The Mall at Millenia

In the 90s, when the "high end" mall concept  was explained to me by my son, Scott, I didn't get it.  We already had malls.  He said more people from around the world would visit Orlando if we had more high end shopping.  I still didn't get it.

In 2002 the Mall at Millenia opened.  It featured world class shopping at 150 plus high end shops and department stores, not to mention restaurants and bars.  The Mall at Millenia also offered amenities such as a full service concierge and a foreign currency exchange.

I thought there was no way in the world this mall would succeed.  Of course, I was wrong.

Because we knew the temperature was going to top out at close to 100 today, Dave and I wanted to have some fun indoors.  So we headed for one of our favorite spots, The Mall at Millenia.  It's a total treat for the eyes, nose, skin and taste buds.  We had a yummy but sensible lunch at California Kitchen.  We walked the entire perimeter of the mall and marveled at the beautiful merchandise and the people buying it.

But what I like most about this mall is that you don't have to buy anything to have a great time.  One afternoon a few years ago, I took my friend, a former model who was in a fairly deep depression, to The Mall of Millenia.  For a couple of hours she forgot about her troubles and just enjoyed the beauty around her.  I did have to talk her down when she wanted to buy a $75 tube of lipstick  but we got through the crisis and moved on to Brookstone where we enjoyed the massage chairs (for free.)

My very favorite place in the mall is Neiman Marcus.  As you enter the store and travel up the escalator you are inundated with thousands of white, glittering, hand crafted butterflies hanging from the ceiling.

Dave and I had the butterfly experience today.  Wow!

I'm happy we have the mall.  I'm happy when I'm in the mall.  I'm happy that visitors for all over the world come to enjoy themselves shopping in these exquisite stores.  I have actually purchased an item from time to time.  But anybody can come to the mall.  You don't have to shop to enjoy yourself.


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