
Food and Entertainment: The New Anchor Stores for Michigan Malls
Remember your youth in Michigan when the mall was THE hangout? Gen X probably knows the vibe better than anyone. We weren't there just for shopping; we were there for freedom from parental supervision and romance under the fluorescent glow of the food court.
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That familiar feel in the food court may be what revitalizes Michigan's malls. Many are already home to experience-based retailers offering indoor go-cart rides and axe throwing. According to Restaurant Hospitality, former anchor stores that once housed Montgomery Wards have been remodeled into trampoline parks.
Why Michigan Malls Are Going All-In on Food and Fun
Back in the day, you'd grab a slice from Sbarro, a cookie or five from Mrs. Fields, and hang around Record Town until they asked you to leave. But today's malls are leveling up, swapping basic food courts for entire hallways filled with dining options.
CNBC reports that major restaurant players usually relegated to major downtown environments see the appeal of indoor dining and entertainment 'experiential' locations. Imagine the Cheese Cake Factory as an anchor store in your favorite mall. Some malls in Michigan dedicate as much as 30% of their floor space to food. That's a far cry from grabbing a pretzel at Hot Sam's before going back-to-school shopping at JCPenney.
The Future of Michigan Malls: Dining, Drinks, and Climate Control
With the vast majority of Michiganders becoming increasingly comfortable shopping online, brick-and-mortar retailers continue to struggle. Taking a page from downtown environments, whose social districts allow you to shop and walk the streets while having an adult beverage, malls could offer a similar experience without dealing with the weather.
RELATED: 46 Stores That Are No Longer at Jackson, Michigan's Westwood Mall
Sure, we Gen Xers might miss the glory days of the mall, but this evolution feels right. Michigan malls are becoming what we always wanted as kids: a place to hang out—only with better food.
DEAD MALLS of Michigan: Flint's Courtland Center (Eastland Mall)
Gallery Credit: Scott Clow
DEAD MALLS of Michigan: Jackson's Nearly Empty Westwood Mall
Gallery Credit: Scott Clow
DEAD MALLS of Michigan: Battle Creek's BLEAK Lakeview Square Mall
Gallery Credit: Scott Clow
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