Frandor Shopping Center

Frandor Shopping Center, in Lansing, Michigan, is located at the very eastern edge of the city bordering the neighboring city of East Lansing and freeway US Highway 127. It is a 450,000-square-foot (41,800 m2) strip center anchored by a Kroger supermarket, HomeGoods, Michaels, Jo-Ann Fabrics, Guitar Center, and Cost Plus World Market.[1]

Storefronts along east end of
Frandor Shopping Center

Frandor Shopping Center
Frandor entrance sign along North Clippert Street
LocationLansing, Michigan
Coordinates42°44′16″N 84°30′23″W
Address300 Frandor Avenue, Lansing, MI 48912-5290
Opening date1954
ManagementCorr Commercial Real Estate, Inc.
OwnerLansing Retail Center, LLC
No. of stores and services60
No. of anchor tenants7 (6 open, 1 vacant)
Total retail floor area450,000 sq ft (42,000 m2)
No. of floors1
Public transit accessBus interchange CATA

History

Frandor was the first shopping center in Lansing and the second in Michigan, opening in 1954, shortly after Northland Center in Southfield, Michigan.[2] The shopping center was originally owned by Francis J. Corr, and was named using a conjunction of his and his wife Dorothy's name.[3]

Before beginning construction, Corr secured Sears as Frandor's anchor store. Corr negotiated a swap with the Sears in Lansing, buying the old store and selling the south 14.5 acres of the Frandor site to Sears. Corr then built and "fixtured"[4] the new Sears store.[4]

In 1972, the formerly open-air center was enclosed, and several new storefronts were added.[5] This enclosure was removed in 1998, while adding several big-box stores to either end of Kroger, then the center's western anchor.[6]

On November 7, 2019, it was announced that Sears would be closing this location a part of a plan to close 96 stores nationwide. The store closed in February 2020.[7]

Current development

Frandor has a variety of options for incoming businesses, allowing start-ups to lease a small space with the option to expand. The Frandor Merchant Association has a high participation level and meets regularly.[8]

Theatres

Spartan Twin

In 1967 the Spartan Twin (later Spartan Triplex) opened in the Frandor Shopping Center. The theater played the Rocky Horror Picture Show on Saturday nights. The establishment was closed in February 1994 and later used as a Discovery Zone.[9][10]

The Odeon

The Odeon was a small film house in Frandor owned by Frank Leahey that featured foreign and independent films. It is no longer open.[11]

References
  1. "Welcome to Lormax Stern Development Company". K-Data of West Michigan. 2008. Archived from the original on February 11, 2009. Retrieved July 14, 2009.
  2. "Frandor Shopping Center". Lansing Malls & Shops. Pure Michigan. Michigan Economic Development Corporation. Retrieved August 7, 2010.
  3. "Frandor Shopping Center". LostLansing.com. Archived from the original on October 7, 2009. Retrieved July 14, 2009.
  4. "Sears Deal Negotiated". Lansing State Journal. November 3, 1953. p. 1.
  5. Moles, Lloyd (November 5, 1972). "Frandor work progresses". Lansing State Journal. p. E12. Retrieved June 30, 2018 – via Newspapers.com.
  6. Banas, Teri (April 28, 1998). "Frandor fights facelift frowns". Lansing State Journal. pp. 1A, 2A. Retrieved June 30, 2018 – via Newspapers.com.
  7. Tyko, Kelly; Bomey, Nathan (November 7, 2019). "Sears and Kmart store closings: 51 Sears, 45 Kmart locations to shutter. See the list". USA Today. Retrieved November 7, 2019.
  8. "Frandor: Part of the Fabric of Greater Lansing". The Greater Lansing Business Monthly. Retrieved July 14, 2009.
  9. "Multiplex Theatres". LostLansing.com. Archived from the original on October 9, 2009. Retrieved July 14, 2009.
  10. "Spartan Twin". Cinema Treasures. Retrieved July 14, 2009.
  11. "2008 Recipient Bios". Archived from the original on May 4, 2011. Retrieved July 14, 2009.
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