DEAD MALL - Lakeside Mall - Sterling Heights Michigan (CLOSED) | ERA_Productions

Hello everyone! Welcome to the Lakeside Mall in Sterling Heights Michigan, north of Detroit. Opening it's doors in 1976 and being developed by Homart and Taubman, Lakeside Mall saw great success and lead to major growth in the town of Sterling Heights. Lakeside Mall made itself a staple through the 80s and 90s, and even did well through the 2000s. But would start struggling in the 2010s. As major growth happened around Lakeside Mall, competition became fierce. And with many ownership changes going on, stores began to leave Lakeside Mall. In 2018, Sears would close followed by Lord & Taylor in 2019. Today, Lakeside Mall stands with just Macys and JCPenney as anchors, and less than 50% occupancy. As rumors of closure keep circling around for redevelopment, let's take a walk through Lakeside Mall and see how it stands in May 2023!
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Recorded on May 27th, 2023
#deadmall #deadmallkings #exploringretailswithandrew #malltour #lakesidemall #detroit
Copyright 2023 by Exploring Retail’s With Andrew © - Anyone Who Reuploads Or Reuses My Content Without Permission Will Be Claimed and Have There Video Removed.
Disclaimer: We Do Not Condone Of Vandalizing And Committing Of Crimes While Filming These Places. We Just Film Them To Preserve Their History And For The Memories.

[@ERA_Productions]

What are your thoughts on Lakeside Mall, and what do you think it's future holds?

[@ItsaRomeThingEverydayallday]

It feels dead ! The magical vibe that was once the mall is gone forever, from what was once the one stop shopping and place to be , to hang out at on weekends and evenings to meet friends, all of it is gone, and its really quite sad

[@sidali2590]

Used to have a store here. Really sad what this mall has come to

[@Rainbowdragon2]

I went in there in April....I was so depressed walking through it. So many closed stores! Even though people were walking through it, it still felt dead *sighs* even the food court was seemingly closed. I think there was....one food court area open?

[@GhostofSicklesleg]

My wife was the manager at Wilson’s Leather in early 90’s til 95 and became a full time mother. It is sad to see this, but like Thanos stated it’s inevitable! Everyone is at fault for buying into getting everything delivered to the doorstep instead of keeping people employed and stores busy. I always try to go and buy from brink and mortar stores, but I am old school

[@TheRealLink]

Been there a couple times though I'm further west of the city. Both this place and Fairlane were pretty dead in general which is sad to see but times change. I'm surprised Twelve Oaks in Novi is still hanging on seemingly strong but since so many other big malls closed, there aren't that many in general anymore.

[@Chriscraft50]

I went in 1976 and was blown away. Hall rd. was a 2 lane road with farms and very few houses. Lakeside is my first 2 level mall. It had a glass elevator. We lived by Eastland and Macomb malls, so Lakeside was an upscale futuristic place. Time keeps moving.

[@humbleevidenceaccepter7712]

Once a year we would drive down to Lakeside around Christmas, all the way from Sanilac county.

[@Knightmessenger]

Seeing parts of rural America that have been overtaken by suburban sprawl and congested stroads (to use a StrongTowns term) is so depressing.

[@hashslingingdabber123]

Where was the water slide located?

[@hammerheadms]

I remember there was a farm right off M-53 and Hall Rd. That had pumpkins in the fall. Erma's frozen custard had a heavy equipment parked next door, that my brother and I would play on as kids. My alma mater Utica High was up the road. And my Dad used to take me with him to Sears when he needed to replace tools, and we'd always take a walk through the toy aisles to look at GI Joe, Star Wars, and Transformers. Quite a blast from the past, and a ton of nostalgia for me in that town.

[@hammerheadms]

​​​@@hashslingingdabber123not sure what entrance it was at, but if you have ever been to Tilt, the 2 floor arcade, that was what the Hydro Tube became.

[@lotsofthisandthat9791]

Back in 80’s, Christmas time you had to park on the grass that rings the mall parking lot! Absolutely packed! Weird how things change.

[@GEN_X_]

I remember that!

[@desroth]

Lakeside was part of my childhood in Michigan, I grew up in the area, I worked there in highschool, and its been sad watching it slip away. I am only in my early 30s and the nose dive felt like it happened over night for this mall. So while my childhood is dying, including the Toys R Us that went under in Lakeside Circle, at least there is a Total Wine in the bones of that Toys R Us so I can drown my sorrows in copious amount of booze.... So, like, at least I got that going for me...

[@armaundaarmstrong713]

You're too funny. But I feel ya seeing childhood memories disappear. I do like Total Wine & Liquor tho.🤣🤣

[@VirtualVernon]

When I was a kid growing up in the 90s Lakeside Mall was packed along with Oakland Mall, Northland, and Universal Malls which we 4 large malls on the eastern side of the Metro Detroit Area.

[@GEN_X_]

This was my childhood mall of the 1980’s and 1990’s! It was such a busy and fun place to be then. Getting dropped off as a young teen to go play at the arcade or waiting in line for concert tickets from TicketMaster in the mall. So many great memories at Christmas and more! Sad it’s dying : (

[@shawnshawn865]

As I grew up around this mall, it's where I saw my first in theater move there. All those hours looking for school clothes and new shoes. I also saw my favorite hockey player and got an autograph. I also worked at Steve & Berry's for a spell. That children's place is still in its original spot!

[@pcc678]

Lakeside Mall was the place to be when I was in high school. I hung out there a lot in the late '70s and early '80s. Sorry to see it go. It will be closing permanently July 1 2024. I plan to go back one more time in June and take some pics and video.

[@ezjenken]

THIS MALL ALSO HAD A BREAKFAST (big plastic breakfast foods to crawl around on) PLAY PLACE BACK IN THE DAY!!!

[@GEN_X_]

YES

[@user-kp6rx5zw2x]

The plan is a mixed use development that will include condos, apartments, office space, a “Main Street” style shopping area, outdoor recreation spaces and a hotel. It’s slated as a 1 billion dollar development that will take up to 20 years to complete. The big problem, as you mentioned, is all of the shopping options in the area. Partridge Creek now fills the gap left by Lakeside. This shopping concept was done to another mall in nearby Rochester MI. They took an enclosed (1800’s themed?) mall and made it an open air “Main Street” shopping center. Ironically, Rochester already has a thriving, walkable downtown. Go figure. It’s an upscale mall now that does very well. And recently opened a Von Maur in the old anchor store space. Metro Detroit is over saturated with retail and if i had a nickel for every time they announced a “mixed use development” and the land sat vacant, I could build a mixed use development. It doesn’t work. Not here. We are cold and grey for seven months out of the year. Malls made sense in MI. Now, malls and many other brick and mortar retail shops are just places to try out what you’ll buy on line. I see this ending the way so many other ambitious projects, scaled way down or just abandoned. I see a strip mall and housing. The grand plan probably wont come to fruition.

[@m42037]

Strip malls are boring so bland. We're not cold seven months a year I live in Plymouth. It's been warm 2.5 months already and summer just started. Oh go to 12 Oaks Mall or Somerset those malls are doing just fine I was just at 12 Oaks Monday

[@StewieGriffin111]

Definitely not cold 7 months of the year lately is been warm for 7 months of the year

[@beavistechrock]

They had big big plans with summit place too. Far as I know that hasn't gone far. There's plenty of conspiracy theories on that whole deal. I know there was a methadone clinic located around the corner that got shut down right before the sale of the property. It's been 5yrs but I do remember the deal stalling for awhile. Then at the last hour they drag a half dead l Brooks Patterson in his wheelchair out to make the deal happen at the last hour. There was some caveat on the deal that it had to be torn down on a pretty rushed timeline or the sale was null and void.

[@fromplacetoplace2008]

only 4 months of the year

[@keithhyttinen8275]

Yes. $2,800 per month "apartments".

[@gobbletegook]

It amazes me that Sears had a real estate division ( Homart Development Company) that was founded in 1959 just for the purpose of building regional shopping malls for Sears stores to go in. Marshall Fields and Kohls had similar divisions.

[@CatherineGavin-em5jv]

So sad they are taking away a piece of history and a beautiful mega mall in Sterling Hts. I grew up going to this Mall. Great time hanging out with friends or boyfriends shopping, walking, and having dinner. Everything in one big Mall...Lakeside. What a waste tearing it down!!

[@lotsofthisandthat9791]

This makes me sad. First dates at that mall. Hanging with friends. Another part of my childhood gone.

[@jRt51233]

Waterfront Dining- palm and olives, is the amazing intro song you guys 😊

[@theirishman088]

This was the place to be as a kid! It was booming in the 90s. Around christmas time good luck finding a spot to park. Im glad to see spencers is still open after all this time lol. Tilt was awesome for all us kids. The memories of meeting girls from other schools and spending hours on top of hours on the weekend just walking non stop around the mall. Its sad to see what happened to the mall because there are so many memories there.

[@palmchina]

I used to live on the far east side of Detroit and I used to visit Lakeside Mall. It was a beautiful mall with lots of great shopping options. It is amazing to see It now so empty.

[@KatFish682]

33 years ago, 1991, was the last time I was in Lakeside Mall & it was hoppin’! There were stores in every space & customers everywhere. I knew that Lakeside was dying more than 15 years ago, but this is shocking! Fun fact: Malls were started as tax shelters for the uber-rich!🙀💜💋😽

[@brucebraxton7800]

it just brings back memories back in!77 I used to work there hate to see it go.

[@carl16760]

I was 9 years old when Mom and I came here in 1976. The holidays were magical as a kid leaving memories in the heart and brain. The beautiful women that shopped here. absolutely beautiful building. Now Mom and the mall are gone. Things keep changing and I dont like it, maybe because its always for the worst.

[@ozar62]

Lakeside Mall was quite the attraction when it opened. who ever heard of a two story mall with a glass elevator. That's where my friends and I would go to "scope chick"s" lol and go to Friendly's to get a mocha shake. What great memories and an end of an era.

[@armaundaarmstrong713]

I lived in St Clair Shores for over 10 yrs and enjoyed shopping on Hall rd & Lakeside mall. However, now that I shop via the internet & occasionally Somerset mall seeing Lakeside mall looks so dated. Its brings back fond memories of shopping with my Mom when I was in high school. Its sorta sad to know its closing. But mall shopping was never the same once we lost Hudson's.😔❤

[@FrancisJFox]

So many memories… this was my mall… 💕

[@amirharris473]

Actually times have changed, the redevelopment idea is genius. In order to get people, You bring the residential aspect into the picture. Eventually all malls will have to redevelop with this concept.

[@armaundaarmstrong713]

Exactly, that's whats in progress here in Southfield at the old Northland mall site which was a ghost town for yrs. It'll be done soon. And, its really gonna be awesome!

[@docbojoc1466]

I saw this concept when I went back to Manila a few years ago. They built a mall attached and surrounded by condo units. An awesome idea. They can do their shopping, grocery, dining, movie theaters, medical clinics even a small church. Everything literally right at their footsteps.

[@BrandonToy]

Such a nice building

[@DavidLeBlanc]

I remember when Lakeside was a shiny new mall and if I recall correctly, the land it was on was mostly owned by farmers raising vegetable for the local area. That's gone for good. Looks a lot like Fairlane Mall in Dearborn. I think that mall in still in business, but only just barely.

[@jimsteele9261]

I was at Lakeside, and it's sister, Fairlane on opening day. There was an ice rink and a lake - built to justify the name I suppose. :-) But at my age, although I'd rather shop at brick & mortar stores, I'm just not up for the trudge through a huge mall. I tend to go to stand-alone businesses. A pity really, I once thought malls were going to be an alternate downtown for the frozen north.

[@NorthCdogg22]

Nice video man!

[@ERA_Productions]

Thanks!

[@kimcat7320]

I remember when Sterling Heights was in the middle of nowhere and they were building Lakeside Mall. I did a lot of shopping at that mall!

[@sidali2590]

Remember this mall used to be active and populated during the 2010's so unfortunate all these stores are closing

[@TK-ri7pl]

Amazon killed the mall star

[@hammerheadms]

My wife used to work at that Lord And Taylor over a decade ago. She said that escalator hasn't been fixed since she left.

[@ene-ida9031]

Great video!!!

[@CEO_Turtle]

Keep up the great work!

[@ERA_Productions]

Thanks you!

[@Bryan-qy2ux]

Looks like a nice mall! Sad they're closing so many.

[@EyeForKnowledge.]

Anyone old enough to remember the hydro tube? The big green water slide that ran through lakeside in the early 80’s?

[@tonygodlewski587]

Old enough to remember the ice rink that was there before the hydrotube.

[@Desttro73]

@@tonygodlewski587 Same here.

[@paulkelly5035]

That whole section of the mall smelled like chlorine when the Hydrotubes was there.

[@EyeForKnowledge.]

@@paulkelly5035 I was around 6 or 7. I don’t remember much about it. It was green wasn’t it? I wish there were some pictures of it somewhere. I have never been able to find any.

[@EyeForKnowledge.]

@@tonygodlewski587 What year was that? Definitely before my time.

[@davidphillips7321]

This is What Happens when You Allow Mall Management - to Keep Jacking Up the Cost of Lease's in the Mall...

[@jaysmokey]

? That has little to do with it. Internet has much more to do with it.

[@mortb9]

This makes me so sad. I grew up in this mall. I haven't walked though in years. I'm hoping to go back one more time before they fire up the bulldozers.

[@mergat2970]

I believe they plan on closing sometime in late 2024, so you still have some time

[@goblue193]

They’re closing July 1st if you haven’t been yet

[@maxdugan211]

I hated going down Hall road. I ended up going to Macomb Mall in Roseville.

[@maxdugan211]

They will start on the makeover soon. The last anchor stores leases ran out.

[@tiorontoron7531]

these spaces are so special, and we're going to lose them forever

[@004Black]

Back in 1976 we waited in eager anticipation for Lakeside to open. When it finally did, I skipped school along with a couple close friends and went there. We went to Servite, a co-ed Catholic high school in Detroit. It was ruled with an iron-fisted nun which made it a capital crime for truancy. Nonetheless, we risked our lives and went to Lakeside. We got caught and received one week of detention each.

[@billsoltys7611]

I went to St John Berchman, which was the grade school, back in the 60s. My older sisters went to Servite. Yes, the nuns were very strict. My family moved out of the area in 1970, north, not too far from where Lake Side Mall is. The school/church has been gone for quite a while, and the mall will soon be gone, too

[@yoyo762]

You bad boy. To think these days that would be a ignore list offense. Threats to the school, real violence and drug selling might cause a bit of a issue for schools now.

[@bobbydslakesideraceway1849]

I bought my Pink Floyd tickets there, midnight movies and the best ice cream. Damn !

[@ezjenken]

Oh heck yeah my childhood mall, locally we call that golden ring in the beginning of your video "the golden butthole"

[@toddcook7759]

Detroit way. Plans redevelopment but abandon lot for decades is likely

[@maxdugan211]

They have plans for redevelopment but have been held up by the last two stores.

[@joechapman7512]

We practically lived there on the weekend's, i miss the ice skating rink most

[@bunbun8001]

The Lakeside Mall is where Al Bundy worked.

[@Knightmessenger]

Wow I had no idea it was closing. It seemed to be doing fine just a few years ago.

[@mandy66061]

They do fix the glass elevator faster than 2 years and the escalators always brake even after fixing them

[@toddcook7759]

Looks like twelve oaks mall before they remodeled it in late 90s

[@m42037]

12 Oaks Mall is fine I was just there and Somerset Mall not all malls in Michigan are doomed

[@fromplacetoplace2008]

same taubman builder

[@MrSovr]

I grew up going to this mall, it's sad.

[@coreycoyle9548]

Great Video!!! I like the fountains!!!! F+L, Corey

[@riggedreality420]

Is sad what happened to the Malls all around America

[@danprovost7089]

I hope that they don’t let happen here what has happened to so many others. I hope they follow through.

[@ericaeason3771]

i love the video and the music

[@schonkable]

What a shame to see this mall close. I visited it a bit in the early 2000's when it was thriving. I even remember it having a Banana Republic. However, nothing lasts forever.....

[@little.zayzay]

What the song ❤

[@hashslingingdabber123]

Where was the waterslide located?

[@CrystalHickerson]

It's closing July 1, 2024. It will be demolished and new shopping center areas in its place. Sad but so true.

[@aurorazoe6011]

Sad to see it go.

[@paulvalentine1483]

This is where I met my current wife of 20 years.

[@HecklesTheClown]

i went here a week ago Champs rue21 LA7 and childrens place are closing

[@m42037]

I live in SE Michigan and the area near this mall evidently isn't doing well like the area near "Westland Mall" both these malls are toast because of it. Now drive to Novi Michigan snd go to 12 Oaks Mall or Somerset Mall these malls are going just fine. We lost most of our malls like the drive-in. Now over the border to Ohio or Indiana there's a lot of drive-ins and probably many malls

[@ene-ida9031]

Heard it’s official, I go to this massage place there and they aren’t renewing their yearly contract for 2024.

[@iowsportsnetwork4035]

I used to work the Marshall Field women’s shoe department

[@PhantasyStarved]

does anyone around town have a recommendation for a local anime merchandise store to support now that Anime GT Lakeside closed

[@Knightmessenger]

Does retro Taku in Madison heights sell anime stuff? I feel like they would know.

[@verymeanthoughts]

There's some new anime vending machine place in Oakland mall

[@Artorius19631]

Another retail casualty. Thanks a lot Brandon.

[@maynardjohnson3313]

What does Dark Brandon have to do with anything?

[@maynardjohnson3313]

I'd rather blame unfettered capitalism for the knock down.

[@joestocking]

Amazon too!

[@m42037]

Not all malls in Michigan are doomed. 12 Oaks Mall is fine and Somerset Mall is fine and Great Lakes mall

[@naser8839]

Lakeside used to be where it was at…. It’s not the area.. it’s retail is dying.

[@tripyramidpictures9224]

The music that’s playing in the mall sounds good. Too bad its all muffled

[@jeffherrington]

Haha it's not actually playing in the mall but just for the video.

[@tripyramidpictures9224]

The music tth

[@yoyo762]

Its simple. Retail is just glutted. WAAAAY to much footage for a finite amount of retail demand.

[@JM811Cars]

Partridge Creek was the ultimate demise of this mall. Taubman also built the Mall at Partridge Creek, after he lost his 50% in Lakeside in 2000. Almost seems to me like he built it to kill Lakeside. Foot traffic dropped immediately after Partridge Creek opened. Stores were pulling out of the dated Lakeside Mall and moving to the brand new outdoor mall 2 miles away. This is what inspired the late 2000s rennovations at Lakeside. At that point however, it was already too late.

[@lbputzer]

With the closing of Lakeside, Partridge Creek's only hope for survival is some area "mall consolidation", as they have problems of their own. This includes two hulking retail carcasses, (former Nordstrom & Carson's) sitting vacant for several years now with little prospect of new tenants. They have also apparently abandoned the idea of marketing the center as an Eastside "upscale shopping" alternative to Somerset. While that concept was doomed from its inception, it is currently coming into full fruition with the desperation of (soon-to-open) "Spencer Gifts" along with "Auntie Anne's Pretzels", "Claire's", and other retailers that are clearly a Hail Mary attempt to attract what little was left of the Lakeside patrons in order to keep the place open.

[@JM811Cars]

@@lbputzer Dicks Sporting Goods/House of Sports is opening in the old Nordstrom. A Power House Gym in the old Carsons, which is set to he the largest powerhouse in the world, with 120,000 square feet of space. Set to open 2025 I believe.

[@candacedolan4857]

It's heartbreaking to see millions of dollars and beautiful architecture being left with pretty much empty aisles abd stires. Thanks is large part to the government shutdown and the global reset. Some is also due to customer's new reliance on online shopping. Very sad.

[@ERA_Productions]

Agreed. It really sucks seeing these architectural gems go to waste. :(

[@evacody1249]

government shut down and not hurt the Mall it was dying long before that.

[@brucebeamon5460]

I have NO sympathy for any of what these malls are going though …. Even though I’m old enough to remember shopping DOWNTOWN when JL Hudson’s was there I feel they DELIBERATELY opened these with the intent to do what happened to shopping DOWNTOWN but because we lived in northwest Detroit ( University District ) Northland mall was my choice… for many years , then I switched to Oakland mall … Now it’s a VERY RARE occasion that I even go there it wasn’t an enjoyable experience shopping at Macys for furniture the selection was sparse and you must have it delivered because it’s basically just a place to see what offerings they have , everything is at a warehouse 😒

[@m42037]

Go to 12 Oaks Mall or Somerset Mall these malls are absolutely fine

[@joestocking]

You mean Macomb Mall (MA Comb)

[@leemelone6482]

Looks ripe for the picking by thug Detroit natives

[@querellenono2683]

This place just as desolate as Westland Mall

[@m42037]

Not 12 Oaks Mall it's fine and Great Lakes mall and Somerset Mall is fine. It's the neighborhoods