North Kent Mall
North Kent Mall was an enclosed shopping mall in Northview, Michigan, that operated from 1970 until its closure and demolition in 2001.
Last updated November 4, 2026
AI crawler reads
No AI crawler has read this profile since Oct 28, 2026.
Overview
North Kent Mall was a former enclosed shopping mall on Plainfield Avenue in Northview, Michigan, north of Grand Rapids. Developed by Detroit-based Forbes-Cohen, now known as Forbes Company, the mall was conceived as a roughly 250,000-square-foot retail complex serving the northeastern Grand Rapids area. Its original plan called for approximately 65 stores positioned between two anchor retailers: Montgomery Ward and Wurzburg's, a Grand Rapids-based department-store chain. Construction required clearing approximately 70 acres, and the development was presented as a sister project to Lansing Mall, which Forbes-Cohen had opened in 1969. Wurzburg's began operating on August 13, 1970, followed by the mall's formal grand opening on September 24. The opening ceremony included a ribbon cutting hosted by Gerald Ford, then a member of the United States House of Representatives. About 40 stores were operating on opening day, including Baskin-Robbins, Hallmark Cards, Kinney Shoes, Orange Julius, Spencer Gifts, and Waldenbooks. The mall later served a combination of national chains, local merchants, apparel stores, specialty retailers, food outlets, and entertainment businesses. The center experienced early anchor instability. Wurzburg's closed its North Kent location in 1973 amid recessionary conditions and over-expansion by the chain, then reopened in 1974 after a financial reorganization and ownership change. The store closed again by the end of 1977, becoming the last Wurzburg's location to cease operations. Kmart replaced it in February 1978. During the 1980s, North Kent Mall remained a significant local retail destination. Its tenth-anniversary program in 1980 used a country-music theme and included a concert, farmers' market, fashion show, and customer promotions. At that time, the mall contained about 50 stores, with a mixture of local or regional businesses and national chains. Its reported size reached approximately 587,000 square feet by 1989, although later descriptions of the original development cite a smaller initial retail footprint. Ownership and management changed repeatedly. Forbes-Cohen sold the property in 1984 to Ramco-Gershenson Properties, while a partnership of local investors retained ownership at that time and Ramco-Gershenson managed the center. The mall competed with other Grand Rapids-area shopping centers through tenant variety and recurring events, including boat and recreational-vehicle displays. In the 1990s, however, vacancies increased. Store closures, the early-1990s recession, competition from newer retail areas, the closure of a nearby Grand River bridge, and uncertainty surrounding ownership and redevelopment plans all weakened the property. The North Kent Mall Limited Partnership filed for bankruptcy protection in 1992 to restructure debt and fund a proposed remodeling. It exited bankruptcy in 1993, after which Balcor assumed ownership and Schostak took over management in 1994. Several redevelopment concepts were considered during the late 1990s. CB Richard Ellis proposed a renovation that would have renamed the property Northfield, added a third anchor, and introduced larger-format retailers. Those plans were not implemented. By 2000, the mall was approximately 30 percent occupied. Jupiter Development, in partnership with Lormax Stern, acquired North Kent Mall and Eastbrook Mall that year. Instead of renovating North Kent Mall as an enclosed center, the new owners chose to replace it with a power-center format anchored by Lowe's. The mall closed in May 2001, and demolition followed. Montgomery Ward also closed around this period as the chain went out of business, while Kmart remained temporarily after the mall structure was removed. Lowe's opened on the former mall site in 2002. Portions of the former Montgomery Ward building were subsequently occupied by Dunham's Sports and Dollar Tree, with the remaining space later used by Family Farm and Home. Kmart operated until 2016, and its former space was eventually converted to Devon Self Storage. As of 2025, the former North Kent Mall site is owned by Lormax Stern and operates as a retail and service power center rather than as a mall. The surviving tenants identified in the available historical material are Lowe's, Dunham's Sports, Dollar Tree, Family Farm and Home, and Devon Self Storage.
History
North Kent Mall was planned by Forbes-Cohen in 1969 for a site on Plainfield Avenue in Northview, on the northeastern side of the Grand Rapids metropolitan area. The developer envisioned an enclosed mall of approximately 250,000 square feet with around 65 tenants and two major anchors, Montgomery Ward and Wurzburg's. The project required clearing about 70 acres and was promoted as a companion to Lansing Mall, another Forbes-Cohen development. Wurzburg's opened on August 13, 1970, and the balance of the mall opened on September 24. Gerald Ford, then serving in the U.S. House of Representatives, participated in the ribbon-cutting ceremony. The original tenant mix included department-store merchandise, apparel, shoes, books, gifts, food, and specialty retail. Wurzburg's closed in 1973 during a period of recession and chain over-expansion, reopened in 1974 after a financial reorganization, and closed permanently by the end of 1977. Kmart took over the space in February 1978. The property remained active through the 1980s. Its tenth-anniversary celebration in October 1980 used a country-music theme and included live entertainment, a farmers' market, a mall-wide fashion show, and promotional activities. The center had approximately 50 stores at that point, divided between local or regional operators and national chains. Forbes-Cohen sold the mall in 1984 to Ramco-Gershenson Properties, which managed it for a local ownership partnership. In 1989, the mall was reported to measure approximately 587,000 square feet. The mall's fortunes deteriorated in the 1990s. Several retailers closed as chains retrenched, leases expired, or management sought to replace tenants and attract a possible third anchor. The early-1990s recession, nearby retail development, the closure of a bridge over the Grand River, and concerns about the ownership partnership's financial position contributed to weakening traffic and occupancy. The North Kent Mall Limited Partnership filed for bankruptcy in June 1992 and exited restructuring in 1993. Balcor assumed ownership as part of the reorganization, while Schostak became manager in 1994. By the late 1990s, reports described uncertainty among tenants about who owned the property. Isle of Skye acquired the mall in late 1998, and CB Richard Ellis replaced Schostak as manager. CB Richard Ellis proposed a substantial renovation in 1999, including a Northfield name, a third anchor, and big-box retail additions. No meaningful construction began before Jupiter Development pursued the property. Jupiter, working with Lormax Stern, acquired North Kent Mall in 2000 and initially discussed renovations. Later that year, Lormax Stern announced a different approach: demolition of the enclosed mall and construction of a Lowe's-centered power center. The mall closed in May 2001. Montgomery Ward closed around the same period as its parent chain failed, while Kmart remained temporarily after the enclosed structure was removed. Lowe's opened in 2002. Former anchor-related space was reused by Dunham's Sports, Dollar Tree, and later Family Farm and Home. Kmart closed in 2016, and the former Kmart space subsequently became Devon Self Storage. By 2025, the property was owned by Lormax Stern and operated as a collection of large-format retail and service tenants, including Lowe's, Dunham's Sports, Dollar Tree, Family Farm and Home, and Devon Self Storage. North Kent Mall therefore survives as a historical retail identity and former property name rather than an operating enclosed shopping mall.
- 2016
Kmart closes
[1]Kmart closed its remaining store on the former North Kent Mall property.
- 2002
Lowe's opens
[1]The replacement Lowe's store opened on the former mall site.
- 2001
Closure and demolition
[1]North Kent Mall closed in May and was demolished soon afterward.
- 2000
Jupiter Development and Lormax Stern acquire the property
[1]The partners acquired North Kent Mall and later selected demolition and power-center redevelopment over enclosed-mall renovation.
- 1998
Isle of Skye acquires the mall
[1]The property was sold to Isle of Skye, which hired CB Richard Ellis for management.
- 1994
Balcor ownership and Schostak management
[1]Balcor assumed ownership after the bankruptcy restructuring, and Schostak became the mall's manager.
- 1992
Ownership partnership files for bankruptcy
[1]The North Kent Mall Limited Partnership sought bankruptcy protection to restructure debt and support remodeling.
- 1984
Ownership changes to Ramco-Gershenson management
[1]Forbes-Cohen sold the property to Ramco-Gershenson Properties, which became manager.
- 1980
Tenth-anniversary celebration
[1]The mall marked its tenth anniversary with country-music events, a farmers' market, a fashion show, and customer promotions.
- 1978
Kmart opens in former Wurzburg's space
[1]Kmart opened in the former Wurzburg's anchor location after the department-store chain's final closure.
Products and positioning
A suburban community shopping mall serving the northeastern Grand Rapids area, later redeveloped as a convenience-oriented power center after declining occupancy made the enclosed-mall format unsustainable.
Shopping mall · 1970
Enclosed shopping mall
North Kent Mall's principal offering was a suburban enclosed retail environment containing department-store anchors, specialty shops, apparel and footwear retailers, book and gift stores, food outlets, and services. At its peak, the center provided a multi-tenant shopping destination for communities north and northeast of Grand Rapids.
Retail property · 2002
Retail and service power center
After demolition of the mall, the site was repositioned as a power center focused on larger-format retail and service uses. The replacement tenant mix included Lowe's, Dunham's Sports, Dollar Tree, Family Farm and Home, and Devon Self Storage, reflecting a shift from enclosed comparison shopping toward destination and convenience-oriented retail.
Marketing campaigns
- 1980Tenth-anniversary country-music celebration
Northview, Michigan · Grand Rapids area
North Kent Mall marked its tenth anniversary with a month-long country-themed program involving a concert, farmers' market, Western-style fashion show, free music albums, and mystery-shopper promotions.
Outcome. The program reinforced the mall's role as a community event venue and highlighted its mix of local, regional, and national tenants.
- 1980Boat and recreational-vehicle displays
Grand Rapids area
The mall used recurring displays of boats and recreational vehicles as attractions intended to generate visits beyond ordinary retail shopping.
Outcome. The displays were cited as part of the event-based strategy used to compete with other Grand Rapids-area malls.
Brand decisions
2000
Conversion from enclosed mall to power centerStrategyBackground
By 2000, occupancy had fallen to about 30 percent, and an attempted renovation did not proceed.
Action taken
Jupiter Development and Lormax Stern chose to demolish the enclosed mall and develop a Lowe's-centered power-center format.
Aftermath
The mall closed in 2001, Lowe's opened in 2002, and other former anchor spaces were reused for large-format retail and storage.
1999
Proposed Northfield renovationStrategyBackground
CB Richard Ellis sought to reposition the underperforming property through a new identity, additional anchors, and larger-format retail.
Action taken
The manager announced plans to rename the mall Northfield, add a third anchor, and introduce big-box stores.
Aftermath
The plan was canceled before substantial work began, and later owners selected demolition and replacement with a power center.
1992
Debt restructuring through bankruptcyOtherBackground
Declining occupancy, recessionary conditions, tenant closures, and the cost of proposed improvements placed pressure on the ownership partnership.
Action taken
North Kent Mall Limited Partnership filed for bankruptcy protection and pursued restructuring intended to address debt and provide funds for remodeling.
Aftermath
The partnership exited bankruptcy in 1993. Balcor assumed ownership and Schostak later became manager, but the mall continued to lose tenants during the decade.
Recent events
- 2016
Kmart location at former North Kent Mall closes[1]
Other
The Kmart store that had replaced Wurzburg's closed after operating on the former mall property for decades.
- 2002
Lowe's opens on the former mall site[1]
Product launch
A Lowe's home-improvement store opened as the principal replacement for the demolished mall.
- 2001
North Kent Mall closes and is demolished[1]
Other
The mall closed in May 2001 and demolition began soon afterward. The redevelopment preserved or reused portions of former anchor locations while replacing the enclosed center.
- 2000
Lormax Stern partnership plans mall demolition[1]
M&A
Jupiter Development and Lormax Stern acquired North Kent Mall and announced that the enclosed mall would be replaced by a Lowe's-centered power-center development.
- 1999
Redevelopment proposal would rename mall Northfield[1]
Other
CB Richard Ellis announced plans for renovation, a possible third anchor, additional big-box stores, and a proposed Northfield name. The plans were not carried out.
- 1992
Mall ownership restructures through bankruptcy[1]
Bankruptcy
North Kent Mall Limited Partnership filed for bankruptcy protection to restructure debt and support proposed remodeling work. The partnership exited bankruptcy in 1993, with Balcor subsequently taking ownership and Schostak assuming management.
- 1984
Forbes-Cohen sells North Kent Mall[1]
M&A
Forbes-Cohen sold the property to Ramco-Gershenson Properties, which became its manager while a local investor partnership retained ownership at the time.
- 1978
Kmart replaces Wurzburg's as an anchor[1]
Other
After Wurzburg's closed for the second and final time, Kmart opened in its former anchor location.
- 1970
North Kent Mall opens after Wurzburg's launch[1]
Other
The mall formally opened in September 1970 after Wurzburg's began trading in August. The opening included a ceremony hosted by Gerald Ford and initially featured approximately 40 operating stores.
Sources1 sources
Cite this profile: Cite the canonical profile. /brand-wiki/north-kent-mall · Editorial policy · How profiles are compiled