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LAKESIDE MALL

Michigan’s first Portillo’s restaurant is now open, serving its famous Chicago Italian beef sandwiches

STERLING HEIGHTS, MI - A taste of Chicago is now open in Michigan with the state’s first Portillo’s restaurant, which opened at 10:30 a.m. today at 14425 Lakeside Circle at Lakeside Mall in Sterling Heights. Portillo’s is known for its Chicago-style Italian beef sandwiches, Chicago-style hot dogs, char-grilled burgers, cheese fries, salads, Italian sausages and chocolate cake. Like at most Portillos restaurants, the drive-thru and walk-up lines will be long, but the Chicago-based chain is known for getting people through the lines fast. RELATED: Portillo’s has plans to open restaurants throughout Michigan“We’re professionals at managing our lots and getting people on and off,” said Jeff Deppe, Portillo’s director of New Restaurant Operations. It should work pretty seamlessly.”RELATED: Chicago couple brings authentic Italian beef sandwiches to Metro Detroit food standWith COVID restrictions for restaurants in Michigan now at 50%, Portillo’s does have the dining room open.

mlive.com

Detroit police seek missing 62-year-old man with dementia

DETROIT – Police are looking for Gregory Samuel, a 62-year-old man who went missing Tuesday night. Accord to authorities, Samuel was last seen in person near the intersection of Michigan Avenue and Evergreen Roads just before 11:45 p.m. He was last seen wearing a black and grey jacket, blue jeans and black shoes. Anyone who has seen Gregory Samuel or knows of his whereabouts is asked to contact the Detroit Police Department at 313-596-5540 or Crime Stoppers 1-800-Speak-Up. READ: More missing person coverage

Struggling Utica toy store finds success by thinking outside the box

With far fewer shoppers heading to malls this year, a toy store at Lakeside Mall decided to move their business elsewhere. The Toy Box opened a new store across the street from the mall -- but for the first few weeks it was open, they did not do so well. By adapting with the times and offering more personalized services amid the pandemic, however, the store owners were able to find success. Watch the full story in the video player above.

Crowds, lines form outside stores as Metro Detroit malls reopen

At Twelve Oaks Mall in Novi, the opening is a work-in-progress. When you come to the mall, they require shoppers to require a mask and there are signs all over demanding social distancing. Briarwood Mall in Ann Arbor, Great Lakes Crossing Outlet in Auburn Hills and Twelve Oaks Mall in Novi reopened May 28, 2020. Twelve Oaks Mall’s reopening is a slow roll out with many of the aisle stores -- and even the anchor stores -- remain closed. I would go all the time.”Twelve Oaks Mall general manager Dan Jones said the mall is looking at ways to prevent crowds.

Metro Detroit malls begin to reopen Thursday with new safety precautions

NOVI, Mich. – Secretary of State offices aren’t the only thing reopening in Michigan -- shopping malls are also starting to serve customers again. Somerset Collection in TroyREAD: Great Lakes Crossing Outlets, Twelve Oaks Mall reopening: New hours, COVID-19 safety rulesShoppers will need to make an appointment and there will be greeters at the door. The malls are open, but that doesn’t mean all the stores are open. The children’s play area, water fountains and food court at Twelve Oaks Mall is not opened. We’ll be seeing more stores come online but the expectations should be tempered,” said Twelve Oaks Mall general manager Dan Jones.

Somerset Collection, Great Lakes Crossing Outlets, Twelve Oaks Mall to reopen -- but shoppers should expect changes

In Metro Detroit there are two malls reopening on Thursday. At 11 a.m. both Great Lakes Crossing Outlet and the Twelve Oaks Mall will open their doors. Somerset Collection and Lakeside Mall will open Friday at 11 a.m.READ: Great Lakes Crossing Outlets, Twelve Oaks Mall reopening: New hours, COVID-19 safety rulesLocal 4 went to Twelve Oaks Mall on Tuesday where the cleaning staff was hard at work. Great Lakes Crossing in Auburn Hills has the same management company as Twelve Oaks, so you’ll see the same safeguards in place for the stores and restaurants there. To start, the new hours will be from 11 a.m. until 7 p.m. but don’t expect all the stores to be open on Thursday.

'We are in the same boat as our tenants’: New Lakeside Mall owner drops rent for shops amid coronavirus pandemic

STERLING HEIGHTS, Mich. – Out of the Box Ventures, the company that bought Lakeside Mall last year, announced that it will be reducing rent for tenants during the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. Their success is our success,” said Ophir Sternberg, founder and CEO of Out of Box. This rent reduction is not a loan or promissory note, but rather a partial rent forgiveness. RELATED: Michigan mall owner Taubman requires tenants to pay rent amid closures“We have committed to solely cover our costs, charge tenants the minimum rent possible, and pass along any additional savings that may be available from public or private entities,” Sternberg said. It also owns properties across the country.

New Lakeside Mall owner unveils plans, including synthetic ice skating rink

STERLING HEIGHTS, Mich. – The ownership group that purchased Lakeside Mall last year has big plans for the Sterling Heights shopping center. A synthetic ice skating rink, art installations, food trucks and a pop-up shop market are all planned for the mall, which is one of the largest in the state. The ice skating rink and pop-up market are expected by spring. It’s a new change of pace for the building at Hall and Schoenherr roads. “Partridge Creek is freezing in the winter.”One shop owner, Tony Ansara, hopes the new developments will increase foot traffic to his jewelry store he has owned for 29 years.

Synthetic ice skating rink, food trucks, more planned at Lakeside Mall

STERLING HEIGHTS, Mich. – A synthetic ice skating rink, art installations, food trucks and a pop-up shop market are anticipated to come to Lakeside Mall. “We are thrilled to be bringing an ice-skating rink to Lakeside,” said Jerry Weller, Mall Manager, in a statement. In late spring, Lakeside’s first food truck and pop-up shop market will be installed. A variety of Sterling Heights’ and Detroit’s top food vendors will be available alongside merchandise by local artists. Out of the Box, a real estate firm based in Miami, purchased Lakeside mall December 2019.

Lakeside Mall in Sterling Heights sells with mixed-use redevelopment planned

Sterling Heights and an out-of-state developer have big plans for the citys struggling mall. Lakeside Mall sold this week to Out of the Box Ventures, a subsidiary of Miami-based Lionheart Capital, for $26.5 million, Crains Detroit Business reported. New owner Ophir Sternberg is planning a mixed-use redevelopment, though no specifics have been released. Sternberg told Crains that the redevelopment could include residential, entertainment, hospitality, medical, or office space. The city of Sterling Heights had been trying to attract developers with mixed-use plans for the site that resembled a downtown city center.

detroit.curbed.com

New Lakeside Mall owner plans mixed-use development

STERLING HEIGHTS, Mich. – Lakeside Mall is one of the largest malls in the state and Sterling Heights Mayor Michael Taylor said it could be getting better. “It’s just really a concrete step in the right direction. Recently, Miami-based developer Out of the Box Ventures bought the property and is now the new owner of the mall. “It’s been in limbo for quite a while, so this is a great step in the right direction,” Taylor said. But with the new sale complete, Lakeside Mall’s new owners say it’s not over just yet.