Only a Post Office, boxing gym, and furniture store remain.
Orchard Mall todayPhoto byGoogle.com
Author’s Note
This article is based on corporate postings and accredited media reports. Linked information within this article is attributed to the following outlets: Google.com, WJSM.com, and WNDU.com.
Introduction
I write extensively about the state of U.S. shopping malls for NewsBreak, which as a collective has been on a downward trend for several years.
As I have stated in prior articles on the subject, among common industry analyst reasons for the sharp downtown of U.S. malls include the pandemic — though foot traffic had been widely decreasing nationwide for several years prior — and subsequent popularity of online shopping, cultural shifts including further advances in technology and readily available recreation and shopping options, and even political polarization.
Now comes word that a longstanding Michigan-based mall is expected by some industry analysts to permanently close its doors based on the loss of one of its last remaining tenants.
Let us explore further.
Shopping Malls, 2023
According to a report from WSJM.com, entitled “Doctor ZZZZ’s Mattress Center at Orchards Mall Closing Permanently,” only three other businesses remain following this closure.
As excerpted from the report: One of the last remaining business owners at Orchard’s Mall says he’s permanently calling it quits at that location. Back in late December, Doctor ZZZZ’s Mattress Center announced a temporary closure after a burst water pipe ran for several hours before anyone noticed and shut it off. Two months later, Doctor ZZZZ’s owner Norbert Zimpfer says an adequate cleanup never took place. He’s now afraid of mold contamination in the walls, and to even consider reopening, the whole mall area would require extensive remodeling.
Zimpfer is reportedly talking to the mall’s owner, Durga Property Holdings, about compensation for the remaining 6-years on his lease. With Doctor ZZZZ’s Mattress Center announced as leaving, only a Post Office, boxing gym, and furniture store remain on the grounds.
Per Wikipedia, the Benton Harbor, Michigan mall opened in 1979. As a targeted Google search will verify, industry analysts commenting on the matter widely believe an announcement of the mall’s closure is forthcoming, though it should be noted the owners have not commented on that possibility.
Finally, according to an archived March 22, 2021 report from WNDU.com, residential redevelopment was strongly considered for the location two years ago, but plans in that regard today have yet to be clarified. See here for that report.
Conclusion
This is a developing story. In the event of pertinent updates to this matter, inclusive of potential outcomes and official announcements of milestone dates, I will share them here on NewsBreak.
Thank you for reading.