I went to Artegon (Orlando) yesterday and talked to Zack Goldberg about getting a space. He is very helpful and friendly, if you have other questions or want to talk to him, his phone number is 401-368-9071.
Mall - they are refurbishing an old mall. Construction is looking good. Mall looks like an * asterisk from above, with anchor stores on radiating out from a central flattened ellipse, which is where artegon will be located. right now there isn't much traffic at the mall, Bass Pro Shops seems to be the major attraction. There is also a movie theater, but since I was there in the early afternoon, I am not sure how much business it attracts at night. seems like plenty of parking, it will have a new façade. Anchor stores also empty into the center ellipse.
Traffic - yes, it is close to I-4, and the attractions in Orlando. It is a mile north of the Universal exit, and 10 miles north of Disney exits. Kitty corner across is an outlet mall. Lots of traffic, made worse right now by construction on some of the bordering streets. Kind of congested right now, but hopefully that is more due to construction and hope the new traffic pattern makes it easier.
Layout - Artegon is inside, with a layout reminiscent of an art show. Instead of white tents, you have wire mesh (3"x3"inch?) "cubicals", for want of a better word. Sizes available are all 10' high, with 10x10, 10x20 and 10x22 being the square footage available. I have put a pic of a showroom cube below. The doors expand and contract on the sides, and you lock your own cube when you aren't there. you are responsible for the cleaning of your cube. There are sides and endcaps as locations, no corners per se. you are allowed to place items on your porch (in front of your cube) to a 4 foot distance. They just need to be able to be put back inside when you are closed. Sometimes you share mesh wall sides, sometimes you don't. You have access to electricity in your booth.
Costs - basically, it is $10 per square foot, depending on location inside. There is also an option of doing a 20% of monthly sales instead of a set fee. Electricity is a mandatory charge, and is $187 a month. upfront cost is your metal sign, $400. You are also required to have 1 million in insurance. Not sure if orange county has any special requirements for operating a business.
Hours - Mall hours. I THINK the hours he told me was that the mall was open M-Sat 10-9, with the booths required to be open from 11-8. Sunday is that same deal, just reduced hours. 7 days a week, 365 year. To me, that is the hardest part, as I don't have anyone to work the booth in my absence. You are allowed to partner up with another artist, split the hours and split the space. Shortest contract available is 6 months. Personally, I would have a hard time working those hours all by myself, but others seem to have worked it out, Zack says they are so far 83% occupied.
Bear in mind, this is only phase one opening, 180? booths. There is another 100+? booths opening up in 2015.
All this being said, it is a most interesting development for an alternative to the traditional art fair. Can't get called on account of weather short of a hurricane, cool in the summer, warm in the winter. Easy parking, Zack said something about on site storage, but I forgot to get details. Either way you pay your fees, it is a fairly low price to get in such a setting. Big if's are whether or not you can man the hours, and if they can drive traffic to the mall. They seem pretty confident about bringing in the customers.
If anybody gets a space, I would like to hear their experience when it starts operation in October! I hope this info helps you all, and if you are interested in checking it out for yourself, just give Zack a call. :)
Comments
Connie, I have some conditions to be met before I would open there, so it will depend on what the folks there say. I will keep you all posted if I do!
Greg, exactly, this venue will only appeal to certain segment, but from what they say, this isn't the only mall that has done this across the country. They are planning on keeping it from becoming a buy/sell flea market, which would be best at keeping customers happy, I feel.
I wonder if they would allow a group of artists to rent a space, and rotate month by month? might be a stop gap solution between folks who would like to be on the road for a few months, then one month in the mall. so many possibilities! :)
This is an interesting concept. Obviously it is only convenient for artists that live close enough to be there every day and can do all their work there and not in their own shop. It reminds me of many indoor flea markets I have seen and I hope they do not allow buy/sell and other stuff that would never be allowed in a top notch art show.
Personally, my wife and I enjoy the traveling to different locations and doing shows...but that obviously only applies when the weather is good. 7 days a week is an awful lot of time to spend in any one location inside of a wire cage...but to each his own...
You've hit on some good things there, Dean, the pros and the cons. I'd think you could work out a work schedule and maybe find some good help, although that is always tricky. Are you going to try it?
Dang, I can't stop making mistakes responding...here we go, third try! :)
My pleasure Connie. I had heard about this in the newspaper a couple years ago, glad they are almost up and running! It would appear the artists will be there, as he says there is 83% occupancy ready to go.
No, there is no central cashier. you aren't there, your store isn't open. Think if it like one of the kiosks in the mall. you are your own little store, albeit at a reduced price, but will all the same responsibilities and headaches. :) Zack said there is a program they are getting started to help match people who want to work with artists, to facilitate booth coverage. But as the business owner, how you work out the hiring details would be left up to you.
Yes, you can cover the mesh walls with banners, artwork. you can work in your booth, so long as you aren't a fire danger pretty much. water colors yes, glass blower with a torch? No.
Yes, this would be a good fit if you are tired of the road, or if you have a good support group and can take your act on the road and leave someone behind to mind the store.
It all really comes down to - will the people come, and will they buy?
I have attached a floor plan, as you can see, it is really set up like an art fair! :)
Good for you, Dean, for doing this legwork. I know they are very excited about making this old shopping center live again and working hard to get it there. The advertising will be there. Now will the artists? We are not used to manning a storefront. Geez, it is like having a job.
There is no central cashier? If you are not there you do not make any sales?
Can you cover the mesh walls? Can you work in your booth?
You are right though about the opportunity to have year round access to buyers. Come to think of it small stores have existed forever, its just that we aren't used to thinking of ourselves in that way. Then you think of the costs of being on the road, how high those mount up and maybe this is economically a better deal. Oh, but then you don't see the mountains and the parks in the small towns of America and meet up with your friends. It is a whole other lifestyle , wouldn't work for many of us, but maybe perfect for others.
Again, thanks for this report.