida Mall
8001 S Orange Blossom Trail Orlando, FL 32809 |
A Simon Mall, the Florida Mall is one of the largest single-story malls in the United States.
It has nearly 2,000,000 sq ft of leasable area and is home to over 250 stores. It was opened in 1986 and built very close to the Orlando International Airport. It is found off "I-Drive" in Orlando, a major road that links tourists with their attractions. Like the nearby amusement parks in the city, the mall is also colorful, lively and packed full of family fun.
It has nearly 2,000,000 sq ft of leasable area and is home to over 250 stores. It was opened in 1986 and built very close to the Orlando International Airport. It is found off "I-Drive" in Orlando, a major road that links tourists with their attractions. Like the nearby amusement parks in the city, the mall is also colorful, lively and packed full of family fun.
Who it’s for: This mall "lives" in one of the most popular tourist cities: Orlando. Home to Disney World and Universal Studios, among other theme parks and attractions, Orlando hosts people from every country, every ethnicity, every social class and every walk of life. Most are only here for vacation, but some are permanent residents. The mall accommodates the many tourists. Its stores suit mostly the middle and higher social classes, but the wide range of products offered there suits many different needs. There are more than several options for children, babies, teenagers, young adults, professional men and women, and athletes. There are stores selling technology, toys, beauty supplies, candy and swim/surf attire. There are also dozens of kiosks for everything else- from belt buckles to hair curlers to cell phones. Any tourist seeking any particular product that they either forgot or promised to bring home to their friends would most likely find it here.
Its best assets: Since it serves a bustling tourist central, there are some unusual ones here. Some finer examples are: a massive luxury hotel that is attached to the mall with an exit from the lobby that goes directly into the mall. There is an innovative new restaurant that is open-air in the middle of the mall and sports a long winding conveyor belt with dozens of sushi dishes circulating around slowly. Dining guests pay for a certain color plate and they can take any sushi off the belt if it is on a plate of that color.
This mall is home to a large M&M's store with every color and flavor of M&M's available in bulk.
There are many apparel stores for the teens and 20's, some of which are rather unique. One store is called "Garage" and it is based out of Canada. It doesn't have many stores in the US yet at all. Orlando's is one of only 2 in Florida. The clothes are hipster and urban styles and are a bit reminiscent of Cotton-On, which is also in this mall. "Justice", a sparkly and trendy store for little girls ages 4-11, has an unusual addition in the back called "Brothers", which is trendy store for little boys ages 4-11 also. This mall was also home to Florida's very first H&M store.
This mall is home to a large M&M's store with every color and flavor of M&M's available in bulk.
There are many apparel stores for the teens and 20's, some of which are rather unique. One store is called "Garage" and it is based out of Canada. It doesn't have many stores in the US yet at all. Orlando's is one of only 2 in Florida. The clothes are hipster and urban styles and are a bit reminiscent of Cotton-On, which is also in this mall. "Justice", a sparkly and trendy store for little girls ages 4-11, has an unusual addition in the back called "Brothers", which is trendy store for little boys ages 4-11 also. This mall was also home to Florida's very first H&M store.
Other great retail: Anchors such as Dillard's, JCPenney, Nordstrom and Saks Fifth Avenue. Specialty stores such as Hollister, Abercrombie & Fitch, Puma, Cotton On, Zara, Forever XXI, Dick's Sporting Goods, Apple and many more.
What it lacks: Essentially? Nothing. Although this mall is intended for people with more expendable income, so there are very few of the truly cheap fashion stores such as Wet Seal or Rainbow. Those types of stores typically are found in malls catering to middle to lower income areas. Someone looking to fill their bags for next to nothing would have some options, but not as many as if they were to shop in the mall in Lakeland or at the outlet malls in Orlando and St. Augustine.
Signs of decline: Minimal. This mall is literally bustling with hundreds of shoppers from every nationality.
Rating: 5/5
www.simon.com/mall/the-florida-mall
www.simon.com/mall/the-florida-mall
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