Developer Sees Strong Interest From Retailers

MUSKEGON — The Tennessee real estate firm developing the Lakes Mall in Muskegon expects to have most, if not all, of the retail space leased by the Aug. 15 opening.

CBL & Associates Inc. is seeing “strong interest” from retailers and should sign additional tenants in the near future, said Michael Lebovitz, the company’s senior vice president for mall development

“There are negotiations taking place for virtually all the space in the mall,” Lebovitz said during the Muskegon Area Chamber of Commerce’s recent Early Bird Breakfast.

Lebovitz used the occasion to announce several new tenants for the 700,000-square-foot mall, which will consist of three anchor stores — Sears, Younkers and JC Penney — and more than 70 retail stores. Most of the stores are not presently in the Muskegon market, eliminating the need for shoppers to travel to Holland or Grand Rapids, he said.

“That’s really what this mall is all about. It’s taking the 250,000 people in the market area and making shopping more convenient,” Lebovitz said.

Serving as a sub-anchor for the mall is Bed, Bath & Beyond, a New Jersey-based chain of home furnishings and domestic merchandise.

The Lakes Mall will also features amenities such as a food court and children’s play area, as well 10 businesses, mostly restaurants, on the grounds surrounding the site at Sternburg Road and Harvey Street.

CBL & Associates is the nation’s third-largest owner of malls and shopping centers. The company owns or manages 158 shopping centers and 51 malls in 26 states. CBL’s Michigan holdings include malls in Saginaw, Lansing and Midland, as well as five smaller strip malls.