While Frandor still thrives in 2008 and isn't really lost, we remember it here in it's original incarnation, which has been lost. Frandor opened in 1954 near the eastern edge of Lansing, bordered by E. Saginaw Street on the north, Clippert Street on the west, and Michigan Avenue on the south. It was the first mall in Lansing, and the second in the state. The Frandor name came from combining the names of it's original owners Francis J. and Dorothy Corr. Mr. Corr also built several downtown Lansing buildings including J.C. Penney, the Y.M.C.A., and the BWL power station. Frandor was originally an enclosed mall with various out-buildings situated throughout it's 5,000-car parking lot. Over the years Frandor's many businesses included Federal's department store, Kroger grocery store, The Boom Boom Room tiki bar, The Hobby Hub, Community Newscenter, Sears department store, Pinball Pete's arcade, The PX Store army surplus, Woolworth variety store, Holden Reid clothing store, Baskin Robbins ice cream, Michigan National Bank, Kresge's variety store, Eberhard grocery, and many others. One of Frandors favorite features was Kiddie Land, a mini-amusement park situated in the parking lot just north of where Sears is. Kiddie Land consisted of minature kids sized rides; a roller coaster, a merry-go-round, and a ferris wheel. There was also huge "super slide" which offered kids a trilling ride. Cedar Point Amusement Park used to have a similar slide. On the northwest corner of the Frandor site where Red Lobster now is, was a minature golf course called Terrace Golf. Also adjacent to Frandor was Hamburger Heaven drive-in, Story Oldsmobile, Howard Johnsons, and the Spartan Twin Theater.

Frandor made the news on June 16, 1977, and it wasn't good news. Lansing Police Officer Mac J. Donnelly Jr. was killed in the line of duty while attempting to thwart a bank robbery at the Michigan National Bank branch. Officer Donnelly rammed the bank robbers car with his police cruiser as they attempted to escape with hostages. One of the robbers fired at Donnelly, mortally wounding him. Donnelly was able to return fire and wound the perpetrator. Thanks to the heroic efforts of Donnelly and the Lansing Police Department, the hostages were rescued and the perps were taken into custody.

Frandor was completely renovated in the late 1990's, changing it into an open mall with all stores having individual entrances. The west wing off of the main building was demolished, opening up the previously divided parking lot. The out-building which houses Kroger was enlarged considerably during this renovation project. Many tenants have come and gone over the years, Holden Reid, Sears and Krogers are stores that have survived at Frandor for many years and remain open in 2008. Another long-time tenent, Community Newscenter, closed in May 2008 after 35 years in business. Frandor is still in the Corr family, now managed by Francis and Dorothy's grandsons.