New Indoor Entertainment Center Takes Over Former Sears Space

*PORTAGE, Mich.* — A long-vacant anchor space at the Crossroads Mall in Portage is drawing crowds once again after Zap Zone XL officially opened its doors Monday, signaling what city leaders hope is a step toward continued economic stability for the area.

The indoor entertainment center now occupies the former Sears location, transforming the 158,186-square-foot building into a nearly 100,000-square-foot destination featuring bowling, laser tag, axe throwing, bumper cars, private event rooms and high-speed go-karts.

Founder Mike Hafez said opening day marked the final of more than a year of work.

"We're in opening day, we're all excited it's been a long year," Hafez said.

Major Investment in Former Sears Building

Zap Zone XL acquired the building at 6780 S. Westnedge Ave, Portage, after purchasing the space in 2024 for nearly $3 million.

When first announced, developers estimated the project to be a $12 million to $15 million build and planned to open mid-2025.

Summit Properties USA introduced the project when they took over ownership of the mall as a way to bring more people to the mall and restore some of its economic vitality.

The Sears at the Crossroads Mall had been sitting vacant since closing its doors in 2019, leaving a massive hole in the shopping center. Zap Zone XL now fills that void with state-of-the-art entertainment options.

Two-Story Fun Center Features Wide Variety of Attractions

Thanks to the size of the property, Zap Zone is able to include a multitude of games including 500 arcade games such as the "World's Largest Pac Man" game.

The facility features:

  • 10 lanes of bowling on the building's second floor
  • Laser tag arena
  • Axe throwing range
  • Bumper cars
  • Private event rooms
  • High-speed go-kart track
  • Indoor roller-skating rink
  • Trampoline park (not open at time of grand opening)
  • Rocco's Bar and Grill restaurant

According to their website, pricing for Day Passes begins at $31.99, but activities and pricing varies by store.

"This was welcomed news as that Sears had been sitting vacant since closing its doors in 2019," WKFR reported.

Local Leadership Welcomes Development

Portage Mayor Patricia Randall called the development a major win for the community, especially as the area faces ongoing economic challenges.

Beyond entertainment, the project is expected to create jobs and increase foot traffic at a mall that has seen several large retailers close in recent years.

"I've got 150 people on the staff, out of which we have 20 to 25 people that are full time," Hafez said regarding employment at the facility.

Community Concerns About Safety and Maintenance

However, not everyone is thrilled with the opening. One week after the grand opening, WRKR received reports that fights are breaking out and the area is being disrespected by unsupervised kids.

A Facebook post from a woman who was going out to have a good time suggested this is a problem.

"Can't take y'all kids nowhere. Fighting already! I just wanted to have a little fun after 9:30 (my bedtime) for once," the post read.

Another woman in the comments section claims that fights are the least of their worries.

"The skating rink had holes in the floor, there was duct tape on the benches and chairs, the bumper cars and go karts kept breaking down, the pixel floor is the size of a small bedroom, definitely not what we saw online," she reported.

Additional concerns included:

  • Mini golf balls getting caught in tunnels
  • Half the games not working or being old and broken down
  • Escalator broken, requiring patrons to walk up and down stairs to go from place to place
  • Disgusting bathrooms
  • Half of the staff just standing around, not doing anything

Soft Opening or Full Launch?

According to a sneak peek from MLive, the newly remodeled facility is Zap Zone's first ever two-story location, hence the name Zap Zone XL.

However, the opening date was pushed back from Monday, February 9 to Monday, February 16.

Reps say the trampoline park will not be open at the time of the grand opening, and some features may not be fully operational during the initial launch.

Zap Zone's Michigan Presence

Zap Zone's other Michigan locations include:

  • Battle Creek
  • Brighton
  • Canton
  • Farmington
  • Lansing
  • Sterling Heights
  • Taylor
  • Warren
  • Waterford
  • Ypsilanti

The Crossroads Mall location represents a significant expansion for the entertainment chain in Southwest Michigan.

Economic Impact for Mall

The development comes at a critical time for the Crossroads Mall, which has struggled with vacancy rates and tenant departures in recent years.

Summit Properties USA took over ownership of the mall with plans to restore economic vitality and bring more customers to the shopping center.

By filling the vacant Sears space with a major entertainment destination, the mall hopes to draw new customers and increase overall foot traffic.

The project represents a $12 million to $15 million investment in the area, creating jobs and bringing entertainment options to families who might otherwise travel elsewhere for similar attractions.

What's Next

Zap Zone XL is now officially open, though some features may be in the works as the facility settles into full operation.

City officials and mall owners will be watching to see whether the development achieves its goals of reviving economic activity at the Crossroads Mall and providing quality entertainment options for the Portage community.

The coming months will be telling as the facility ramps up operations and addresses any maintenance or safety concerns raised by early visitors.