The impending closure of Lakeside Mall on July 1 has sparked a last-minute wave of nostalgic visits as well as an opportunity for the public to own a part of Sterling Heights’ beloved shopping center. Before its final shuttering, plans have been announced for a sale of the mall's remaining furniture, fixtures, and equipment, offering locals a tangible keepsake of the venue's nearly 50 years of service. According to a news release obtained by WWJ Newsradio, the proceeds from the sale will go to a local charity benefitting the Sterling Heights community.
Allison Greenfield of Lionheart Capital expressed, “We have been deeply moved by how much Lakeside Mall has meant to the Sterling Heights community for nearly 50 years," With a commitment to reducing waste, the developers plan to upcycle and reuse materials wherever feasible, including selling off the mall's fixtures and equipment, in line with a statement by Greenfield reported by WWJ Newsradio. However, not everything within the mall's walls is up for grabs — especially large public art pieces are already designated for integration into the future development of the area.
Lakeside's well-known sculptures by Bruce Beasley, Buky Schwartz, and Fletcher Benton will be preserved and featured within Lakeside Town Center, a new mixed-use development to replace the mall. As detailed in a plan shared by CBS News, approximately 30 acres will be dedicated to public spaces incorporating these repurposed sculptures, enhancing the cultural landscape of Sterling Heights and maintaining the artistic legacy of the mall.
As patrons prepare to say their farewells, some, like James Deler, are considering what memento they might take home. “I would probably take a bench honestly… yeah somewhere to sit down. A lot of people have been there and it’s a piece of history from the store, so why not I’ll take a bench,” Deler confessed in an interview with WXYZ.
While the full details on the timing of the sale are to be confirmed later, the community events will be sponsored by Out of the Box Ventures, such as the Sterlingfest from July 25 to 27, and other activities including a "Name Our Bike Path" contest and opportunities for locals to contribute nostalgic images of Lakeside Mall for the new Town Center, as reported by WWJ Newsradio.
Despite the police recently issuing a warning about the theft of plants from the mall's interior, the final goodbye to Lakeside Mall promises to be a more sanctioned affair. Sterling Heights Mayor Michael Taylor praised the developers' engagement with the local community, stating, “They truly understand the emotional connection our community has with Lakeside Mall, and they are taking great care to preserve that legacy while planning for this transformational Lakeside Town Center. Whether it’s in the form of community event support, public engagement on aspects of the development or public art preservation, they have been an exceptional partner in what will be the largest development in our City’s history.” as mentioned in the WWJ Newsradio release. With the mall's last day of operation on June 30, residents are bracing for both the end of an era and the beginning of a new chapter with the forthcoming Lakeside Town Center.
