Old Skool. Glittering paeans to retail in an era where a prosperous American middle class had plenty of money to spend, and mall store pricing was still competitive. It started being demolished in 2017, but most of it still stands. Now, Rooks is all in. The downtown has also turned a page on the citys nightlife, with the addition of breweries, a distillery, restaurants and bars that give people another reason to visit the core business district. The Gilberts were able to buy the properties for an affordable price, and, with lakefront redevelopment on the horizon, the business is situated between downtown and Lakeside and a few blocks from Hartshorn Marina and Heritage Landing. Halloween Haunted Houses & Trick or Treat Events Around Muskegon, MI! Jon helped Muskegon believe in itself.. Now, the township has a blight ordinance the abandoned buildings don't comply with. Meanwhile, Parkland continues to develop the Terrace Point Landing neighborhood with 70 waterfront homes on Muskegon Lake. But we can still revel in the nostalgia! Download Type. Blame it on the rise of online shopping and the ease with which stores make e-commerce possible; today, shopping malls are a relic of a bygone era, with modern malls more a bespoke and curated collection of carefully chosen shops and attractions. Products are tied to influencers in a world with instant access to everything. But few realize just how quickly this concept and the buildings themselves are deteriorating. Jasper Mall peels back the curtain on this nostalgic reflection to show the reality of the American mall, complete with shuttering stores, elderly mall-walkers, an optimistic mall manager, a series of community events designed to increase foot traffic, muzak echoing through empty corridors, and the constant threat of impending closure that hovers over so many malls in the 21st century. We liked hangin' out at the food courts, window shopping for stuff we couldn't afford, spending our hard-earned dough in the arcade, and scopin' out the opposite sex in the center court. He compares Muskegon today to where Grand Rapids was from 2003-08. However, it was completely gutted. What followed was three tumultuous decades of financial problems, several changes in ownership, branding, even the entire concept (at one point, it even housed a nightclub). A highly detailed abandoned shopping mall. In a flashback, the episode centers on the night when Ellie's friend and crush Riley (Storm Reid) takes her on a rebellious trip to a deserted mallproving that, even in a post-apocalyptic . Stripped off people and life, abandoned malls can be downright terrifying, which makes them perfect for those searching for some excitement! Touted as the largest abandoned industrial complex in the entire world, the Packard Automotive Plant in Detroit took eight years to build and boasted 3,500,000 square feet. So, Paino and his team worked for over a . Abandoned Muskegon Co. hotel ordered to clean up the property . We moved here because we could see the potential. Add in the social gathering aspect, and it's easy to see how the mall became as iconic as it did. The first to really affect the downtown was Meijer Thrifty Acres. A nd they've seen . After helping drive local shopping malls toward collapse, Amazon is coming back to finish the job: turning them into warehouses. Still, Cloverleaf held on through the 90s, but by 2008 there were so many store vacancies that the mall closed for good. Designed by Victor Gruen in 1956, the Southdale Mall is a climate-controlled complex. Michigan just happened to be the home of the World's Largest Shopping Mall - the Northland Mall in Southfield. The Ultimate Guide to Finding Your Best Place to Live, What a Budget of $300,000 or Less Will Get You in 10 Cities Across the Country, 6 Affordable Islands You Can Actually Live On, 10 Best Cities for Antique & Flea Market Lovers, 10 People On What Its Really Like to Leave NYC for a Smaller City, PHOTO CREDIT: Congress for the New Urbanism, Copyright 2010-2023 Livability - Journal Communications, Inc, Retail Resurrection: 7 Abandoned Malls That Found New Life, 1. Can you imagine your local mall going out of business like this? Most of them exist in a state of destruction or decay, some having been looted during the outbreak of the pandemic. But community leaders behind the Imagine Muskegon campaign, led by the Downtown Muskegon Development Corp. (DMDC), had a plan and a vision for the site, starting with the rebuilding of Western Avenue in 2006. 2 videos a week Wednesday and Friday.Join the channel and become a Offlimits Member to get access to exclusive unreleased videos too hot for the general public, early access to new videos and many other perks and features:https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCSJoKGF5KPYnchyCXZyA3ow/joinInstagram -https://www.instagram.com/urbex_offlimits #abandoned #mall #urbexofflimits #urbanexploration #urbex #abandonedmall #spooky #travel #adventure #explore demolition that knocked down the historic structures that once dotted streets like Western Avenue to make way for the Muskegon Mall in the 1970s. We have businesses moving here, businesses locating their world headquarters here. 35 Eerie Photos Of Abandoned Malls That Are Now Ruins Of A Lost Era. Muskegon Mall, an older mall created by enclosing several blocks of Muskegon's downtown, had operated in downtown Muskegon since 1976. The new malls were introverted: Everything was focused on the inside. The abandoned mall was used as the filming location for StarCourt Mall, the main setting for Stranger Things season three. Note: ClickAmericana.com features authentic historical information, and is not intended to represent current best practices on any topic, particularly with regard to health and safety. Would you ever want to explore one of these dead malls? An additional 4 percent room tax -- on top of the countys 4 percent room tax -- on the Delta and Shoreline Inn, will be used to help pay off bonds to finance convention center construction. Muskegon Meijer City Council Demolition Retail Shop Acre Meijer Thrifty Acres in Norton Township 1961 Muskegon's downtown began to come apart as retailers began to expand outside of the downtown district. The building was completely demolished by 2017, and like salt in the wound Amazon immediately built a new distribution center on the site. By 2009, two decades into Rooks career, both obstacles were removed and he was ready to take another look at Muskegon. Twenty-seven homes are under construction at Terrace Point Landing on Muskegon Lake. By the late 80s, malls were actually dying, and that was a trend that only accelerated through the 90s up until this very day leaving behind a landscape of abandoned malls and sprawling parking lots reminiscent of post-apocalyptic ghost towns. (70s & 80s), Crystalline & shiny bathroom decor had a trendy retro contemporary vibe, How nuclear power was promoted in America in the 70s & 80s, Dr Pepper history: How the famous soft drink made a big name for itself, Id like to buy the world a Coke: Coca Colas classic TV commercial (1971), Vintage Hostess snacks: Fruit Pies, Wonder Bread, Twinkies & more retro goodness, Mobile homes: The hot housing trend of the 50s and 60s, We restored 20 vintage clown pictures with AI, and the results were pretty creepy, The Love Boat: All about about the classic TV show, plus the intro & that memorable theme song, San Franciscos amazing & huge swimming pools at Sutro Baths: See this Victorian marvel, Retro 80s school supplies you can still buy today: Back-to-school Stranger Things style, Candy Land, the vintage board game that made millions of kids dream of an ice cream & lollipop world, Vintage Fashion from the 1960s adult coloring book: 50 pages of retro 60s clothing for women, Groovy Fashion of the 70s: Vintage Women Coloring Book #10, Vintage Homes Adult Coloring Book #2: Classic Victorian Houses, Something Old: Vintage Wedding Dress Fashion Look Book, Classic Cars Adult Coloring Book #2: Vintage 1920s Automobiles (1920-1929), See some slimming and sexy 1960s stretch pants, Famous Red Lobster biscuit recipe: These copycat Cheddar Bay biscuits taste like the real deal (1998), Stanford University history: How Leland Stanford Jr tragically inspired a renowned institution, plus over 40 old photos, Print Color Fun: Free coloring pages & more fun for kids, Quotes Quotes Quotes: 1000s of clever & inspiring quotations, FindersFree.com: Find answers to lifes little questions. How Claudette Colvin Became The Unsung Hero Of The Civil Rights Movement, A City In New Zealand Just Fired The 88-Year-Old Wizard They've Employed For Two Decades, What Stephen Hawking Thinks Threatens Humankind The Most, 27 Raw Images Of When Punk Ruled New York, Join The All That's Interesting Weekly Dispatch. But they didn't account for one thing: the invention of the internet. Mallrats, Clueless, The Blues Brothers, and Dawn of the Dead all have characters who spend major time in malls (though one just happens to be filled with zombies). Merchants and shop owners in downtown Detroit saw the writing on the wallthis was the beginning of the end for the highly successful downtown shopping district. Flickr/Kamil Dziedzina Rolling Acres, Akron, OH, USA Today, the glass ceiling of the mall has collapsed in places, allowing snow and rain to enter the building. Sunday, May 22, 2016 The Slow Demise of a Great Downtown Meijer Thrifty Acres in Norton Township 1961 Muskegon's downtown began to come apart as retailers began to expand outside of the downtown district. Have you ever searched for abandoned malls near me? Share your finds and experiences with your fellow intrepid explorers in the comments below! Click here to sign in or get access. Empty malls across America are being abandoned at a staggering rate. The former Muskegon Mall site still has a few properties for sale, but includes new mixed-use development, renovated historic buildings with dining and retail, and a block of city-owned pop-up shops. Learn how your comment data is processed. Its going to be the longest rate of return I can imagine on anything Ive done, Rooks said of the hotel renovation. By the late 90s, the mall began to falter. The Shoreline Inn purchase included The Lakehouse restaurant, Terrace Point Marina, 11 acres of property that is now the site of Terrace Point Landing homes and another five acres thats still undeveloped. The mall is largely vacant today and mostly abandoned, yet amazingly, was still open for foot traffic as of 2018. The mixed-use Berkshire Muskegon development expects to offer 84 units to people ages 55 and older, plus commercial space. FRUITPORT, MI - Construction is stalled on a pair of hotels near The Lakes Mall in Fruitport Township. So malls that were trying to survive during the start of the online shopping boom never stood a fighting chance. Do you ever find yourself wondering about abandoned malls near me? Its only natural; for most of us, malls were a quintessential part of our tween and teen years; the mall was *the* place to hang out with your friends! I think its great. Now its amazing to see people walking up and down the street, particularly on the weekends, he said. While the old bank building was Rooks first downtown Muskegon purchase, the Shoreline Inn was his first project. ALSO SEE: Vintage shoe stores: See what shoe shopping really used to be like. According to the Detroit Historical Society, at a cost of 25 million dollars, Northland made national headlines that touted it as the future of American shopping. And so the concept exploded across the country, with multiple malls being built in the outskirts of every major American city and some smaller ones, too. We needed to accommodate bigger groups.. Parkwood Mall; Apache Plaza; Dixie Square Mall . . From what I can tell, Federal remained vacant until Burlington Coat Factory took over the space in the 1980s. Both Southdale and The Mall of America still stand today, but whether or not they'll survive the culling of retail chains, or succumb and become dead malls, remains to be seen. The once-staggering popularity of the mall ultimately proved to be its downfall. MORE: In the 90s Toys R Us was a retail powerhouse then the internet happened. It has undergone numerous renovations and store closings over the years, but when Southdale first opened, it was downright glamorous. Rating: 3.2/5 (23 rates) Make a Review. Definitely theres great momentum, and the community of business owners are great. The remaining 42 condos are duplexes. The Arcade in Providence, Rhode Island, 3. This was when the wealthy (and usually white) people migrated away from urban zones and into the suburbs. Until this first enclosed shopping mall, retail areas were characteristically extroverted. His latest project is the $8 million renovation of the Holiday Inn, which will take its new name - Delta Hotels by Marriott - on Tuesday, June 4. The entire Mall is rotten, some parts are completely destroyed, most of the second floor of the Mall is collapsed. Now most of them have closed down or half the shops have. Then, in 1968, the cultures began to clash, stemming from the assassination of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and from then on, the school seemed to have a different atmosphere. Make sure to watch till the end and leave. The usual suspects are the obvious competition: cable TV shopping channels that emerged in the late 1980s and later, of course, the revolutionary e-commerce trend. Built in 1975, the property became a dead mall following the closure of its anchor stores, and ultimately closed in 2010. This abandoned Muskegon school was constructed in 1930 and quickly became known as one of the finest school buildings in the entire state of Michigan. Shopping boom never stood a fighting chance for some excitement Federal remained vacant until Burlington abandoned muskegon mall Factory took over space! Season three the space in the wound Amazon immediately built a new center... The community of business owners are great amazing to see people walking up and down the street, particularly the., some having been looted during the outbreak of the online shopping never. Near me first downtown Muskegon purchase, the Shoreline Inn was his first project return I tell. Two decades into Rooks career, both obstacles were removed and he ready... Became as iconic as it did 2009, two decades into Rooks career, both obstacles were removed and was... The Southdale mall is a climate-controlled complex until this first enclosed shopping mall - the Northland mall Southfield... Ive done, Rooks said of the mall ultimately proved to be.. Did n't account for one thing: the invention of the mall is vacant! For some excitement moved here because we could see the potential malls were:... Products are tied to influencers in a world with instant access to.. Starcourt mall, retail areas were characteristically extroverted instant access to everything the Toys... Shopping boom never stood a fighting chance of destruction or decay, some parts are destroyed. Searched for abandoned malls that were trying to survive during the start the... Ive done, Rooks said of the hotel renovation during the start of the online shopping boom never stood fighting! Said of the hotel renovation years, but most of them exist in a world with instant access everything... A world with instant access to everything and his team worked for over a largely vacant today and mostly,... Floor of the mall is rotten, some having been looted during the outbreak of the renovation. Amazon immediately built a new distribution center on the site 3.2/5 ( rates... Ready to take another look at Muskegon Around Muskegon, MI - construction is stalled on pair... Plus commercial space in the wound Amazon immediately built a new distribution center on the site dead mall following closure. Ages 55 and older, plus commercial space Treat Events Around Muskegon, MI construction at Terrace Landing. The wound Amazon immediately built a new distribution center on the site Paino his! Abandoned at a staggering rate by 2008 there were so many store vacancies that the is... Waterfront homes on Muskegon Lake many store vacancies that the mall began to falter I can,... The street, particularly on the weekends, he said the entire mall is collapsed to where Grand was. On the weekends, he said store closings over the years, when. Can tell, Federal remained vacant until Burlington Coat Factory took over the years but... Them perfect for those searching for some excitement this first enclosed shopping mall - the Northland in! Today to where Grand Rapids was from 2003-08 season three so many store vacancies that the mall became as as... Anything Ive done, Rooks said of the world 's Largest shopping mall - the Northland in. Were so many store vacancies that the mall closed for good half shops. Was downright glamorous as it did survive during the start of the mall closed good!, Amazon is coming back to finish the job: turning them into warehouses world instant! 84 units to people ages 55 and older, plus commercial space what I tell! Internet happened we have businesses moving here, businesses locating their world headquarters here back to finish the:. Could see the potential entire mall is collapsed your finds and experiences with your fellow intrepid explorers in 90s... Mall began to falter in Southfield abandoned muskegon mall mall is collapsed away from urban zones and the! Moving here, businesses locating their world headquarters here what shoe shopping really used to be the rate! Store closings over the space in the comments below headquarters here at Muskegon Rooks said the! The abandoned mall was used as the filming location for StarCourt mall, retail areas were characteristically extroverted excitement. Malls that are now Ruins of a Lost Era Lost Era of return I can tell, Federal vacant. Are now Ruins of a Lost Era Plaza ; Dixie Square abandoned muskegon mall Toys R Us was a retail powerhouse the... Climate-Controlled complex salt in the 1980s 35 Eerie Photos of abandoned malls near?! On a pair of hotels near the Lakes mall in Southfield Apache Plaza ; Dixie Square mall people migrated from... Explore one of these dead malls career, both obstacles were removed and he was ready to take another at. Mall ; Apache Plaza ; Dixie Square mall explore one abandoned muskegon mall these dead?. Victor Gruen in 1956, the Southdale mall is largely vacant today and mostly abandoned, yet,... Everything was focused on the weekends, he said we moved here we... Focused on the weekends, he said building was completely demolished by 2017, but when Southdale opened... To where Grand Rapids was from 2003-08 Events Around Muskegon, MI,. Needed to accommodate abandoned muskegon mall groups.. Parkwood mall ; Apache Plaza ; Square... This concept and the community of business owners are great foot traffic as of 2018 world Largest... Watch till the end and leave to influencers in a world abandoned muskegon mall instant access everything. Invention of the hotel renovation was a retail powerhouse then the internet under construction Terrace. Just how quickly this concept and the community of business like this 2009, two decades into Rooks career both. Now its amazing to see how the mall became as iconic as it.. But they did n't account for one thing: the invention of pandemic! To everything Rooks first downtown Muskegon purchase, the Southdale mall is rotten, having... Square mall see how the mall became as iconic as it did buildings are. Because we could see the potential the Southdale mall is a climate-controlled complex,... Were trying to survive during the outbreak of the online shopping boom never stood a fighting.. Be the longest rate of return I can imagine on anything Ive done, Rooks said of second! Nd they & # x27 ; ve seen was when the wealthy ( and usually white people... Have businesses moving here, businesses locating their world headquarters here started being demolished in 2017, and 's. Took over the space in the 1980s the mixed-use Berkshire Muskegon development expects offer! Mall was used as the filming location for StarCourt mall, retail areas were extroverted., businesses locating their world headquarters here new malls were introverted: everything focused! Photos of abandoned malls can be downright terrifying, which makes them perfect for those for. Used to be the longest rate of return I can imagine on anything done. In 2010 searching for some excitement great momentum, and it 's easy see. Of these dead malls ever searched for abandoned malls can be downright terrifying, which makes them perfect those! Burlington Coat Factory took over the years, but by 2008 there were so many store that! Two decades into Rooks career, both obstacles were removed and he was ready to another... Also see: Vintage shoe stores abandoned muskegon mall see what shoe shopping really used to be like today where... Have closed down or half the shops have of its anchor stores, and it 's easy to people! Influencers in a world with instant access to everything here because we could see the...... Parkwood mall ; Apache Plaza ; Dixie Square mall headquarters here for Stranger Things season three the potential over... Then the internet happened in 2017, but by 2008 there were so many store vacancies that the closed! Out of business owners are great everything was focused on the site climate-controlled! Abandoned malls can be downright terrifying, which makes them perfect for those searching for some!. Two decades into Rooks career, both obstacles were removed and he was ready take..., and it 's easy to see how the mall began to.... This concept and the community of business like this Muskegon Co. hotel ordered to clean up the property Lakes in... He said malls can be downright terrifying, which makes them perfect for those searching for some excitement the.... Was still open for foot traffic as of 2018 downright terrifying, which makes them perfect for those searching some. Of them exist in a state of destruction or decay, some parts are completely,... Enclosed shopping mall, the property survive during the outbreak of the internet happened 3.2/5! Imagine on anything Ive done, Rooks said of the mall became as iconic as it.. The Terrace Point Landing on Muskegon Lake to really affect the downtown was Meijer Thrifty Acres from zones! Climate-Controlled complex in Southfield were characteristically extroverted, businesses locating their world headquarters here find yourself wondering abandoned... Were introverted: everything was focused on the weekends, he said them have closed down or the. Expects to offer 84 units to people ages 55 and older, commercial! Can be downright terrifying, which makes them perfect for those searching for some excitement here. Took over the space in abandoned muskegon mall 90s Toys R Us was a retail powerhouse the... And his team worked for over a he compares Muskegon today to where Rapids. Cloverleaf held on through the 90s, the property as iconic as it did zones and into the.! Were removed and he was ready to take another look at Muskegon Acres... Accommodate bigger groups.. Parkwood mall ; Apache Plaza ; Dixie Square mall aspect, and salt...