Indoor Shopping Mall

[Djean1981]

Are there any nice indoor shopping malls, closer than Orlando?

[Gpsma]

There’s Paddock Mall in Ocala right off I75. Dont know how nice it is, i dont do malls, i do Amazon

[JSR22]

The 2 best malls are Millenia in Orlando and Tampa International Mall in Tampa. The malls in Ocala and Leesburg are not very good.

[Djean1981]

Thanks. I was curious more for walking around in the a/c and maybe a yoghurt. :)

[retiredguy123]

There is the Lake Square Mall in Leesburg. It's not very good either, but they do have a bookstore, Belk's, and a movie theater, if they are still open.

[Stu from NYC]

There is the Lake Square Mall in Leesburg. It's not very good either, but they do have a bookstore, Belk's, and a movie theater, if they are still open.

The theater is still open and is a nice one. Fairly small mall.

Do not understand given our temps there are no other indoor malls closer to us.

[Number 10 GI]

Shopping malls have been falling out of favor and have been closing all over the country. On-line shopping is a big reason for this. Unruly teenagers acting up, sometimes with violence has added to the problem. As a male, there isn't much of anything in a mall that interests me as 99% of the stores target teens and women.
I think the thing that might save malls is to have a sports bar that only serves men. Something like a Hooters attire for the servers. A husband can go to the sports bar while the wife shops. When she is ready to leave, she knocks on the door to the bar, and just like during prohibition, the doorman slides open small slit window and asks who she wants. The doorman then calls for the husband and tells him his spouse is ready to go.

[margaretmattson]

Beautiful shopping areas and outlet mall in Wesley Chapel. About an hour's drive heading toward Tampa. Have many major retail chains not here in the Villages, as well. Nice hair salons. Nice Restaurants. Everything you could want in one area. Google the area. You might like it!

[Stu from NYC]

Shopping malls have been falling out of favor and have been closing all over the country. On-line shopping is a big reason for this. Unruly teenagers acting up, sometimes with violence has added to the problem. As a male, there isn't much of anything in a mall that interests me as 99% of the stores target teens and women.
I think the thing that might save malls is to have a sports bar that only serves men. Something like a Hooters attire for the servers. A husband can go to the sports bar while the wife shops. When she is ready to leave, she knocks on the door to the bar, and just like during prohibition, the doorman slides open small slit window and asks who she wants. The doorman then calls for the husband and tells him his spouse is ready to go.

My dear wife has learned she does not want to go shopping with me. I want something find it buy a bunch of them so as to now need again for a few years.

She goes for one thing and finds a dozen other things to look at. No patience for that so a sports bar would be a good thing.

[JSR22]

Beautiful shopping areas and outlet mall in Wesley Chapel. About an hour drive heading toward Tampa. Have many major retail chains not here in the Villages, as well. Nice hair salons. Everything you could want in one area.

Not any good department stores.

[wawriwwawriw]

Shopping malls are a thing of the past. I would guess over 50% or more are half empty. Closer than Orlando, no. There is one in Gainesville, an hour drive and is half full an a good one in tampa over an hour away, international Mall.

[jimbomaybe]

Shopping malls have been falling out of favor and have been closing all over the country. On-line shopping is a big reason for this. Unruly teenagers acting up, sometimes with violence has added to the problem. As a male, there isn't much of anything in a mall that interests me as 99% of the stores target teens and women.
I think the thing that might save malls is to have a sports bar that only serves men. Something like a Hooters attire for the servers. A husband can go to the sports bar while the wife shops. When she is ready to leave, she knocks on the door to the bar, and just like during prohibition, the doorman slides open small slit window and asks who she wants. The doorman then calls for the husband and tells him his spouse is ready to go.
At one time there was a bar in Chicago called :He's Not Here" always answered the phone that way

[Blueblaze]

Paddock Mall in Ocala seemed very nice when I got my 2nd Covid shot there a couple of years ago -- although I didn't look around much.

I was too busy standing in line on a taped "X", all masked-up, 50% "immune", and 6ft distant from whoever it was gave me Covid that day. I've often wondered how many other folks might have avoided a month of sniffles and 3 months of coughing if our helpful government hadn't gathered us all together to get our dose.

We had to go there because we got our first shot in Texas before we moved, and it was the only place to get the Pfizer shot in the area. Of course, that was the only thing open, which was a little creepy.

[NotGolfer]

Years ago Mall of America opened in MPLS and was a huge draw for mostly tourists. The locals pretty much stayed away. THEN the gangs started coming and now it's not safe---mostly at night. Same with malls in Milwaukee. As other OP's stated, malls are dying. We don't have any here but notice how stores are closing....ie. BB&B, Steinmart and others. I too wouldn't mind seeing indoor malls but I think they're a thing of the past.

[Windguy]

If you are just looking for a conditioned space to walk and don’t care about the stores, then the Leesburg and Ocala malls will do. I think they are generally safe. I love the AMC theater in Leesburg and have left movies late in the evening and had no altercations.

[Bogie Shooter]

Paddock Mall in Ocala seemed very nice when I got my 2nd Covid shot there a couple of years ago -- although I didn't look around much.

I was too busy standing in line on a taped "X", all masked-up, 50% "immune", and 6ft distant from whoever it was gave me Covid that day. I've often wondered how many other folks might have avoided a month of sniffles and 3 months of coughing if our helpful government hadn't gathered us all together to get our dose.

We had to go there because we got our first shot in Texas before we moved, and it was the only place to get the Pfizer shot in the area. Of course, that was the only thing open, which was a little creepy.

Is this a vaccine thread……?

[Marmaduke]

If you are just looking for a conditioned space to walk and don’t care about the stores, then the Leesburg and Ocala malls will do. I think they are generally safe. I love the AMC theater in Leesburg and have left movies late in the evening and had no altercations.
I know Ocala very well and the Paddock Mall is safe, but feels exactly like a Ghost Town because it's obsolete, so it needs to be reconfigured to apartments like many malls. It's safe, but feels dreary.
Other than Belk's, few shop there and everyone enters directly from the parking lot and gets v in and out. Covid putv the final nail in the coffin of malls.

We all love the Heath Brook outdoor mall in mid-town Ocala, that is thriving!

Love it! Check it out!

[deborahcme]

Paddock at Ocala is not bad. It's clean, air conditioned, has mileage markers on the floor for walkers and some decent stores--Belk, Macy's and a clean, attractive food court and a Starbucks. Probably not a "shopper's paradise," but if you are (like me) someone who likes to get in, do her shopping and get out, it's pretty good! About a 30 minute drive from most of TV.

[defrey12]

Are there any nice indoor shopping malls, closer than Orlando?

Nope. Mellenial is it.

[Escape Artist]

Paddock at Ocala is not bad. It's clean, air conditioned, has mileage markers on the floor for walkers and some decent stores--Belk, Macy's and a clean, attractive food court and a Starbucks. Probably not a "shopper's paradise," but if you are (like me) someone who likes to get in, do her shopping and get out, it's pretty good! About a 30 minute drive from most of TV.

The Macy’s in the Ocala mall is terrible. I’m surprised it didn’t close during Macy’s latest round of downsizing.

[retiredguy123]

I'm surprised that malls even exist anymore. You can buy almost everything that the mall sells from Amazon, usually for less money and with free next day delivery. And, Amazon is more likely to have the size and color you want. This also applies to most non-mall stores, like Home Depot, Lowes, and Walgreens. I think that Amazon will eventually replace the retail store marketplace.

[chrisinva]

No, not closer than Orlando. We've been to Millenia Mall & didn't like it, lots of closed stores, few shoppers. We accidentally tried The Florida Mall, a bit further down the road & loved it! Despite the drive, we'd go there again just to have the variety of stores & number of shoppers that made us feel like we were in the right place. Address 8001 S Orange Blossom Trl, Orlando, FL 32809. Website - https://www.simon.com/mall/the-florida-mall Good luck.

[Newport1]

Ocala

[lychee1576@gmail.com]

[QUOTE=Stu from NYC;2235783]The theater is still open and is a nice one. Fairly small mall.

Do not understand given our temps there are no other indoor malls closer to us.[/QUOTE
What stores do you have in mind?
There are not enough people to support a nice mail around here.

[lychee1576@gmail.com]

There are not enough people to support a nice mall in this area.
What kind of stores do you want in a mall.

[PurePeach]

Beautiful shopping areas and outlet mall in Wesley Chapel. About an hour's drive heading toward Tampa. Have many major retail chains not here in the Villages, as well. Nice hair salons. Nice Restaurants. Everything you could want in one area. Google the area. You might like it!

Nice shopping, but not a mall. Malls are totally enclosed and this one is not enclosed at all, just covered walkways, which provide little, if any, relief from the heat/the elements.

[Erika]

The theater is still open and is a nice one. Fairly small mall.

Do not understand given our temps there are no other indoor malls closer to us.

What is there to understand? Online shopping is wreaking havoc with the need for malls. Just sit in your a/c home and click away. 😊

[justjim]

No, not closer than Orlando. We've been to Millenia Mall & didn't like it, lots of closed stores, few shoppers. We accidentally tried The Florida Mall, a bit further down the road & loved it! Despite the drive, we'd go there again just to have the variety of stores & number of shoppers that made us feel like we were in the right place. Address 8001 S Orange Blossom Trl, Orlando, FL 32809. Website - https://www.simon.com/mall/the-florida-mall Good luck.

I’m not a big fan of Malls but my wife votes for Florida Mall too. Food Court and “people watching” will keep me entertained for a couple hours. Compromise is why we have stayed married for so long!

[DonnaNi4os]

Ocala has one. It’s not the best but it’s indoors

[sianagers@att.net]

Sort of like daycare! Perfect

[Keefelane66]

Someday we’ll get a mall in The Villages with a Costco with another movie theater.

[Karmanng]

I'm surprised that malls even exist anymore. You can buy almost everything that the mall sells from Amazon, usually for less money and with free next day delivery. And, Amazon is more likely to have the size and color you want. This also applies to most non-mall stores, like Home Depot, Lowes, and Walgreens. I think that Amazon will eventually replace the retail store marketplace.

I for one CANT stand online shopping. Takes way too long you cant try it on you cant feel the fabric etc etc..........Im not a fan of out door malls either too hot here in AZ to go shopping........We dont have many indoor malls here either thats a shame as who the hell wants to be outside in a hell hole at 118 degrees like it is now???? You can keep the outdoor mall ideas.......

[JSR22]

I for one CANT stand online shopping. Takes way too long you cant try it on you cant feel the fabric etc etc..........Im not a fan of out door malls either too hot here in AZ to go shopping........We dont have many indoor malls here either thats a shame as who the hell wants to be outside in a hell hole at 118 degrees like it is now???? You can keep the outdoor mall ideas.......

Totally agree. I like to feel fabric and try clothing on. I don't like the outdoor malls especially the outlet malls.

[Stu from NYC]

Someday we’ll get a mall in The Villages with a Costco with another movie theater.

Would you settle for a costco with out a movie theater?

[Keefelane66]

Would you settle for a costco with out a movie theater?
I I’m a Villager I want, I want , everything.

[Blueblaze]

Is this a vaccine thread……?

No, just thought it was an interesting experience. Too soon to joke about it?

[Marsha11]

Perfect

[Bogie Shooter]

No, just thought it was an interesting experience. Too soon to joke about it?

I find it hard to joke about 1 million+ deaths
.

[Freeda]

The closest, by far, is Lake Square Mall in Leesburg. Great for walking while avoiding the heat (it's really the only place for this that's nearby!); and for movies (AMC, with recliners and all the perks; get A-List and save a lot of $ if you love movies on the big screen, as we do). Some shopping - Belk dept store and other smaller apparel stores. Great entertainment venue with bowling, arcade, indoor gocarts, sports bar/cafe, etc.
New gamers' venue (near the Rainbow store). New contemporary furniture store. Books A Million. Pet supply store; pet boutique. Formalwear store. Small but good food court. Hair salon, nail salon, massage, brow salon; barber shop; shoe stores; jewelry kiosks; gift/decor store. Ichiban Asian buffet next door is very good. Lots of other restaurants nearby.
We go there 1-3 times per week.

There's also Paddock Mall in Ocala, and a very nice mall in Lakelsnd. Both are larger than the Leesburg mall, but a substantially farther drive.

[Normal]

Leesburg Mall is only good for their Bath and Body (we hit the seasonal sales for soaps) and Shoe Department stores.

[mikeycereal]

I went to Paddock Mall this last spring and it was a pleasant experience. Though I did not get what I was mainly looking for at Lids - a very hard to find gator head foam hat - I ended up in the food court and ordered a poke bowl. They gave me so much food that I jokingly told others later that they were probably not wanting to put away all the food again! I couldn't even finish it and I usually finish the poke bowl at Brownwood. When I was leaving the mall a random 13-year old kid walks toward me as I headed toward the glass doors, smiles and says "I love your shirt!" I was wearing my favorite retro MTV custom made sleeveless and I smiled back and said thanks, though I was wondering how does this kid even relate or does he just like heavy metal. Anyway from my half hour visit it all seemed like a normal mall to me, minus the huge crowds. I used to hang around malls a lot in the 80s, but that's another story.

99309

[Remlod]

I was pleased to find an Apple Store closer to TV than Orlando and was pleasantly surprised to find it was located in the Altamonte Mall. Large bright and full of very nice stores. Lots of traffic both times I visited.

451 E Altamonte dr. Altamonte Springs, fl

[MrFlorida]

The theater is still open and is a nice one. Fairly small mall.

Do not understand given our temps there are no other indoor malls closer to us.

Online shopping is putting brick and mortar stores out of business. Surprised they are still around.