Meridian Mall, Okemos, MI

Okemos is a small suburb in Lansing, Michigan where the Meridian Mall can be found. This mall was opened in 1969 as a fully enclosed location. This same year a competitor mall was opened named Lansing Mall. Despite the competition Meridian Mall has managed to thrive, with over 125 stores and 5 anchor tenants. The current owners and management is through CBL and Associates Properties. CBL is one of the largest real estate and shopping development companies in the United States with more than 130 locations.

When the mall was opened they had Woolco and Knapp's as the anchor tenants. There was also a four screen movie theater and supermarket. Over the years the space and the theater were redone to be the Meridian 4 West, and a third movie theater opened in the parking lot of the mall later on. Kmart, which closed in 1995, Best Buy and Meijer are some of the stores that were once at Meridian Mall. Knapp's closed in 1980, at all locations. JC Penney then moved in along with Hudson's. Woolco had to close in 1982, which allowed their space to be broken into a service merchandise catalog showroom, food court and more retail space.

In 1987 the mall was expanded again to allow for Mervyn's. A year later, MC Sports moved into the center court area of the mall, which used to be home to an ice rink. The end of this decade marked more changes with the 4 West theater closing and Target opening nearby. Through the next decade shops opened and closed bringing in different options like bookstores and more. Today the anchors are JC Penney, Macy's and two Younkers locations. Other large tenants include Schuler Books and Music, Dick's Sporting Goods, Old Navy, and Bed Bath and Beyond. Not all of these stores are attached to the mall. Some are out parcel locations.

The mall is over 970,000 square feet with 1 story, except in Younkers and Dick's who both have two floors. Mall hours of operation are Sunday noon to 6pm, Monday to Saturday 10am to 9pm. These hours can change based on holiday hours, and the department stores might have their own schedules. Events held at the mall occur annually such as Santa photos.

Other store locations at Meridian Mall include A&R Fine Jewelry, Body Jewelry, Claire's, Personal Touch Body Jewelry, Sunglass Hut, Waist Land, Abercrombie, Children's Place, Gap Kids, Gymboree, Justice, Aeropostale, and American Eagle Outfitters. Buckle, DEFYE, Hollister, Hot Topic, PacSun, Paranoia, Snow Shop, Men's Warehouse, Cache, Charlotte Russe, and DEB are also locations at the mall for shopping.

The food court and restaurants in the mall include A&W, Arby's, Cajun Cafe, Charley's Grilled Subs, Panda Express, Sbarro, Sultan's, Yum Japan, Chapbook Cafe, Chili's, Olive Garden, and Ruby Tuesday. Some of the restaurants are out parcel locations, meaning they are separate from the mall's main building. Other food choices include A to Z Snack Shop, Auntie Anne's, Dairy Queen, and Reed's Candy and Surf City Squeeze, which are spread throughout the mall.