Lincoln Park’s Sears Plaza: From Retail Hub to Redevelopment
For decades, the Lincoln Park Shopping Center, commonly known as Sears Plaza, was a cornerstone of suburban retail in Downriver, Michigan, especially during the busy Christmas holiday season. Situated at the busy intersection of Dix Highway and Southfield Road, it served generations of shoppers and became a local landmark.
The Early Years
The plaza’s story began in 1956 when Sears opened one of its earliest large suburban department stores in the Downriver area. The following year, the full strip-mall portion of the center opened, featuring approximately 35 smaller stores alongside the anchor. At the time, it was considered one of the first large suburban shopping centers in Metro Detroit, catering to a growing community eager for convenience and modern retail.
Heyday and Community Impact
During its peak, the Lincoln Park Sears was among the highest-grossing stores in the chain, drawing shoppers from across the region. The plaza became more than just a shopping destination — the Sears water tower, prominently visible from Dix Highway, became a beloved local landmark. Families, teens, and retirees alike flocked to the center, making it a hub of commerce and social interaction in the Downriver suburbs.
Changing Times
Like many mid-century shopping centers, Sears Plaza faced challenges as retail trends evolved. By the mid-2000s, newer shopping developments in nearby areas drew tenants and customers away, leaving portions of the plaza vacant. The decline culminated with the closure of the Sears store on January 6, 2019, following the company’s national bankruptcy and wave of store closures.
Redevelopment and Legacy
With the plaza largely vacated and demolished by 2018, the site became a focus for redevelopment. As of today, a multitude of plans are in motion as the property is being revitalized and redeveloped.
The first to open will be a Chick-fil-A, which is slated to open in April 2026. The owner-operator and Melvindale ABT graduate, Marcel Smith. As a tribute to the legacy of the former Sears shopping center, its logo actually features the Sears water tower!
More development is planned for the site, including a hotel, car wash, and additional restaurants.
While it was sad to see a legendary Downriver retail era fade away, we are excited to see the revitalization of the Sears property, and Lincoln Park, for that matter.
A Look Back at Some of the Stores and Restaurants
Over the years, dozens of businesses came and went. Some of the stores include both as part of the attached plaza and the surrounding property:
Anchor & Major Stores
• Sears
• Farmer Jack grocery store
• Kroger (early tenant)
Electronics / Specialty
• RadioShack
• Funcoland
• Giant Typewriter Mart
• GNC
Cards, Gifts & Small Shops
• Hallmark / Betty’s Hallmark
• KB Toy Works
• GameStop
Retail & Specialty Shops
• Kresge (dime store)
• Cunningham Drug
• Pier 1 Imports
• Dunham’s Sports
• Harmony House
• So-Fro Fabrics
• Winkelman’s
• One Price Clothing
• Rainbow
• Sizes Unlimited
• Famous Footwear
• Payless ShoeSource
• Dot’s
• Imperial Sports
Food & Restaurants
• Big Boy
• China Buffet
• Kowolsky Sausage
• Wendy’s
Other Businesses
• Michigan National Bank
• BoRics Hair Salon
• Dollar Tree