The closure of Lakeside Mall in Sterling Heights after 47 years as a destination spot for shopping, eating and socialization has stirred up fond memories for many Macomb County residents.
From going to see first-run movies to shopping for new seasonal wardrobes to roaming with friends through the 1.5 million square feet of retail space spanning two floors, the shopping center seemed to have something for everyone.
We asked Macomb Daily readers to share some of their memories of the facility on Hall Road (M-59) and received dozens of thoughtful responses, along with a few flip ones.
What follows is a sample of the responses, which have been edited for space and clarity.
- Colleen Reichert of Rochester Hills
I grew up about a mile away from Lakeside Mall. New school clothes, dresses for weddings, funerals, big birthdays, high school graduation, formal events and professional ones.
I can still hear my mom whisper to my elementary-aged self “would you like to get a Mrs. Fields Cookie?” My eyes and excitement stretching to the size of one of those giant indulgences. Speaking of indulgences, the amount of money my mom must have spent on me at Lakeside could fill a mint I’m sure. She had a way of falling in love with clothes and that was it before the salesgirl wrapped it up. Now I’m a mom myself, I understand it was not so much her love for the clothes, but her love for me.
My dad, (the late state) Sen. Douglas Carl, loved serving the people of Macomb County in the legislature. He wanted to be accessible to constituents, so he brilliantly procured an office right inside Lakeside Mall. As of today, the “Carl blue” walls of that office still stand behind padlocks 27 years since his passing. I avoided that corner of the mall for years after dad’s office was closed, but I certainly didn’t avoid the mall entirely.
As teenagers, my best friends and I logged hundreds of hours spraying perfume, drinking coffee, trying sunglasses, stalking cute boys, rifling through CDs, people watching and just generally coming of age.
Lakeside is and was so much more than a mere shopping mall. It was a Macomb County institution where the community came together, helped each other, built stronger relationships and prepared for the biggest celebrations in life. Lakeside always was and is about the people. So to all the people that ever worked or shopped there: thank you. You made it what it was and what it will always be in our memories.
I saw the first movie I ever remember seeing in the theater: “Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan.” I was 6 years old and a huge Trekkie even then. I remember mostly flashes from that night; the “Enterprise” leaving dock, the battle at the end, loving the uniforms. However, my last memory is of walking out, with my parents holding my hands. I looked back at the mall as I was getting into the car.
I have two children who are grown adults now; my daughter now a school teacher and my son a chef in North Carolina.
Lakeside Mall to close Sunday: one era ends, a new one begins
My kids always enjoyed going to Lakeside Mall to walk around and window shop with me and spend time playing on the “Bacon and Eggs” play scape. It was absolutely my children’s fun way to spend a weekend morning, or go when Santa Claus was at the mall for the Christmas holiday season. We hold very fond memories! My mom’s microwave came from Sears at Lakeside in 1979 and she had the same microwave for 44 years until last November. Our family will surely miss the indoor style mall.
My first job through high school co-op was at Crowley’s. I also met my husband there and we’ve been married 44 years now.
Going to the Disney store — I wish the Disney store was still open
In 1992, my third-grade classmates and I sang “A Whole New World” smack dab in the middle-of-the-mall with a Disney Renaissance in full effect.
Growing up and going to Macomb Mall, then being able to visit a bi-level mall? Lakeside was a game-changer.
The year they first opened, I would catch a movie then dine at The Magic Pan. In 1977, I bought my sewing machine there at Sears. At that time Hall Road was two lanes and between Groesbeck and Lakeside Mall it was farmland.
Going on dates with my boyfriend at the time. Grabbing lunch and going to class at Macomb Community College. Shopping with my mom at JC Penney and Macy’s, and walking through the mall at Christmas time.
- Debbie Reynolds Rosenthal
My aunt had cancer and my sister and I flew in from different states to probably hug her for the last time. We grew up in East Detroit (now Eastpointe) and frequently spent hours at the mall. We stayed at the hotel across Gratiot. We ventured into the mall looking for the right gift for our aunt. She unwrapped a beautiful sparkling snow globe playing “You Are So Beautiful to Me.” My cousin has the globe now.
This may be a memory for a lot of people but I remember shopping with my mom and grandparents whenever my mom, Nana (my mom’s mom) and I would go off shopping Papa (my mom’s dad) would go find a nice comfortable seat with a newspaper on the ground floor couches, a common waiting area for middle to senior aged men waiting patiently for whoever they came with to finish, what felt like or possibly was hours, of shopping.
When the three of us were done we’d usually find Papa sawing logs, head back and a newspaper in his lap or in his hands on his lap.
After all the shopping, and after we picked up Papa from his trip to the lumber yard, we’d go to the food court and have some food from Flaming Wok.
We’d usually get our meals after being kindly offered a sample of their sesame chicken.
No matter how it’s changed I’ve always associated Lakeside with those memories
I remember the hydrotube me and my cousin used to go.
My friends and I would take the Schoenherr bus there and then our parents would pick us up like eight hours later. We went hydrotubing, walked around with friends, rode the elevator, ate a pretzel, had lunch, and shopped. It was amazing to just have somewhere to go and not have your parents there with you.
Who can forget the ice skating rink, then the hydrotube and Tilt? Holidays were magical there. If you were unlucky, you had to park in the grass. Lunch dates at Arby’s or Big Boy’s was a must too. My first real job was at the Muffin Man there. I could go on for days about my memories there. What a time for us as kids and sad to see it go.
I grew up in Detroit, and going to Lakeside always felt like a two-hour road trip because it was so far away. As a young child, visiting Lakeside was always an exciting experience. I used to spend almost every Friday night there after school with the guys, just walking around for hours and enjoying our teenage years. I’m so glad I got to make a lot of great memories there. Seeing the place close down is probably going to make me cry, I’m not gonna lie.
Had my first cigarette there.
One time I met up with someone for a date at the mall and they ended up ditching me when we were in the Abercrombie store. They were boring in person though, so it was kind of a relief. I went to American Eagle and bought myself a sweater when I had no intention of doing so
Spending all day there as a child.
The glass and gold elevator that sat directly in the middle of the beautiful unique fountain at the center of the mall that would catch many visitors attention as it did myself many times that I visited. You could throw dimes, nickels, and quarters in to the fountain and make a wish that charmed many a visitor.
Once you threw your change in to the fountain, you could then take an enjoyable ride up to the second floor in the gold and glass elevator as you looked out the clear glass you could view in awe the exciting aerial view of the mall and the beautiful fountain below not to mention its many trails of charming stores and restaurants that wrapped around these trails.
I have many special memories of walking the mall with my parents in the 1970s and 80s, later on in the 80s it was a fun hangout during high school to roam with good friends. As time went on, 1990s, there were dates with boyfriends at the mall. We would get our picture taken in the little photo booths of Lakeside.
However, the most important memories of Lakeside Mall were spending quality time with my son, Matthew, who I took to see Santa Claus through the years. I have a picture of him with Santa at the mall for every year of his life that is forever etched in my heart and in my photo albums. This Mom and Son wandered Lakeside Mall for our weekly Mom and Son outings many times too.
We would check out FYE, Aeropostale clothes, Game on, Game Stop, and a frozen Coke. We even had fun many times laughing and making goofy faces as we took several pictures in the little photo booths at Lakeside before we continued on our happy stroll through the magical, enchanting, and exciting Lakeside Mall.
Another special memory of Lakeside Mall is the many times I figure skated at their large ice rink that was located on the second floor. I was a figure skater who loved the sport and Lakeside was the rink that I could do what I loved most, that was to figure skate.
Shoppers and visitors would stop and watch me and give a smile.
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