Please note that location entries may feature older photos or post card views that may not represent the current appearance, features, addresses, phone numbers, or contact names of the attraction. This site is intended to be a historical as well as current record of various attractions but it is not always possible to have up-to-date information due to the vast number of locations featured here. We ask you consult the propietor for current information.
Update 4/25/2026 from Marie Haraburda:
There is a beginning, middle, and ending. The beginning is indicated in the article supplied on the webpage, as is the ending. There is information missing for the middle information, however. During the mid 1970s there was also a JC Penney store or call center at North Kent Mall. Store catalogs were available at an order counter and customers could pick up a phone to place orders for clothes. Clothes would be shipped from another location to the North Kent Mall location within days or weeks. Customers would pick up the clothes at the North Kent Mall location. This was a particularly popular way for ladies to purchase wedding gowns, bridesmaids dresses, and dresses for school dances.
Additionally, at one point in time, Sears was an anchor store at North Kent Mall. I believe that Sears was between Wurzburgs and Kmart in the 1970s. I recall Sears going out of business (in the early 1980s?) and many things being on clearance. This information might be available by accessing archives of the Grand Rapids Press to find store advertisements or additional articles about the stores at North Kent Mall in the 1970s and 1980s timeframe.
This mall was at Jupiter and Plainfield Ave. I am using the address of the Lowe's that sits on that site now for reference. Google mapping works better with hard addresses as opposed to cross streets.
From GRRetro Blog
North Kent opened in 1971, anchored by Montgomery Ward and Wurzberg's, with a Turnstyle on an outlot. Wurzberg's closed in 1974, and was replaced by Kmart. The Turnstyle building was used by Meijer for a while as a clearance center and offices, but now sits vacant. The mall went into a slow decline and by 2000 was nearly dead. The last remaining stores were Waldenbooks, JoAnn Fabrics, Bargain Books, Radio Shack, Zales Jewelery, and GNC.
In 1999 there were displays posted about plans to renovate the mall, and add a third unnamed anchor, but those never came to pass. In October 2000, it was announced that the mall would be demolished for a Lowe's. Both anchors (Kmart and Wards) would remain. The mall closed in March 2001 and Wards closed a week later in bankrupcy. The Wards building has been divided into Dunhams, Dollar Tree, and Family Farm & Home.
From 100.5 The River
The mall went into a slow decline and by 2000 was nearly dead. The last remaining stores were Waldenbooks, JoAnn Fabrics, Bargain Books, Radio Shack, Zales Jewelery, and GNC. In 1999 there were displays posted about plans to renovate the mall, and add a third unnamed anchor, but those never came to pass.
In October 2000, it was announced that the mall would be demolished for a Lowe's. Both anchors (Kmart and Wards) would remain. The mall closed in March 2001 and Wards closed a week later in bankruptcy and Kmart soon followed. Life goes on.