Local Businesses

Owners and managers of downtown shops, restaurants, and services have a clear message for the people of East Lansing: We want you! ELi talked with them to bring you their view of the scene downtown as big construction continues.

Should East Lansing continue paying about $150,000 per year for a local company to record audio and video of City Council and Planning Commission meetings? The City Manager believes the service is critical to government transparency. ELi's Brad Minor reports.

Found: The City of East Lansing's eBay listing for a million-dollar sale of public land. It shows the City played up the marijuana industry potential of the land, and that the property went up $50,000 in the hours just before the online auction's close.

City staff say the million-dollar deal brokered by a marijuana industry player represents "the winning bid." But who knew and didn't know that the public land on Merritt Road was even up for auction? ELi's Dan Totzkay and Alice Dreger report.

Blue Owl Coffee plans to bring not just a coffee shop, but Hip Hop open mic nights featuring middle and high school students, readers' nights with Curious Book Shop, and collaborations with the Summer Solstice Jazz and Arts Festivals. Sarah Spohn reports for ELi.

Elderly Instruments and the Ten Pound Fiddle Concert Series get together this Friday for a night of roots, blues, and Americana music. ELi's Christopher Wardell tells you what makes this a blow-out night not to miss.

Tonight, East Lansing’s Planning Commission will take up a draft zoning ordinance that, if passed, will favor the City over some private property owners in marijuana provisioning center real estate deals. Jessy Gregg reports for ELi.

“I want to support the community by giving them introductions to new kinds of ideas and philosophies about food, without the desire to strangle their wallet over it," says Chef Nicholas Crosser. Intrigued? ELi's Sarah Spohn has the story.

The founders of an East Lansing Rheumatology practice are devoted to helping arthritis sufferers lead better lives, even if they don't have access to traditional (or any) health insurance. Ann Kammerer explains how dreams and a passion for service contributed to the business.

A majority of businesses in town still haven’t returned their income tax registration paperwork to the City of East Lansing. So, Council may end up passing another law related to this issue. ELi's Jessy Gregg reports.

There aren't a lot of reasons to leave your house when it's this cold, but a hot bowl of soup, stew or chili might just be among them. ELi's Ann About Town suggests some local favorites.

The City of East Lansing is looking to take a more conscious and more aggressive approach to economic development. What would that look like? Brad Minor and Alice Dreger report for ELi.

East Lansing will finally be seeing a green grocer downtown soon. According to owner and general manager Ken Campbell, Campbell's Market Basket promises to bring fresh produce, locally-baked goods, high quality coffee and cheeses, and more.

Redevelopment on the long-blighted corner where Abbot Road meets Grand River Avenue is beginning this week. The Park District construction means more road and sidewalk closures ahead. What can you expect short- and long-term?

Pulling back on a law aimed at landlords that he proposed back in October, Council Member Aaron Stephens says he will now convene a special task force on off-campus student housing. ELi's Jessy Gregg reports.