Seminole County has reached out to Channel 9 with some new info in regard to the announcement of the closing of the Seminole Towne Center.
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6:30 PM UPDATE:
Officials state that the deal for the mall did not fall through, the sale is still planned to go through, and the mall’s closure is part of said deal.
Demolition of the smaller shop is scheduled for March, but the anchor stores, such as Dillards and Dick Sporting Goods, are planned to stay.
Sanford officials tell Channel 9 that this project will be the biggest project of its kind in the history of Seminole County.
“It’s incredible. It is going to be a very big project…”
Brady Lassard, Sanford Director of Economic Development
The plan includes creating a true town center, which officials tell us they already have major brands lined up to occupy.
The project also included adding 400-500 apartments, which will help to increase the property’s value from $50M to almost $500M.
Original Story:
What was once considered the premier mall of North Orlando will close its doors quietly at the end of January.
Inside the Seminole Towne Center Mall, store owners spent the day Wednesday packing up their wares and discussing their plans for the future.
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They explained that two weeks ago, the mall owners walked around and told them they’d have to be out by the 31st.
They said they were told a deal to sell the mall fell through.
“I’ve been here for almost 10 years,” Jeweler Fysal Amin said. “When he was good, it was good, but then it just went downhill like crazy.”
Retail will not shut down on the property altogether. The anchor stores like Dick’s Sporting Goods own their own spaces and plan to remain open.
Meanwhile, the mall’s owner will have more flexibility to begin demolition and redevelopment work he’s planned to pursue since acquiring the property last year.
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His vision includes a mixed-use space incorporating anchor stores, apartments, entertainment options, and retail.
The owner did not return a request for comment Wednesday.
Shoppers, meanwhile, mourned the closing of a place that used to be their go-to destination.
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“Each county needs their own mall,” Dorothy Blake said. “We shouldn’t have to go so far to travel. I know we order stuff online, but still, I like to go in and look at things, touch things, and try on things to see how it looks.”
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