Meridian Mall
Meridian Mall is a super-regional shopping center in Okemos, Michigan, serving the Greater Lansing area.
Last updated November 4, 2026
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Overview
Meridian Mall is a super-regional enclosed shopping center in Okemos, within Meridian Township, a suburb of Lansing, Michigan. The mall opened to the public on November 6, 1969, at the northwest corner of Grand River Avenue and Marsh Road. It was developed by the M.H. Hausman Company and opened in the same year as Lansing Mall, establishing a long-running competitive relationship between the two principal enclosed malls serving the Lansing metropolitan area. At opening, Meridian Mall was anchored by the Lansing-based J.W. Knapp Company and Woolco, the discount department-store division of F. W. Woolworth Company. Its initial tenant mix also included a four-screen cinema, G. C. Murphy, Cunningham Drug, Hamady supermarket, Schensul’s Cafeteria, and Elias Brothers Big Boy. The property gradually changed from a conventional department-store and grocery-oriented mall into a larger regional shopping and entertainment destination. The former Hamady space became a second four-screen cinema complex in 1976, while the closure of G. C. Murphy in 1979 allowed the mall to create a new cluster of smaller stores known as The Court. The 1980s brought major physical and merchandising changes. After J.W. Knapp entered bankruptcy in 1980, its Meridian Mall store was sold to JCPenney. A 1982 expansion added a Hudson’s department store and a new wing, while the mall itself received upgraded finishes, skylights, seating, planters, and entrance canopies. Woolco’s exit from the market led to the creation of a food court, a Service Merchandise catalog showroom, and additional inline retail space. A further 1987 expansion introduced Mervyn’s and more specialty stores, including Lerner New York, LensCrafters, Babbage’s, Gantos, and County Seat. CBL & Associates Properties, now CBL Properties, acquired Meridian Mall on August 27, 1998. The ownership change preceded a substantial repositioning program. Service Merchandise closed in 1999, and a roughly $20 million renovation began in 2000. The project introduced a two-story Jacobson’s department store, Bed Bath & Beyond, a relocated central food court, new flooring, skylights, seating areas, restrooms, and an expansion of Hudson’s. Hudson’s subsequently became Marshall Field’s and later Macy’s as department-store ownership and naming strategies changed. The mall continued to adapt as traditional department stores and specialty chains changed ownership or failed. Jacobson’s entered bankruptcy in 2002 and was replaced by Younkers in 2003. Galyan’s opened in 2002 and was converted to Dick’s Sporting Goods after Dick’s acquired the chain in 2004. Mervyn’s left Michigan in 2006, while Marshall Field’s was converted to Macy’s the same year. Younkers used both its original location and the former Mervyn’s space in a dual-anchor arrangement before The Bon-Ton’s 2018 bankruptcy closed the chain’s stores. In the 2010s and 2020s, Meridian Mall increasingly combined conventional retail with fitness, leisure, books, food, and entertainment. Studio C! reopened the former peripheral cinema in 2012 with seat-side food and beverage service. H&M, Planet Fitness, Shoe Carnival, Launch Trampoline Park, and High Caliber Karting & Entertainment became important components of the tenant mix. High Caliber expanded from the former Younkers men’s and home location into the former Old Navy space, adding indoor kart racing, axe throwing, bowling, arcade entertainment, food, and beverages. Bed Bath & Beyond closed in 2023 after its parent company’s bankruptcy, and Schuler Books & Music announced plans to relocate into that space. Ashley HomeStore was announced for the former Younkers location and, according to the supplied reference material, opened there on November 8, 2025. The center currently contains approximately 125 stores, a food court, entertainment uses, and a movie-theater operation on its periphery. Listed anchors and major destination tenants include JCPenney, Macy’s, Dick’s Sporting Goods, Schuler Books & Music, Launch Trampoline Park, High Caliber Karting & Entertainment, Ashley HomeStore, H&M, and Planet Fitness. Its long-term positioning is that of a broad regional shopping and entertainment center rather than a narrowly luxury-oriented mall.
History
Meridian Mall was developed by the M.H. Hausman Company and opened on November 6, 1969, in Meridian Charter Township, Michigan. Its location at Grand River Avenue and Marsh Road placed it on the eastern side of the Lansing metropolitan area, opposite Lansing Mall geographically and competitively. The original anchors were J.W. Knapp Company, a Lansing department-store chain, and Woolco, operated by F. W. Woolworth Company. Early supporting tenants included American Multi-Cinema’s Meridian 4, G. C. Murphy, Cunningham Drug, Hamady supermarket, Schensul’s Cafeteria, and Elias Brothers Big Boy. The property began adapting its space during the 1970s. Hamady closed in 1972, and its vacant area was converted into an additional four-screen cinema in 1976. The original and newer theaters became known as Meridian West 4 and Meridian East 4. In 1979, G. C. Murphy closed and its store was divided into a twelve-shop section called The Court. The 1980s produced the mall’s first major expansion cycle. J.W. Knapp entered bankruptcy in 1980, and JCPenney acquired the Knapp stores at Meridian Mall and two other regional malls. A southern wing opened in 1982 with Hudson’s as an anchor. The project also modernized the existing center with new finishes and improved common areas. When Woolworth closed its Woolco division in 1982, Meridian Mall repurposed the space for Service Merchandise, a food court, and additional stores. In 1987, another wing opened with Mervyn’s, bringing new specialty retailers including Lerner New York, LensCrafters, Babbage’s, Gantos, and County Seat. During the 1990s, Meridian Mall faced growing competition from Lansing Mall, which had expanded its own tenant base. The center made selected improvements and added retailers such as Abercrombie & Fitch, Select Comfort, and Kirkland’s. CBL & Associates Properties acquired the mall on August 27, 1998. Following the acquisition, the property added several regional and national tenants, including The Children’s Place, Mrs. Fields, Christopher & Banks, Ann Taylor, and Old Navy. Service Merchandise closed in early 1999, and the mall began a major renovation in 2000. The approximately $20 million program renovated the common areas, moved the food court to the center of the mall, added restrooms and skylights, and created new retail space. A two-story Jacobson’s replaced Service Merchandise, while Bed Bath & Beyond occupied another part of the expanded wing. Hudson’s also received a substantial expansion. The food court reopened in November 2000 with tenants including A&W, Sbarro, Olga’s Kitchen, Panda Express, and Arby’s. The former food-court area was subsequently used by Schuler Books & Music. Galyan’s opened in 2002, and other additions included Suncoast Motion Picture Company, Steve & Barry’s, Hollister, and AT&T Wireless. Both of the original mall cinemas closed around the renovation period. Jacobson’s filed for bankruptcy in 2002. Younkers replaced it in 2003, initially using the former Jacobson’s premises and an adjacent storefront for departments that could not fit in the existing structure. Dick’s Sporting Goods acquired Galyan’s in 2004 and converted the store to the Dick’s brand. Mervyn’s closed its Michigan stores in 2006, and Marshall Field’s became Macy’s that same year. Younkers later expanded into the former Mervyn’s space, creating a two-location department-store arrangement. Steve & Barry’s closed in 2008. The mall’s entertainment and retail mix continued to change in the 2010s. The former peripheral AMC theater closed in 2011 and reopened as Studio C! in 2012, offering food and beverages delivered to theater seats. Planet Fitness and Shoe Carnival opened in 2013, followed by H&M and Gordmans in the subsequent redevelopment cycle. Gordmans closed in 2017 after its parent company entered bankruptcy. Launch Trampoline Park was selected for the former Gordmans space. The Bon-Ton’s 2018 bankruptcy led to liquidation of Younkers, including both Meridian Mall locations. High Caliber Karting & Entertainment later took over the former Younkers men’s and home store and expanded into the former Old Navy space in 2020. JCPenney announced a planned closure in June 2020 as part of a national bankruptcy-related store reduction, but reversed the decision the following month. Bed Bath & Beyond closed in 2023 after its corporate bankruptcy. Schuler Books announced a relocation into the former Bed Bath & Beyond premises in 2024. Ashley HomeStore was announced for the former Younkers space in 2025, with the supplied reference reporting an opening on November 8, 2025. The mall also received national attention after a May 30, 2025, parking-lot shooting outside Dick’s Sporting Goods injured two people and resulted in an arrest. CBL Properties remains the reported owner and manager. The center continues to operate as a regional retail and entertainment property with approximately 125 stores, a food court, destination anchors, and peripheral entertainment uses.
- 2025
Ashley HomeStore opens
[1]The supplied reference material reports that Ashley HomeStore opened in the former Younkers location on November 8, 2025.
- 2023
Bed Bath & Beyond closes
[1]Bed Bath & Beyond vacated its mall location following its parent company’s bankruptcy.
- 2020
High Caliber expands
[1]High Caliber Karting & Entertainment expanded into the former Old Navy space after Old Navy closed.
- 2018
Younkers closes after Bon-Ton bankruptcy
[1]The Bon-Ton bankruptcy led to liquidation of both Younkers locations at the mall.
- 2012
Studio C! opens
[1]The former peripheral cinema reopened as Studio C!, an enhanced theater concept with seat-side food and beverage service.
- 2006
Mervyn’s and Marshall Field’s change
[1]Mervyn’s closed its Michigan stores, while Marshall Field’s was converted to Macy’s.
- 2004
Galyan’s becomes Dick’s Sporting Goods
[1]Dick’s Sporting Goods acquired the Galyan’s chain and converted the Meridian Mall store.
- 2002
Galyan’s opens
[1]Galyan’s entered the mall as a major sporting-goods tenant.
- 2000
Major renovation completed
[1]A major renovation added Jacobson’s and Bed Bath & Beyond, expanded Hudson’s, relocated the food court, and upgraded common areas.
- 1998
CBL acquires the mall
[1]CBL & Associates Properties acquired Meridian Mall on August 27.
Products and positioning
A broad, family-oriented super-regional shopping and entertainment center serving Meridian Township and the Greater Lansing area, with a mix of department stores, specialty retail, dining, fitness, books, home goods, and indoor entertainment.
Retail · 1969
Department-store retail
Meridian Mall has historically relied on large department-store anchors, moving through J.W. Knapp, JCPenney, Hudson’s, Marshall Field’s, Macy’s, Mervyn’s, Jacobson’s, and Younkers. The changing anchor roster reflects broader consolidation and restructuring in American department-store retail.
Retail · 1969
Specialty retail
The center’s inline retail mix includes apparel, accessories, beauty, footwear, books, home goods, sporting goods, and specialty services. Named tenants over time have included H&M, Schuler Books & Music, LensCrafters, Hollister, The Children’s Place, Ann Taylor, Old Navy, and Dick’s Sporting Goods.
Food service · 1969
Food court and dining
Dining has been part of the mall’s proposition since its opening, with early full-service and cafeteria concepts later supplemented by a centrally located food court. Reported food-court tenants have included A&W, Sbarro, Olga’s Kitchen, Panda Express, and Arby’s.
Entertainment · 2019
High Caliber Karting & Entertainment
High Caliber Karting & Entertainment occupies former department-store and specialty-retail space. Its reported offering combines indoor kart racing, axe throwing, bowling, arcade games, a bar, and a restaurant, representing the mall’s shift toward experience-led uses.
Family entertainment · 2018
Launch Trampoline Park
Launch Trampoline Park occupies space formerly used by Gordmans. It adds active family recreation to the mall’s tenant mix and broadens the property beyond conventional shopping.
Cinema · 2012
Studio C!
Studio C! reopened the former peripheral AMC theater in 2012. The concept provides movie screenings with drinks and made-to-order food delivered to patrons’ seats.
Brand decisions
2018
Conversion toward experiential tenantsStrategyBackground
The closure of traditional department-store and specialty-retail operations created large vacant spaces, including after the Bon-Ton bankruptcy.
Action taken
The mall introduced or supported uses such as Launch Trampoline Park and High Caliber Karting & Entertainment, combining retail with active recreation, dining, and entertainment.
Aftermath
The tenant mix became less dependent on conventional department stores and more oriented toward destination experiences.
2004
Galyan’s converted to Dick’s Sporting GoodsGeneration changeBackground
Dick’s Sporting Goods acquired the Galyan’s sporting-goods chain.
Action taken
The Meridian Mall Galyan’s store was rebranded as Dick’s Sporting Goods.
Aftermath
Dick’s remained a major anchor and later became the site area associated with a 2025 parking-lot shooting.
2000
Major repositioning and renovationStrategyBackground
CBL undertook a major renovation after acquiring the property and after Service Merchandise vacated a significant portion of the mall.
Action taken
The mall relocated its food court, improved common areas, added new stores and restrooms, expanded Hudson’s, and introduced a two-story Jacobson’s department store and Bed Bath & Beyond.
Aftermath
The project modernized the center and added larger destination tenants, although Jacobson’s later entered bankruptcy and closed.
Renovation investment. $20 million (2000)
Sources1 sources
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