Grand Traverse Mall is located in the popular vacation destination of Traverse City. It features strong anchor stores like Target and Dunham's Sporting Goods, an appealing mix of national retailers, a 650-seat food court with plenty of choices, and a children’s soft play area. Many visitors have fond, long-time memories of the mall. However, numerous reviews note it is not like it used to be and has gone downhill, with lots of empty stores and less variety. The food court is specifically mentioned as having gone downhill, with reports of stale food. The mall building itself could use some touch-ups, and the chaotic parking lot is a big concern, needing repaving, painted lines, and more security. Despite these issues, it is still considered a good place to walk for exercise out of the cold weather and not a bad place to spend a cold afternoon, with some feeling it is hanging in there compared to other malls.
