Lansing Twp. - Neither cold nor snow nor chill in the air can keep holiday shoppers away from Eastwood Towne Center this season - at least that's what tenants hope.
When Eastwood Towne Center opened for business earlier this fall, the concept of an open-air mall was embraced by shoppers and businesses alike. Sunny skies and warm temperatures made the outdoor atmosphere appealing.
These days, as temperatures dip below freezing, some shoppers are willing to brave the cold weather. To navigate the shopping center on Lake Lansing Road off of U.S. 127, patrons must shift between shops outside rather than walking through an enclosed mall.
"I prefer this to mall shopping," said DeWitt Township resident Dawn Gribben, layered inside a warm-looking winter coat outside American Eagle Outfitters. "I like to be in and out."
Despite the bitter cold and snowfall early this week, Gribben said an outside shopping experience is not a disadvantage.
"It's like shopping in Colorado," she said. "I like seeing the storefronts and seeing window dressings."
But some consumers prefer to do their shopping in the comfort of a heated building instead of marching through rain and snow between shops. Nearby centers offering indoor shopping include Lansing Mall in Delta Township and Meridian Mall in Okemos.
When choosing between the outdoor and indoor complexes, advertising junior Andrea Bleil said she is more likely to do her holiday shopping where it is warm and covered.
"I don't like the cold," she said. "And everything is closer together."
Vendors operating at Eastwood Towne Center say they hope shoppers will opt for the outdoor-oriented spot.
Randy Badger, sales manager of Dick's Sporting Goods, said he doesn't expect weather to be a factor in Eastwood Towne Center's first holiday shopping season.
"We haven't noticed a problem yet," he said. "I don't see weather being a problem."
Badger added that he expects his store's current revenue trends to continue through the holiday season. "I wouldn't expect to see any changes," he said.
And if weather predictions are on target, shoppers will face a break from brisk temperatures and snow later this month. The National Weather Service is forecasting a temporary mid-December warm-up.
"It should warm up toward the middle of next week," said William Marino, meteorologist at the National Weather Service in Grand Rapids. "The middle part of December will be on the mild side."
Still, as the end of the year nears, Marino said to expect more snow and colder temperatures.
But don't expect wintery weather to keep everyone indoors.
MSU shopper Bleil said despite her reluctance to brave the cold she still enjoys the variety of Eastwood Towne Center's merchants.
"They do have a J. Crew," she said. "I'm excited about that."
Patrick Walters can be reached at walter88@msu.edu.
