Another anchor store is closing its doors at the Eastland Center in Harper Woods, making it increasingly difficult for the 60-year-old mall to survive.
Earlier this year, Macy's closed up shop there, and soon Target will be closing after the holiday season.
Harper Woods City Manager Randolph Dkotarczyk says Target officials called them Tuesday about the closure.
"Obviously we are not happy about it. It was a bit of a surprise," he said.
City officials are trying to work with the owners of Eastland Center in hopes of turning the space into a mixed-use project -- some ideas include a senior-residential development or banquet facility.
"We lost Macy's and now Target is about to leave, it's like a domino effect," said Danairo Thomas, who has worked at a barbershop in the Eastland Center for the past four years.
Thomas thinks if the anchor stores leave - the mall will eventually close.
“I'm like dang. That's messed up. It's like my second home," he said. "It's looking like Northland."
The target store at the Northland Mall in Southfield closed early 2015 -- months later -- the mall shutdown, leaving behind 125 acres.
Many malls in Southeast Michigan are struggling to stay open...
Macomb Mall in Roseville is trying to bounce back after Sears pulled out earlier this year.
"The mall concept in this country is failing in a lot of areas," said Dkotarczyk.
Target told city officials they will close on February 3rd -- after the holidays they will have a closing sale.
The retailer said they plan on offering Target employees a chance to work at another location.
The nearest Target stores are in Clinton Township and Warren.
