Rogers Plaza
Rogers Plaza is an enclosed shopping mall and retail center in Wyoming, Michigan, serving the Grand Rapids metropolitan area.
Last updated August 26, 2026
AI crawler reads
No AI crawler has read this profile since Oct 28, 2026.
Overview
Rogers Plaza, also known as Rogers Plaza Town Center, is an enclosed shopping mall in Wyoming, Michigan, a suburb of Grand Rapids. It opened in 1961 after construction began in 1960 and is recognized as the first shopping mall in Western Michigan and the first enclosed shopping mall in the state. The property was developed as a neighborhood-oriented retail center serving residents along the 28th Street commercial corridor. The original tenant mix combined variety stores, supermarkets, drugstores, and a department store. Early occupants included S. S. Kresge, W. T. Grant, Kroger, A&P, Cunningham Drug, and Montgomery Ward. A nearby project, Southland Plaza—later known as Wyoming Village Mall—opened in 1961 with Wurzburg's as an anchor. Rogers Plaza initially had difficulty securing a major eastern department-store tenant, but a Turn Style discount store eventually opened there in 1971. The Turn Style tenancy became the subject of litigation involving Kresge. The center also contained a lower-level community space reached by a spiral staircase at the south entrance. Vega Dance Studio began operating there in January 1963. The basement community center was closed as leasable space during the 1980s and later served utility and storm-shelter functions. During the late 1980s, Stannard's Music helped introduce local consumers to MIDI technology through public seminars, reflecting the mall's role as more than a conventional retail destination. Rogers Plaza experienced increasing competitive pressure in the 1990s. Its eastern anchor changed to Best Products, and the mall organized community-oriented events such as a Halloween Haunted Hotel fundraiser benefiting Easter Seals in 1990 and 1991. A 1991 fire at the Best store caused three people to be hospitalized for smoke inhalation. Other changes included the arrival of OfficeMax in 1994, the closure of the Gantos boutique, and the opening of a United States Postal Service retail location in 1998. The property reported approximately 30 retail stores in 1999, although the opening of Rivertown Crossings Mall in Grandville diverted some trade. The mall entered a major transition around the turn of the century. Montgomery Ward closed in December 2000, eliminating approximately 140 jobs, and the property changed ownership in May of that year. A 14-month renovation completed in 2001–2002 demolished the vacant Montgomery Ward building and replaced it with a Family Fare supermarket and an A. J. Wright discount store. A proposed city redevelopment plan would have connected Rogers Plaza with Wyoming Village Mall and the Studio 28 area through a new street lined with businesses and apartments, but the plan was not implemented after the neighboring mall's owners objected to the proposed demolition. Tenant changes continued through the 2010s. A. J. Wright closed in February 2011 and was replaced by CW Price later that year. Sun Valley Ltd. acquired the mall in June 2012. At that time, major tenants included Big Lots, Harbor Freight Tools, Citi Trends, and OfficeMax. Family Fare closed in June 2019, and OfficeMax also departed soon afterward; AutoZone subsequently occupied the former OfficeMax space. In 2022, Sun Valley Ltd. ended its operations and was merged with Spigel Properties, Inc., which became the property's current owner according to the cited reference material. By September 2023, the mall was reported to be approximately 85 percent occupied. Its tenant and service mix included Ross Dress for Less, AutoZone, Planet Fitness, Harbor Freight Tools, Ollie's Bargain Outlet, CitiTrends, the United States Post Office, Secretary of State offices, and other businesses. Ross Dress for Less opened in summer 2023. Rogers Plaza also remains connected to the annual 28th Street Metro Cruise, whose events use the mall's main parking lot near the end of August. The center therefore functions as a local retail, services, and community-events property rather than as a branded consumer-goods company.
History
Rogers Plaza was built in 1960 and opened in 1961 in Wyoming, Michigan. Its launch made it the first shopping mall in Western Michigan and the first enclosed mall in Michigan. The original center was designed around a broad everyday-shopping tenant mix, including S. S. Kresge and W. T. Grant variety stores, Kroger and A&P supermarkets, Cunningham Drug, and Montgomery Ward. Southland Plaza, an adjacent development later called Wyoming Village Mall, opened the following year with Wurzburg's as a department-store anchor. The center's early history included both retail experimentation and community uses. Developers initially struggled to secure a department store for the eastern end, but Turn Style eventually opened there in 1971. Kresge brought a lawsuit connected with that store. A basement community center, accessible from the south entrance by a spiral staircase, housed Vega Dance Studio beginning January 7, 1963. The area was closed to leasing in the 1980s and later retained mainly for utilities and storm-shelter capacity. During the late 1980s, Stannard's Music offered seminars introducing shoppers to MIDI capabilities. By the 1990s, Rogers Plaza faced difficulty maintaining its earlier commercial momentum. Best Products occupied the eastern anchor in 1990, and the mall hosted a Haunted Hotel fundraiser for Easter Seals in 1990 and 1991. A fire at the Best store in 1991 caused three smoke-inhalation hospitalizations. OfficeMax arrived in 1994, replacing Bargain Books in a larger space, while Gantos closed. A postal service location opened in 1998. The property had around 30 retail stores in 1999, but the opening of Rivertown Crossings Mall in Grandville drew away part of its customer base. Montgomery Ward closed in December 2000, affecting approximately 140 employees. The property was sold in May 2000 and then underwent a 14-month renovation during 2001 and 2002. The redevelopment removed the former Montgomery Ward building and brought in Family Fare and A. J. Wright. Wyoming also proposed a larger urban-design project in 2002: a street would have run west from Rogers Plaza through Wyoming Village Mall toward Studio 28, with new businesses and apartments along the route. The plan did not proceed because the neighboring mall's ownership opposed the required demolition. A. J. Wright closed in February 2011 and the space became CW Price in August of that year. Sun Valley Ltd. purchased Rogers Plaza in June 2012. Big Lots, Harbor Freight Tools, Citi Trends, and OfficeMax were among the significant tenants during that period. Family Fare closed in June 2019, with the space expected to be auctioned, and OfficeMax left soon afterward. AutoZone subsequently moved into the former OfficeMax space. In 2022, Sun Valley Ltd. ended its operations and merged with Spigel Properties, Inc. By September 2023, the center was reported as approximately 85 percent occupied, despite the closure of Kings Room barbershop. Ross Dress for Less opened during summer 2023. The mall's contemporary mix combines off-price retail, home improvement, automotive, fitness, postal, and government services. Rogers Plaza also remains a recurring venue associated with the 28th Street Metro Cruise, which uses the main parking lot for its late-August event. Its continuing role is primarily local and service-oriented, with historical importance as an early enclosed shopping mall in Michigan.
- 2023
Ross Dress for Less opens
[1]Ross Dress for Less opens at the center during summer, strengthening the mall's off-price retail offering.
- 2022
Spigel Properties becomes owner
[1]Sun Valley Ltd. ends operations and merges with Spigel Properties, Inc.
- 2019
Family Fare and OfficeMax leave
[1]Family Fare closes in June and OfficeMax departs soon afterward; AutoZone later takes over the former OfficeMax premises.
- 2012
Sun Valley Ltd. purchases the mall
[1]Sun Valley Ltd. acquires Rogers Plaza in June.
- 2011
A. J. Wright is replaced
[1]A. J. Wright closes in February, and the space becomes CW Price in August.
- 2002
Family Fare and A. J. Wright replace Montgomery Ward
[1]The renovation program is completed with a Family Fare supermarket and A. J. Wright discount store replacing the former department-store building.
- 2001
Redevelopment begins
[1]A 14-month renovation project begins, including the removal of the former Montgomery Ward building.
- 2000
Ownership changes and Montgomery Ward closes
[1]The property is sold in May, and Montgomery Ward closes in December with approximately 140 employees losing their jobs.
- 1998
Postal service location opens
[1]A United States Postal Service retail location opens inside the center.
- 1991
Best Products fire
[1]A fire at the Best Products store results in three people being hospitalized for smoke inhalation.
Products and positioning
A community-oriented enclosed shopping center serving everyday retail, discount shopping, services, and regional events in Wyoming and the broader Grand Rapids area.
Off-price apparel and general merchandise · 2023
Ross Dress for Less
Ross Dress for Less is an off-price retailer offering discounted apparel, footwear, accessories, home goods, and related merchandise. Its opening at Rogers Plaza in summer 2023 added a nationally recognized value-oriented tenant to the center's current mix.
Discount retail
Ollie's Bargain Outlet
Ollie's Bargain Outlet is a closeout and discount retailer carrying categories such as home goods, hardware, books, food, and seasonal merchandise. At Rogers Plaza it contributes to the center's emphasis on value shopping and broad everyday selection.
Hardware and tools
Harbor Freight Tools
Harbor Freight Tools supplies tools, equipment, and workshop-related products, primarily through a discount-oriented retail format. Its Rogers Plaza presence supports the property's practical, service-area retail role.
Automotive parts
AutoZone
AutoZone is an automotive-parts retailer offering replacement parts, maintenance products, accessories, and related services. It moved into space formerly occupied by OfficeMax after that retailer left Rogers Plaza.
Fitness services
Planet Fitness
Planet Fitness is a membership-based fitness club serving consumers seeking accessible gym facilities and standardized fitness services. Its presence broadens Rogers Plaza's offering beyond conventional retail stores.
Marketing campaigns
- 1991Haunted Hotel
Wyoming, Michigan
The Easter Seals-associated Haunted Hotel event returned for a second Halloween season.
Outcome. No further outcome metrics are provided in the cited material.
- 1990Haunted Hotel
Wyoming, Michigan
Rogers Plaza hosted a Halloween-season Haunted Hotel attraction in 1990, sponsored in support of Easter Seals.
Outcome. The event was repeated in 1991 and functioned as a community fundraiser and seasonal traffic generator.
- 28th Street Metro Cruise participation
West Michigan
Rogers Plaza's main parking lot is used as part of the annual 28th Street Metro Cruise, held near the end of August.
Outcome. The event remains a recurring community and regional-traffic connection for the mall.
Brand decisions
2023
Ross Dress for Less tenancy launchProduct launchBackground
The mall continued to refresh its tenant mix after the departures of Family Fare and OfficeMax and the ownership transition involving Sun Valley and Spigel Properties.
Action taken
Ross Dress for Less opened at Rogers Plaza during summer 2023.
Aftermath
Ross joined a value- and service-oriented tenant lineup, while the mall was reported to be approximately 85 percent occupied by September 2023.
2012
Acquisition by Sun Valley Ltd.M&ABackground
Rogers Plaza changed ownership during a period of tenant turnover and competition from newer regional shopping centers.
Action taken
Sun Valley Ltd. purchased the mall in June 2012.
Aftermath
Sun Valley remained associated with the property until its operations later merged with Spigel Properties in 2022.
2002
Proposed connection to Wyoming Village MallStrategyBackground
The City of Wyoming sought to improve connectivity and encourage new commercial and residential development around the two neighboring shopping centers.
Action taken
A plan proposed a westward street from Rogers Plaza across Michael Avenue, through Wyoming Village Mall, and toward Studio 28, with businesses and apartments along the route.
Aftermath
The project was not launched after Wyoming Village Mall's owners disagreed with demolishing part of their property for the proposed street.
- Wyoming Village Mall — Its owners opposed the proposed demolition required for the connection.
2001
Redevelopment after Montgomery Ward closureStrategyBackground
Montgomery Ward closed in December 2000, leaving a major anchor building vacant and weakening the mall's traditional department-store configuration.
Action taken
During a 14-month renovation, the former Montgomery Ward building was demolished and replaced by a Family Fare supermarket and an A. J. Wright discount store.
Aftermath
The redevelopment shifted the center toward grocery and discount-oriented uses.
Recent events
- 2023
Ross Dress for Less opens at Rogers Plaza[1]
Product launch
Ross Dress for Less opened at the mall in summer 2023, joining a tenant mix that included AutoZone, Planet Fitness, Harbor Freight Tools, Ollie's Bargain Outlet, the United States Post Office, and government offices.
- 2022
Sun Valley operations merge with Spigel Properties[1]
M&A
Sun Valley Ltd. ended operations and merged with Spigel Properties, Inc., identified in the reference material as Rogers Plaza's current owner.
- 2019
Family Fare and OfficeMax depart; AutoZone takes former OfficeMax space[1]
Other
Family Fare closed in June 2019, followed shortly afterward by OfficeMax. AutoZone later occupied the former OfficeMax location.
- 2012
Sun Valley Ltd. acquires Rogers Plaza[1]
M&A
Sun Valley Ltd. purchased the shopping center in June 2012, when the property included tenants such as Big Lots, Harbor Freight Tools, Citi Trends, and OfficeMax.
- 2001
Rogers Plaza undergoes a major renovation[1]
Other
The mall began a renovation program lasting approximately 14 months. The former Montgomery Ward building was demolished and replaced by a Family Fare supermarket and an A. J. Wright discount store.
- 2000
Montgomery Ward closes at Rogers Plaza[1]
Other
Montgomery Ward closed its Rogers Plaza location in December 2000, resulting in the loss of approximately 140 jobs and contributing to the mall's subsequent redevelopment.
Sources1 sources
Cite this profile: Cite the canonical profile. /brand-wiki/rogers-plaza · Editorial policy · How profiles are compiled