Can Lansing Turn Vacant Spaces Into Vibrant Places?

Lansing, Michigan, has a problem—empty buildings. With national retailers packing up their toys and leaving the state at what feels to be an increasingly faster pace, the state capitol is left with dozens of vacant storefronts that would appear to be increasingly difficult to fill. Take the dozen Rite-Aid stores left vacant in Lansing as a prime example.

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Lansing wasn't the only Michigan metro to feel the impact of Rite-Aid abandoning Michigan; there were 186 Rite-Aid stores in the Mitten State at the beginning of 2024, according to the Detroit Free Press. TSCG Real Estate says that the average Rite-Aid store is between 11,000 and 15,000 square feet. That's a lot of empty floor space.

One Down, Eleven More To Go

In December of last year, WILX reported that U of M Sparrow intends to remodel and repurpose the former Rite Aid on Michigan Avenue, directly across from the hospital's campus. However, that leaves eleven empty stores in Lansing alone, not to mention the other 175 throughout the Great Lakes State.

In today's retail environment, it's not like there's another retailer who's been waiting for a 15,000 square foot space to call home. In fact, most national retailers are taking a long, hard look at their store footprint and wondering if they can cut back to save on their bottom line.

Repurposing is the Prescription for Rite Aid

Let's face it: In today's retail world, very few businesses are willing to gamble on filling a vacant Rite Aid. However, experience-based companies, like restaurants, barcades, axe throwing, and other similar ventures, have had tremendous success revitalizing empty mall slots; maybe it's time to bring that flavor to empty Rite Aid stores.

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Some experts recommend converting these vacant buildings into mini-malls, housing several businesses. Ultimately, when Rite Aid bailed on Michigan, it left a dozen reminders in Lansing, 186 total throughout Michigan, and 186 potential locations for Spirit Halloween in 2025.