While many areas of Flint and Genesee County have seen growth and reinvestment a handful of places have not.

One of those areas is I-75 and Pierson Road.

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Sadly, an iconic Flint restaurant has had to close a long-time location in that area, too.

Changes along Pierson Road near I-75

It's been almost 10 years since Meijer closed their Pierson Road location. They demolished the entire property including the gas station.

Circa 2011 Old Meijer, KFC / A&W, Chemical Bank and Arby's in the background. All but Arby's now gone. Credit Google Street View
Circa 2011 Old Meijer, KFC / A&W, Chemical Bank and Arby's in the background. All but Arby's now gone. Credit Google Street View
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Many other places are long gone at that junction, too.

  • Bob Evans
  • Chemical Bank
  • Burger King
Old Meijer, KFC/A&W Entrance off Pierson Road. Credit Google Street View
Old Meijer, KFC/A&W Entrance off Pierson Road. Credit Google Street View
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  • KFC and A&W
  • Applebee's
  • Valvoline
Old Bob Evans location closed circa 2017-2018. Now JARS. Credit Google Street View
Old Bob Evans location closed circa 2017-2018. Now JARS. Credit Google Street View
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Chemical Bank was able to hang in there until 2019.

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Now, another Flint and Michigan famous restaurant has closed its Pierson Road location, permanently.

Halo Burger Pierson Road

Many restaurants and businesses around Flint were able to hang on through the Great Recession and again during the pandemic.

Unfortunately, the Pierson Road & I-75 area has continued to lose businesses.

It's surreal to see a "for sale" sign on a property that was a destination for many on the way back from Up North or at the end of a football game.

During happier times (2019) the restaurant consistently had business.

Credit: Google Street View
Credit: Google Street View
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The chain isn't shutting down, of course. They still have locations all around Genesee County -- even one in Birch Run that serves beer.

Saving Pierson Road in Flint

Like most people, we want Pierson Road businesses to thrive... not become abandoned and overgrown.

Old Meijer Gas Station, Store Property on Pierson Road 2022. Credit Google Street View
Old Meijer Gas Station, Store Property on Pierson Road 2022. Credit Google Street View
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We hope the residents and elected officials in Genesee County will think of new ways to resurrect this area.

It has become a nearly blank canvas full of possibilities.

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