The Kalamazoo/Portage Retail Facility Feasibility Study for Lake Michigan Mailers, Inc.

Abstract

The primary objective of this study is to determine the feasibility of a new mail and parcel center in Kalamazoo or Portage, Michigan. This center would be owned and operated by Lake Michigan Mailers, Inc. and would provide services comparable to the existing mail and parcel centers in the Kalamazoo/Portage area. In order to meet this objective, it was necessary to research and analyze the following information: 1. Demographic information between St. Joseph, Kalamazoo and Portage. 2. The demographic information gathered by Lake Michigan Mailers, Inc. verses the demographics regarding St. Joseph, Kalamazoo, and Portage. 3. Retail markets and potential for growth in Kalamazoo and/or Portage. 4. Three potential sites for the location of a new Lake Michigan Mailers, Inc. mail and parcel center and recommendation of a single site for development, if feasible. Thoroughly reviewing and evaluating the above information produced the following results: I. The demographic information of St. Joseph and Portage are comparable to one another. This suggests that Portage is capable of sustaining a mail and parcel center. 2. The Portage business sector is expanding and can support another mail and parcel center. 3. Several locations in the Portage area are available for development by Lake Michigan Mailers, Inc. Based on the results found through this study, it is recommended that Lake Michigan Mailers, Inc. open a mail and parcel center in the Portage area. Prime locations, while not necessarily available at this time, exist on both Shaver Road and West Centre Avenue. In addition, LMMI is encouraged to begin development of the new retail facility to ensure that this mail and parcel center can be ready in time for the 1998 holiday rush.