Local Businesses

The East Lansing Art Festival returns this weekend. ELi gives you a quick rundown of what you might want to know about this year’s festival, based on reader questions to ELi.

What happened at today's celebration of the Center City District redevelopment project? ELi's Alice Dreger brings you the story.

A suspect in Saturday morning's shooting downtown has been charged with assault with intent to murder. According to ELPD Deputy Chief Steve Gonzalez, bail for Jarvis Lamar Mack has been set at a half-million dollars.

ELi's Alice Dreger provides an update on Center City District construction, including where the Art Festival is moving, how Albert Avenue will be reconstructed, what to expect from the new Target store, and why Council authorized funds for a new water main pipe.

At Tuesday's work session, a majority of City Council were cautious, but willing to work medical marijuana provisioning centers into the city's retail landscape. One councilmember believes the risks outweigh the benefits for East Lansing. Ann Nichols reports.

The City of East Lansing has been trying to help businesses downtown weather the stresses of the Center City District construction. ELi's Alice Dreger summarizes the efforts and talks to business owners about what's helping, what's not, and what might work better.

In a rare instance of deregulation in East Lansing, City Council has voted to repeal the so-called 50/50 law. The hope is for more diversified dining and drinking options downtown. ELi's Alice Dreger reports.

The cancellation of the Great Lakes Folk Festival has been unwelcome news to many artists, attendees, and downtown business owners. So how was the decision made, and why? ELi's Alice Dreger investigates.

Iorio's Gelato is hoping to create the sweet spot where customers come in to donate to a cause, or learn at a seminar or workshop, and come back for the gelato. ELi's Sarah Spohn has the story.

The Board of the East Lansing Food Co-op is moving forward with plans to reopen as a year-round farmers' market, and they're looking for space in East Lansing. Jessy Gregg reports.

If, at its meeting tonight, Council approves a zoning change recommended by Planning Commission, we could see more hotels and motels in East Lansing, particularly in certain areas. ELi's Jessy Gregg reports.

Would withdrawal of a controversial law known as 50/50 lead to jello-shot bars and fewer places to eat lunch, or would it lead to chic wine and tapas bars? Council debated the issue this week. ELi's Jessy Gregg reports.

According to his mother, one East Lansing man is "using the charactersitics of his autism as his strength" in starting a bottle and can recycling service. Ann Kammerer has the story.

Responding to the local appearance of a white nationalist group, hundreds of area residents gathered yesterday for a Celebration of Diversity Festival at All Saints Episcopal Church. ELi's Jessy Gregg reports.

ELi is excited to report that the East Lansing Responsible Hospitality Council (RHC) and a group of associated businesses have stepped up to provide funding for ELi’s Arts and Entertainment reporting for the next year!