TROY, Mich. – The parking lot at Oakland Mall may never be as busy as it once was, but the mall’s new owner said he has plans to improve.
When long-established shopping centers changed hands in recent years, demolition was often planned. The new owner of the Oakland Mall, Mario Kiez, 31, said he was more interested in a renovation. He plans to bring foot traffic back into the mall.
Kiezi wants to turn the Shopping Plaza into a family destination. He said there is potential for farmers markets in the parking lot, new anchor restaurants and draws for national entertainers.
“You feel like this is one of the sleepiest places in Metro Detroit, and we’re going to wake it up,” Kiezi said. “It’s not that much money. We have no plans to bring gold sculptures to this place. We want to bring in art, we want to bring in what I call hipster culture, and you can see things here — we’re going to make some very, very simple changes that are going to go a long way. ”
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Stacey Wells owns Paidey Kakes boutique, which opened in September. Wells said she is looking forward to the new owner.
“I think it’s a great opportunity that we’re here at this point in time. I look forward to the changes to come. You know, to bring in more people that way. I’m looking forward to it,” Wells said.
The rush has decreased over the years. Consumer habits, especially among younger demographics, a trend towards online shopping. Kiezi takes care of that too.
“If you open a shop here, you can sell, you can serve the guests who come into the mall, but you can also work through the back door, where UPS can ship about 150 boxes to the local community,” Kiezi said.
The Hobby Lobby will move where Sears used to be, and LongHorn Steakhouse is also coming to the mall.
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The Oakland Mall renovation includes a new name.
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