Tag Archives: RiverTown Crossings

A month of celebration: Rivertown Crossings announces first-ever BLOOM campaign

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BLOOM’s month-long festivities allow greater Grand Rapids community members to take part in sustainable practices and seasonal activities (Courtesy, RiverTown Crossings)


By WKTV Staff

deborah@wktv.org


(Courtesy, RiverTown Crossings)

This spring, RiverTown Crossings is proud to present BLOOM, an innovative month-long event series dedicated to sustainability and community engagement.

Starting on March 15 and running through April 26, BLOOM will transform RiverTown Crossings into a vibrant hub of eco-friendly activities and events.

“BLOOM showcases RiverTown Crossings’ dedication to community connection, featuring eco-friendly initiatives and engaging family-friendly events,” says Melissa Brink, Marketing Manager at RiverTown Crossings. “We’re delighted to provide a program that brings together sustainability, creativity, and community to celebrate the season.”

BLOOM aims to inspire and educate visitors on sustainable living practices while fostering a stronger sense of community and promoting fresh beginnings.

A wide variety of fun activities are available for all ages, including:

Document Shredding & Recycling Programs – Saturday, March 15

In celebration of World Recycle Day and in partnership with West Michigan Shredding, the community is encouraged to bring sensitive documents for safe disposal at an on-site shredding truck from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Located in the northeast parking lot near Dick’s Sporting Goods, guests may bring paper-based materials for shredding.

Participants who bring their documents to be shredded can text to enter a giveaway for a chance to win a $100 Uccello’s gift card.

Guests are also encouraged to visit several RiverTown Crossings tenants to support their recycling programs. Tenants include:

  • H&M – The retailer’s Garment Collection Program allows guests to drop off unwanted clothes from any brand, in any condition to recycle boxes in-store. The collected textiles are sorted for reuse, repurposing, or recycling to reduce waste.
  • American Eagle – Thinking of getting rid of that old pair of jeans? Bring them into an AE and get $10 toward a new pair! Shoppers must be a Real Rewards member to redeem this offer.
  • Sephora – Drop off your cleaned-out packaging to Sephora’s dedicated collection bins. In partnership with the nonprofit, Pact, the collected packaging will be repurposed into carpets, pallets, asphalt, new packaging and more.

BLOOM Bike Rodeo (Courtesy, RiverTown Crossings)

World Water Day – Saturday, March 22

In celebration of World Water Day, the center will host multiple environmental groups and vendors from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the lower level Center Court, to provide eco-friendly education and activities. Guests can also sign up to receive a free ‘RiverTown Crossings’ branded water bottle, with purchase at select stores and while supplies last.

Spring Affair – Friday, April 4 through Saturday, April 19

Capture season memories with Easter Bunny photo sessions taking place in Center Court. Fresh from the Home & Garden Show in Grand Rapids, DeHamer Landscaping will install a vibrant display of live plants and flowers for a beautiful spring backdrop. Guests are encouraged to reserve their spots and review photo packages, as space is limited. To reserve a photo session, visit whereisbunny.com.

Spring Break Activities – Saturday, April 12

Celebrating the end of spring break, families are invited to visit the RiverTown Crossings for a series of activities including crafts, coloring, face painting, balloon animals and an egg hunt.

Earth Day: Bike Rodeo – Saturday, April 26

BLOOM Bike Rodeo (Courtesy, RiverTown Crossings)

Local law enforcement agencies including the Grandville Police Department, Kent County Sheriff’s Office, Wyoming Police Department and the Walker Police Department are teaming up to host a free Bike Rodeo from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m., located in the Dick’s Sporting Goods parking lot.

The event will teach kids essential bike safety skills, including bike repairs, helmet checks and safe riding techniques, and a skills course will be available for those looking to challenge themselves. Attendees are encouraged to bring their own bikes, though a limited number of loaner bikes will be offered on a first-come, first-served basis.

Families can also enjoy exciting giveaways including a wildflower seed in Center Court, and bike raffles throughout the event.

For a full calendar of events, visit www.rivertowncrossings.com/bloom and follow RiverTown Crossings on Facebook and Instagram.

RiverTown Crossings celebrates 25th anniversary with holiday season events

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(Courtesy, RiverTown Crossings)


By WKTV Staff

deborah@wktv.org


(Courtesy, RiverTown Crossings)

RiverTown Crossings guests can expect magical Santa events, holiday drives, special sweepstakes and more for the 2024 holiday season celebrating the mall’s 25th anniversary.

The holiday season began on Nov. 11 with ‘GrateFULL Plates,’ where guests came together to assist families in need. The event kicked off a sleigh full of other holiday fun at the center, including Santa events, a holiday toy drive, special sweepstakes and more in honor of the mall’s 25th anniversary.

“We’re thrilled to bring Grandville a memorable holiday season,” says Ed McHale, General Manager at RiverTown Crossings. “Our goal is to create a joyful space where families and friends can gather, celebrate and give back together.”

Holiday fun at RiverTown Crossings features various seasonal events and activities for the entire family, including:

Photos with Santa – Nov. 22 to Dec. 24

Step into a winter wonderland at RiverTown Crossings and create cherished memories during the enchanting Santa Photo Experience! Santa Claus is taking a break from a busy North Pole schedule to bring joy to the whole family with a professional photo. Dates to see the jolly old elf include:

  • Nov. 22: 2 – 7 p.m.
  • Nov. 23: 11 a.m. – 7 p.m.
  • Nov. 24: noon – 6 p.m.
  • Nov. 25:  2 – 7 p.m.
  • Nov. 26: 11 a.m. – 7 p.m.
  • Nov. 28: CLOSED
  • Nov. 29: 11 a.m. – 7 p.m.

From Nov. 30 – Dec. 22:

  • Mondays – Saturdays: 11 a.m. – 7 p.m.
  • Sundays: 11 a.m. – 6 p.m.
  • Dec. 23: 10 a.m. – 7 p.m.
  • Dec. 24: 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.

*Santa does take a cookie break from 3-4 p.m. each day.

Magical Ride with Santa Sweepstakes – Nov. 23 at 11 a.m.

Jingle all the way to an unforgettable holiday experience at RiverTown Crossings! Lucky winners of the sweepstakes will get the chance to take a whimsical carousel ride alongside Santa and hot cocoa with cookies. The winner will enjoy their prize on Nov. 23 at 11 a.m.

How to enter:

No purchase necessary. Follow RiverTown Crossings on Instagram and Facebook for details on entering to win. Winners will be randomly selected on Monday, Nov. 18.

Sensory Santa Experience – Dec. 8 from 9:30-11:30 a.m.

A thoughtfully designed event tailored for children with sensory sensitivities and special needs. Every child deserves a magical holiday moment with Santa, and this event ensures a comfortable, stress-free environment for families to create cherished memories. The experience will include:

  • A calm environment with dimmed lighting and limited crowd size
  • Santa and photographers trained to interact with children with sensory sensitivities or special needs
  • Flexible photo options and extended time slots
  • Trained helpers to assist with families throughout the experience
  • Pre-registration is required to ensure a calm, uncrowded environment. Sign up for preferred time slots here.
The RiverTown Carousel (Courtesy, RiverTown Crossings)

Breakfast with Santa – Dec. 7 from 9:30-10:30 a.m.

Enjoy a delightful meal, holiday craft stations, letter writing to Santa and story time with Kris Kringle.

  • Our Santa photo provider will be on-site for optional professional photos immediately following at the photo set (additional cost).
  • All guests will receive one free 5×7 printed photo with the purchase of an A photo package.
  • Sign up for preferred time slots here.

Story Time with Santa – Dec. 3, 10 and 17 from 11-11:15 a.m.

Join Santa Claus himself as he takes a break from his busy Christmas preparations to share some of his favorite holiday tales with children of all ages. This heartwarming event promises to spark imagination, spread joy and create lasting memories for the whole family.

25 Cheers for 25 Years – Nov. 29 – Dec. 24

Join RiverTown to celebrate a quarter-century of memories, shopping and community. The “25 Cheers for 25 Years” holiday sweepstakes is saying thank you to the wonderful patrons who have made the center’s journey so special.

To mark this silver milestone, RiverTown is giving 25 lucky shoppers a chance to win big with this Anniversary holiday sweepstakes.

Prizes of the sweepstakes include:

  • 25 lucky winners will each receive a favorite RiverTown Crossings retailer between $50 – $250 in value -that’s a total of $2,250 in shopping joy being given away!
  • Shoppers can enter by following RiverTown Crossing on Instagram and Facebook to like, follow and tag their way to win.

Toys for Tots Holiday Drive – Nov. 1 – Dec. 1

Join RiverTown Crossing in spreading holiday cheer to children in need through the Toys for Tots Holiday Drive! In partnership with the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve Toys for Tots Program, the center is calling on the generous community to make the season brighter for local families.

  • Participants can bring in new, unwrapped toys to any of the center’s designated collection bins and-or the RiverTown public safety office.
  • Gifts are welcome for all ages from infants to teens. 
  • Popular and accepted items include board games, sports equipment, dolls, action figures, art supplies and electronics.
  • Not acceptable toys include second hand, used toys, realistic-looking weapons or food items.

For more information about holiday hours, deals and events at RiverTown Crossings, please visit www.rivertowncrossings.com.

RiverTown Crossings acquired by Poag Development Group: Redevelopment plans in progress

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Poag recently announced the acquisition of RiverTown Crossings, a 1,267,272-square-foot enclosed mall in Grandville (Courtesy, pxhere.com)


By WKTV Staff

deborah@wktv.org


Poag Development Group CEO, Josh Poag, recently announced the acquisition of RiverTown Crossings, a 1,267,272-square-foot enclosed mall in Grandville, MI.

“We always start with location, and in this case, we love the site in Grandville and its strong position within the greater Grand Rapids area,” said Poag, adding that he began looking at the mall as a potential acquisition upon the suggestion of a friend.

Poag is looking forward to use their redevelopment expertise to reimagine the RiverTown property (Courtesy, Joanne Bailey-Boorsma)

After visiting the Grand Rapids area last summer, Poag was impressed with the Grand Rapids MSA, Grandville in particular.

“This property has so much potential for redevelopment given its great location and proximity to rooftops,” said Poag. “We are energized about the opportunity to deploy our redevelopment expertise to reimagine the property, both inside and outside, and its role in the greater Kent County area.”

The Poag CEO was also impressed with Grandville’s passion for the area – and for the future.

“There is a lot of growth in the area, and we walked away very impressed and encouraged,” said Poag.

Revitalizing through creating experience

(Courtesy, pxhere.com)

Though RiverTown Crossings boasts five anchors including Macy’s, Kohl’s, JCPenney, Celebration Cinemas and Dick’s Sporting Goods, the two-story enclosed super regional shopping mall has seen a decline in patronage over the last several years.

Poag believes the reason for the decline in mall patronage is twofold.

“Online shopping is certainly one cause over the past 15 years,” Poag said. “The operations of a mall are another. When a mall or any property is neglected, the customer sees that and feels the decline. They are less encouraged to come back.

“Our history is about creating experience. Our first mission is to take care of the property, from filling in potholes to trimming back overgrown landscaping to getting the carousel working again.”

(Courtesy, pxhere.com)

Poag aims to revitalize the mall through redevelopment by adding new uses and activating underutilized parking fields, though the planning process is in early stages.

“While we know we want to add new uses and leverage underutilized real estate, we can’t yet say what that will look like just yet,” said Poag. “It could be multifamily, hotel or more retail.

“Until we take the necessary steps to understand what changes and additions the community would most like and what would be most viable, we can’t share anything definitive just yet.”

A team effort

The Memphis-based developer will work with JLL, its strategic management and leasing partner, to maximize the potential of the property.

Poag will also be consulting the Grandville community.

Poag actively engages local communities in the early planning process of redevelopment (Courtesy, pxhere.com)

“We believe it’s a team effort,” said Poag. “We know that we do not know the community better than the folks that live there. We are not the type of developer to come in and tell the community what they need.

“We actively involve local community leaders and members, city representatives and nearby business owners in the early planning process to get an understanding of what works and doesn’t work currently, what they feel is missing, and what folks think would resonate well in the local community.”

The retail developer adds RiverTown Crossings to its portfolio on the heels of its acquisition of Oak Court Mall, an 800,000-square-foot enclosed mall currently undergoing redevelopment planning in Memphis, TN.