Here’s the Fate for the Former Michigan Kmart Headquarters
Kmart hasn’t been in Michigan for a few years, and now, the former Michigan Kmart headquarters is being bought out. It’s sad to see this final piece of Kmart in Michigan go, but at the same time, I’m glad the new use will be a good one. It’s much better to have the space occupied, too, verses being vacant.
Last Kmart Store in Michigan
The last Kmart store in Michigan closed in November 2021. It was a sad moment, as Michigan is the state where the retail chain got its start way back in 1899. The story of Kmart began, believe it or not, in the late 19th century. Founder Sebastian Spering Kresge opened his first five-and-dime store in downtown Detroit under a different name. Then, in 1962, he changed the name of the store to Kmart, and the chain grew. For years, Kmart was one of the most popular chains in the United States. But, the competition has been fierce. Other “big box” retailers such as Walmart and Target are now the big ones. That’s not to mention all the competition that came from online retailers, such as Amazon and Walmart’s online service. Was it just that Kmart couldn’t adapt to a changing environment? Or, had the brand burned out? It was probably a combination of Kmart not evolving and the brand getting old. When I think of Kmart, I definitely think of yesteryear.
Here’s What’s Happening to the Former Michigan Kmart Headquarters
The University of Michigan Health system has announced its purchasing a part of the vacant land at the former Michigan Kmart headquarters in Troy. They’ll build a multi-specialty facility, which will help them extend greater into Metro Detroit. The moved happened on Thursday (March 28), when the UM Board of Regents unanimously approved a motion to buy the 7.8-acre property for $4.42 million. The former Michigan Kmart headquarters is located on a 40-acre plot at 3100 West Big Beaver Road. Forbes/Frankel Troy Ventures LLC previously owned the property. The new facility will help the University of Michigan Health extend its specialty clinical services and patient access into Oakland County. Currently, there are no other exclusively adult Michigan Medicine facilities in that area, according to officials.
“We are thrilled to announce our plans for a long-term presence and commitment to patients in Oakland County, in keeping with our efforts to create a statewide network of care that allows Michiganders the ability to receive our world-class care close to home,” said Michigan Medicine CEO and dean of the UM Medical School Marschall Runge.