Festival Bay Mall...No More Hilo Hattie?

[KStarfish82]

Just went to the Festival Bay mall and was soooo looking forward to seeing one of my favorite shops..Hilo Hattie.

To my dismay, I found it closed and gated.

Does anyone know what is going on???

 

[DOOM1001]

In Miami when the Dolphin mall opened like around 6-7 years ago the mall opened with a huge Hilo Hattie store,I mean HUGE,I remember going that first day and wandering how long that store would last.I mean it's a great store but it seemed to be a store for a more touristy area.Dolphin mall is touristy to a certain degree and with the size of the store they must have been paying a lot.Well they lasted a couple of months in that big space in the mall and then moved to a much smaller space and now they're gone.I just checked their website and aside from Hawaii, their only retail stores are in San Diego,Orange,California and Las Vegas!I don't know if Festival Bay has reached full occupancy yet cause I've been there like 3 times,the last time maybe 1-2 years ago and most of the stores didn't have tenants and a mall where most of the stores are closed didn't have many shoppers either.It might have changed since my last visit but I assume this is why Hilo Hattie isn't around anymore!

 

[Tinkerboy00]

I went into FB for the first time this past week. It's so depressing! There are so many vacant store fronts. and not very good shops there. It must not be doing well.

 

[Noevo]

I went into FB for the first time this past week. It's so depressing! There are so many vacant store fronts. and not very good shops there. It must not be doing well.

Agreed. It is very depressing in there. I had never been in there either until a couple of weeks ago so I don't know if it's always been that way or not. Hilo Hatties was still open but getting rid of everything including mannequins.

Was just an odd experience. just seemed like such a potentially cool place.

 

[Jason71]

It's a beautiful retail space--the fountains in the front are amazing--but I don't think it has ever had even half its stores filled (maybe no more than a third).

Supposedly a couple places from Mercado were going in, which might have helped increase foot traffic, but its been months and last time I checked they hadn't moved yet.

 

[ohiomom28]

That mall would be an excellent place maybe if it were in a different area. It's sad, because it is a pretty place.

 

[madcoco]

Hopefully Ron Jon Surf Park will give it new life. Especially if Kelly Slater decides to show up. Noticed some of the stores are actually reopening.
http://www.ronjonsurfpark.com/

 

[tarheelmjfan]

Thanks for posting the Ron Jon Surf Park info. We're always looking for new & fun things for our son to do in Orlando. He'd love that. I have no idea where the mall in question is, but I'm sure we could find it. We'll definitely add that to our "must do" list. If you happen upon any more info on the surf park, please let us know.

 

[DOOM1001]

It's on the north end of International Drive,after you pass Universal blvd. and Kirkman rd.I-Drive makes a curve to the left and then the mall is on your right!!

 

[Delphis]

I think the addition of Ron Jon's Surfpark, as well as Bergamo's and Cricketers Arms moving from The Mercado to Festival Bay will help, as will the re-tooled, rebuilt and eventually possibly more upscale Prime Outlet Malls(formerly Belz Outlet malls) once they get done with all the construction and get them open/fully open again.

http://www.shopfestivalbaymall.com/html/

http://primeoutlets.com/orlando/index.html

 

[Bella the Ball 360]

The movie theater at FB is great! However, I think that it is withering on vine so to speak b/c there are really not that many places that attract customers. I think many people at that end of town are there for the outlet malls and looking for bargains. FB is beautiful but I had not visited before two years ago b/c it was dedicated to sports ....and there was no attraction for me.

 

[Jason71]

I think the addition of Ron Jon's Surfpark, as well as Bergamo's and Cricketers Arms moving from The Mercado to Festival Bay will help, as will the re-tooled, rebuilt and eventually possibly more upscale Prime Outlet Malls(formerly Belz Outlet malls) once they get done with all the construction and get them open/fully open again.

Hi Delphis, any word on when Bergamos and Cricketers are moving? The banner has said "Coming Soon" since Thanksgiving, and now it's April with no change.

I agree that with new blood Festival Bay really could be something--not sure Prime is going to save itself, tho, even by turning itself into a clone of Premium. Too far away from the nicer hotels on I-Drive.

 

[madcoco]

You're welcome tarheelmjfan The prices for a membership make the area themes park AP's look like a real bargain.

Cricketers Arms now has posted on their website a May Grand opening date.
http://www.cricketersarmspub.com/
Sounds like a great spot. Haven't been to the old location. How is/was the food?

 

[Delphis]

I agree that with new blood Festival Bay really could be something--not sure Prime is going to save itself, tho, even by turning itself into a clone of Premium. Too far away from the nicer hotels on I-Drive.

Hi Jason71, they're building one nicer hotel down off of Universal Blvd already, called The Point(not to be confused with Pointe Orlando), and they should be starting construction on The Blue Rose in Nov according to OrlandoSkyscrapers.com

So they'll have a couple more upscale hotels not too far away, plus tourists will more than likely visit the area again if there's life there and it looks nicer.

The Premium Outlets just simply go off, it's a zoo out there, It's almost always packed out there(esp on weekends.) So I think that's why Pointe Orlando, and now Prime Outlets are going for the cleaner look, more open retail centers like the Premium Outlet center.

Sorry for going so off-topic OP. I would guess Hilo Hatties didn't fare to well mainly due to Festival Bay's past/current low traffic. The tropical/island lifestyle clothing might be a bit oversaturated in the area with Tommy Bahama stores nearby as well as a decent amount of other stores carrying their product too. It could always be possible for Hilo Hatties to come back when and if Festival Bay and the area down there comes to life again.

I feel your pain losing a place you love at Festival Bay, I used to love to grab a grilled chciken sandwich at a restaurant called Murray Brothers Caddyshack and it broke my heart/taste buds/stomach when I went there and it was long gone.

 

[Christypl]

Say it isnt so!!!!!!
We moved from HI and I always stocked up on goodies there. Guess I'll be ordering online again.

 

[load1up]

We were in hilo's just before they closed up. We bought a few things , but most of the store was empty by then. It was sort of a yearly ritual for us. Oh well, it was good while it lasted. Now you have an excuse to go see the real thing.