Me and a bunch of other Gen X'ers have decided that we want to band together and buy abandoned/dead malls and turn them into GenX retirement communities. One of the anchor store sites will be the medical/dental/emergency department. The old Lenscrafters and Pearl Vision stores will be re-opened and restaffed with glasses made 'While-U-Wait". Another anchor store will be the thrift store where everyone brings their inherited furniture, extra appliances, clothing, etc from the downsizing, for swap or sale. The food court will replace the dining areas, and then there are the other amenities needed - grocery stores, auto and chopper and golf cart maintenance, movie theaters, a stage for concerts and a mosh pit lined with cushions and bean bags. We will live in all new 2nd level housing accessed via glass elevators and escalators. Just let our grown children TRY and drop off the grandkids for Grannie and Pop-Pop to watch! "Sorry, me and the guys are playing SuperMario on the big screens down the west side after checking out the rad comic books store, and your mom and her gal pals are getting new ink over by the Sip and Paint ceramics place. Try calling first next time." Ya want in?
I remember visiting this mall in 96 when it first opened and before seeing it a empty lot of trees. The carousel has been closed since around 2009 or so maybe off and on working. This was a good video getting away from disney. Thanks Adam.
Thank you for another great vlog Adam. Really enjoying seeing all what’s around. It’s the same with the shopping centres here. So many shops closing. It’s so sad to see
When it was open they had a McDonalds, Starbucks and a Panda Express by the theater. A Disney Store, Footlocker, Jared, Lids, Orange Julius were all there too. They had all the top stores. I don’t know what happened.
Wow I remember going here as a kid when we came to Orlando to visit my cousins, I remember riding that carousel with them. There was a claw machine right next to it where my mom won me a sonic the hedgehog plush. 20 years later I still have him!
I grew up in the 90's and we teenagers cruised around our mall on Friday night until we all were finally made to leave. But back then we had a record shop, great arcades and other cool stores.
There’s a suburb East of Orlando called Altamonte Springs. The mall there is thriving. The “sweet spot” for the mall’s success, like Adam mentioned, is that they have an AMC, it’s right near a highway exit on a SR that’s lined with restaurants/shops and there’s a large popular hang out spot behind it called Cranes Roost Park. You’ll see kids a lot of there hanging out in the evenings and on weekends
The Bath & Body Works at West Oaks still has their original red and white checkered awning with wood paneling around it. ❤ It's one of the few locations that still looks like that.
West Oaks Mall was a beautiful mall. I was there when it opened... And when the theater opened a couple years later. Such great memories. The carousel doesn't run on tokens, you get the token and give it to the attendant. My kids loved that carousel. Anyways, So sad what happened and that it has become so rundown.
I'm always amazed at how busy the Brea Mall in Brea, CA is whenever I'm home visiting. Way back in 1985 (I was 17) I worked at Disneyland in Fantasyland Foods (Village Haus, Yumz, Big Thunder BBQ). Back then, Brea Mall had an ice rink (where the food court is today), and when we were off work we would head over there to play broomball on the ice. So many memories of meeting up with everyone from other areas of the park to play. Loads of competition, but always ended up hanging out with everyone in the parking lot after. I now live in NYC, but I love to visit the old Brea Mall when I'm home and think about all those awesome broomball games.
Many many areas overbuilt in malls. The ones that survive today are malls where there isn't another mall within miles. I've seen many places where driving down the retail/hotel area and there would be several malls in a few miles, no way have they survived today.
Thank you for posting this. I was in Orlando last month and saw a sign for this mall and wanted to visit, but unfortunately didn't have time. Hopefully the mall is still around next time I visit!
I remember hunting for a spot to park there. Went there many times. We always stopped at the pizza shop next to the theater. A bad reputation severely wounded the mall, and it never recovered. Recently, they had plans to attract more offices, like the Orange county tax office and Sun Pass.
Great update!! I visited that mall when it opened in the 90s. It was a very busy mall. The large building at the beginning of your video with the glass atrium was a Gayfers department store. The glass atrium had a glass elevator and a coffee cafe. It wasn't a luxury retailer but on the higher end side, competed with Dillards. Inside the mall I remember it at 100% occupancy with all the national brands represented. It's a shame how it ended up. There were rumors years ago to demolish the property for apartments and new retail stores as a multi use development.
I worked on the renovation of this mall back in 2017. I got stuck on a 277 volt high voltage live wire for over 15 seconds, then fell out of a scissor lift 8ft up in the air. I almost died from that. Spent a few nights in the ER. Looks like they've still not opened up that side we were renovating.
That's nothing. I got stuck on a 480 volt line for 20 seconds 12 feet up. I spent a week in a Holiday Inn Express and now I'm an expert in hydroelectric plants. 🤪
@@dennistyler9852 Thank you, I appreciate that. Yes, luckily I had a close call but the ECG came back clear those days I was in the ER in orlando. It's a miracle.
1962 movie AIR PATROL has plenty of cool helicopter shots of LA and San Fernando valley. You might recognize some main roads and storm water channels. Old LA buildings.
I was there in 1997. Me and my buddy drove to FL to hit Disney in between our first and second year of med school. We were going to stay w my grandfather who lived in Claremont. We got in early while he was still working so we went to this mall, watched a movie and the carousel going around. It was a relaxing and cool way to spend the afternoon after our long drive from Ohio. I never forgot this mall. It is still beautiful. I don’t know - there was a lot to be said for malls - especially up north. I have little kids now and I’d like to wheel them around in the West Oaks mall of 1997. Today, it’s depressing and sad. Thanks as always for documenting for posterity’s sake.
I live in Ocoee, and here's the kicker. I saw you walking with yout camera and thought to myself, nah... that's not Adam the Woo. 😂 You're taller than I first thought, brother.
@TheDailyWoo now the Bigfoot is beginning to make more sense. No disrespect intended. I'm six/one and you still look like a giant to me. It was cool seeing you in my stomping ground. Stay safe out there, brother.
Wow that mall is so pretty inside. I went to our mall around Christmas time. Most of the stores were gone. Macy’s was still open. I was surprised. Jc Penny had much better merchandise. Thank you for sharing.
The store with the fence @12:13 used to be a record store. The empty store with the shelves and recently removed sign @12:28 was Spencer’s, an OG store that just recently closed and it’s sad to see. @13:14 with the “80s style tile” was an Auntie Anne’s, I can’t remember if it was always an Auntie Anne’s but there was EB Games right next to it on the left and when I would buy video games for my PS1 and PS2, I’d smell them baking next door as I’d buy games like Resident Evil 2 and GTA3. It was great.
I was in elementary school when my mom and I moved to this area. My mom was part of the opening team of this mall, as manager of one of the anchor hair salons. I have vivid memories, or riding the Macy's escalators, playing in the playground areas and getting escorted back by security all the time because I was unsupervised and too old for the playground. This mall was a staple of my life thru high school- I saw many a movies here and many dates to the food court etc. Good times.
Omg I used to live at those Lakes Edge apartments super close to that mall, before I moved back to Los Angeles. I’m definitely missing Florida. Odd to say that coming from me.
Good morning from Gatlinburg TN Adam...I'd hang out in the Winter Haven Mall as a teen living there in the early 90s ..Met Former KC Royals Tom Flash Gordon and played in the arcade with him😂
15:38 The main hub stores are called Anchor stores such as Pennys and Dillards, most are going by the wayside, like Macys is also struggling. Here in San Antonio North Star Mall where you did your meetup that time is still very active and busy as well as River center Mall, but we also have some very empty ones as well, I miss the 80s and 90s for sure, those were the days, it was always a thing to go to the mall..thanks for sharing this one with us!
Very sad actually, something generation X 'or is it Z now' wouldn't understand. Plus most malls put restrictions on age after large group of teens invaded the malls that caused endless problems, along with shop lifting.
We just know this is almost assuredly the fate of these, big malls of yesteryear. Now, many people shop and order differently. I recall when the malls were the place to go, name stores, under a big roof. Thanks for taking us along, Adam... really enjoyable 🤠☀️💛🤗
People don't have the disposable income that they used to have to just 'go shopping'. And even most large stores have online ordering and free delivery, along with Amazon, of course..
The Altamonte Springs Mall is a really solid and successful suburban mall. The entire food court is full and no flea market type vendors in the permanent spaces.
Adam is was a pleasure going on a tour of that mall and I love exploring malls that are still open but not doing all that great also thank you documenting that mall as it looks like it’s slowly going downhill, now what would be cool is if there were pictures and even video of the outside of the mall and inside of the mall in its heyday, now with that peace ☮️ love ❤️ and happiness to you Adam and I’ll see you on the next vlog adventure wherever it takes you peace ☮️ out ✌️
Living in that are back in the 90s we were excited that we were getting a mall in west Orange County. Florida mall and fashion square were the only options back then.
The rumor years ago was that a college bought the mall property to open a satellite location.I guess that didn't happen. I was happy to see it built back in the 90's so I didn't have to drive to Orlando or Altamonte to shop,eat,and watch a movie. Thanks for the updated tour! Woo on Adam,Woo on!
I am actually from the Winter Garden/ Ocoee area I spent many days at this mall back in the day I really do miss it. It went down hill just before the Winter Garden Village opened up
Just when I think I’m the only weirdo who likes stuff like this here goes Adam lol. Love stuff like this unfortunately I live in north Fl and not many of these left. Thanks for the video keep it coming brother. One day I will see you in the parks.
I'm about three hours north of Mr the Woo, give or take 30 mins. I noticed yesterday how bright and big the moon was in the early afternoon sky, so it was cool seeing it there in the bonus footage as a reminder. Not that I often converse with the moon, but I did look down at a fake watch and say "You're about two hours too early, buddy".
Miss the malls, the place to be and work! I’ve worked in a mall, 2 different times. Online shopping dominates but still there are some out there thriving!
I remember when this mall opened around 1996 it was top of the line in that area. We lived in Apopka and usually went to the Altamonte Springs Mall but went to West Oaks because of the novelty of being new. It is eerie to see so much is closed there and old looking. I hope the Altamonte Mall is faring better. Speaking of the Altamonte Mall, the first time we went there was around 1977 and went to Farrell's Ice Cream Parlor. Now, that was an experience!
I took many trips to the West Oaks Mall food court in the late 90s and early 2000s when I was doing children's ministry in that area. I would get a Philly Cheese Steak after church. I love the classic carousel.
This one hurts. This was our hang-out mall growing up. The now-closed ice cream shop used to be a Hagen Dazs. They had Bailey's Irish Cream-flavored ice cream! On the other side of the movie theater there used to be a McDonald's, which was to my knowledge the only McDonald's location inside a mall at that time. We used to go to the Border's Books that was nearby and the Chevy's Mexican Restaurant. There was apparently a riot that occurred at the movie theater at one point, where dozens of teenagers flooded the place and destroyed lots of property. That pretty much killed the mall. So sad.
Hi Adam. "Anchor Tenant" is what they call the largest retailers within a mall, etc. Thanks for the tour. It's sad to see our 80-90s real world social outlets eradicated by Amazon, etc.
I work at the Dillards Clearance, they hired me just a little before Christmas of 2023. It opened as a full Dillards with the mall, in my interview I asked the managers how long it’s been a clearance location and they told me it’s been 7 years since the transition took place. I’ve only been allowed on the second floor once so far, it’s a fixture graveyard, some furniture from my store and some from other stores in the Orlando area. I’m surprised I didn’t see you, I was working in the men’s department the day you visited.
I miss our old mall. So many memories getting Christmas gifts and Christmas pics with Santa and my children. We had an Easter bunny after they were older. Now, neither. About all that's open now is Belk's, Books A Million, Dick's, and a local Mexican Restaurant. Its got a few other local stores, but there is nothing I have a need for buying. Miss the JC Penney's, Sears, Hallmark, shoe stores, restaurants, etc. They tore down our food count and other small stores to build a Dick's Sporting Goods store in the middle. It doesn't connect with the mall. I think that ended the Sears store. It was left disconnected on the end. Then Penney's closed. I miss what was once our local mall. Every once in a while, I go to Belk's. Went last week to buy granddaughter an Easter dress. It's so sad to see how much of it is closed. There are so many wonderful stores that we once had. Thanks for the documenting of that mall.
Local to the area, the Tax Collector office is the only reason this mall still exists, it draws a ton of traffic and supports what businesses are left. The movie theater helps some as well but is often pretty slow. The Sun pass place and auto care facility use to be a Sears and Sears auto care years ago before shutting down
Adam, really enjoyed your video! I love your mall videos! I've got a video of Mountain View Mall in Ardmore on my channel. I miss going to Midway Mall in Sherman/Denison. Looking forward to your next vlog.
Once the anchor stores leave a mall, it dies quickly; and most of the anchor stores have gone to the web. It’s pretty sad. As a kid, I loved going to the small as it was a very special occasion like Christmas for my family of seven to visit the mall.
ATW in my neck o' the woods!! the food court place that you referred to as looking like it belongs in stranger things was, in fact, an Orange Julius at one point, A staple of the 80s/90s. then is was a cookie shop
My mall growing up just closed its door for good. Glad i videoed & reminisced it a couple of weeks ago. But there are 2 thriving mall out here too which is shocking these days. 👍
Friends and i often reminesse about how long ago we could spend the whole day at the mall , have lunch and everything . So sad , the malls in Michigan are the same
No TREESPAS? Out OFF service? What the heck is going on down there for a school system? LOL Anyhoo, my favorite vlogs! Love when you explore Central FL. I used to live on Ocoee in 1994 and briefly again in 1998. Thanks for showing me what the WO mall looks like now. As for bustling malls, Westlake Village and Thousand Oaks CA have terrific malls! Upper scale community, though. xo
I'd visit this place often in my youth, our family had a house out in Ocoee so we'd usually go twice a year, it was walkable (just), It was a very interesting mall, just big enough and not as hectic as the others filled with tourists, had a very thriving Hot topic/EB games, They had a 'gaming cafe' in like 2002-3 I think which was fanastic, everyone in the mall was welcoming and you could get pretty much anything you wanted, we sold the house and had another closer to lake buena vista so we didn't really go again after 2005/6 I think Very Bizarre feeling seeing it like this, like seeing an old friend that's not really all there, but thank you for making the video as it had memories flooding back, one thing we never did well in europe was Malls, even now they just don't have the same heart as the American ones, it showed a very real arguement for just how well off America/Americans were and I was eternally jealous residents were able to go to places like this all the time
One of the large malls in my area, The Galleria in Birmingham, AL - has a carousel also. You have to go to a machine, pay and get a token - you have to physically give the token to the carousel worker in order to ride. On another note, Chinese and Japanese food from mall food courts are the best!!
Went to the Galleria many times growing up. I remember how big of a deal it was when it first opened up. Before that you just had Century Plaza for the "big" mall.
This was very fascinating and your calm commentary and walk through was fantastic. If there are so many dying malls then I would love to see this as a series in your future.
When my folks and I moved to Florida when I was a kid in 2004, we used to go to the mall all the time, mostly for the AMC Movie theater in there, but occasionally for shopping as well. They used to have a miler music and movie store there where I often got Godzilla DVDs. My favorite store there was the Disney store. Tons of toys from that shop growing up! There also used to be a Toys R Us in that direct general area as well. I last went there in 2019, and it felt…….off. And sad. The place is a hollow shell of what it was when I grew up.
I miss the mall's heyday. Thanks for preserving history, Adam
It was quite a pocket of time
Me too, I don't like to buy clothes I can not try on since most brands/styles fit different.
Everything is online now sadly 😢 was a great hangout spot for us growing up
It still looks nice in my opinion. Relaxing and quiet with good deals on clothing. I think its better when places aren't crowded.
I'm going this week to 3d capture it n turn it into a video game probably zombies
I miss the malls of the 80s! They were a regular beehive of activity! 🐝 Plus, they usually had great arcades! 👍 😀
Love watching your vlogs! Today is my 46th birthday & love this kind of nostalgia, so thank you.
Adam Very Interesting but also sad.that stores are closed. The 80s mall were great times. Thank You for sharing.
Me and a bunch of other Gen X'ers have decided that we want to band together and buy abandoned/dead malls and turn them into GenX retirement communities. One of the anchor store sites will be the medical/dental/emergency department. The old Lenscrafters and Pearl Vision stores will be re-opened and restaffed with glasses made 'While-U-Wait". Another anchor store will be the thrift store where everyone brings their inherited furniture, extra appliances, clothing, etc from the downsizing, for swap or sale. The food court will replace the dining areas, and then there are the other amenities needed - grocery stores, auto and chopper and golf cart maintenance, movie theaters, a stage for concerts and a mosh pit lined with cushions and bean bags. We will live in all new 2nd level housing accessed via glass elevators and escalators. Just let our grown children TRY and drop off the grandkids for Grannie and Pop-Pop to watch! "Sorry, me and the guys are playing SuperMario on the big screens down the west side after checking out the rad comic books store, and your mom and her gal pals are getting new ink over by the Sip and Paint ceramics place. Try calling first next time."
Ya want in?
I remember visiting this mall in 96 when it first opened and before seeing it a empty lot of trees. The carousel has been closed since around 2009 or so maybe off and on working. This was a good video getting away from disney. Thanks Adam.
You do terrific work and will pick it up when you travel out of Florida.
Sounds good .
Thank you for another great vlog Adam. Really enjoying seeing all what’s around. It’s the same with the shopping centres here. So many shops closing. It’s so sad to see
I went to this mall as a kid when my family used to live near Orlando. Thank you for recording this.
Love these sort of videos,love when you go to abandoned or nearly abandoned places.please do more Adam.
When it was open they had a McDonalds, Starbucks and a Panda Express by the theater. A Disney Store, Footlocker, Jared, Lids, Orange Julius were all there too. They had all the top stores. I don’t know what happened.
Wow I remember going here as a kid when we came to Orlando to visit my cousins, I remember riding that carousel with them. There was a claw machine right next to it where my mom won me a sonic the hedgehog plush. 20 years later I still have him!
Back in my day, malls were the hang out spot, even when you were supposed to be in school. Online shopping has really changed our social interactions.
I grew up in the 90's and we teenagers cruised around our mall on Friday night until we all were finally made to leave. But back then we had a record shop, great arcades and other cool stores.
Internet has changed hangouts, too. Now kids just hangout together online. 😢
There’s a suburb East of Orlando called Altamonte Springs. The mall there is thriving. The “sweet spot” for the mall’s success, like Adam mentioned, is that they have an AMC, it’s right near a highway exit on a SR that’s lined with restaurants/shops and there’s a large popular hang out spot behind it called Cranes Roost Park.
You’ll see kids a lot of there hanging out in the evenings and on weekends
Malls are still a pretty popular hang out spot for people, at least where I’m located in the Tampa Bay Area.
This kinda took me back to the abandoned Exploration days. Thanks for another daily video . 🎉
The Bath & Body Works at West Oaks still has their original red and white checkered awning with wood paneling around it. ❤ It's one of the few locations that still looks like that.
I was so happy to see this! I grew up there and haven't been back in many years, this brought back a lot of memories and nostalgia!
It's always sad to see these old malls going away even if I have never been to them. I have a lot of fond memories in malls.
Love your channel, Rhetty. I agree. Lots of good times in my local malls. And I refuse to shop online just for that reason.
West Oaks Mall was a beautiful mall. I was there when it opened... And when the theater opened a couple years later. Such great memories. The carousel doesn't run on tokens, you get the token and give it to the attendant. My kids loved that carousel. Anyways, So sad what happened and that it has become so rundown.
Very nice episode, the mall has a strong Stranger Things vibes! Well done Adam! :)
Malls are funny. I was in The Coastal Mall in Myrtle Beach, SC on Sunday and it was packed. Every store is rented. Nice and clean too.
But yet they flattened the mall that was on Kings Highway...
I'm always amazed at how busy the Brea Mall in Brea, CA is whenever I'm home visiting. Way back in 1985 (I was 17) I worked at Disneyland in Fantasyland Foods (Village Haus, Yumz, Big Thunder BBQ). Back then, Brea Mall had an ice rink (where the food court is today), and when we were off work we would head over there to play broomball on the ice. So many memories of meeting up with everyone from other areas of the park to play. Loads of competition, but always ended up hanging out with everyone in the parking lot after. I now live in NYC, but I love to visit the old Brea Mall when I'm home and think about all those awesome broomball games.
Those are some nice memories . I used to work in that mall, late 80s early 90s. It was the place to be.
Many many areas overbuilt in malls. The ones that survive today are malls where there isn't another mall within miles. I've seen many places where driving down the retail/hotel area and there would be several malls in a few miles, no way have they survived today.
hi again Adam , another great Vlog as always , very interesting , well done and thank you 😊
Thank you for posting this. I was in Orlando last month and saw a sign for this mall and wanted to visit, but unfortunately didn't have time. Hopefully the mall is still around next time I visit!
I was very much part of the mall crowd while growing up in Jackson, MS. Thanks for showing us West Oaks. That's a pretty mall.
I remember hunting for a spot to park there. Went there many times. We always stopped at the pizza shop next to the theater.
A bad reputation severely wounded the mall, and it never recovered.
Recently, they had plans to attract more offices, like the Orange county tax office and Sun Pass.
Great update!! I visited that mall when it opened in the 90s. It was a very busy mall. The large building at the beginning of your video with the glass atrium was a Gayfers department store. The glass atrium had a glass elevator and a coffee cafe. It wasn't a luxury retailer but on the higher end side, competed with Dillards. Inside the mall I remember it at 100% occupancy with all the national brands represented. It's a shame how it ended up. There were rumors years ago to demolish the property for apartments and new retail stores as a multi use development.
I worked on the renovation of this mall back in 2017. I got stuck on a 277 volt high voltage live wire for over 15 seconds, then fell out of a scissor lift 8ft up in the air. I almost died from that. Spent a few nights in the ER.
Looks like they've still not opened up that side we were renovating.
That's nothing. I got stuck on a 480 volt line for 20 seconds 12 feet up. I spent a week in a Holiday Inn Express and now I'm an expert in hydroelectric plants. 🤪
@@ChatGPT1111 Alright chatgpt, you win as always.
Thank Goodness and thank God you survived. All the best to you.
@@dennistyler9852 Thank you, I appreciate that. Yes, luckily I had a close call but the ECG came back clear those days I was in the ER in orlando. It's a miracle.
1962 movie AIR PATROL has plenty of cool helicopter shots of LA and San Fernando valley. You might recognize some main roads and storm water channels. Old LA buildings.
I was there in 1997. Me and my buddy drove to FL to hit Disney in between our first and second year of med school. We were going to stay w my grandfather who lived in Claremont. We got in early while he was still working so we went to this mall, watched a movie and the carousel going around. It was a relaxing and cool way to spend the afternoon after our long drive from Ohio. I never forgot this mall. It is still beautiful. I don’t know - there was a lot to be said for malls - especially up north. I have little kids now and I’d like to wheel them around in the West Oaks mall of 1997. Today, it’s depressing and sad. Thanks as always for documenting for posterity’s sake.
I live in Ocoee, and here's the kicker. I saw you walking with yout camera and thought to myself, nah... that's not Adam the Woo. 😂 You're taller than I first thought, brother.
Not sure how long you've lived there and remember anyone named Paul LaGarde?
@Merely I've lived here for about six years, and am quite the recluse.
Oh dang yea I’m 6 foot 3
@TheDailyWoo now the Bigfoot is beginning to make more sense. No disrespect intended. I'm six/one and you still look like a giant to me. It was cool seeing you in my stomping ground. Stay safe out there, brother.
Wow that mall is so pretty inside. I went to our mall around Christmas time. Most of the stores were gone. Macy’s was still open. I was surprised. Jc Penny had much better merchandise. Thank you for sharing.
Very interesting and sad at the same time. Fantastic job as usual, thanks again.
The store with the fence @12:13 used to be a record store. The empty store with the shelves and recently removed sign @12:28 was Spencer’s, an OG store that just recently closed and it’s sad to see. @13:14 with the “80s style tile” was an Auntie Anne’s, I can’t remember if it was always an Auntie Anne’s but there was EB Games right next to it on the left and when I would buy video games for my PS1 and PS2, I’d smell them baking next door as I’d buy games like Resident Evil 2 and GTA3. It was great.
I was in elementary school when my mom and I moved to this area. My mom was part of the opening team of this mall, as manager of one of the anchor hair salons. I have vivid memories, or riding the Macy's escalators, playing in the playground areas and getting escorted back by security all the time because I was unsupervised and too old for the playground.
This mall was a staple of my life thru high school- I saw many a movies here and many dates to the food court etc. Good times.
Omg I used to live at those Lakes Edge apartments super close to that mall, before I moved back to Los Angeles. I’m definitely missing Florida. Odd to say that coming from me.
Good morning from Gatlinburg TN Adam...I'd hang out in the Winter Haven Mall as a teen living there in the early 90s ..Met Former KC Royals Tom Flash Gordon and played in the arcade with him😂
Frog King Rules! 🐸
Mostly dead malls are fascinating. There's one much like this in Sebring Florida. It's just eerie to visit and walk around.
15:38 The main hub stores are called Anchor stores such as Pennys and Dillards, most are going by the wayside, like Macys is also struggling. Here in San Antonio North Star Mall where you did your meetup that time is still very active and busy as well as River center Mall, but we also have some very empty ones as well, I miss the 80s and 90s for sure, those were the days, it was always a thing to go to the mall..thanks for sharing this one with us!
Amazing how many malls are going thru the struggle...malls were such the go-to place esp on weekends and the change really is shocking more or less
Very sad actually, something generation X 'or is it Z now' wouldn't understand. Plus most malls put restrictions on age after large group of teens invaded the malls that caused endless problems, along with shop lifting.
We just know this is almost assuredly the fate of these, big malls of yesteryear. Now, many people shop and order differently. I recall when the malls were the place to go, name stores, under a big roof. Thanks for taking us along, Adam... really enjoyable
🤠☀️💛🤗
People don't have the disposable income that they used to have to just 'go shopping'. And even most large stores have online ordering and free delivery, along with Amazon, of course..
The Altamonte Springs Mall is a really solid and successful suburban mall. The entire food court is full and no flea market type vendors in the permanent spaces.
Adam is was a pleasure going on a tour of that mall and I love exploring malls that are still open but not doing all that great also thank you documenting that mall as it looks like it’s slowly going downhill, now what would be cool is if there were pictures and even video of the outside of the mall and inside of the mall in its heyday, now with that peace ☮️ love ❤️ and happiness to you Adam and I’ll see you on the next vlog adventure wherever it takes you peace ☮️ out ✌️
Thank you Sir..good visit..
Seems like just yesterday that my mom and I went there to shop for my kids' school clothes. Such a shame to see these malls so empty. 😔
Oh how I miss the mall experiences. My son's grew up in that time. Happy memories!
It's like stepping into a time capsule from the eerie atmosphere to the nostalgic architecture.
Living in that are back in the 90s we were excited that we were getting a mall in west Orange County. Florida mall and fashion square were the only options back then.
There was no Spencers? Very interesting, and thanks for posting.
Repo Man! Awesome shirt. You should do a Repo Man filming locations video next time you’re in LA
The rumor years ago was that a college bought the mall property to open a satellite location.I guess that didn't happen. I was happy to see it built back in the 90's so I didn't have to drive to Orlando or Altamonte to shop,eat,and watch a movie. Thanks for the updated tour! Woo on Adam,Woo on!
I am actually from the Winter Garden/ Ocoee area I spent many days at this mall back in the day I really do miss it. It went down hill just before the Winter Garden Village opened up
Just when I think I’m the only weirdo who likes stuff like this here goes Adam lol. Love stuff like this unfortunately I live in north Fl and not many of these left. Thanks for the video keep it coming brother. One day I will see you in the parks.
I'm about three hours north of Mr the Woo, give or take 30 mins. I noticed yesterday how bright and big the moon was in the early afternoon sky, so it was cool seeing it there in the bonus footage as a reminder. Not that I often converse with the moon, but I did look down at a fake watch and say "You're about two hours too early, buddy".
Reminds me of watching "Saved By The Bell" after school; nice vlog
Miss the malls, the place to be and work! I’ve worked in a mall, 2 different times. Online shopping dominates but still there are some out there thriving!
I remember when this mall opened around 1996 it was top of the line in that area. We lived in Apopka and usually went to the Altamonte Springs Mall but went to West Oaks because of the novelty of being new. It is eerie to see so much is closed there and old looking. I hope the Altamonte Mall is faring better. Speaking of the Altamonte Mall, the first time we went there was around 1977 and went to Farrell's Ice Cream Parlor. Now, that was an experience!
Hi Adam it was nice meeting you in Celebration yesterday hope you had a great day😎
I took many trips to the West Oaks Mall food court in the late 90s and early 2000s when I was doing children's ministry in that area. I would get a Philly Cheese Steak after church. I love the classic carousel.
I guess while the carousel 🎠 is Out OFF Service, there would definitely be No Treepassing 😅 😂 🌳
I see what you did there 😉
@@Sandkei 😉
Try telling my cats that...😼😸😺😹
I used to live over there. This mall was awesome in its day. Good memories with my kids.
I completely agree with you! A trilogy featuring only the John Connor story would be great. The first two Terminator movies are my favorites.
This one hurts. This was our hang-out mall growing up. The now-closed ice cream shop used to be a Hagen Dazs. They had Bailey's Irish Cream-flavored ice cream! On the other side of the movie theater there used to be a McDonald's, which was to my knowledge the only McDonald's location inside a mall at that time. We used to go to the Border's Books that was nearby and the Chevy's Mexican Restaurant. There was apparently a riot that occurred at the movie theater at one point, where dozens of teenagers flooded the place and destroyed lots of property. That pretty much killed the mall. So sad.
Wow I had no idea that mall was like this now it used to be so busy. I would go to the movies there sometimes.
A comment for the youtube algorithm. Mall anchor stores. Thanks for the videos.👍
Hi Adam. "Anchor Tenant" is what they call the largest retailers within a mall, etc. Thanks for the tour. It's sad to see our 80-90s real world social outlets eradicated by Amazon, etc.
Hi Adam the woo I like your channel and vlogs keep up the good work 😊👍
I made a painting of this mall a year ago 😄 such beautiful architecture.
These are interesting. Watched a video on an abandoned mall I worked at in upstate NY when my husband was playing AAA ball in the 90’s.
The mural at 6:33 has been there for as long as I can remember shopping there in the 90s
I work at the Dillards Clearance, they hired me just a little before Christmas of 2023. It opened as a full Dillards with the mall, in my interview I asked the managers how long it’s been a clearance location and they told me it’s been 7 years since the transition took place. I’ve only been allowed on the second floor once so far, it’s a fixture graveyard, some furniture from my store and some from other stores in the Orlando area. I’m surprised I didn’t see you, I was working in the men’s department the day you visited.
I miss our old mall. So many memories getting Christmas gifts and Christmas pics with Santa and my children. We had an Easter bunny after they were older. Now, neither. About all that's open now is Belk's, Books A Million, Dick's, and a local Mexican Restaurant. Its got a few other local stores, but there is nothing I have a need for buying. Miss the JC Penney's, Sears, Hallmark, shoe stores, restaurants, etc. They tore down our food count and other small stores to build a Dick's Sporting Goods store in the middle. It doesn't connect with the mall. I think that ended the Sears store. It was left disconnected on the end. Then Penney's closed.
I miss what was once our local mall. Every once in a while, I go to Belk's. Went last week to buy granddaughter an Easter dress. It's so sad to see how much of it is closed. There are so many wonderful stores that we once had. Thanks for the documenting of that mall.
Local to the area, the Tax Collector office is the only reason this mall still exists, it draws a ton of traffic and supports what businesses are left.
The movie theater helps some as well but is often pretty slow.
The Sun pass place and auto care facility use to be a Sears and Sears auto care years ago before shutting down
Anthony from Ace's adventures would be proud.of your effort today Adam👍
Adam, really enjoyed your video! I love your mall videos! I've got a video of Mountain View Mall in Ardmore on my channel. I miss going to Midway Mall in Sherman/Denison. Looking forward to your next vlog.
Once the anchor stores leave a mall, it dies quickly; and most of the anchor stores have gone to the web. It’s pretty sad. As a kid, I loved going to the small as it was a very special occasion like Christmas for my family of seven to visit the mall.
Anchor store is the term you were looking for.
Thank you Adam...
Went to that mall a lot back in the day. Got my Nintendo 64 and Sega Dreamcast there. Saw Fifth Element and many other movies there!
i lived in orlando from 96-2002, that mall was kicking ass back then.
ATW in my neck o' the woods!! the food court place that you referred to as looking like it belongs in stranger things was, in fact, an Orange Julius at one point, A staple of the 80s/90s. then is was a cookie shop
You should check out the Oviedo Mall, very interesting 90s architecture as well
My mall growing up just closed its door for good. Glad i videoed & reminisced it a couple of weeks ago. But there are 2 thriving mall out here too which is shocking these days. 👍
Which one closed? From SOCAL?
@@369284ab the Village at Orange in so cal. Orange,Ca.
Dang it I just heard . Crazy
No way. The Orange Mall? Wow!!
@@369284ab yeah orange mall gone now. I shot a video of it inside before it closed.
Sign of the times…. Thanks for sharing!
That carousel is gorgeous!
Friends and i often reminesse about how long ago we could spend the whole day at the mall , have lunch and everything . So sad , the malls in Michigan are the same
Have a great day!
You too
Good morning! This mall looks interesting! The ones here in NE Ohio are pretty sad hahah
No TREESPAS? Out OFF service? What the heck is going on down there for a school system? LOL
Anyhoo, my favorite vlogs! Love when you explore Central FL. I used to live on Ocoee in 1994 and briefly again in 1998. Thanks for showing me what the WO mall looks like now. As for bustling malls, Westlake Village and Thousand Oaks CA have terrific malls! Upper scale community, though. xo
I'd visit this place often in my youth, our family had a house out in Ocoee so we'd usually go twice a year, it was walkable (just), It was a very interesting mall, just big enough and not as hectic as the others filled with tourists, had a very thriving Hot topic/EB games, They had a 'gaming cafe' in like 2002-3 I think which was fanastic, everyone in the mall was welcoming and you could get pretty much anything you wanted, we sold the house and had another closer to lake buena vista so we didn't really go again after 2005/6 I think
Very Bizarre feeling seeing it like this, like seeing an old friend that's not really all there, but thank you for making the video as it had memories flooding back, one thing we never did well in europe was Malls, even now they just don't have the same heart as the American ones, it showed a very real arguement for just how well off America/Americans were and I was eternally jealous residents were able to go to places like this all the time
Would love to see a Mom vlog. You and your Mom on the cart, her telling stories of the 80's and 90's.
One of the large malls in my area, The Galleria in Birmingham, AL - has a carousel also. You have to go to a machine, pay and get a token - you have to physically give the token to the carousel worker in order to ride. On another note, Chinese and Japanese food from mall food courts are the best!!
Went to the Galleria many times growing up. I remember how big of a deal it was when it first opened up. Before that you just had Century Plaza for the "big" mall.
@@jonathanwall2814 Nice!! We took our sons for the first time back in September and they loved it. It was actually busy!!
My wife jennifer managed 2 hair salons in that mall. Regis and Trade Secret, both now closed. Regis is now scissor palace i think.
This was very fascinating and your calm commentary and walk through was fantastic. If there are so many dying malls then I would love to see this as a series in your future.
When my folks and I moved to Florida when I was a kid in 2004, we used to go to the mall all the time, mostly for the AMC Movie theater in there, but occasionally for shopping as well. They used to have a miler music and movie store there where I often got Godzilla DVDs. My favorite store there was the Disney store. Tons of toys from that shop growing up! There also used to be a Toys R Us in that direct general area as well. I last went there in 2019, and it felt…….off. And sad. The place is a hollow shell of what it was when I grew up.
Great t-shirt. "The life or a repo man is always intense"
Lived in Ocoee in the late 90s. Used to go to that mall.
Woo-style content AND a slightly abandoned mall - perfect combination of content for me
That is a beautiful mall. Love that carousel.
You could do an abandoned Mall series. A few people do those. There pretty interesting.
Love a good Mall tour.😉