THE Orlando Photo Thread

[spenser1058]

Actually, not quite. Sears closed when Altamonte Mall opened about 1975. Woolworth and McCrory's both did ok with the lunch crowd at the time (both had luncheonettes and they sold variety store items to that crowd). The demise of both had more to do with the dime store business ceasing to exist than those stores specifically. 

 

JCPenney closed in 1986 with the opening of the Florida Mall store. At the time, that unit was still profitable, but it was too small by mid-1980's standards and there wasn't a feasible way to expand it. (I know this because I lived and worked downtown starting in 1983 and did some research for the fledgling DOP - there was also an article in the Sentinel about Penney's with similar info about the time it closed.)

 

Gibbs Louis did indeed fail but that had more to do with the business model (just as Disckson & Ives folded about 1963 while Ivey's across the street stayed open until 1976 - Ivey's, too was still profitable the day it closed but the store had maintenance issues no one cared to address at the time.)

 

Retail is subject to fads (notice how well the non-upscale malls are doing these days?) By the mid-1980's, the fad was "festival marketplaces," which were going to be the next big thing. Every downtown could be Boston with its own Faneuil Hall! Well, tourists aren't what make most downtowns click (Orlando, of course was a brief exception for about 15 years starting in 1974) - heck, even Underground Atlanta has struggled despite having a huge convention center right there. 

 

Meanwhile, the major retail outlet we have downtown, Publix, which caters to residents, office workers and park visitors, has been above plan almost continuously since opening in 2008. Remember how many people said, "downtown can't possibly support a grocery store!" And yet, here we are.

[spenser1058]

You can't get shoes at Siegel's? I feel they get overlooked all the time.

Yes, you can, but the selection is mostly dressy shoes (running shoes at Siegel's?) and somewhat limited and tend to be overpriced. Thanks for mentioning them - I was thinking more of the type of broader base that Sam had.

 

Siegel's has managed to hold on despite the type of "clustering" (such as malls have) which are normally important for successful retail  and they are to be congratulated.

[HankStrong]

Retail is subject to fads

 

This line alone is why those shipping container malls seem like a stunning idea.  The ones someone else posted where the shops are all quite modular and replaceable.  They have incredibly low overhead/startup.  They can be replaced when the fad runs its course.  They can be anything you want them to be.

 

If sandals with wheels are trendy in 2015, there is a wheeled-sandals store.  Those become uncool in 2016?  No worries, the new thing (I'm still hoping for hoverboards!) will replace it.

 

This model works with retail, consumables, edibles, etc.  The sad fact is that retail is a sucker's game, much like dining.  Today's trendy is tomorrow's trashy.  The quicker you can upload a store and capitalize on that, the better.  When it runs its course, you pull it.  Just find a place to dump all those Beanie Babies, Pogs, and Teddy Ruxpin dolls.

[jliv]

This line alone is why those shipping container malls seem like a stunning idea.  The ones someone else posted where the shops are all quite modular and replaceable.  They have incredibly low overhead/startup.  They can be replaced when the fad runs its course.  They can be anything you want them to be.

 

If sandals with wheels are trendy in 2015, there is a wheeled-sandals store.  Those become uncool in 2016?  No worries, the new thing (I'm still hoping for hoverboards!) will replace it.

 

This model works with retail, consumables, edibles, etc.  The sad fact is that retail is a sucker's game, much like dining.  Today's trendy is tomorrow's trashy.  The quicker you can upload a store and capitalize on that, the better.  When it runs its course, you pull it.  Just find a place to dump all those Beanie Babies, Pogs, and Teddy Ruxpin dolls.

 

Why doesn't someone start an Indiegogo or Kickstarter campaign to buy a trial container and the upgrades to make it retail-ready?  Or even better, encourage the Orlando City Lions to open a pop-up store in one downtown to sell footie gear?  You only need one to start...

Edited June 30, 2014 by jliv

[spenser1058]

I forgot to mention in the closing of the downtown JCPenney in 1986 that the company was already considering a Fashion Square store (that now moribund mall was planning its 15-year redo and a major expansion - the 1988 upgrade made it Orlando's most popular mall for several years). The decision to put a Penney's on East Colonial also factored into the closing of their stores at Winter Park Mall and downtown. 

 

The reason that's particularly important is that, when a chain makes such decisions (usually thousands of miles away), they just look at a map. Intangibles such as a pedestrian-friendly downtown made possible in part by their store means very little to them. That's another reason the city has to recognize that's an important value locally and to make the case to the retailer to consider other alternatives.

 

I was told at the time that Penney had no reason for a store at OFS and downtown (or at Winter Park Mall, for that matter) - just as Tampa's mayor has discovered, close-in malls don't bode well retail downtown.

[HankStrong]

Why doesn't someone start an Indiegogo or Kickstarter campaign to buy a trial container and the upgrades to make it retail-ready?  Or even better, encourage the Orlando City Lions to open a pop-up store in one downtown to sell footie gear?  You only need one to start...

Permitting and a place to put it.  Utility service.

 

Someone with more money than a Joe Blow needs to start it. 

[jliv]

I forgot to mention in the closing of the downtown JCPenney in 1986 that the company was already considering a Fashion Square store (that now moribund mall was planning its 15-year redo and a major expansion - the 1988 upgrade made it Orlando's most popular mall for several years). The decision to put a Penney's on East Colonial also factored into the closing of their stores at Winter Park Mall and downtown. 

 

The reason that's particularly important is that, when a chain makes such decisions (usually thousands of miles away), they just look at a map. Intangibles such as a pedestrian-friendly downtown made possible in part by their store means very little to them. That's another reason the city has to recognize that's an important value locally and to make the case to the retailer to consider other alternatives.

 

I was told at the time that Penney had no reason for a store at OFS and downtown (or at Winter Park Mall, for that matter) - just as Tampa's mayor has discovered, close-in malls don't bode well retail downtown.

 

Another tactic is to identify downtown-friendly retailers and actively court them, as opposed to trying to build a case for retailers more focused on suburban expansion.  Retailers like Urban Outfitters and American Apparel built their brands in college towns and urban shopping districts, and are willing to take risks in under-developed urban areas. Inversely, Nordstrom had a very aggressive expansion strategy into downtowns across the US in the 90's and early 2000's, but curtailed those plans and closed underperforming downtown stores due to a change in strategy.  There aren't a lot of good models for Orlando to emulate within the Sunbelt.  Places like Charlotte and Atlanta have struggled with this same issue for years, in spite of successes at luring jobs and residents into their core cities.  Perhaps a good model for downtown retail is Asheville, NC.  There aren't a lot of national chains, but they've succeeded in developing an independent boutique restaurant and retail culture that sustains a lively downtown during the day and evening.

 

(apologies for continuing this off-topic thread...It's worthy of its own topic)

Edited July 2, 2014 by jliv

[sunshine]

Until we got a project like the Miami World Center or Brickell City Centre, I think the best model for retails in the southern USA for downtown Orlando is Lincoln Road and downtown St Pete to a small extend. Heck, we can even learn a thing or two from downtown Winter Park.

[OrlFlaUsa]

Can't express how much I love this town, so I'll just do this:

[codypet]

Ran across this looking for a pic for another forum....

 

 

Circa 1981.

Is that Don Jefe's?

[jgardnerucf]

Yes.

[nite owℓ]

 

Circa 1981.

 

 

Looks like this photo captured some construction in the background... any idea what was being built?

[jgardnerucf]

SouthTrust building on Central. C'mon now.

[spenser1058]

aka "The Refrigerator"

[nite owℓ]

aka "The Refrigerator"

 

Oh, the building now known as Fairwinds Credit Union. Even though I live downtown, I'm terrible with directions.

Edited July 3, 2014 by nite owℓ

[JFW657]

Never heard it called "The Refrigerator" before. 

 

I've always just called it the silver building.

[tennis32801]

Refresh me on how to post pics? I clicked on the "image" button and paste the URL from my photobucket, but nothing happens? thanks

[JFW657]

Are you sure you pasted the right URL?

 

Try using this site... http://postimage.org/

 

Very easy. No account required, no sign in. Just open the page, upload your pic then click on the "Copy to clipboard" button.

 

I've never been a fan of PhotoSucket.

[John Hargrove]

Caught one of Orlando's best features (in my opinion, I'm a weather junkie) with my camera tonight while shooting some storms. Too proud of this one not to share with you guys:

 

[JFW657]

Cool!!!

[tennis32801]

You can see central station apt rising from this view, wish i knew how to make it larger

 

Edited July 9, 2014 by tennis32801

[tennis32801]

cool view of downtown 

 

[prahaboheme]

^I like it!

Although - is the image slightly distorted?  Things seem a bit too vertical for Orlando

[RedStar25]

[John Hargrove]