Melbourne Square Mall, West Melbourne, Florida

West Melbourne is part of Melbourne, Florida. It sits on the east coast of the state above Miami and the Fort Lauderdale area. It is almost directly across from Orlando in the center of the state. Melbourne is a huge city for tourism and commerce. Melbourne has Melbourne beach on an island across from the downtown section. West Melbourne is inland of the beach area, but still within driving distance for visitors and residents. The city name did come from the Australian city in honor of John Hector, an Englishman who lived in Australia. Historically Melbourne was a site for training of the Confederate Army. Many soldiers after the war returned to Melbourne because of its river and ocean scenery. In 1942 the Naval Air Station Melbourne was established for the Navy and Marine Pilots in WWII.

Shoppers who are not as interested in history or the beaches can spend their days at the Melbourne Square Mall. The mall was developed by Simon Property, one of the largest developers of shopping malls in the world. Simon has over 380 properties around North America, Europe, and Asia. Their malls are known for having over a 100 retail locations within their walls. The town center is on US Highway 192 and five miles from Melbourne Florida. Hours the mall is open are 10am to 9pm Monday to Saturday, and Sunday 12 to 6pm. Inside the mall is a 1500 square foot section just for a kid's play area. Children can use their artistic nature, go to a library, or have educational interactive options.

Anchor stores at Melbourne Square Mall are Macy's Dillard's, and JC Penny. The mall has some new additions in Coach, Finish Line, and Too Jay's. A new restaurant also opened with a New York Deli style to it. Accessory retail shops at the town center are AT&T, Body Wave, Claire's, Cool Shades, Dazzling Gold, Hat Shack, Hawaiian Shades, PacSun, Tilly's and Bear Factory. Cards and Gifts shops include Hallmark and IYA. Children have more than the play area to enjoy. Melbourne Mall also has Children's Place, Gap Kids, Limited Too, and Game Stop.

Jewelry, Luggage, and Fashion shops are Gordon's Jewelers, Reed Jewelers, Zales, Coach, 24-7 Surf, Aeropostale, Anchor Blue, Dicks Sporting Goods, Gap, Hollister, Hot Topic, Journeys, Fashion Avenue, 5-7-9 Shop, Charlotte Russe, Frederick's of Hollywood, Maxrave, and White House Black Market.

Melbourne Square Mall offers restaurants, specialty shops, and the food court. Places to eat are Auntie Anne's Pretzels, Candy Galore, Mrs Fields Cookies, Starbucks, Asian Chao, Chick-fil-A, Gyros and More, Maki of Japan, Mucho Burrito, Nathan's Famous, Nature's Table, Piccadilly Cafeteria, Sbarro, and Subway.

Chic-fil-A is the only restaurant not open on Sundays. The mall can have special hours during holidays in which they may not remain open as long. For entertainment the mall does offer a movie theater close by. The theater has new releases. Other entertainment can include live bands, piped in music, and mall walking times in the mornings for exercise.