MICHIGAN - As 2026 begins, the Mitten State is facing a unique set of challenges. We aren't just losing stores; we are losing entire infrastructures. The pharmacy network has been decapitated, the suburban malls are being boarded up (or fought over in court), and the discount retailers that served the working class are vanishing. From the stalled bulldozers in Sterling Heights to the empty corners in Detroit, the commercial map is being redrawn.
Here is the breakdown of the retail shakeup hitting Michigan in 2026.
The "Zombie" Standoff: Lakeside Mall
The biggest story of 2026 is the mall that refuses to die quietly.
- The Situation: Lakeside Mall in Sterling Heights officially closed its doors to the public last year, destined for a $1 billion redevelopment into "Lakeside City Center."
- The Snag: In 2026, the bulldozers are stalled. The owners of the attached (and closed) Sears building have sued to stop the demolition, claiming it would damage their property.
- The Reality: This legal battle leaves the massive complex sitting as a "zombie" in the center of Macomb County's busiest corridor—a decaying monument to 1980s retail that cannot be torn down until the courts rule.
The Department Store Retreat: Macy's
Macy's "Bold New Chapter" strategy is hitting Michigan's middle-market malls hard.
- The Hit List: The retailer has confirmed the closure of its stores at:
- Oakland Mall (Troy): A massive blow to a mall that has fought hard to remain relevant against the dominance of nearby Somerset Collection.
- Genesee Valley Center (Flint): The loss of Macy's leaves the Flint area's primary mall critically vulnerable, raising fears of a total collapse.
- Grand Traverse Mall (Traverse City): The closure strips the northern resort hub of a key anchor.
- The Impact: These closures signal that Macy's is effectively abandoning the "neighborhood mall" in Michigan to focus solely on high-end fortresses like Somerset and Twelve Oaks.
The Pharmacy Void: The Rite Aid Aftermath
While the closures happened in waves over the last year, 2026 is defined by the absence of Rite Aid.
- The "Total Exit": Rite Aid has exited the Michigan market entirely.
- The 2026 Crisis: We are now seeing the fallout. Hundreds of empty, standalone pharmacy buildings dot the state, from Detroit to Marquette.
- The Consequence: Competitors like Walgreens and CVS have not expanded fast enough to absorb the displaced patients. This has created severe bottlenecks and "pharmacy deserts," particularly in rural areas where the Rite Aid was the only healthcare outpost for 20 miles.
The Discount Wipeout: Big Lots & Family Dollar
The collapse of the home discount sector is hitting Michigan's suburbs and college towns.
- Big Lots: The retailer is aggressively shrinking its footprint. Confirmed closures include stores in Holland, Lansing (West Saginaw Hwy), Madison Heights, Okemos, and Ypsilanti.
- Family Dollar: The contraction continues in the Detroit metro, with closures impacting Southfield, Detroit (multiple locations), and Pontiac.
- The Result: For students and working-class families, the options for cheap furniture and household basics are vanishing, forcing a reliance on Walmart or Amazon.
The "Survivor" Watch: Briarwood Mall
In Ann Arbor, Briarwood Mall enters 2026 on a watchlist.
- The Status: With the loss of its Macy's (and the earlier Sears closure), the mall is pivoting toward "densification"—adding housing and grocery options.
- The Verdict: 2026 is the year Briarwood decides if it can successfully transition to a "lifestyle center" or if it will follow the path of Lakeside. The arrival of new mixed-use tenants this year will be the litmus test.
The malls of the past are stuck in legal limbo. The pharmacies of the past are empty shells. And the department stores are retreating to the wealthiest zip codes. The state is rebuilding, but the transition period is leaving behind a landscape of ghosts and construction fences.
Owner of Closed Sears Store Asks Judge to Stop Demolition of Lakeside Mall
