RiverTown Crossings

RiverTown Crossings is a large enclosed shopping mall in Grandville, Michigan, and one of the principal retail destinations in West Michigan. The center occupies approximately 116 acres and was designed with about 1.25 million square feet of retail space and capacity for roughly 130 tenants. Its current anchor and major destination businesses include Kohl's, JCPenney, Dick's Sporting Goods, Celebration Cinema, and Soar N Bounce, while former anchor spaces associated with Macy's, Sears, and Younkers have become vacant or entered redevelopment plans. The mall grew out of a lengthy and sometimes contentious planning process. Commercial development on the site was discussed for years after local voters approved rezoning land near Rivertown Parkway and Wilson Avenue in the early 1980s. General Growth Properties acquired much of the relevant property, while Sears subsidiary Homart Development Company separately explored a competing mall proposal near 44th Street and Ivanrest Avenue. Grandville rejected Homart's initial plan in 1991, and General Growth Properties later pursued its own project through negotiations involving Grandville and neighboring Wyoming. The proposal attracted opposition from residents, nearby businesses, Woodland Mall owner Taubman, and critics concerned about traffic, wetlands, drainage, and the scale of additional retail development. Grandville voters ultimately approved the rezoning needed for construction. An amended plan was approved in 1997, reducing the proposed size and establishing the RiverTown Crossings name. Construction began in December of that year and lasted 498 days. The approximately $160 million development used extensive glass, brass, steel, tile, landscaping, and Great Lakes-themed interior imagery. Chicago artist Thomas Melvin created murals for the interior, and the design included a central carousel, a second-floor food court, a large parking area, and a cinema complex. General Growth Properties also experimented with grouping similar and competing retailers in nearby clusters, an arrangement intended to make comparison shopping more convenient and help the mall compete with emerging online commerce. RiverTown Crossings opened on November 3, 1999, with Sears, Hudson's, Kohl's, Younkers, and JCPenney as its original anchors. Barnes & Noble, Pottery Barn, Restoration Hardware, a 20-screen Cinemark theater, a themed restaurant, and a food court broadened the center's appeal. Its opening attracted exceptionally large crowds, with hundreds of thousands of visits recorded or projected during the first days and week. The surrounding area subsequently developed into a major shopping and dining district on the west side of the Grand Rapids region. During the 2000s, the tenant mix changed repeatedly. Galyan's joined the center as a large sporting-goods anchor before becoming part of Dick's Sporting Goods. Hudson's became Marshall Field's and later Macy's. The cinema changed from Cinemark to Celebration Cinema, and several restaurants and specialty retailers opened or closed. The mall also experimented with online couponing and shopping promotion through Mallibu.com, and it briefly housed a NASCAR-themed racing center. General Growth Properties was acquired by Brookfield Property Partners in 2018, transferring the mall into Brookfield's ownership structure. During the Brookfield period, public commentary described limited investment and declining maintenance quality. Younkers closed in 2018 after the bankruptcy and liquidation of its parent company, The Bon-Ton Stores. Sears closed in January 2021, and H&M subsequently occupied a large junior-anchor area. Poag Development Group acquired RiverTown Crossings in August 2024 and announced plans, with JLL involvement, to modernize the property and explore a hotel, additional retail, and residential development. Soar N Bounce opened in the former Younkers space in December 2024. Celebration Cinema began a major renovation in 2025, including upgraded projection, sound, seating, and later a restaurant and bar. Further redevelopment proposals have included demolition of a parking deck, replacement surface parking, a Raising Cane's restaurant, and additional specialty retail. The mall therefore remains an active regional center while transitioning from a traditional department-store-led format toward entertainment, food, recreation, and mixed-use uses.

RiverTown Crossings was developed after more than a decade of land-use negotiations and competing proposals for a major shopping center in Grandville. The site had previously been associated with Shoemaker Airfield, built in the 1960s. In the early 1980s, voters narrowly supported rezoning approximately 100 acres near Rivertown Parkway and Wilson Avenue for commercial use. General Growth Properties acquired roughly 99 acres in 1981, but a separate proposal by Homart Development Company, a Sears subsidiary, became a major part of the planning dispute in the early 1990s. Homart sought approval for a large enclosed mall near 44th Street and Ivanrest Avenue, but Grandville rejected the proposal in 1991. Homart's plans were later weakened by management changes and the eventual sale of the company to General Growth Properties. General Growth revived its own proposal in 1994, although the city initially rejected a 150-store concept. The developer later proposed a public-services and tax-sharing arrangement involving Grandville and Wyoming, then assembled a larger site spanning approximately 138 acres. In 1996, General Growth and Grandville reached an agreement after the developer committed to keeping the mall within Grandville rather than extending it into Wyoming. The project still faced opposition. Residents and businesses raised concerns about drainage, wetlands, traffic, and the effect of a large new center on existing commercial districts. Woodland Mall's owner, Taubman, campaigned against rezoning and spent money on opposition advertising, while General Growth supported the rezoning initiative. Voters ultimately approved the project in 1997, and Woodland Mall responded with a substantial interior renovation. A revised mall plan received approval in May 1997. Construction began on December 6, 1997, and involved approximately 1,000 workers over 498 days. The development cost about $160 million and produced roughly 1.25 million square feet of retail capacity on a 116-acre property. The interior used glass and brass, Great Lakes imagery, a carousel, and murals by Chicago artist Thomas Melvin. The center was also designed around clusters of similar retailers, an early attempt to make competing stores easier to compare at a time when online retail was becoming a more visible threat. The mall opened on November 3, 1999, with five department-store anchors: Sears, Hudson's, Kohl's, Younkers, and JCPenney. Its opening configuration also included Barnes & Noble, Pottery Barn, Restoration Hardware, a 20-screen Cinemark theater, a six-restaurant food court, a carousel, and Kahunaville. The opening drew unusually large crowds despite cold weather, and attendance during the first several days exceeded the developer's expectations. RiverTown's arrival helped transform the surrounding Grandville area into a major retail and restaurant district serving the west side of Grand Rapids and communities toward Holland. The 2000s brought expansion and tenant turnover. Galyan's opened a large sporting-goods store in 2000 and later became Dick's Sporting Goods after an acquisition. Hudson's was renamed Marshall Field's in 2001 and Macy's in 2006. The center introduced Mallibu.com, a shopping and coupon website, in 2000. A NASCAR-themed racing attraction later closed after its operator ceased operations. Restaurants and specialty retailers changed frequently, including the conversion of Tumbleweed into Chili's and the replacement of Kahunaville by other users. The former Cinemark theater became a Celebration Cinema location in 2007. In 2017, Duluth Trading Company opened on the mall property. Brookfield Property Partners acquired General Growth Properties in 2018, and RiverTown Crossings moved into Brookfield's portfolio. Younkers closed in August 2018 following the collapse of The Bon-Ton Stores. Sears announced its closure in 2020 and shut the store in January 2021. H&M subsequently became a junior anchor in a large second-floor space. During the Brookfield ownership period, observers cited insufficient investment and deteriorating maintenance and structural conditions. Poag Development Group acquired the mall in August 2024. The new ownership announced a revitalization program supported by Jones Lang LaSalle, with possible hotel, adjacent retail, and residential components. Soar N Bounce opened in December 2024 in the former Younkers space, reinforcing the property's shift toward entertainment. Celebration Cinema undertook a major two-stage renovation in 2025 and 2026, upgrading screens, sound, seating, décor, and food service. Additional announced or proposed changes include demolition of a parking deck, new surface parking and development parcels, a Raising Cane's restaurant at the former Sears Auto Center, and new specialty-retail occupants. RiverTown Crossings continues to operate as an active regional mall, with its long-term strategy increasingly centered on entertainment, dining, recreation, and redevelopment of former department-store spaces.

• 2025

  Celebration Cinema renovation phase one

  [1]RiverTown Crossingsen.wikipedia.org

  The theater added laser projection, Dolby Atmos sound, heated recliners, and updated public areas.

• 2024

  Poag acquisition and revitalization plan

  [1]RiverTown Crossingsen.wikipedia.org

  Poag Development Group acquired RiverTown Crossings and announced plans for modernization and possible mixed-use additions.

• 2024

  Soar N Bounce opens

  [1]RiverTown Crossingsen.wikipedia.org

  The trampoline and adventure park opened in the former Younkers space.

• 2021

  Sears closes

  [1]RiverTown Crossingsen.wikipedia.org

  The Sears anchor closed on January 24 as part of a national store-closure program.

• 2018

  Brookfield ownership begins

  [1]RiverTown Crossingsen.wikipedia.org

  Brookfield Property Partners acquired General Growth Properties, transferring ownership of the mall.

• 2007

  Celebration Cinema takes over theater

  [1]RiverTown Crossingsen.wikipedia.org

  The former Cinemark movie theater reopened under local operator Celebration Cinema.

• 2000

  Mallibu.com promotion launches

  [1]RiverTown Crossingsen.wikipedia.org

  The center became an early Michigan mall to promote online shopping and coupons through a dedicated website.

• 1999

  Grand opening

  [1]RiverTown Crossingsen.wikipedia.org

  RiverTown Crossings opened on November 3 with five original department-store anchors.

• 1997

  RiverTown Crossings plan approved

  [1]RiverTown Crossingsen.wikipedia.org

  A revised, reduced-size plan was approved and the RiverTown Crossings name was established.

• 1997

  Construction begins

  [1]RiverTown Crossingsen.wikipedia.org

  Groundbreaking took place on December 6 for the enclosed regional mall.

• 1981

  General Growth Properties acquires key site land

  [1]RiverTown Crossingsen.wikipedia.org

  General Growth Properties purchased approximately 99 acres associated with the future mall site.

A large West Michigan enclosed regional mall combining department stores, specialty retail, dining, cinema, family entertainment, and planned mixed-use redevelopment.

• Cinema and entertainment · 1999

  Celebration Cinema RiverTown

  A major movie-theater attraction occupying a prominent portion of the mall. It originated as a 20-screen Cinemark complex and became a Celebration Cinema location in 2007. A renovation program introduced 4K laser projection, Dolby Atmos audio, heated recliner seating, refreshed décor, and a later restaurant and bar concept.

• Family entertainment · 2024

  Soar N Bounce

  A large trampoline and adventure park occupying the upper level of the former Younkers anchor area. It opened in December 2024 and added an activity-based destination intended to increase visits beyond conventional shopping.

• Enclosed regional shopping mall · 1999

  RiverTown Crossings retail center

  The core property is a two-story enclosed mall with department stores, specialty retailers, dining, a food court, a carousel, entertainment venues, and approximately 1.25 million square feet of retail capacity. Its tenant mix has changed substantially as traditional department stores have closed and entertainment uses have expanded.

• 2000Mallibu.com online shopping and coupon promotion

  Michigan

  RiverTown Crossings promoted online shopping and coupons through Mallibu.com, positioning the mall as an early adopter of digital customer engagement in Michigan.

  Outcome. The initiative was an early response to the convenience and competitive pressure of online retail.

  Source

• 2025

  Modernize Celebration CinemaOther

  Background

  The cinema was the last remaining Celebration Cinema location in the Grand Rapids area awaiting renovation.

  Action taken

  Celebration Cinema began a reported $5.8 million renovation in phases, upgrading projection, sound, seating, décor, and food service.

  Aftermath

  The renovated cinema strengthened the mall's entertainment-led positioning and added Oscar's Restaurant & Bar in the second phase.

  renovation investment. 5800000 (2025)

  Source

• 2024

  Poag acquires RiverTown CrossingsM&A

  Background

  Brookfield Properties sold the mall as the property faced vacant department-store spaces and a need for modernization.

  Action taken

  Poag Development Group purchased the center and announced a revitalization effort with Jones Lang LaSalle.

  Aftermath

  Plans included updated facilities, possible hotel and residential development, new retail parcels, and increased entertainment uses.

  Source

• 2018

  Transfer of ownership to BrookfieldM&A

  Background

  General Growth Properties was acquired by Brookfield Property Partners.

  Action taken

  RiverTown Crossings transferred into Brookfield's ownership portfolio.

  Aftermath

  The mall later experienced reported maintenance and investment concerns before being sold to Poag Development Group in 2024.

  Source

• 1997

  Proceed with rezoning and mall constructionStrategy

  Background

  General Growth Properties faced opposition from residents, businesses, and Woodland Mall's owner over the scale and potential effects of the proposed development.

  Action taken

  The developer supported a rezoning initiative and secured voter approval, allowing the revised RiverTown Crossings project to proceed.

  Aftermath

  Construction began later in 1997 and the mall opened in 1999, helping establish a major retail district in western Grandville.

  • Woodland Mall — Taubman opposed the rezoning campaign and later invested heavily in renovating Woodland Mall.

  Source

• 2025

  Celebration Cinema begins RiverTown renovation[1]RiverTown Crossingsen.wikipedia.org

  Campaign · Product generation

  The cinema launched a multimillion-dollar renovation that added laser projection, Dolby Atmos audio, heated recliner seating, refreshed public areas, and later a restaurant and bar.

• 2024

  Poag Development Group acquires RiverTown Crossings[1]RiverTown Crossingsen.wikipedia.org

  M&A

  Poag purchased the mall from Brookfield Properties and outlined plans to modernize the center and investigate hotel, retail, and residential additions.

• 2024

  Soar N Bounce opens at RiverTown Crossings[1]RiverTown Crossingsen.wikipedia.org

  Product launch

  A large trampoline and adventure park opened in the former Younkers upper-level space, adding an entertainment anchor to the mall.

• 2020

  Sears announces closure of RiverTown Crossings store[1]RiverTown Crossingsen.wikipedia.org

  Other

  Sears included the RiverTown Crossings location in a nationwide closure program; the store shut in January 2021.

• 2018

  Younkers to close its RiverTown Crossings location[1]RiverTown Crossingsen.wikipedia.org

  Bankruptcy · Leadership change

  Younkers announced the closure of its RiverTown Crossings store after parent company The Bon-Ton Stores failed to secure a buyer and entered liquidation.

1. 1RiverTown Crossingsen.wikipedia.org