STERLING HEIGHTS, Mich. (WXYZ) — The Lord + Taylor store inside Lakeside Mall will close by the middle of September, according to a WARN notice filed with the State of Michigan.
The notice, dated on Tuesday, June 4, said the store will be a permanent closing with an expected closing date of Sept. 15, 2019. According to HBC, Lord + Taylor's parent company, they announced plans to close up to 10 stores, and this is part of that plan.
The Mall's General Manager issued the following statement:
Lord & Taylor has supported us as an anchor for many years. While we’re sad to see them go, we will use this opportunity to enhance the retail offerings at Lakeside Mall to better serve the needs of our customers and our community.
In all, they expect 97 employees to be laid off, and employees were also notified on Tuesday of the store's closure. They will be laid off by the time the store closes in September.
According to the notice, there are no union bargaining rights or bumping rights.
The stores inside Great Lakes Crossing and Twelve Oaks will remain open.
"These decisions are never easy, but they are the right ones for the company. We are committed to offering support and assistance to our team affected by the closing; all eligible associates will receive appropriate employment separation packages and transfer opportunities will be explored where feasible," a statement said.
The city of Sterling Heights also released a statement.
While the city never likes to see closures, it has been following industry trends closely as retail and shopping preferences evolve so this move wasn’t unexpected. In fact, that’s exactly why the city has been actively planning and preparing over the last four years – including studying options, best practices and seeking community input – to ensure the Lakeside area remains not only sustainable but thrives in the years to come. This change, although difficult, represents a prime opportunity to reimagine new and exciting uses for all who call Sterling Heights and the region home. The Hall Road ‘Golden Corridor’ has all of the fundamentals to make that vision a reality. The city looks forward to what’s next and meeting the needs of our vibrant local economy.
The city thanks Lord & Taylor for its strong retail presence in Sterling Heights over many years and we wish them well.
