An ad announces the official grand opening of Sears, which took place in November 1954. The freestanding store was a "shadow anchor" of the adjacent FRANDOR CENTER. Reading along, one can pick up on the glowing hyperbole that was often used to promote new retail complexes and stores in this era. Potential patrons were promised  "The greatest shopping thrill in years!"

Advert from Sears, Roebuck & Company

A vintage view of the south parking area at FRANDOR CENTER. On the right, the East Mall, Woolworth's and Kroger. On of two Mall Court store blocks is seen in the upper left.
Photo from Frandor Shopping Center - Market Report / Merchandising Service Dept. / The State Journal / Lansing, MI 1957

The original Capital City shopopolis, circa-1956. It was a simple strip center, with a small, open-air Mall Court in the middle. In its early days, FRANDOR included a putt-putt golf course and kiddie ride amusement area. The parking area accommodated 3,000 autos.

FRANDOR CENTER TENANTS 1956:

SEARS (with attached Auto Center) / FEDERAL / F.W. WOOLWORTH 5 & 10 (with luncheonette) / S.S. KRESGE 5 & 10 (with luncheonette) / KROGER supermarket / WRIGLEYS supermarket / A.S. Beck Shoes / B.J.'s / Chicken Shack / Cunningham Drug (with luncheonette) / Crystal Barber Shop / Dutch Mill Bakery / Erin Paint Stores / Fanny Farmer Candies / Flash Cleaners / Fox Hole PX military surplus store / Green's Apparel / Grinnell's Music / Harryman's Shoes / Holden-Reid Clothiers For Men & Boys / Howard Johnson's restaurant (outparcel) / Kiddieland (outparcel) / Kinney Shoes / Lansing Cotton Shop ladies' wear / Thom McAn Shoes / Michigan National Bank (outparcel) / Peter Pan Snack Shop / Rental Freezer, Incorporated / Riker's Cleaners / Sew 'N Save Shop / Spartan Carpet Company / Three Sisters ladies' wear / United Shirt / Van Horn's men's wear / Ziegler's Charcoal House restaurant 

ON THE MALL COURT:

Brothers Delicatessen / Doctor Harold Shnider, Optometrist / Gilbert's Chocolate Shop / Linn's Camera Shop / Modern Youth Shoes / National Finance Company / Pino's Music Shop / Ring Clear hosiery & accessories shop / Tie Rak / Thompson's Jewelry Company / TV Engineer's television repair

IN THE CONCOURSE:

Doctor Dennis Day, Optometrist / Dohm Barber Shop / Frandor Beauty Shop