OVIEDO, Fla. – After five years, the owners of the Oviedo Brewing Company announced that they would be closing at the end of February.
The announcement was shared with the public on Facebook this week, citing “ongoing economic challenges, rising costs, and lasting impacts of the pandemic” as the reason for the closure.
It’s another loss at a mall that has been trying to reinvent itself, and with so many similar stories happening across Central Florida it begs the question, what does the future of the Oviedo Mall actually look like?
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The mall close to State Road 417 and Red Bug Road first opened in 1998. Kevin Hipes, the mall’s development director, said its location never had enough density in this market to drive traffic into a million-square-foot regional mall.
“This mall is in a beautiful area,” said Hipes. “But we’re in between. We’ve got Sanford up there. We’ve got Waterford Lakes down there, and we’re kind of in the middle.”
Hipes met the News 6 team on the property Thursday to show the progress that has been made in recent years and his vision for the mall’s future.
Buckets filled with water used to be a common sight for shoppers because of a leaking roof. Hipes says they’ve been working on fixing the aging infrastructure and have invested millions of dollars into a list of maintenance projects.
“We’ve spent significant dollars on the roof. We’ve probably spent about $5 million. We’re almost done with everything,” said Hipes. “About two and half years ago we put in all new air conditioning. That cost about $2.5 million.”
Right now, they’re working on the upkeep and continue to check off projects on the list like landscaping.
“We’re excited about what’s happening, it’s just that it doesn’t happen overnight,” said Hipes. “Turning around old malls is not easy to do.”
Our News 6 team spoke to shoppers Thursday who admitted they don’t see much foot traffic most days compared to other retail locations in the Orlando area.
“I come here five times a week,” said Courtney Brooks. “It’s pretty dead most of the times.”
Another man who was visiting from DeLand said, “It seems like every time we come there’s something new or something old has closed, and that’s kind of discouraging.”
Hipes said he is working to develop the property into a place where people can “eat, sleep, work, and play.” He showed off the Orlando Orthopedic Center that opened in 2023, a pharmacy, and Catalyst Behavior Solutions, a center for autism treatment.
He calls the side of the mall by the old Macy’s property “medical main street.” The actual Macy’s location is currently closed with a sign that reads “future development.”
While progress is being made to make the mall a true mixed-use development, Hipes is still waiting on construction to begin on a housing project at the former Macy’s property.
“You know, the apartments have been in the works for years, and I don’t talk about it too much because it’s a very complicated transaction,” said Hipes.
Hipes said there are multiple approvals and property owners involved, but it’s “close.”
“They’ve already got site planning. They’ve already been through the city,” said Hipes. “We’ve just got to figure out and finish the paperwork and when you’ve got lawyers involved and a lot of paperwork it takes time.”
Hipes acknowledged progress doesn’t happen overnight, but he sees opportunity in Oviedo.
“I live in this town, so it’s important to me to make sure this place turns around and becomes the home run it should be,” said Hipes. “This place is a diamond in the rough. It’s one of the best pieces of real estate in Seminole County, it just needs to be turned around, and I would say we’re about 40% there.”
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