Macy's in Battle Creek's Lakeview Square Mall is closing.  The retailer announced today that it would close 68 stores, and that  nearly 4,000 employees will be affected by the closures.

Battle Creek's store opened in 1983, and currently employs 51 associates, according to Macy's.   The Lansing store will also close.  Final clearance sales will begin on Monday, January 9, and run for approximately eight to 12 weeks.

The closures are part of a plan to shut down about 100 stores, which represents 15% of its store base, over the next couple of years.

Two other Macy's stores in  Michigan will close.   Stores in Harper Woods and Westland will shut down in the next few weeks.

Many analysts are saying that the closing of a major tenant and anchor store could be the be the end of many shopping malls across the country.   Sears and K-Mart closings are also being announced.

The 102,000 square foot store in Battle Creek opened 33 years ago as a Hudson's, then became Marshall Fields, and most recently Macy's.

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