There was a time when Eastland Mall was a place to be. Some of us remember taking the 31 Mack to Eastland when our parents wouldn’t or couldn’t drive us up, so in a way it’s kind of sad to watch the mall continue whither.
At that time I knew nothing of how malls helped bring about the decline inner city downtowns. The motivations of the time were simpler. I just wanted to talk to cute girls.
In 1996 when Target opened, it was a really big deal. The future of the mall seemed certain. But as so often in business, certainty isn’t a thing and Eastland Mall, opened in 1957, is sliding into the dustbin of history.
The store, according to an announcement by the chain, will close after the holiday shopping season on February 3, 2018. Nationally, 12 stores will be closing.
