Orlando’s ‘Anti-Mall’ is Orlando’s Best Mall
In Orlando, there is a place where dreams come to fruition and become actual crafts. No, it isn’t your kid’s camp: it’s Artegon.
Artegon is a collection of artisanal stores where one can experience both zip lining and glass blow
ing under the same roof. Here, where artists can display their art or quirky crafts under their own store fronts, there appears to be a lot of freedom as to what sellers decide to sell. From drawings to hand-crafted soaps, Artegon offers a variety of items that you will not find in your average mall. There were stores dedicated to boomerangs, hammocks, and even jerky (all three separate stores!)! While wandering, I even stumbled upon a temporary but cool high school art exhibit.
At the entrance of Artegon lays a maze of ropes overhead. Both children and adults are welcome to trapeze through the air (attached by harness, of course). Zip lining and even a mini free fall is included in a very affordable package of under $30 per person. You can stay on the ropes for as long as you want and even scaredy cats will be encouraged by their fellow rope climbers.
For food, I walked past a frozen yogurt place, a pizza place, and a Fuddruckers. Each offered gluten free options (which I can truly appreciate). I decided on Fuddruckers myself and had a delicious gluten-free bison burger with onions.
Unable to complete this journey in one day, I made sure to visit Artegon’s comic book shop Gods and Monsters on another evening. It so happened to be an evening dedicated to Pokémon Go Pokemon hu
nting (the store is home to a Pokéstop and a Pokémon gym). The Pokestop had an ongoing lure that certainly baited customers inside. Gods and Monsters is one of the largest spaces I have ever seen dedicated to a comic book shop. This comic book shop, unlike many I have gone to in New York, even offered a lounge with alcoholic beverages. While your mileage may vary, my own experience was not entirely positive as the bartender appeared rather overwhelmed and kept forgetting my order along with my neighbor’s. A tiny bit of research revealed that the shop is relatively new, which may explain some lacking memorabilia or unique offeri
ngs. Overall though, it was a positive experience and cannot wait to return to see some growth Artegon apparently has existed for a few years now and seems to be moderately popular, despite the dozens of outlet malls littering the area. With some hope, its hipster atmosphere could attract more millennials and hipsters and spread more similar malls along the East Coast. Otherwise the next time I am in Orlando, I will ensure I set aside an entire day to spend in Artegon!
Written by Fantasia Cordero
