Imagine walking into a once-forgotten corner of your local mall and discovering a treasure trove of stylish sofas, elegant dining sets, and cozy bedroom furniture—all under one roof. That's the excitement brewing at Meridian Mall as a major furniture retailer prepares to flip the script on years of vacancy!
Let's dive into the details of this game-changing development. A sprawling 95,340-square-foot storefront, which has sat empty since 2018, is finally getting a fresh lease on life. For context, that's roughly the size of three standard basketball courts combined—plenty of room to house everything from living room essentials to home office desks, making it a one-stop shop for anyone redecorating their space.
Ashley Furniture, a well-known chain specializing in home furnishings, is set to launch its latest outpost here on November 8. This marks their second location in the area, adding to the existing store in Delta Township and contributing to their network of 20 spots across Michigan. To put that in perspective, Ashley has been a go-to for affordable yet high-quality furniture since its beginnings, offering pieces that blend style and durability—think of it as the IKEA of American retail, but with a focus on timeless designs rather than flat-pack assembly.
But here's where it gets intriguing: This isn't just a new store; it's stepping into the shoes of Younkers, which shuttered its doors in the anchor space seven years ago. Back in 2018, Younkers closed shop at both Meridian and Lansing malls after the company was sold to liquidators. This move was part of a broader retail shake-up that affected many department stores, leaving shoppers nostalgic for the one-stop-shopping experience. The vacancy lingered, but now Ashley is filling that void, potentially revitalizing foot traffic and sparking a shopping renaissance. For beginners wondering about the retail landscape, liquidators are essentially companies that buy out inventory and sell it off quickly—often at deep discounts—to clear out assets during closures, which can be both a bargain hunter's dream and a sign of industry's challenges.
The grand opening ceremony, complete with a ribbon-cutting, is scheduled for 11 a.m. on November 8 at Ashley's new address: 1982 W. Grand River Ave. It's a moment to celebrate, but this is the part most people miss—the ripple effects on the local economy. Will this influx of new jobs and customers breathe life back into Meridian Mall, or is it merely a band-aid on deeper issues in brick-and-mortar retail? Some might argue it's a smart pivot for the mall owners, CBL Properties, who announced the upcoming store back in February, showcasing their dedication to diversifying the tenant mix. As mall general manager Adam Hodges put it in a statement, “Ashley Furniture will be a wonderful addition to Meridian Mall. This new store will enhance the shopping experience by offering an extensive selection of furniture for every room—living, dining, bedroom, and home office. The opening reinforces our ongoing commitment to providing a diverse retail mix that meets the needs of our community.”
And here's the controversial twist that might divide opinions: Is reviving a vacant space like this truly helping the community, or is it glossing over the fact that other spots remain empty? Take the adjacent storefront, for instance. It was previously home to Schuler Books, which relocated in February to a spot once occupied by Bed Bath & Beyond. Now it's vacant again, with Hodges confirming on Tuesday that there's no new tenant info to share. This pattern raises questions: In an era where online shopping dominates, can physical stores like Ashley really compete and bring prosperity to malls? Some shoppers love the tactile experience of browsing real furniture, while others might wonder if these openings are just delaying the inevitable shift to digital retail.
As for employment, the number of jobs the store will create remains a mystery—attempts to contact the owner on Tuesday drew no immediate response. It's details like this that highlight the unknowns in retail transitions, leaving us to speculate on the impact.
If you're in the Lansing area, keep an eye on this unfolding story. It could be the spark that reignites shopping excitement in Meridian Township. What do you think—will Ashley's arrival mark a comeback for traditional malls, or is it time to embrace online alternatives? Do you have memories of Younkers and its closure? Share your agreements, disagreements, or even counterpoints in the comments below. Let's discuss!
For more updates, feel free to reach out to reporter Rachel Greco at rgreco@lsj.com or follow her on X @GrecoatLSJ.
