Camron Gnass

Camron Gnass is a Renaissance man: entrepreneur, DJ, coach, and philanthropist are just some of the words you could use to describe him.

At the age of 19, he founded Vision Creative (now Traction), a company devoted to developing client's brand identities.

When he is not at the office, he divides his time between his charitable work at the Ronald McDonald House and coaching varsity soccer at Holt High School. Well acquainted with Lansing's social scene, he shuns chain restaurants, preferring instead to support local businesspeople.

Dining

For fine dining Gnass chooses Troppo, where he says you'll find "some of the best service in town," and a dining room decorated with historical photos of Lansing. Lunch is an ideal time to go, since you can get great specials. Call ahead for a reservation during peak times.

For a more casual experience, Gnass suggests Portable Feast and Friends, a small bistro nestled in a quaint little pocket of Old Town. The sandwiches are noteworthy, but "don't forget the desserts."

Gnass appreciates a good sandwich and also recommends Dalmations Fire House Grill in REO Town. The setting is very intimate, offering only a couple of booths and a small counter, he advises, but "the food is bigger than you can handle."  Friday offers an exclusive treat: sloppy joes.

Nightlife

For nightlife, Gnass opts for The Exchange on Tuesdays and Wednesdays when Tommy Foster plays. Plus, "they have a pretty nice cigar menu."

For a zanier night out he visits Rum Runners. With only four locations in the world (and only one in Michigan), Gnass says it's "basically" local. "This place can pack it in for any kind of party."

For that classic, old timey bar feel (with a twist), Gnass visits Tavern on the Square, a Downtown bar that serves what they like to call "eclectic Yankee tapas."

Hangouts

Gnass isn't the type to hang out in coffee shops all day. But he occasionally drops in on Golden Harvest in Old Town, which he describes as "equal part classic greasy spoon and gourmet restaurant, all mixed in an intimate eclectic setting." But he includes a warning: "Be sure to hit it as early as you can, since the line can get long with very loyal, dedicated customers." If you miss breakfast, you can always get the turkey dinner at lunch.

Shopping

Gnass may be a lot of things, but he is not a shopaholic. On the rare occasion that he goes out for some new threads he checks out Kositchek's, and for jewelry he visits Linn and Owens, both in Downtown Lansing.