Just when Orchards Mall Manager Danielle Southerland was gaining some momentum she’s facing the prospect of two more vacant storefronts in the shopping center…and both were important to the center because of the traffic they generated there.
The biggest blow on the retail front comes from the upcoming liquidation sale by the Sears Hometown Store at the center of the mall. The store’s Facebook page made the revelation with a simple statement foretelling of the close-out sale:
“We are closing and everything must go! But before we close our doors – Stop in and shop our close out DEALS now until July 24th! Amazing sales on appliances, lawn and garden, tools and more!”
There was no immediate indication if supply lines were tightening or the rules of engagement were changing for the Hometown Store brand because of Sears corporate decisions, however at least two other Sears Hometown Stores announced their impending shutdown and liquidation sales at virtually the same time. Those stores are in Salem, Ohio and Le Mars, Iowa. Each will conduct major liquidation sales as in Benton Harbor, and then fade from the scene.
The Sears Hometown Store in the mall was established years ago when the full-fledged Sears department store closed up shop in the mall. The space that Sears corporate had leased was owned by a third party, not by the owners of the Orchards Mall at that time.
Meanwhile, Southerland is also saddened by the departure of the Kids on Stage performance center not far from what was known as the Sears Court for many years. Kids on Stage was the brainchild of, and was owned and operated by, Doug Fordyce of Stevensville. He posted a Looney Toons cartoon poster on his Facebook page saying “That’s All Folks!” His brief message that followed also explained the situation:
“Today I am announcing that Kids On Stage is going permanently dark. After 21 years of building relationships with kids through theatre, I have decided it’s time to turn the page to a new chapter of my life. Jeri and I would like to thank the multitude of parents for the privilege of working with their children, allowing us to fulfill our dream of helping build important life skills along with you. We would like to thank the hundreds, if not thousands, of kids who have touched our lives throughout the years. It has been an honor to watch them grow both in their self-confidence before others as well as their ability to communicate effectively. It has been a joy to see many of these past performers grow into responsible productive contributing adults. Finally, our hope is that your memories of Kids On Stage will always be that the most important thing to do on stage is Have Fun!”
Fordyce is also hopeful that somebody would like to pick up where he is leaving off. He’s offering his stage, seating, costuming, lighting and sound gear for sale for $15k on Craigslist as highlighted in this post from Facebook:
“130 seat theater with everything you need to immediately begin producing plays or musicals. Space includes lobby, 24’X16′ stage, lights/sound, rehearsal space with wall mirrors, shop space, numerous flats/props/set pieces and hundreds of costumes. Theater is located in the Orchards Mall, Benton Harbor, MI. You purchase the theatrical assets from us and work out a VERY reasonable lease with the mall. https://swmi.craigslist.org/bfs/6184942767.html “
Mall Manager Southerland had been on a upward trend in attracting new small businesses to the shopping center in recent months following resolution of a large piece of the unpaid property tax bill that had threatened the center with foreclosure.
