Westwood Mall
Again, I apologize for my infatuation with the story of the Westwood Mall. I haven’t been able to look away, as what was once a busy shopping hub in Marquette Township, gradually fell to the changing habits of shoppers, and then more suddenly… to gravity.
I understand there are former customers wondering if any of the stores they frequented are still doing business. And where? The information I’ve gathered is a little vague and definitely fluid, but here’s what I’ve got…
Jeri’s Hallmark Cards, which I believe was in the mall from day one, still has inventory in place, but I don’t know what they plan on doing with it.
All Things Michigan cleared out and retired.
Studio Dance Arts is operating temporarily out of the North Star School in Marquette Township.
The word I got on both Bath & Body and Maurices is they will not be reopening, and have ceased operations. Two nice stores… gone.
All About That Base Tanning Salon has relocated to 715 West Washington.
Appliance & Furniture RentAll has found their new home and they didn’t have to look far for it. They’re out in front of Kohl’s, next to H&R Block.
The Bargain Barn is open in the Country Village in West Ishpeming, while they search for a permanent location.
The Halloween Store is going to have to find some new digs. There are some people out there who just have to have their Halloween Store.
There were others, like a GNC store and an arcade, and some different groups who used space, but they’re hard to track down.
So, that’s all I know, for now. A sad final step I’m afraid, to the end of the Westwood Mall. Todd Noordyk, a township businessman very familiar with the place recalls… “For many, many years, the mall was cool. It’s hard to remember that now, but it was a packed happening place to shop.” Key word… was.
Losing the mall traffic won’t help the adjacent Kohl’s or Dunham’s. Hopefully they benefit from whatever happens next between their two stores, as well as the robust commercial climate in Marquette Township.
Township Impact
Speaking of the township… Rob Sved, of the district’s Downtown Development Authority, says they’re keeping an eye on developments at the mall site as well. “We would like to see the mall repaired or utilized to the fullest capacity, whether that be a strip mall between the anchors, or another stand-alone commercial building.”
Sved also indicated the township is getting proactive with regards to making the area more user friendly, particularly for pedestrians. “As old businesses are razed, the planning and zoning staff work with developers on the idea of pedestrian connectivity. We’ve taken the idea of pedestrian safety to the other roads within the DDA as part of a complete streets ideal.”
As Marquette Township continues to grow, it’s going to be critical to have the right plan in place. Juggling a burgeoning business district with new residential developments and widespread recreational options will require some prescient forward thinking. Done right, the loss of the Westwood Mall could turn out to be inconsequential.
NMU Not Feeling The Heat
A recent development at Northern has frustrated a passionate group of people who like to sweat, and sit in the sweat of others. Northern has closed the saunas at the PEIF.
Apparently the units, one for the guys and one for the gals, are in poor condition and would require a substantial investment to get them back up to minimal standards.
According to NMU Chief Marketing Officer Derek Hall, “This decision follows a comprehensive evaluation of the saunas’ operating and safety conditions. While the saunas have been a popular amenity, ongoing concerns and incidents related to them have made it increasingly difficult to ensure a safe, clean, and secure environment.”
With repairs costing as much as a hundred grand, the plan is to let the saunas go cold. Hall explains, “Northern has prioritized using any available rec sports funds toward maintaining and enhancing other core programs and spaces that have the potential to benefit a larger portion of the NMU student and campus community.”
Hall indicated there were other issues as well, including “misuse of the space such as unauthorized access and inappropriate behavior.”
I can’t imagine what kind of “inappropriate behavior’ would take place in a sauna on a college campus. Kids these days. Or was it the adults?
One regular user suggested such problems were preventable. “In year’s past, we had someone checking people in and there was much better oversight and staffing.”
Anyway, there are other commercial saunas around town, so those left out in the cold have options. In the end, this seems to be just another example of how we always seem to lose more amenities than we gain. That’s progress for you.
Kovacs Resigns
Yes, Karen Kovacs has resigned… as Chair of the Board of Directors at Community Action Alger Marquette (CAAM).
When I first saw she had quit, with limited info, I thought it was as City Manager. Nope. She still has her day job.
She’s been at the head of the table at CAAM for a couple of years now, and apparently she’s ready to step away. “My decision stems from growing demands and obligations in my personal and professional life. I can no longer devote the time and energy this role needs and deserves.”
Frankly I was surprised when she took that on in the first place. Unfortunately, she suffers from can’t-say-no-itis. Fortunately, she’s self-aware enough to recognize when it becomes counterproductive.
As far as CAAM goes she says not to worry, it’ll be alright. “The current board is very active and will continue to support the organization in providing the core services of early childhood education, housing assistance, veteran support services, and community nutrition.“
Now Karen can go back and focus on the city, and everything else she hasn’t said no to.