Big changes coming to Oakland Mall and I was there at the beginning: A remembrance of stores and stadiums past

Birmingham Eccentric photo, opening of Oakland Mall, at Hudson's, now Macy's, 1968

Yesterday, Oakland Mall sent out a press release, announcing Macy's would close early this year. It's not the only Macy's in Michigan to shut down in 2025, but it is housed in the only mall whose grand opening I attended. It launched both a relatively new shopping concept and my media debut. The year was 1968.

First, a few important notes:  

1.) The store that occupied Macy's current location was originally Hudson's, a department store chain that began in Detroit.

2.) Being of a "certain age", the media was "old school" print. My name and picture made the cover of hometown newspaper, "The Birmingham Eccentric". Remarkably, the photo my parents picked up at the Eccentric's office - though a bit tattered and wrinkled - has survived over fifty years. 

And, being of a certain age, I've witnessed the construction and deconstruction of, not only flagship stores and malls, but sports stadiums, too. 

A recent trip to LCA to watch the Pistons

Some here saw Pistons at The Palace

As a child, I'd join my parents on an occasional Sunday drive through their old neighborhood and they'd point to a vacant spot and talk about what used to be there or reminisce about the old corner store they'd shop at before it became a strip mall. I thought how ancient that past seemed, filled with so many changes. 

Now I'm reflecting on my own ancient times and what's come and gone in a half century plus. 

I think about Olympia stadium being replaced by the multi-staired behemoth Joe Louis. It, like The Palace, has been replaced by Little Caesar's Arena. Then, Tiger Stadium giving way to Comerica Park (better viewing for all, for sure) and the Pontiac Silverdome, erected in 1975 and deflated in 2018, giving our Detroit Lions a better home at Ford Field. (I was a spectator at all venues, and -bonus- also rock concerts at the Joe and the Silverdome).

The Joe, once home to Detroit Red Wings and host to rock concerts, now a coaster for my tea cups.

The story of Macy's is similar. I've seen Hudson's morph into Marshall Field's then ultimately to Macy's. Not only was I at this Hudson's inauguration but was a loyal patron for many years. I have very special memories of meeting my mom at its mezzanine every Friday in the late 1990's for lunch. We'd opt for the day's special, or their signature Maurice Salad, accompanied by cup of hot tea or coffee. 

In the early 1980's, I worked downtown and shopped for my de rigueur office-ware, suits, scarves and heels, at Hudson's beautiful flagship store. I was also there in 1983 when it closed its doors permanently.

And, now, the cycle continues. As noted in Fox 2 on-line news, Macy's is shutting down over 60 stores this spring. In addition to the Oakland Mall location, the other three Michigan Macy's to close are in Traverse City, Sterling Heights and Flint. 

And, what is to come next for the vacant space created by Oakland Mall's Macy's? Per the mall's owner, Paul Kieizi, at this time, it has "yet to be determined", but he adds "we can confirm we are actively exploring transformative opportunities".

To those who may need to hear this, we at BTS, are still available for photo shoots for the launching of said transformation. 😉

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The story behind the vintage photo:

I was almost ten at the time, and, the parents of my good friend, Liz, were planning to be part of the new Oakland Mall celebration and invited me to come along. Once we took the short drive from Birmingham to Troy, we joined a growing assembly of shoppers outside of Hudson's, the west hub of the new indoor shopping center. I don't recall all the goings-on, but aided by the photo, I do remember a few activities geared for kids hosted by a cartoonish, big-headed monkey and lots of hometown paparazzi.

One of the reporters approached Liz's parents, and, learning I met their home city requirement, asked if I could be photographed for their newspaper.  Although the memories remain fuzzy, I have a clear picture of young me attaching myself to the reporter without hesitation, following her to the monkey and hearing Mrs. C, in the background, asking me if that was something I would like to do. 

Once in the middle of crowd's perimeter, Mrs. C., gave one last shout to ask if I would like Liz to join me.  I was a little dazed with the attention, but it seemed like a good idea. However when I turned around to wave her in, Liz was violently shaking her head "no". She was slipping behind her mother, shunning the cameras. 

Undaunted, and back to the original plan, I awaited instructions.  I'm sure they directed me on how to pose, but it was a blur - even back then. 

It was over too quickly for my taste, but, thanks to a lucky break with the press, I secured my 15 minutes of fame in long-ago local history.