I didn't grow up in Orlando, but do live in the area now. But I can relate my hometown has dying malls, I guess they are everywhere. It's sad because malls were such a great place for people to hang out, buy stuff, and have fun. Some of these malls should be saved.
I went to this mall a lot growing up, so it makes me sad to see what it's become. It used to be a very lively place. Once it even had both a Disney Store and a Warner Bros Studio Store
Wow I didn’t know that! How long ago was that? And thanks for watching bro, means a lot! If you enjoyed this one I have a few other vids going to dead malls if you can subscribe 🙏
It was a treat to come here from Daytona, when this first opened up, because it was a closer two-story mall (how exciting 😅😂). Parisian was an anchor store, possibly Lord & Taylor and Nordstrom too. First time I came across Dippin Dots was here.
Do you happen to know if “old town” in Kissimmee is still around? That place was really cool back in the 90s. Love the content bro, excited to see what’s to come!
@@stevemorris6270 yea that’s a great idea! Although altamonte still has its fair share of business but I’ll def check it out! If you like this please consider subscribing 🫡
Recently went to the Florida Mall outside of Orlando. It’s a tourist mall, but it wasn’t really that busy. A lot of vacancies and the Sears we walked through to get to the mall was completely dead at 2:00 in the afternoon. 😢
I took a look at the list of stores. There aren’t many left. Abercrombie & Fitch, Aeropostale, American Eagle, Bath & Body Works, Hollister, Spencer’s and Yankee Candle are all gone. Sears closed years ago, as did Burlington. It’s really sad to see what it’s become.
It's sad to see the decline of this mall 🥲. Before the pandemic, this mall was busy and full of life. I used to love coming here on my lunch breaks or shopping on the weekends. Hopefully, a real estate developer will breathe new life into this place before it's gone for good.
In 1996 that mall was so busy, it was hard to find a parking spot. NOW, it's almost abandoned. I know there are more people in the world now, where is everyone going?? SO Sad.
Another comment suggested turning these abandoned structures to low income apts. Would be great for older people. Small Publix, couple CVS or Walgreens and some restaurants and a Centra Care.
I would rather go here than Fashion Square. The last time I was there, they still had a decent food court and many of the stores I shop at. I think they still had Hot Topic and Spencer’s. It’s been at least 4 years since I was there, though. I think it was right when COVID started.
Indeed! Sanford, lake Mary, Heathrow area was booming back in the early 2000s, do you remember the restaurant Ruby Tuesdays on the right of the main entrance at the beginning of the video? How about the Oviedo mall is that still around? It’s been over 20 years since I’ve moved away.
@@captainawesome5560 Yep, we lost all our Rubys over in the Ormond/Daytona area. I haven't seen the Oviedo mall in probably 30 years. Our Volusia Mall is deserted. Not sure how Pennys is still open. They are going to put apartments on each end at some point.
@@captainawesome5560 Yes, The Oviedo Mall is still open, but, there aren’t many stores and the whole building leaks. There are buckets everywhere. The bathrooms were also nasty last time I was there, which was unusual. They used to always be clean and smelled good.
Grew up shopping there in the early 2000s the restaurant on the right of the main entrance at the beginning of the video was a Ruby Tuesdays we ate at a lot, from what I hear Sanford has completely fallen apart since then,, that’s really hard to believe it was so new and up and coming back then. A lot of good memories and last minute Christmas shopping was spent there. Thanks for sharing!
The remainder of Sanford retail seems to be booming though. A lot of new developments, roadwork, all kinds of retirement communities, condominiums, and apartments being built everywhere. The failure of malls isn't a new phenomena but is still sad nonetheless. I wish I could imagine the bliss of the mall experience sometime from the 1960s-1990s.
I live really close to this mall. It's pretty sad walking though it. I've read on the news that they were thinking of converting the stores into apartments to rent, not sure how that would work but interesting concept
I was there yesterday on Sunday about 330pm-430pm or so. It was fricking dead, and so many stores were oddly closed on a Sunday afternoon, including Bath & Body Works which was stranger. Lots of desolate jewelry stores were opened though, thought that was funny. Also, all but 1 escalator was working in the public areas, although the escalators in Dillards were functional. I have never been to a mall on the eve of shuttering permanently, so this was a unique experience - I wanted to experience a Dillards before it disappears 😅😅
@@patriotrepublic8534 definitely part of the reason, although there are other malls in Orlando that are doing just fine! But thanks so much for watching!! If you like this consider subscribing, I have some and will have more of these type in the future!!
It's so weird seeing the place we went shopping for back to school, christmas, birthdays etc. for my entire childhood just being desolate. My dad and I went there about 2 years ago for last minute christmas shopping and were pretty surprised. I had assumed it was still doing well like the Orlando Mall of Millenia is. I mean, that food court used to be PACKED no matter what time you went. I mean, even 10 years ago it was still business as normal. So weird.
Yea man, I think it depends on the time you go.. I went on a random Wednesday so I’m sure on the weekend it’ll be more lively but still just in a depressing state
It's REALLY sad to see these places so empty. The food court used to be so busy you couldn't hardly find a table... 😢 What happened to our society? I miss the days when people were "social".... 😔
It has nothing to do with being social... it has to do with the transfer of wealth from the bottom 90% to the top 1%. Malls cause the price of goods to be elevated because of the RENT the Malls charge... Which is ALWAYS a ridiculous amount... Those costs then get passed on to the customers... & then eventually people get wise to the difference... and shop at AMAZON or other ONLINE retailers to save money. As a matter of absolute fact, wages are lower today for working-class people (after you adjust for inflation) than they were 50 years ago by about $50 per week. This means working-class citizens haven't seen a raise in over 50 years and in fact has gone down. That is corporate greed... that is the top 1% getting richer... and you think malls losing customers is a SOCIAL thing? Its not. Its bad business and it was never good business. Paying more for goods and services just because they have to pay rent... is not the customers' burden to bear.
Love the video brother I remember when's were the thing Now it's just sad there all starting to look that way Went there with my wife on our first date before we were married Even seen a movie at the theater that is no longer there anymore Again great video Definitely checking out your other stuff
So sad to see this I used to work at Sears in this mall. This reminds me of what happened to Randall Park Mall back in Cleveland and I used to work at Sears there is now an Amazon warehouse.
I was there last weekend taking my son to that Elev8 you see at the end of the video. It's pretty telling that you can't enter it through the mall entrance.
@@mbruno1975 yea I was actually trying to look for it lol, I thought initially I could just walk in then I tried to go on the bottom floor lol I’m assuming it’s a separate entrance
Interesting, I did not know that. We heard a raucous inside of Elev8 and saw people inside but there was no accessible entrance from within either of the two floors within the mall.
@@CruzingwithCruz What is strange about that is that there is absolutely no signage within the mall at Elev8 to notify potential customers of another way to access the business.
Wow! I live 15 mins from this place. Crazy how society has collapsed. I would go to the mall to eat and talk to girls when was young. The same phone we watch this videos on are what caused this. Sure glade I grew up in the 90’s and had a blast! Hope the Altamonte Mall 10mins form this place can make it! Thanks for the video!
@@stevemorris6270 wow thanks for the compliment brother.. really means a lot. Yea other than a few malls, we have a lot in Central Florida that are like this! But man if you like the video I have others like and and more coming if you wanted to subscribe that would be awesome!
I didn't grow up in Orlando, but do live in the area now. But I can relate my hometown has dying malls, I guess they are everywhere. It's sad because malls were such a great place for people to hang out, buy stuff, and have fun. Some of these malls should be saved.
I went to this mall a lot growing up, so it makes me sad to see what it's become. It used to be a very lively place. Once it even had both a Disney Store and a Warner Bros Studio Store
Wow I didn’t know that! How long ago was that? And thanks for watching bro, means a lot! If you enjoyed this one I have a few other vids going to dead malls if you can subscribe 🙏
@@CruzingwithCruzI think the WB Store closed around 2000, but the Disney Store was there until 2012. And I've definitely subscribed 🙂
It wasn't all that long ago that this mall was busy, even on slow days. Scary.
It was a treat to come here from Daytona, when this first opened up, because it was a closer two-story mall (how exciting 😅😂).
Parisian was an anchor store, possibly Lord & Taylor and Nordstrom too.
First time I came across Dippin Dots was here.
great place for "abandoned mall" photos, rarely anyone comes here anymore
Like and subscribe!
Do you happen to know if “old town” in Kissimmee is still around? That place was really cool back in the 90s. Love the content bro, excited to see what’s to come!
@@captainawesome5560 thanks brother, and I haven’t been in many years but from what I know it should still be up and running.. might check it out!
@@captainawesome5560 I think old town is this kicking. You should do one on the Altamonte Mall see what’s happening there.
@@stevemorris6270 yea that’s a great idea! Although altamonte still has its fair share of business but I’ll def check it out! If you like this please consider subscribing 🫡
Recently went to the Florida Mall outside of Orlando. It’s a tourist mall, but it wasn’t really that busy. A lot of vacancies and the Sears we walked through to get to the mall was completely dead at 2:00 in the afternoon. 😢
No one goes to sears there lol
I took a look at the list of stores. There aren’t many left. Abercrombie & Fitch, Aeropostale, American Eagle, Bath & Body Works, Hollister, Spencer’s and Yankee Candle are all gone. Sears closed years ago, as did Burlington. It’s really sad to see what it’s become.
I know man
It's sad to see the decline of this mall 🥲. Before the pandemic, this mall was busy and full of life. I used to love coming here on my lunch breaks or shopping on the weekends. Hopefully, a real estate developer will breathe new life into this place before it's gone for good.
In 1996 that mall was so busy, it was hard to find a parking spot. NOW, it's almost abandoned. I know there are more people in the world now, where is everyone going?? SO Sad.
Bro I live right by this mall, even worked at the hollister there back in the day. Yes it is quite a desolate mall
@@Danny_Marrero when you worked there how busy was the whole mall?
@@CruzingwithCruz maybe a bit more busier but not by much, this was like 2010.
It used to be nearly impossible to find a Tabel in the food court and there was a chick- fil-a, it also used to be Sox clean and open
Another comment suggested turning these abandoned structures to low income apts. Would be great for older people. Small Publix, couple CVS or Walgreens and some restaurants and a Centra Care.
I think that would be a great idea! Also if you did like this video I have others like this, please consider subscribing !
I would rather go here than Fashion Square. The last time I was there, they still had a decent food court and many of the stores I shop at. I think they still had Hot Topic and Spencer’s. It’s been at least 4 years since I was there, though. I think it was right when COVID started.
never been to this mall, but it looks very much similar in architecture of the Altamonte mall.
It's not even that old, yet it's a dinosaur.
I remember when this was "the new" mall. Was killing Altamonte. What a shame.
Indeed! Sanford, lake Mary, Heathrow area was booming back in the early 2000s, do you remember the restaurant Ruby Tuesdays on the right of the main entrance at the beginning of the video? How about the Oviedo mall is that still around? It’s been over 20 years since I’ve moved away.
@@captainawesome5560 Yep, we lost all our Rubys over in the Ormond/Daytona area. I haven't seen the Oviedo mall in probably 30 years. Our Volusia Mall is deserted. Not sure how Pennys is still open. They are going to put apartments on each end at some point.
@@captainawesome5560 There has been so much decline since 9/11, truthfully.
@@captainawesome5560 Yes, The Oviedo Mall is still open, but, there aren’t many stores and the whole building leaks. There are buckets everywhere. The bathrooms were also nasty last time I was there, which was unusual. They used to always be clean and smelled good.
Damn indoor every mall is dead in central Florida. Altamonte and the Florida mall are doing just fine
Yea for sure, throw in millennia aswell.. I think those mall especially Florida and Molina cater more to an international crowd
That is unfortunate looks like it was a nice mall at onetime.
@@FloridaBoatRamps-88 I do t have the same connection with this mall like my others I posted here but definitely agree with that
Looks awful
Grew up shopping there in the early 2000s the restaurant on the right of the main entrance at the beginning of the video was a Ruby Tuesdays we ate at a lot, from what I hear Sanford has completely fallen apart since then,, that’s really hard to believe it was so new and up and coming back then. A lot of good memories and last minute Christmas shopping was spent there. Thanks for sharing!
Wow thanks for watching brother! And yea man Ruby Tuesday used to be my favorite but I think they are all gone now!
The remainder of Sanford retail seems to be booming though. A lot of new developments, roadwork, all kinds of retirement communities, condominiums, and apartments being built everywhere. The failure of malls isn't a new phenomena but is still sad nonetheless. I wish I could imagine the bliss of the mall experience sometime from the 1960s-1990s.
I live really close to this mall. It's pretty sad walking though it. I've read on the news that they were thinking of converting the stores into apartments to rent, not sure how that would work but interesting concept
If they do apartments, they should keep the food court pretty busy.
I live a mere 5 miles from that mall. Very disheartening to see
@@ManuelMartinez-pd9sj definitely agree bro, thanks for watching!
You should do the oviedo mall small but struggling for years
Thanks for the comment! Actually have a video going there! Check it out and subscribe if you life :)
I was there yesterday on Sunday about 330pm-430pm or so. It was fricking dead, and so many stores were oddly closed on a Sunday afternoon, including Bath & Body Works which was stranger. Lots of desolate jewelry stores were opened though, thought that was funny. Also, all but 1 escalator was working in the public areas, although the escalators in Dillards were functional. I have never been to a mall on the eve of shuttering permanently, so this was a unique experience - I wanted to experience a Dillards before it disappears 😅😅
nah, cmon. Its not that bad. Still fills up during the holidays and the weekends. Why does it need to be jam-packed? Cozy is better.
Thanks amazon😮
@@patriotrepublic8534 definitely part of the reason, although there are other malls in Orlando that are doing just fine! But thanks so much for watching!! If you like this consider subscribing, I have some and will have more of these type in the future!!
It's so weird seeing the place we went shopping for back to school, christmas, birthdays etc. for my entire childhood just being desolate. My dad and I went there about 2 years ago for last minute christmas shopping and were pretty surprised. I had assumed it was still doing well like the Orlando Mall of Millenia is. I mean, that food court used to be PACKED no matter what time you went. I mean, even 10 years ago it was still business as normal. So weird.
Yea man, I think it depends on the time you go.. I went on a random Wednesday so I’m sure on the weekend it’ll be more lively but still just in a depressing state
It's REALLY sad to see these places so empty. The food court used to be so busy you couldn't hardly find a table... 😢
What happened to our society? I miss the days when people were "social".... 😔
It has nothing to do with being social... it has to do with the transfer of wealth from the bottom 90% to the top 1%. Malls cause the price of goods to be elevated because of the RENT the Malls charge... Which is ALWAYS a ridiculous amount... Those costs then get passed on to the customers... & then eventually people get wise to the difference... and shop at AMAZON or other ONLINE retailers to save money. As a matter of absolute fact, wages are lower today for working-class people (after you adjust for inflation) than they were 50 years ago by about $50 per week. This means working-class citizens haven't seen a raise in over 50 years and in fact has gone down. That is corporate greed... that is the top 1% getting richer... and you think malls losing customers is a SOCIAL thing? Its not. Its bad business and it was never good business. Paying more for goods and services just because they have to pay rent... is not the customers' burden to bear.
Was just there last month doing an UbX as well.
@@mattdeman5200 what did you think of it?
I forgot to warn you about the escalators being broken.
Yea man people were actually just walking up them lol
@@CruzingwithCruz The "closed" barriers are just shoved aside. No staff within the mall to complain otherwise.
What a ghost town. Starting with a rusty entrance. Place is creepy
Love the video brother
I remember when's were the thing
Now it's just sad there all starting to look that way
Went there with my wife on our first date before we were married
Even seen a movie at the theater that is no longer there anymore
Again great video
Definitely checking out your other stuff
@@richardstahl7572 thanks for that brother, yea it is sad because like you as a kid I’ve been to all these places
So sad to see this I used to work at Sears in this mall. This reminds me of what happened to Randall Park Mall back in Cleveland and I used to work at Sears there is now an Amazon warehouse.
Yeah, Amazon, figures.
Nice!!
Thanks!
i thought you meant seminole, texas. that town is also desolate and not worth much
In Sanford, which is just outside of Orlando..
I was there last weekend taking my son to that Elev8 you see at the end of the video. It's pretty telling that you can't enter it through the mall entrance.
@@mbruno1975 yea I was actually trying to look for it lol, I thought initially I could just walk in then I tried to go on the bottom floor lol I’m assuming it’s a separate entrance
Interesting, I did not know that. We heard a raucous inside of Elev8 and saw people inside but there was no accessible entrance from within either of the two floors within the mall.
@@Guillotines_For_Globalists it’s probably a separate entrance behind the mall
@@CruzingwithCruz What is strange about that is that there is absolutely no signage within the mall at Elev8 to notify potential customers of another way to access the business.
Wow
Damn
Really like this
Good stuff
Dump
Wow! I live 15 mins from this place. Crazy how society has collapsed. I would go to the mall to eat and talk to girls when was young. The same phone we watch this videos on are what caused this. Sure glade I grew up in the 90’s and had a blast! Hope the Altamonte Mall 10mins form this place can make it! Thanks for the video!
@@stevemorris6270 wow thanks for the compliment brother.. really means a lot. Yea other than a few malls, we have a lot in Central Florida that are like this! But man if you like the video I have others like and and more coming if you wanted to subscribe that would be awesome!
@@stevemorris6270 They’re doing great! They really don’t have much competition.
Lmao society hasn't collapsed, they just drive to Altamonte or millennia cuz they're nicer. Thanks for the laught though.