Calumet Center 7959 Calumet Avenue, Munster, IN 46321

"Returning to my hometown after many years away, I couldn't resist visiting the old shopping center that had once been a bustling heart of our small community. As a child, I remembered it as a place filled with life and excitement—a place where families gathered, friends met for coffee, and every shop seemed to hold something magical. But stepping into the mall now, I was met with a poignant wave of nostalgia mixed with a deep sadness. The vibrant energy that once characterized the shopping center was replaced by an eerie quiet. Many of the stores I remembered were gone, their spaces either vacant or replaced by temporary, unremarkable tenants. The few stores that remained seemed tired, as if they were struggling to hold onto the last remnants of a fading past. The bright lights and festive decorations that once filled the corridors during the holidays were conspicuously absent, replaced by dim lighting and sparse foot traffic. Walking through the mall, I was struck by how much had changed. It wasn't just the physical changes that brought on the melancholy; it was the sense that the shopping center had lost its soul. The community that once gathered here seemed to have dispersed, replaced by the impersonal nature of online shopping and big-box stores. The mall, in its prime, was more than just a place to shop; it was a place where memories were made, where the town's heartbeat could be felt. Now, it felt like a relic, a place stuck in time, slowly fading away. As I walked through the near-empty corridors, I couldn't help but feel a sense of loss for what the mall represented. It was a reminder of simpler times, of a close-knit community that came together to share moments and experiences. Seeing it now, in its diminished state, felt like saying goodbye to a cherished friend. Leaving the mall, I took one last look back, feeling a deep pang of regret for the vibrant place it once was. The decline of the shopping center mirrored the broader changes in our society, where the convenience of technology has often come at the expense of personal connection and shared spaces. It was a bittersweet visit, filled with memories of a happier past and the stark reality of an uncertain future. The mall may still stand, but the spirit that once made it special has all but disappeared."

"I like this shopping center for quick trips. There are a variety of shopping opportunities. I did everything from buying office and school supplies at Staples, a quick visit to Dollar Tree, Then next door I was able to get my eyelashes done and on to Target all in tne same center... Got a lot done in a short amount of time. Parking was good, plenty of Handicapped spots and the employees in each of the places I viisted were friendly and able to help me find what I needed quickly."

"This place is clean & the people were very nice to me I enjoyed my time there ☺"

"Tesla supercharger in the back of the Meijer parking lot. Nice place to get groceries while charging you car."

"I was at the Staples, no big deal. I will say the woman with freckles and piercings was way too helpful. She assistant me every step where I needed it. They were balls to the wall busy too. She went over and above to help."