Fairlane North Shopping Center
5851 Mercury Dr, Dearborn, MI 48126
5851 Mercury Dr, Dearborn, MI 48126
Monday: 6:00 AM – 10:00 PM
Tuesday: 6:00 AM – 10:00 PM
Wednesday: 6:00 AM – 10:00 PM
Thursday: 6:00 AM – 10:00 PM
Friday: 6:00 AM – 10:00 PM
Saturday: 6:00 AM – 10:00 PM
Sunday: 6:00 AM – 10:00 PM
Located in the heart of Dearborn, Michigan, Fairlane North Shopping Center stands as a testament to successful retail evolution and strategic positioning. Situated at 5851 Mercury Dr, Dearborn, MI 48126, this dynamic shopping destination has transformed from its original 1990s concept into a thriving, fully-leased retail powerhouse that serves the diverse needs of the Detroit metropolitan area.
Strategic Location and Accessibility
What makes Fairlane North truly special is its exceptional location at the northeast corner of Ford Road (M-153) and Southfield Freeway (M-39). This prime positioning offers unparalleled accessibility, with impressive traffic counts of 55,058 vehicles per day on Ford Road and a staggering 104,498 vehicles per day on the Southfield Freeway. The center benefits from excellent regional connectivity, sitting just three miles from Interstate 94, which allows easy access for consumers from surrounding communities throughout the Detroit area.
The shopping center's proximity to major landmarks adds to its appeal. It's strategically located less than one mile northwest of Fairlane Town Center, a massive 1.5 million square foot regional enclosed mall anchored by Macy's and JCPenney. Additionally, the center sits in the shadow of Ford Motor Company's world headquarters, making it an ideal location for both local residents and business professionals.
Comprehensive Retail Experience
Spanning an impressive 150,121 square feet across approximately 18 acres, Fairlane North Shopping Center offers a carefully curated mix of national and regional specialty retailers. The center currently maintains a remarkable 100% occupancy rate, showcasing its strong market appeal and effective management.
The current tenant lineup reflects a perfect blend of lifestyle, fitness, and home furnishing options. Value City Furniture serves as a major anchor, offering quality furniture solutions and representing one of the longest-standing tenants in the center. Forman Mills, an off-price apparel and home retailer with 44 locations across 11 states, provides affordable fashion options for budget-conscious shoppers.
For fitness enthusiasts, Crunch Fitness operates one of its top-performing Michigan locations according to Placer.ai data. The center also features Happy's Outlet, specializing in home appliances, and a newly opened Verizon location operated by Cellular Sales, one of the largest franchisees in the Verizon network.
Powerful Shadow Anchoring
One of Fairlane North's greatest strengths lies in its shadow anchoring by two retail giants: Walmart and The Home Depot. These major retailers provide exceptional drawing power to the entire shopping center, creating a synergistic effect that benefits all tenants. Remarkably, the Walmart location ranks #1 out of 92 locations statewide in Michigan, while The Home Depot ranks #4 out of 70 Michigan locations, according to Placer.ai performance metrics.
Historical Evolution and Transformation
The center's history reflects the broader evolution of American retail. Originally built by the Kmart Corporation in the early 1990s, Fairlane North was designed to house the variety of brands under Kmart's umbrella during that era. The center was conceived to look more upscale than typical Kmart developments, perhaps reflecting its prestigious location just five miles from the first Kmart store and directly across from Ford's headquarters complex.
Over the decades, the center has successfully navigated retail industry changes. What began with tenants like Builders Square, Pace, Super Kmart Center, OfficeMax, Sports Authority, Service Merchandise, and Borders Books & Music has evolved into today's thriving mix of specialty retailers. This transformation demonstrates the center's adaptability and management's strategic vision in repositioning the property for long-term success.
Modern Amenities and Customer Experience
Today's Fairlane North prioritizes customer convenience with over 681 parking spaces, maintaining an excellent ratio of 4.5 spaces per 1,000 square feet. The center features two fully signalized traffic lights that efficiently manage the high traffic volumes, ensuring smooth access for shoppers.
The property benefits from excellent demographics, serving a five-mile radius population of nearly 359,000 residents with an average household income of over $70,000. This affluent and stable customer base provides a strong foundation for continued retail success.
Investment Appeal and Future Outlook
From an investment perspective, Fairlane North represents a compelling opportunity with its strong fundamentals. The center boasts a weighted average lease term of 5 years, providing income stability for stakeholders. The complementary tenant mix creates cross-shopping opportunities, while the high-performing anchor stores continue to drive consistent foot traffic.
