Kalamazoo Mall

The Seven Wonders of Southwest Michigan is a combination of places and experiences that make this area wonderful.

The downtown Kalamazoo Mall was the first outdoor pedestrian mall in the nation. Constructed in 1959 the project became a model for cities across the country.

What many people may not know about the Kalamazoo/Portage area is the fact that we were on our way to becoming the Mall capital of Michigan. During the 80’s Kalamazoo had a minimum of 4 malls. Today, there is only one. Is the Crossroads Mall going to be the exception, or will it too join these abandoned and demolished malls of Kalamazoo’s past?

Everything from jewelry, ceramics, soaps, candles, crafts, and a ton more. Attendees will also be able to purchase beer, spirits and hot mulled wine.

August 19th, 1959. Sixty years ago, the downtown Kalamazoo Mall was officially dedicated, or more precisely, this officially closed parts of Burdick Street in the heart of downtown Kalamazoo, which was replaced with an urban pedestrian mall.

Registration for the Mardi Gras Bar Crawl on the Kalamazoo Mall will be at Old Burdicks March 2nd from noon to 3:00pm. You MUST be 21 years-of-age or older to attend and make sure to bring an ID; it will be checked at every bar. Once you've got your wristbands and grabbed your map, you are on your own to plot your course. Go wild and hit all the stops, or go Big Easy and enjoy a leisurely afternoon.

Now that winter has finally made itself known, it's time for the Kalamazoo Mall to warm us up with the Annual Chili Cook-Off.

Have you ever wondered where Crossroads Mall got its name?