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.
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
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!
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 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.
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..
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!
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.
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 ✌️
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 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 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.
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.
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😂
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.
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.
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'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".
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.
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.
My fellow viewers, there is a bit here, but I hope you take a moment to read it (thank you): I might be crazy, but I am not giving up on our malls. I am not giving up on the idea of: 1) being able to touch, compare and try-on in person the items I am going to purchase 2) to walk out with theee item, without having to wait 3 weeks for it to arrive just to find that it got ripped off from the front porch! Also: Why are internet prices just as expensive as retail, when their items are from a warehouse to us?! That's also a rip-off! 3) I MISS the hustle and bustle, the music, the laughing, the stopping to "hey let's get something for lunch" or the dare i say it: ICE CREAM! 4) I miss the music playing in the background and singing along to it 5) I miss hearing kids laughing and seeing faces I don't necessarily know in abundance smile and say hi! 6) I miss the ice skating rink at Christmastime and the Christmas decorations, and all the holiday decorations at all the different times of the year Let's not forget the doggies! And it breaks my heart that so many are throwing it all away without ever really seeing it in it's full glory. But I have hope through people speaking their minds like this about just exactly this that one day we will see malls strong again and things the way they used to be. We are not a lazy nation or a scared nation waiting for packages to arrive because we have been conditioned that germs will get us if we venture out. This was a valid fear before the vaccine. We believe in our own economy, our US economy! These malls are still out there trying to stand strong, but they need us and we need them! They are kind of like a family member that just needs to be loved and visited! Adam you were raised by a mom who believed in the US economy and showed it with her carreer at Tupperware. You were raised by a dad who showed his belief in God and man by being a preacher. You know what is up and you show that you miss this amazing way that, really, things should be. I said a lot here, but then, there was a lot to say. 😘 to all.
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.
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.
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.
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
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!
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!
You doing what Dan Bell has done is so wild. Sal and Dan Bell Dead Malls,but you do it differently than them. Love your videos and will always be there to watch what you do next. Your awesome, Love and Prayers to you and your family and friends ❤🙏♥
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
It had to be the mid 90's, when I last went into this mall. Im sure i was dressed like a 15 yr old idiot in baggy pants wearing air Jordan's. Great video Adam!
Good morning Adam the mall i remember in the 80s and the 90s they were always busy with people, but not anymore, there dead or ready to be bulldoze. Thanks for taking us along . You take care. Thanks for sharing this.😎👍📸
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.
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!
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.
Malls need foot traffic to justify keeping the lights on, the escalators running , the food court staffed, and their stores open. With so much of the population working remotely from home now, shopping online for everything, ordering Amazon prime free same day delivery, instacarting all their groceries, doordashing McDonald's and streaming movies at home and music from our phones, there's almost no need anymore to walk outside your house anymore.... I think that kid on the escalator from Mallrats probably grew up to be an Amazon warehouse manager.
@@Fantasmister He goes back at least once a year and blatantly sits on the escalators, because they don't turn them on anymore. Escalator Man sits there and eats a pretzel or a froyo from whatever autonomous units for mid- mall snacking selections are left. #Mallrats4Life 🤣
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.
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.
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
@@ryankurtz7295🤔🤨Interesting. 96'....That's when Malka here in the West Coast has slowed down just a tad...& You could find a decent amount of Defunct,Closed businesses.
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
