Northland Center, Southfield, MI

Despite the town's name of Southfield in Michigan, the mall is called Northland Center. Southfield is a suburb of Detroit. Northland Center is one of the oldest malls in the state of Michigan, having been built in 1954. Construction on the center actually began in 1952, taking two years for the 2,000,000 square foot retail floor space and 1 floor building to be completed. JC Penney had two floors, with Macy having 4 floors, but the rest of the mall is all on one. The developer of the mall was JL Hudson Company, with management Jones Lang LaSalle.

Northland was considered a great achievement for regional shopping during the Post War period. The design originally included a four level Hudson's with a ring of stores around it, hence Macy's four floors today. The mall was open air in the 50's until the 1970's. At this time expansion and closure of the mall created an indoor locale. About 100 tenants inhabit the mall now.

When Hudson's merged with Dayton's the store was rebranded. They were eventually to become part of Target, with a rebranding of Marshall Field's in 2001. Eventually Macy's picked up the brand name. May Department Stores, Big Boy, Hughes and Hatcher, Kresge, Kroger, Sanders, and other stores were part of the early mall. Most of these places have closed though.

Northland was an architectural delight with an auditorium, bank, post office, infirmary, sculptures, fountains, and landscaping that made it look unique and beautiful all at the same time. It still has a quaint beauty, which has changed during the years of renovations. Today Macy's and Target are the only anchors as TJ Maxx, National Wholesale Liquidators, and JC Penney stores remain vacant. The mall is now owned by Ashkenazy Acquisition Corp.

Mall Hours will differ based on the holiday season; however, normal hours are Monday through Saturday 10am to 9pm, and noon to 5pm on Sunday. For holidays the mall usually closes early. Events during the year are held at the mall like photos with Santa. Sales events also occur throughout the year.

The stores are varied and perfect for any shopper's budget. Some of the store locations include Abilities Pathway, Action Master, Arto's Jewelry, Ashley Stewart, Athlete's Foot, Bakers, Baskets and Gifts, Beautiful Eyebrows, Bhogalli Leather, Brick House Designs, Buckle Creations, C'est La Vie, Champs Sports, Citi Wear, and City Hatter. Other options are City Slicker Shoes, Couture Elegance, Craftsman Jewelers, Creative Tee's Air Brushing, Cynosure, and Dazzle and Glamour.

Detroit Gator, Doll House Boutique, Euro Touch Gold and Silver, Finish Line, Foot Locker, Forever Young, Funtyme Toys, and GNC are a few of the other locations offered at Northland Center. Among the various shops are specialty stores and the food court. One can eat at Auntie Anne's, Otto's Crispy Corn, Subway, A&W, Flaming Wok, UMI Oriental N Cajun, and others. Some of the restaurants are not housed in the mall, but as out parcel locations nearby. There are plenty of choices for shoppers in the food department.