ORLANDO, Fla. — Eyewitness News found out downtown Orlando's only mall is having trouble keeping some of its stores open.
In 2009, more than one dozen stores closed at the Orlando Fashion Square Mall on East Colonial Drive. Mall management said it's hoping to turn things around with new stores this coming year.
In every corridor at Orlando Fashion Square Mall, there is an empty storefront. The mall has recently lost Ann Taylor Loft, Lane Bryant, Waldenbooks and Carlton Cards. Now, Amy's Hallmark is closing January 27; everything there is on sale at 50 percent off.
The corridors are quiet and there are lots of empty parking spaces at Fashion Square Mall.
"Times are hard and so there are a lot of stores not around anymore and I feel sorry because there are a lot of people losing their jobs," shopper Tamara Guerriero said.
Fashion Square attributes some of its losses to chain stores scaling back and to shoppers' fickle interests. Even in the area surrounding the mall, restaurants have closed, including Denny's, which was right across the street.
Fashion Square is owned by Preit, a Pennsylvania real estate investment trust that owns 55 other malls in Pennsylvania and the eastern United States. The growing operation boasts that it transforms its properties into top performers.
It may or may not be able to bring infrequent shopper Aziz Bennouna back there more often during the tough times.
"If it isn't required or a ‘must have,' I'm not gonna go out and buy it," Bennouna said.
Bennouna said he didn't notice all the store closings and didn't notice the two new stores that have just opened recently, Beya Accessories and a Barnie's Coffee and Tea Company. Orlando Fashion Square promises some new additions to the mall in 2010, but will still face tough times.
Consumers are going back to saving even though 2009 Christmas sales numbers, which are expected out later this week, should show shoppers spent more than they did in 2008.
WFTV
