The Origins of Meridian Mall (1960s-1970s)
Meridian Mall opened in 1969, a pivotal year for retail in Lansing, Michigan. Built by the M.H. Hausman Company, it opened on November 6, nestled in Meridian Township, Okemos, at the crossroads of Grand River Avenue and Marsh Road.
This strategic spot positioned the mall as a hub for the region’s growing suburban communities. Its opening date wasn’t a coincidence either—it coincided with the launch of its main competitor, Lansing Mall, on the opposite side of town, creating a competitive retail environment from the start.
When Meridian Mall opened, it featured two anchor stores that set the tone for its initial success: J.W. Knapp Company, a well-known Lansing-based department store, and Woolco, a division of F.W. Woolworth that specialized in discount merchandise.
These anchors, combined with a few other key tenants like G.C. Murphy’s dime store and a four-screen movie theater operated by American Multi-Cinema (now Studio C!), helped draw a steady stream of visitors from the outset.
Shoppers could also stop by the Hamady supermarket, a local grocery chain, or grab a bite at restaurants like Schensul’s Cafeteria and Elias Brothers Big Boy, which gave the mall a lively, all-day vibe.
As the 1970s progressed, the mall saw its first changes. The Hamady supermarket closed just a few years after opening in 1972, leaving a vacant space that wasn’t filled until 1976, when it was converted into another movie theater, Meridian East 4, doubling the mall’s cinema offerings.
Around the same time, G.C. Murphy closed its doors in 1979, and the space was reimagined into a new section called “The Court,” which brought in smaller shops like MC Sports and Casual Corner.
A year later, in 1980, the J.W. Knapp Company, which had been one of the original anchor stores, sold its Meridian Mall location to JCPenney.
These early developments were key in shaping Meridian Mall’s long-standing role as one of the area’s top things to do near Lansing, Michigan.
Growth and Competition in the 1980s
In 1982, the mall expanded southward, adding Hudson’s department store as its third anchor. Hudson’s, a Detroit-based chain, attracted a new wave of shoppers with its higher-end offerings.
The expansion also included several smaller retailers, like Foot Locker, and various clothing stores. This made the mall more diverse in its offerings, which helped it stand out in the Lansing area.
During this time, the mall saw other changes, too. In 1983, Woolco closed its doors as F.W. Woolworth decided to shut down the entire division. This closure provided an opportunity for new developments.
The old Woolco space was divided into several sections, making room for a Service Merchandise catalog showroom and a new food court. The addition of these spaces not only filled the gap left by Woolco but also brought fresh life to the mall with more dining and shopping options.
Another expansion followed in 1987 with the opening of Mervyn’s, a department store new to Michigan. This expansion came alongside a new wing that included over ten stores.
Lerner New York (later New York & Company), Babbage’s (now GameStop), and LensCrafters were some of the new tenants that joined the mall during this time. These additions helped Meridian Mall stay competitive as nearby Lansing Mall also grew its retail lineup.
Despite the increased competition, Meridian continued to draw shoppers with its growing variety of stores and convenient layout.
The Boom and Rebranding of the 1990s-2000s
By the 1990s, Meridian Mall needed updates to keep up with the ever-changing retail landscape. In 1998, the mall was sold to CBL Properties, a company known for managing large shopping centers across the country.
Under CBL’s ownership, Meridian Mall underwent several renovations to modernize its space and attract new tenants.
One of the first big changes came when Service Merchandise closed after filing for bankruptcy in 1999. The space it left behind didn’t sit empty for long. In 2000, the mall demolished the old store to make room for a new two-story Jacobson’s department store.
This move was part of a larger $20 million renovation, which included new tiles, skylights, seating, and restrooms throughout the mall.
The addition of Jacobson’s, along with stores like Old Navy and Bed Bath & Beyond, helped revitalize the mall and bring in new customers.
However, Jacobson’s struggled to maintain profitability and declared bankruptcy in 2002, closing just two years after opening. By 2003, the space was taken over by Younkers, another department store looking to expand its footprint in Michigan.
In 2004, Dick’s Sporting Goods took over Galyan’s and rebranded the store under its name, adding another prominent retail chain to the mall.
By 2006, the mall saw two more significant changes. Mervyn’s, a longtime anchor, closed all of its Michigan locations early that year.
Later, Marshall Field’s underwent a rebranding when it was acquired by Macy’s, bringing the iconic department store to Meridian Mall.
In response to the loss of Mervyn’s, Younkers expanded its footprint in 2008, opening additional departments—men’s and children’s clothing and furniture—in the former Mervyn’s space while keeping its women’s clothing and accessories in its original store.
This “dual anchor” model allowed Younkers to alleviate overcrowding and improve the shopping experience.
In 2008, the mall faced the closure of Steve & Barry’s, another major retailer, amid the economic downturn. AMC’s Meridian Mall Outer 6 theater closed its doors in 2011 but was reborn as Studio C! in 2012, offering a modern dining-and-movie experience.
Adapting to Change in the 2010s-2020s
In the early 2010s, some new tenants like H&M and Gordmans moved in, but by 2017, Gordmans filed for bankruptcy and closed.
In 2018, Launch Trampoline Park took over the space, part of the mall’s shift toward more experience-based attractions. That same year, Younkers closed after its parent company, The Bon-Ton, went bankrupt, leaving another large vacancy.
In 2019, High Caliber Karting & Entertainment filled one of those spaces, opening in the former Younkers Men’s & Home store. This experiential venue offers go-kart racing, bowling, axe throwing, and more. In 2020, it expanded into the old Old Navy location.
As the 2020s continued, Meridian Mall—like many others—felt the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. National retail chains faced growing pressures from e-commerce, and malls across the country saw fewer visitors.
In 2020, JCPenney announced it would close its Meridian Mall location as part of its nationwide bankruptcy plan. However, shortly after, JCPenney reversed its decision, deciding to keep its store open, much to the relief of the mall’s regulars.
Despite these challenges, the mall continued to pursue new opportunities. The introduction of more local dining options helped diversify the mall’s offerings. Restaurants like Char’s Jerk Chicken & More opened, drawing customers for its unique Jamaican cuisine.
In 2023, Bed Bath & Beyond closed its store after filing for bankruptcy, creating another vacancy. But Schuler Books quickly announced plans to move into the space, keeping one of the mall’s most beloved local retailers in a prime spot.
Recent Developments at Meridian Mall, Lansing, MI (2023-2024)
One of the most exciting developments in 2023 and 2024 has been the growing focus on transforming part of the mall into a community and senior center, turning unused retail areas into spaces that serve the broader public.
A key part of the mall’s transformation is converting the former Younkers storefront into a community center. The center is expected to offer a variety of amenities to meet local needs.
Plans include multi-purpose meeting spaces, rooms for public events, and areas dedicated to senior programming.
This would not only provide a much-needed gathering spot for residents but also bring vitality back to a part of the mall that has been vacant for years.
Meridian Township residents have actively participated in the development of the community center, and public input has been crucial to the process.
Throughout 2024, public meetings and comment sessions were held to gather feedback from the community about how the space should be used.
Local officials are working closely with developers and residents to ensure that the final design reflects the needs of the community, with a special focus on creating a senior center within the facility.
This center would offer specific services for seniors, such as activity rooms, wellness programs, and social spaces.
This initiative is part of a broader effort to redefine the mall’s role within Meridian Township. While traditional retail continues to struggle, turning vacant spaces into community hubs offers a new path forward.
Meridian Mall is poised to become more than just a shopping destination—it’s poised to be a central part of everyday life in the community.