The Portage Crossroads Mall was opened on July 24th, 1980 on 6650 S Westnedge Ave. The preparations for the mall started around 1977, with residents and local officials getting involved in heated debates over the consequences of its construction. Construction started in late 1977 and finished in 1980. The 150th anniversary of the founding of Kalamazoo County event, called “Sentimental Journey,” while held at the Crossroads Mall, was at least partially... organized by the Arts Council of Greater Kalamazoo, who would be receiving proceeds from the event. The appeal of the mall was that it was one of the first two-story mall of its kind outside of Detroit. The hope was that the mall’s construction would lead to more business for Portage by drawing people in. Some of the main advertised features were a large J.C Penny’s and J. L. Hudson’s store. While the J. L Hudson’s no longer exists, the JC Penny’s and a Macy’s store still occupy tenant spaces within the mall.