In retrospect, it may not have been the greatest idea, but at the time we were all a little excited about the new mall out in Plainfield Township.

In 1971, malls were the new thing. Shopping was moving to the suburbs, and the shiny new North Kent Mall was the latest and greatest mall in the Grand Rapids area.

Congressman Gerald R. Ford showed up to cut the ribbon and the Mall was off and running. I recently stumbled across some news camera footage of the ceremonies online. I love how the reporter has his doubts that it's going to work out.

The NKM rocked for a few years before it died a slow and painful death. But it's all good. There's a Lowe's there now.

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