Livonia Marketplace
Livonia Marketplace is an open-air shopping center in Livonia, Michigan, developed on the former site of Livonia Mall.
Last updated August 26, 2026
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Overview
Livonia Marketplace is an open-air shopping center in Livonia, a suburb of Detroit, Michigan. It opened in 2010 after the demolition and redevelopment of most of the former Livonia Mall, an enclosed shopping mall that had served the area since 1964. The current center is anchored by Walmart and Kohl's, with additional retail, food-service, personal-care, and service tenants operating in a primarily strip-mall configuration. The site's commercial history began before the Marketplace itself. Livonia Mall opened on October 29, 1964, during a period of rapid suburban growth in Metro Detroit. Its original anchors included Kresge and Sears, and the property was developed through a partnership involving George R. Klein, Jack Shenkman, and Schostak Brothers & Co. King and Lewis were the principal architects. The mall occupied land that had previously been zoned for agricultural use; a farmhouse, barn, and other agricultural structures were removed after the Livonia City Council approved commercial rezoning. Livonia Mall was an early enclosed shopping center in Michigan. In its first years it included department stores, grocery stores, professional offices, and a General Cinema theater. The cinema, added in the Crowley's wing in 1965, was described as Michigan's first multiplex. A Hot Sam Pretzels location opened at the mall in 1966, marking an early location for that brand. The property expanded in 1987 with a northern wing anchored by Mervyn's, while Children's Palace was added at the west end in 1989. The enclosed mall weakened in the 2000s as major tenants departed. Mervyn's left Michigan in 2006, and other former anchors included Crowley's, Value City, Sears, and Children's Palace. Konover Properties acquired the mall in 2005, but by 2007 only a small number of national specialty chains remained alongside local businesses. Value City closed in March 2008 after the chain went out of business. The mall shut most operations on May 31, 2008, leaving Sears and Jo-Ann Fabrics as the principal remaining occupants for a time. Demolition began in February 2009 and was completed in August of that year. Redevelopment discussions took place publicly in 2008, with plans shifting toward a more modern open-air retail format and the introduction of a major big-box tenant. Livonia Marketplace opened in mid-2010, with Walmart beginning operations in August of that year. Early tenants also included Great Clips, Verizon, RadioShack, Dots, and Koney Island Inn. Kohl's joined the center in March 2012, becoming its second major anchor. The former Sears store remained on the site until April 2020, when Sears closed as part of a nationwide store-reduction program. The Marketplace is therefore best understood as a redevelopment-era shopping center rather than a conventional standalone retail brand. Its identity is tied to serving the Livonia and wider Metro Detroit market through accessible big-box retail, convenience-oriented services, restaurants, and smaller storefronts. The property remains an active commercial destination, although tenant composition may change over time.
History
Livonia Marketplace occupies a site with a longer retail history than the present open-air center. The property was originally agricultural land. After the Livonia City Council rezoned it for commercial development, a farmhouse, barn, and other agricultural structures were removed to make way for Livonia Mall. Livonia Mall opened on October 29, 1964, as the second shopping mall built in Livonia. Kresge and Sears were its original anchor stores. The project was developed through a joint venture involving George R. Klein, Jack Shenkman, and Schostak Brothers & Co., with King and Lewis serving as primary architects. Its opening reflected the postwar expansion of Detroit's suburbs and the growth of enclosed shopping malls as regional retail destinations. The mall attracted a broad mix of tenants. In addition to department stores, its early facilities included two grocery stores, a doctor's office, and a dentist's office. A General Cinema theater opened in the Crowley's wing in 1965 and was identified as Michigan's first multiplex cinema. In 1966, Julius Young opened the first Hot Sam Pretzels location at the mall. These additions made the property more than a collection of department stores, combining shopping, entertainment, food, and services. The center changed relatively little until the late 1980s. A northern expansion completed in 1987 added a wing terminating in a Mervyn's department store. Children's Palace joined the western end of the mall in 1989. That retailer closed three years later, and its former space was later used as a paintball arena before the attraction also closed. Crowley's was acquired by Value City in 1999, and the Livonia store was operated under the Crowley's Value City name before that branding was eventually removed. By the middle of the 2000s, the enclosed mall faced substantial tenant losses. Mervyn's left Michigan in early 2006, while other former anchors and major tenants included Crowley's or Value City, Sears, and Children's Palace. Konover Properties acquired the mall in 2005. By 2007, the remaining national specialty retailers included Dollar Tree, GameStop, Jo-Ann Fabrics, and Foot Locker, while many other spaces were occupied by local independent businesses. Konover announced possible redevelopment plans in 2007, including the addition of a major big-box retailer and the demolition of much of the existing structure. Value City closed in March 2008 when its parent chain ceased operations. Most of Livonia Mall closed on May 31, 2008, with Sears and Jo-Ann Fabrics among the last occupants connected to the former mall. A public Livonia City Council meeting concerning redevelopment took place in September 2008. Demolition began in February 2009 and concluded in August. The redevelopment replaced the enclosed mall format with an open-air shopping center designed around large standalone or externally accessible stores. Livonia Marketplace opened in mid-2010. Walmart opened in August 2010, accompanied by Great Clips, Verizon, RadioShack, Dots, and Koney Island Inn. Koney Island Inn had a historical connection to the property because the restaurant had originally opened at Livonia Mall in 1965. Kohl's expanded the center's anchor lineup when its store opened in March 2012. The Sears store, a surviving remnant of the former mall-era property, continued operating until 2020. On February 6, 2020, Sears was reported as part of a nationwide closure plan involving 31 stores, and the Livonia location closed in April of that year. The current Livonia Marketplace is consequently the result of a transition from enclosed regional mall to open-air, big-box-oriented shopping center. Its historical significance lies in both phases: Livonia Mall was an early Michigan enclosed mall and a product of Metro Detroit's suburban expansion, while Livonia Marketplace reflects the later preference for accessible strip-center layouts and large-format retail.
- 2020
Sears closes
[1]The Sears store closed in April after being included in a nationwide closure program.
- 2012
Kohl's becomes a second major anchor
[1]Kohl's opened at the center in March.
- 2010
Livonia Marketplace opens
[1]The open-air redevelopment opened, with Walmart beginning operations in August.
- 2009
Mall demolition completed
[1]Demolition of the vacant enclosed mall began in February and was completed in August.
- 2008
Most of Livonia Mall closes
[1]After Value City closed, the enclosed mall shut most operations on May 31, leaving only a limited number of occupants.
- 2005
Konover Properties acquires the mall
[1]Konover Properties acquired Livonia Mall during a period of declining occupancy and redevelopment planning.
- 1989
Children's Palace added
[1]Children's Palace opened at the west end of the mall.
- 1987
Northern mall wing added
[1]A new northern wing was added, ending in a Mervyn's department store.
- 1966
First Hot Sam Pretzels location opens
[1]Julius Young opened the first Hot Sam Pretzels store at Livonia Mall.
- 1965
General Cinema multiplex added
[1]A General Cinema theater opened in the Crowley's wing and was described as Michigan's first multiplex cinema.
Products and positioning
A suburban, convenience-oriented open-air shopping center serving Livonia and Metro Detroit through major anchor stores, everyday merchandise, services, and food outlets.
General merchandise and grocery · 2010
Walmart Supercenter
Walmart is the principal large-format anchor associated with the Marketplace's redevelopment. Its Supercenter format combines general merchandise, household products, apparel, and grocery shopping, giving the center a strong everyday-needs orientation. The store opened in August 2010 as part of the transition from the former enclosed mall to the open-air retail layout.
Department store · 2012
Kohl's
Kohl's is the Marketplace's second major anchor. The department store offers apparel, footwear, accessories, home goods, and related general merchandise. Its opening in March 2012 broadened the center's anchor mix beyond Walmart and helped establish the redeveloped property as a destination for both everyday shopping and department-store purchases.
Personal care · 2010
Great Clips
Great Clips was among the service businesses listed as opening with the Marketplace's initial tenant group in 2010. Its presence illustrates the center's combination of large-format retail with convenience-oriented personal services.
Restaurant · 2010
Koney Island Inn
Koney Island Inn was one of the restaurants associated with the Marketplace's initial opening period. It also connects the open-air center to the site's earlier history, having first opened at Livonia Mall in 1965.
Brand decisions
2010
Open-air Marketplace format launchesStrategyBackground
The former enclosed mall had closed most operations and was being replaced after a period of tenant departures and declining relevance.
Action taken
The property reopened as Livonia Marketplace, an open-air center anchored initially by Walmart and supported by service, restaurant, and specialty retail tenants.
Aftermath
The new format repositioned the site around accessible big-box and convenience-oriented shopping rather than an enclosed regional mall.
2007
Redevelopment planning shifts toward an open-air centerStrategyBackground
The enclosed mall had lost many national tenants, including Mervyn's and Value City, and was operating with substantial vacancy and a smaller local tenant base.
Action taken
Redevelopment plans called for demolishing most of the enclosed mall and introducing a major big-box retailer while retaining portions of the existing property where possible.
Aftermath
The plan led to demolition in 2009 and the opening of Livonia Marketplace in 2010.
Recent events
- 2020
Sears announces closure of its Livonia store[1]
Other
Sears announced that its Livonia location would close as part of a nationwide plan affecting 31 stores. The store closed in April 2020.
- 2012
Kohl's opens at Livonia Marketplace[1]
Product launch
Kohl's opened a department store at the center in March, adding a second major anchor to the redeveloped property.
- 2010
Livonia Marketplace opens after redevelopment of former Livonia Mall site[1]
Other
The former enclosed mall site reopened as an open-air shopping center. Walmart became the principal new anchor, with several service, retail, and restaurant tenants also opening.
Sources1 sources
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