Sam Flax plans to leave its Colonialtown store on East Colonial Drive, new location pending
Relocation confirmed, but new address and timeline have not been released
Sam Flax Orlando, a long-running art supply retailer in Central Florida, has announced plans to relocate from its Colonialtown site at 1800 E. Colonial Drive. The company has not yet disclosed the address of its future location or a specific moving date, and it has indicated the store will continue operating in the current building while preparations move forward.
In its public announcement, the business said the new location is intended to preserve the store’s current core offerings while supporting expanded programming. The store described the future space as continuing to provide fine art supplies and related retail categories, as well as services and events.
What the store says will continue after the move
The relocation plan is being framed as a transition rather than a downsizing. The company’s message to customers emphasized continuity of its product mix and service lines, alongside added room for programming.
- Art and creative supplies
- Custom picture framing services
- Fine writing instruments and gift-oriented merchandise
- Art classes and other programming
- Free community events
A familiar corridor for the business
This is not the first move for the Orlando operation along East Colonial Drive. The business previously operated at 1401 E. Colonial Drive before relocating to the current 1800 E. Colonial Drive site in 2011. Earlier reporting on the 2011 move described the shift as an expansion into a larger building that could accommodate broader retail inventory and space for classes and demonstrations.
Sam Flax is part of a larger legacy tied to the Sam Flax name in art and design retail. The company’s history includes roots that trace back to an original store established in New York City in 1919, with later expansion into other U.S. markets and an Orlando presence that became a fixture for local artists, designers, educators, and students.
What is known—and not known—about the property’s next chapter
No replacement tenant has been announced for the Colonialtown building, and no public redevelopment plan has been confirmed in connection with the relocation. The lack of a disclosed destination has also left open operational questions, including whether there will be any overlap between the final days at the current address and the opening of the next store.
The company has said it will remain open at 1800 E. Colonial Drive while it finalizes details for the next location and a future opening celebration.
For now, the move signals another transition along one of Orlando’s busiest retail corridors, with the region’s art community awaiting further details on where—and when—the store will reopen.