Hello, and welcome. Here you will find an ongoing list of the many Saginaw Township area businesses that have CLOSED in the last few years. All of the featured photos were taken From 2006 to date. The date of this post will be the last updated date.
2009 is here and the site will have some major additions in the coming weeks. Photos not all available, but will update the postings for new CLOSINGS. Its been a tough year for Saginaw.
THIS IS NOT A JOKE.
These are real photos of real businesses that have either closed their doors or are in the process of doing so. Has there ever in the history of Saginaw Township been so many VACANT businesses?
While it is true that not every business can make it, and many do fail. But why are so many long standing businesses in Saginaw closing down recently? Why all the empty buildings? Compare the landscape to Bay City and Midland surrounding areas. Those communities don't seem to have the same effects.
Feel free to post your comments about this site, or about any location closing, or just general opinions about what is happening to the Saginaw area business community. The citizens of this community need to speak up and do something! Contact your local officials and congressmen too. Make a difference!
Saturday, October 24, 2009
ABOUT THIS SITE
Friday, October 23, 2009
Oct 2009 update
UPDATE: OCTOBER 24, 2009.
There have been a number of changes over the summer and this blog is in the process of being updated.
Newly vacant
Princings Pharmacy (State Street)
Carpet World (State Street / Wieneke)
Powerhouse Gym (state street)
Now occupied
Former Chi Chis Building is now a mongolian restaurant *finally occupied
Former Don Pablos location is now Harvey's
Former Dairy Queen (Bay Rd), then Chinese eatery, is now a Baskin Robbins
Former Levis (Bay Rd), then Buffet Max, is now another Chinese place
Eaton - after moving to Mexico it didnt work out and got relocated back to the United States, However, it did not come back to Saginaw, or even Michigan for that matter... sad..
Lets make this a group effort.. If you know of any closings or openings that are not listed here for 2009, please reply to this post and let everyone know.. thanks!
Peace and prosperity to all.
Sunday, January 18, 2009
Circuit City Bay Road Saginaw
Saginaw Circuit City
Soon to be CLOSING
ALL NATION WIDE LOCATIONS as Circuit City goes bankrupt.
Located right next to the now empty old Media Play store, we will now add Circuit City to the list of Saginaw closed businesses. This one hit like a ton of bricks and the site was not even on the secret "forecast list". This closing would not be attributed to Saginaw's economy but rather the U.S. economy as a whole since the entire chain is going under. It's a sad time to see that the banks get the bailout, the automotive giants get the bailout, but large retailers that have been around for 60 years.. well you're on your own.
Kinkos Fed Ex Saginaw
Kinkos Fedex Saginaw, Tittabawassee
CLOSED, now VACANT
Another shocker that comes like a wave during same time period of closings by Steve and Barry's and now Circuit City. This one along with those others were busy businesses. They were stores that brought value to the community. Not that restaurants don't but its clear restaurants come and go. These are chain stores that have been in Saginaw for years. We have all been there. Circuit City inspired competition from Best Buy if you went TV shopping. Steve and Barry's let you could get some cool college clothes cheap,, and with Kinkos you could get your copies made, packages shipped, all within one a square block... What more could you ask for??
As the writer of this blog, I have to say this closing was more alarming and disturbing than any of the others. Kinkos bailing out was a huge disappointment to Saginaw business climate.
I spoke with an employee at the office just before it was closing, and they explained their take on the reasoning behind it.
"fedex looked at their sales figures from the last 2 years from July 2006 to July 2008 and they werent where they needed to be, even though the location showed numbers far above average since July 2008."
They ending up closing a several offices nationwide, and 2 from Michigan (the other near Detroit). Kinkos still operates a location in Bay City.
other closings within that square block
(pep boys, don pablos, chi chis, circuit city, buffet max, dairy queen, linens and more)
(no photo available)
Texan Bay Road
Texan Bay Road
CLOSED, and now REOCCUPIED by a Mexican eatery.
This American restaurant located right by the mall has been in operation for a long long time. To see it close down was a shock. But luckily, a restaurant right down the street moved right in. Let's hope that one lasts as long.
Texan on state street still in operation, but has endured some large price hikes over the years.
(no photo)
Steve and Barry's Saginaw Bay Road
Steve and Barry's Saginaw Bay Road
Fashion Square Mall
CLOSED, now REOCCUPED (with something unknown)
This was another shocker for last quarter 2008. A major retailer to shut its doors and went out of business.
photos coming soon.. (maybe)
Paradise Island Tanning Saginaw State Street
Paradise Island Tanning Saginaw State Street
CLOSED, now VACANT
It lasted a few years and then went out just like all the others in the same strip mall. Left next to it is still the dollar store, a borics, and a sally's beauty supply store.
no photo yet..
Buffet Max
Buffet Max Bay - Road, Saginaw
CLOSED, now REOCCUPIED
This location on Bay Road took over the old Levi's Saloon (also listed in blog which moved to state street). Buffet Max survived a couple years, and now out of business. Next door sits another foreign cuisine eatery that went under, formally a thriving Dairy Queen.
photos to come..
Carpetworld Saginaw State Street
Carpetworld State Street Saginaw
CLOSED, now VACANT
On the corner of State and Wieneke this retailer took over the closed CVS building (which erected and lasted a few months til they closed all Michigan locations). Carpetworld survived a few years, and closed it doors at the end of 2008. Another vacant building on a main road in Saginaw.
Photos to come..
Kroger Saginaw State Street
Two Saginaw KROGER locations CLOSED and VACANT
Kroger decided to CLOSE two of its locations and open up a new larger store in the old Farmer Jack location (shown in this blog). Though the business still operates in town, it is still "technically" a closing since we now have 2 more building that are VACANT and are FOR SALE. Add the other Kroger building on Tittabawassee which closed a few years ago and remains vacant.. then subtract the new one and we still have -2, right?)
No photos of any locations yet, as this is a recent development.
Wednesday, April 09, 2008
RJ's Bay Road Saginaw
This one now OUT OF BUSINESS.
CLOSED - VACANT
Burger King - Bay Road
CLOSED - VACANT
Farmer Jack demolished
April 9, 2008 - The Farmer Jack building gets demolished. FINALLY!
More about Farmer Jack here
The Saginaw Strip Malls - A curse?
There looks to be a pattern here.
Strip mall + Saginaw = FAILURE.
Just look at these examples:
Bay Road - Kmart building and strip mall - VACATED (1 tenant)
Bay Road - Old Powerhouse Gym strip mall VACATED (1 tenant)
State Street - Green Acres strip mall (2-3 tenants)
State Street - Walmart Strip mall (3-4 tenants)
A large number of companies found at those locations are now OUT OF BUSINESS.
These strip malls are now only wasted land that makes the area look like a ghost town.
Who owns them? Are they responsible for their downfall?
Why have so many businesses failed in them?
Why do they stay vacant so long?
Tuesday, April 08, 2008
Sears Parts and Service Saginaw


UPDATE - April 2008
now listed "For Sale"

Saturday, March 15, 2008
Kwik Way Midland Road Saginaw


This is 2nd party store at this location to go under. Its also the longest time the building has been VACANT in 20 years.
KWIK WAY PARTY STORE
MIDLAND ROAD, NEAR STATE STREET
SAGINAW
CLOSED
2006?
JUNE 2006 UPDATE - THIS PROPERTY RECENTY PURCHASED FROM A REAL ESTATE COMPANY AND IS NOW OPEN - FINALLY!
April 2008 update - BUILDING VACANT AGAIN
Saturday, March 08, 2008
Saginaw Closings - Official 2007-2008 List
We have documented the many Saginaw closings here. But here is a list over only the MOST RECENT CLOSINGS (over last 6 months), and some "risky" predictions too.
CLOSED 2008
- Don Pablos CLOSED (vacant)
- Value City Department Store CLOSED (in process)
- Golden China (bay rd) CLOSED (reoccupied)
- Saginaw Photo (Green Acres) CLOSED (in process)
- American Video (Gratiot) CLOSED (vacant)
- Mid Michigan Music (Bay Road) CLOSED (vacant)
MISCELLANOUS PREDICTIONS FOR 2008
- That drive through Coffee shop on Bay Rd will close.
- The Cash store on Tittabawassee will close.
- New Chinese restaurants will emerge
- Chi Chi's across from the mail will still be vacant.
- 99.9% probability all CHAIN drug stores will remain open.
Updates to follow...
Thursday, March 06, 2008
Saginaw Photo Closing
NEW CLOSING:
Just announced on the news, Saginaw Photo will be permanently closing.
Updates and photos to come.
http://www.saginawphoto.com/
Friday, February 08, 2008
McDonald's Washington
Unknown Bank Tittabawassee
American Video Gratiot Road
No new occupants. It remaines another VACANT building.
UPDATE: 1Q 2009 - Building RECOCCUPIED (tenant unknown)
Zabro's Pizza Bay Road
*note, I may have spelled the name of the place wrong.
Mid Michigan Music Bay Road
Mid Michigan Music still operates offices in Bay City and Midland, Michigan.
Seems it's just Saginaw that wasn't working out?
Is Guitar Center next?
Guardian Auto Glass Bay Road
The building has remained VACANT for some time now.
The 2 drug stores across the street sure seem to draw traffic.
Thursday, January 31, 2008
Value City Bay Road Closing
The furniture business (left side of property) would remain open.
Closes for good on April 15, 2008.
Wednesday, January 30, 2008
Bye Bye Eaton
January 30, 2008 - Demolished! Gone are the buildings of used to be one of Saginaw's top employers, Eaton Corporation. After a half decade in operation with thousands of jobs, Eaton took advantage of the tax and wage savings and relocated these operations to Mexico. This isn't about a bankrupcy, not about a small company closing down, ..but rather a large manufacturing plant MOVING to another country... sad sad..
Tuesday, January 15, 2008
Town Cafe State Street Saginaw
Tuesday, January 08, 2008
Don Pablos goes OUT OF BUSINESS
BREAKING NEWS!
01 08 2008
Don Pablo's of Saginaw has recently declared Bankruptcy and will be the latest restaurant in Saginaw to CLOSE.
Updates and photos of yet another VACANT building to come.
Tuesday, September 18, 2007
End of Summer update
Just checking in here... A few updates for Winter 2007, but not much.
Thanks for sharing your opinions.. please keep the dialog going, and keep talking, keep doing what ever we can to save this town.
A few updates in the last month.
Fazoli's - State street - TORN DOWN!
Country Grains Bakery - OUT OF BUSINESS and now recently TORN DOWN
Bill Knapp's / Town Cafe Restaurant - Green Acres State Street - TORN DOWN and a new building now going UP.
THAT'S THREE ABANDONDED BUILDINGS GONE IN THREE MONTHS!
way to go people! Now if we can only get them to get to the old bank on Gratiot in front of K-mart!
Saginaw had some new sales over the summer - Tommy K's, Sebalds - both of which are still left UNOCCUPIED. What gives?
Looks like ANOTHER drug store is going up in the Green Acres Plaza lot (Rite Aid) - Though personally I would much rather see a good restaurant. We have plenty of drug stores already, and if people really need drugs they will DRIVE to get them, right?
** STILL GHOSTLY *
Chi Chi's - Bay Road - it was supposed to go up for auction, and reported a medical office would move in, but no updates yet.
Mannion Brothers - State street - still UGLY! yet there is a nice pretty Manards just down the street.
Sebalds Bakery - State Street - SOLD months ago - but why is that ugly thing still there? The owner's need to get on it.
Pep Boys - Tittabawassee Rd - yep, still an UGLY eyesore!
Media Play - Bay Rd. - Lots of space, no business. More UGLYNESS
Farmer Jack - APRIL 2008 - TORN DOWN! State Street
Big Lots - State Street - yep more green acres plaza, which will stay empty, unless a new drug store chain comes in.
I hate to keep ranting about these buildings, but if we are going to aim for progress let's set our sites on these. Talk about it. Tell people. Tell you officials. Do something to make a difference.
Until the next update... we're still here alive in Saginaw.
Friday, June 01, 2007
LATEST CLOSINGS FOR 2007
- Fazoli's State Street Saginaw
- Mancino's Bay Road Saginaw - another eyesore
- Mid Michigan Music Center - what a shame!
- AJ Wright State Street Green Acres plaza - a surprise?
- Pizza Buffet Restaurant Bay Road Saginaw
There are a few others that to add later....
2007 IMPROVEMENTS / UPDATES:
New Rental business occupies the old Tractor Supply on Midland Road.
Qwik way building on Midland Rd, now occupied.
The news reported that Chi Chi's property had been purchased.
Clark Gas on Gratiot Rd Shields, now occupied.
Thursday, May 18, 2006
Pep Boys Saginaw



This business went up and OUT in no time flat. Just down the road from Sears Tire and Service and Firestone it was one of the largest full service Automotive places in town. Bigger than Discount Tire, Goodyear, and Firestone together. Maybe Saginaw wasn't ready for it, who knows. But if you look in the Meijers parking lot across the street you will now find ANOTHER big tire service business, "Bell" Tire and Service. Gee, who wants to re-occupy an empty building anyway, right? Good luck to Bell. The Pep boys building remains another VACANT building adding to Saginaw's "Ghosttown" image.
Pep Boys Auto Service
Tittabawassee, near Bay
Saginaw
CLOSED
200?
Wednesday, May 17, 2006
Dairy Queen Bay Road Saginaw
Chi Chi's Bay Road Saginaw

This business has been closed for some time (like years). It leaves a broken up parking lot, some poorly maintained landscape, and a BIG eye sore right across from the Saginaw Fashion Square mall. The only other business in that vicinity to close in the last decade was Harmony House, but that was soon replaced by Mens Warehouse. According to the signs recently posted, it appears there is in auction which means FINALLY something will be done with this nasty building.
Chi Chi's Resaurant
Bay Road
Saginaw
CLOSED
200?
Thursday, April 27, 2006
Clark Gas Bay Road Saginaw


A few years ago all of the Clark stations went under. This lil "shack" along with another in Shields remains VACANT. Admiral took over the Clark on Bay and Davenport. What an ugly piece of land on the popular traveled Bay road. Somebody buy this please!
Clark Gas Station
Bay Road (and Gratiot in Shields)
Saginaw Michigan
JUNE 2007 UPDATE - PROPERTY WAS RECENTY PURCHASED BY ADMIRAL AND IS NOW IN OPERATION - FINALLY!
Senior First - Express Fit Saginaw
Peking Buffet Saginaw

The second Chinese buffet in this building. Apparantly the first one was closed by the health department. Another empty restaurant.
PEKING BUFFET
STATE STREET
WALMART PLAZA
SAGINAW
CLOSED
2005
UPDATE 4Q 2007
NOW OCCUPIED - new name, new ownership.
let's see how long it lasts?
UPDATE 1Q 2008
Closed temporarily.
Door sign says "Closed for roof repairs"
(exactly how long does it take to repair a roof?)
Rit Drum and Guitar Saginaw
Saturday, April 15, 2006
Heritage Lighting State Street Saginaw



Along with Hancock Fabrics, Heritage Lighting is another recent business closing in Green Acres Plaza. Heritage has been operating in Saginaw for many years.
Currently open while selling out inventory.
Soon to come, yet another VACANT building.
HERITAGE LIGHTING
STATE STREET
GREEN ACRES PLAZA
SAGINAW
CLOSING 2006
Tommy K's on Midland Road Saginaw


Tommy K's was gearing to satisfy the older crowd. They even closed by 1:00 on the weekends. They remodeled the entire place and brought in live Country and Adult style bands. The business died much like the people in the cemetary across the street. It's the 2nd business to close it's doors at that location. The place formerely known as "Drifter's" spent many years in Saginaw. Yet another building now VACANT.
TOMMY K'S
MIDLAND ROAD
(OFF STATE STREET)
SAGINAW
CLOSED
March 2006
Update: 1Q 2009 - This property is now occupied and open under new owner. Coty's Bar. Best of luck!
Tractor Supply Midland Road Saginaw



The company is actually still in business today. They have relocated to the Sheilds area (Gratiot Ave). It had been running at the Midland Road location for some time. Now, it has become another VACANT building.
TRACTOR SUPPLY
MIDLAND ROAD, OFF STATE STREET
SAGINAW
CLOSED and MOVED
End of 2005/Early 2006
JUNE 2007 UPDATE - A new rental company is now operating at this property - best of luck!
Hancock Fabric State Street Saginaw
Media Play Bay Road Saginaw
Diamond Computer State Street Saginaw



Diamond Computer company lasted for a few years, which has been typical for other computer related companies in the area.
This time it's a "For Rent" sign and local phone number posted.
Finally a business owned by someone from the area.
The building remains vacant.
DIAMOND COMPUTER
STATE STREET
SAGINAW
CLOSED
2005?
Manion Brothers State Street Saginaw CLOSED




What a story this is. Manion Brothers used to be located just down the street before they were bought out my Walgreens and had to move. They got a brand new building on busy State Street, but unfortunately the newer superstores such as Lowes and Home Depot knocked them out. Gone are the days of the local small town hardware stores. The building remains empty. And guess who's sign is posted? Miller Group! No surprise there.
MANION BROTHERS HARDWARE
STATE STREET
SAGINAW
CLOSED
2005
Sebalds Bakery State Street Saginaw
Farmer Jack State Street Saginaw




Farmer Jack, one of the largest buildings in the Green Acres Plaza on State Street Saginaw, closed it's doors and went bankrupt. This was the largest grocery store in the area. Two Kroger stores remain on the street within miles.
FARMER JACK
GREEN ACRES PLAZA
STATE STREET, SAGINAW
CLOSED
2005
UPDATED JANUARY 2008
News reported that it is TRUE that Kroger will "officially" move into this property. Details as they become available.
More Green Acres State Street Closings Saginaw
Superior Gym State Street Saginaw



As a dismay to many of its paid members, Superior Gym locked it's doors in 2005. It's still a mystery if it will reopen, since the equipment is still there as well as paperwork on the counter still (check out the pic).
SUPERIOR GYM
GREEN ACRES PLAZA
STATE STREET SAGINAW
CLOSED
2005
UPDATED - NOW OCCUPIED
Powerhouse Gym now operating at this property. Finally a new gym!
Big Lots Saginaw Green Acres State Street
Green Acres Saginaw Michigan
Builder's Square Tittabawassee Bay Rd Saginaw

Remember "Builders Square" from years ago, a company owned by K-Mart? They started in the Media Play/Circuit City building and then moved here. Well not long after moving, the business shut down. This was mostly due to the new Home Depot and Lowe's competitors.
Well, finally a success story, somewhat that is. After years of a VACANT building, recently Burlington Coat Factory moved in. Will it last? Guess we will have to see.
Builder's Square
Tittabawassee/Bay Rd
Saginaw
CLOSED
(too long ago to put a date)
now OCCUPIED by Burlington Coat Factory
New Edge Technology Saginaw

This used to be a business called New Edge Technology. They operated here for a few years and then moved across town. This well traveled intersection near Meijers has had many businesses come and go. Before New Edge it was a Sprint store. Now, as you can see, it is a "Cash Store". So if you need cash it's the place to go. Is it at all ironic that consumers in town are in need of cash, and all of the businesses in town are closing? How long will this one last?
New Edge Technology
Tittabawasee, near Bay
Saginaw
CLOSED, and MOVED
2005
Other Saginaw Business CLOSINGS
Other Saginaw businesses CLOSED.
No photos available for these locations as of yet.
- Big Daddys (State Street) CLOSED - still VACANT
- Mancinos (State Street) CLOSED (replaced by mexican diner)
- Panarama Video (State Street) CLOSED (replaced by thrift shop)
- Levi's Restaurant (Bay Road) CLOSED 2005 (replaced by Chinese buffet)
- Four Plays (Bay Road) CLOSED 2005
- Mama's Kitchen CLOSED (Bay Road) (replaced by mexican diner)
- Franks Nursery (Bay Road and State Street) CLOSED
- JC Penny (State Street) CLOSED - reoccupied by AJ Wright, which later also CLOSED
- ??? Office building (Gratiot in front of Kmart) CLOSED & VACANT FOR YEARS
(need to get a photo of this one, a major eyesore)
Added Photos & Details (May 2006)
- China King (State Street, across Walmart) CLOSED 2005
- Pep Boys Auto Service (Tittabawassee, Near Bay) CLOSED 2004 - still VACANT
- New Edge Technology (Tittabawassee, Near Bay) location CLOSED and moved 2004
- Rit Drum & Guitar (State Street, across Walmart) CLOSED 2005 - VACANT
- Chi Chi's Restaurant (Bay Road) CLOSED - STILL VACANT
- Dairy Queen (Bay Road) CLOSED (replaced by buffet restaurant, which recently CLOSED too)




































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