Development News

Advance Auto Parts opens 6,800 sq ft Mason store

Matthew Kleinknecht, Advance Auto Parts Wednesday, May 01, 2013

If doubling their sales goals in the first two weeks of being open is any indication of how well Advance Auto Parts will do in Mason, things are looking pretty good for the new 6,800 square foot store.

"It's got a very large footprint so we can get a lot of different part numbers in store," say Matthew Kleinknecht, general manager. "We have the same number of part numbers as our two local competitors combined."

The new store opened on April 19, after being in the works for several years. According to Kleinknecht, the national brand researched the former video store location some time ago, but the downturn in the economy slowed the opening of new Advance Auto Parts stores. After approval last year, work began on the Mason location in January.

"We've been welcomed with open arms," says Kleinknecht. "It's been phenomenal."

The new Advance Auto Parts employs a staff of 10 team members. They offer free battery and wiper blade installation and can check engine lights on 1996 vehicles and newer.

Source: Matthew Kleinknecht, Advance Auto Parts
Writer: Natalie Burg, Development News Editor

ServiceMaster Clean rebuilds in Mason, grows staff by five

Jesce Howard, ServiceMaster Clean Wednesday, April 10, 2013

After the loss of their building to fire nearly a year ago, ServiceMaster Clean of Mason has broken ground on a new 15,000 square foot facility. What's more, the family-owned business has managed to keep going, and even grow in the interim.

"We're doing better than we ever have, actually," says Jesce Howard, president of ServiceMaster Clean.

Howard's parents opened ServiceMaster Clean, a cleaning and restoration company, 22 years ago. After the fire, the business was able to temporarily relocate next door. After expanding into janitorial services, the company added five new employees, bringing the staff total to 25.

The new $700,000 facility will be much like the original, but about 1,000 square feet larger with an additional story. The extra room will be used for expanded classroom space in which ServiceMaster will host training sessions for the insurance industry.

Work on the new building is now underway, and is expected to be completed by October.

Source: Jesce Howard, ServiceMaster Clean
Writer: Natalie Burg, Development News Editor

New family bakery brings Italian pastries, five jobs to Mason

Roseanne Sherwood, Nana's Sweet Treats Wednesday, January 30, 2013

Mornings are coming pretty early these days for Roseanne and Tom Sherwood. The Mason couple has been arriving at their new bakery, Nana's Sweet Treats between three and four in the morning. But they're not complaining.

"It's been very good," says Roseanne Sherwood. "We've been quite busy. We've been getting a lot of orders for cakes and cupcakes."

Sherwood began her baking career in her own kitchen, utilizing the state’s cottage food laws to produce goodies for customers on order. On Dec. 8, however, the husband and wife team moved their operations into a 2,500 square foot location on Cedar Street.

"It's a great location because most people have to go right by here to get up town," Sherwood says.

Nana's Sweet Treats was named for Sherwood's mother, and specializes in both American and Italian pastries, such as cinnamon rolls and cannoli. Everything, says Sherwood, is made completely from scratch.

The new bakery celebrated its grand opening earlier this month. In addition to Roseanne and Tom Sherwood, Nana's Sweet Treats also employs three part time employees.

Aerospace manufacturer opens in 19,000 sq ft Mason space, adds nine jobs

Matthew Rudd, Apex Wednesday, November 07, 2012

New aerospace manufacturer, APEX Precision Solutions, Inc., announced the opening of a 19,000 square foot facility near Mason last week. The company, which launched in the spring of this year, was started by a team of manufacturing executives from the medical device industry.

“We’ve been in operation, really since July of the facility,” says Matthew Rudd, President and CEO of APEX. “We’re operational now and taking orders.”

APEX specializes in machined parts and fixtures for the aerospace industry and related fields. The company plans to create 25 to 35 new jobs over the next two years.

“Our initial goal here is get the certifications that will allow us to enter into more component manufacturing,” says Rudd. “We plan on growing in the markets that we’re currently service, but we’ll be able to go a little deeper.”

APEX currently employs a staff of nine. Investment in their new facility was made assisted by Lansing Economic Area Partnership, the Small Business Technology Development Center, the Lansing Regional SmartZone and the Michigan Economic Development Corporation.

New Mason facility spurs growth, 12 new jobs for Capital Steel

Dustin Preston, Capital Steel Wednesday, October 31, 2012

A new facility and growing staff has Lansing-based Capital Steel receiving recognition at the Lansing Regional Chamber of Commerce’s Regional Growth Awards. The steel bars and wire company recently expanded with a $2 million redevelopment project in Mason, creating a space large enough to process steel on site.

“The market share we’ve gotten has allowed us to broaden our infrastructure to process the steel here in our facility instead of sending out it,” says Capital Steel President Dustin Preston, who owns the company with his wife. “We’re really keeping our ear to what the market is asking for. We’re so flexible with what we can do and add now.”

The new 120,000 square foot facility has allowed the Capital Steel staff to grow by approximately 12 employees over the last year, bringing the total staff to 55 workers. That’s a significant number, compared to the three to four employees Preston began with when he started the company in 2001.

“We’ve really put together a great team,” says Preston. “We’ve been able to pull from a very talented group of people in the Lansing area.”

New Mason gift store to feature vintage treasures

Amy Bowden, Ballyhoo Wednesday, June 13, 2012

Downtown Mason’s new Ballyhoo Vintage Shoppe is a unique little store with roots planted firmly in fun.

“We've been in Mason for about 27 years, and we just thought it would be fun to have a little shop,” says owner Amy Bowden.

The approximately 350-square foot store opened on May 14 on South Jefferson in Mason and features both antique and new items with a vintage feel. Products include cupboards, furniture and style items.

According to Bowden, choosing the right location for Ballyhoo was fairly easy, as Downtown Mason hardly had any vacancies left.

“It was one of the only places available,” Bowden says, “and we loved it. We get a lots of traffic down here from Los Tres, and I'm sure we'll get even more when the Brewery opens.”

Ballyhoo is currently operated by Bowden herself and family members. Already, she reports a good response from shoppers, and attributes some that early success to her downtown neighbors.

“The other businesses in the community have been great,” she says. “I wasn't sure what to expect when I came in, but it's a super community atmosphere. The other stores send people down my way. It’s been fun.”

Mason Library raises $42,000 for renovations

Sheryl Bass, Mason Library Wednesday, June 13, 2012

The Capital Area District Library branch in Mason was faced with a problem. The 1938 building that housed the Mason Library was in dire need of repair, but with local government budgets as tight as they’ve been for many years, Branch Head Sheryl Bass didn’t see any assistance in sight.

“The building had been a little neglected for a number of years,” says Bass. “There was just no money. People need fire and police, so we knew we needed to go out there and get the money ourselves.”

That is exactly what Bass and her staff did. The $42,000 in renovations that was recently completed began with the donation from former library patron Margaret Doolittle upon her death of $10,000. When a Dart Foundation Challenge Grant of $13,000 followed, Bass knew things were headed in the right direction.

After about a year of fundraising and three solid weeks of renovations, the Mason Library reopened on June 4 with new carpeting, furniture, paint, countertops and a refinished circulation desk. The building also received roof repairs, landscaping, windows and energy-efficient lighting.

“It looks like night and day here,” says Bass. “I’m just delighted.”

Judging by the 200 people who came out to celebrate the reopening of the Mason Library on June 4, the community was pretty excited to have their new and improved library back as well.

“It was fun to see the community support,” says Bass. “It’s just a really nice thing that has happened in our community.”

Little Scholars Preschool to add Mason location, up to 10 staff

Tim Brannan, Brandino Properties Wednesday, June 13, 2012

Little Scholars Preparatory School just opened in Downtown Lansing in 2010, and already, the childcare center and preschool are full to capacity with a waiting list. Owner Audrey Pallone says that the focus on education and low ratios of children to staff have made the center a success.

Pallone hopes to experience the same kind of success in DeWitt with Little Scholars North Campus, which recently opened in two classrooms of the former Gunnisonville Elementary School. The school was recently purchased by Brandino Properties, who will soon open a charter school to share the 26,000-square foot space.

“We’re proving that continuum of care,” says Brandino Properties’ Tim Brannan of the site that will, in total, house the childcare center, charter school and an assisted living facility. “[Pallone’s] focus is getting these kids ready for kindergarten. Her area of expertise is development and early child development.”

Little Scholars North Campus is licensed for 38 students and maintains a one to four teacher-to-student ratio, which exceeds state requirement. At full capacity the center could employ up to 10 workers. The center serves children ages six weeks through six years of age.

Michigan's top firefighter gear supplier expands to Mason space, adds four jobs

Walt Holden, First Due Wednesday, June 06, 2012

Walt Holden and Dan Hamel know a thing or two about firefighter protective equipment. The retired firefighters both sat on safety committees and instructed their peers on safety equipment during their firefighting careers. And, since 2007 they have been selling a variety of municipal protective equipment through their business First Due.

In just five years, First Due has become the largest supplier of firefighter protective equipment in the state. They currently service 300 municipalities across the state and have a goal of reaching 500 - half of Michigan’s departments - in the next two years.

“We have been doubling in size every year,” says Holden. “We needed to move to have more space. We needed some warehouse space, but mainly office space.”

In order to accommodate those needs, Holden and Hamel have moved from their Leslie location into a 1,400 square foot facility in Mason on Kipp Road.

“We could have put it anywhere in Michigan, but we liked the Mason area,” says Holden. “Because we have so many fire departments in this area, it made it very central for them.”

With all of their growth, First Due has added four new sales positions over the last year. That number should continue to climb as Holden expects the company’s growth to continue for some time.

“We’re picking up three to four new departments per week,” says Holden. “We couldn’t be happier.”

New 2,000 sq ft Mason party store features Broasted Chicken, deli

Susan Barkley, Git Some Party Store Wednesday, June 06, 2012

Susan Barkley used to visit a certain party store when her daughter raced at Spartan Speedway in Mason years ago, and it always struck her fancy.

“We used to come in here and I thought it would be a fun place to own one day,” says Barkley.

Now she has the chance to find out just how much fun it is, as Barkely recently celebrated the grand opening of Git Some Party Store on North Cedar, that very same store she used to dream of owning. Barkley now offers Broasted Chicken and a deli at the new 2,000 square foot store.

“I have always loved Broasted Chicken,” Barkley says. “There hasn’t been a chicken place in this area since for awhile, so I thought people would like that.”

Barkley hopes to add ice cream and liquor sales to her inventory. Currently, the store is operated by Barkley, her family and one employee. The store has only been open for a few weeks, but it’s already living up to Barkley’s expectations.

“It’s been a lot of fun,” she says. “We’re just going to continue to move forward and provide good food for everybody.”

Mason church builds $1.7M recreation center for community

Gerhard Weigelt, Mason Church of the Nazarene Wednesday, May 09, 2012

The idea began more than 15 years ago, and slowly but surely, the Mason First Church of the Nazarene has worked to raise funds and construct a 17,000 square foot Recreational Outreach Center for the community.

“We started by asking the question, ‘What does the community need?’” says Lead Pastor for Mason First Church of the Nazarene Gerhard Weigelt. “We have a strong concern for the youth of today and wanted to provide strong places for the youth to develop.”

The new Recreational Outreach Center intends to do just that. Located on the church’s 45 acre property on West Dansville Road in Mason, the center includes a basketball court, computer lab, warming kitchen and large youth room. Weigelt says the church hopes to add a fitness room in the future.

“Our tagline is ‘Rock Solid Fun,’” says Weigelt. “We’re excited about the journey we’re on and serving the community. We’re having a blast.”

The approximately $1.7 million project broke ground in 2007, though fundraising began way back when the idea first developed 15 years ago. The congregation is raising all of the funds through donations above and beyond their regular giving to the church.

The Recreational Outreach Center opened for use this spring. The church will continue to develop the property, looking first to outfit the computer lab with 10 to 15 workstations and tutoring services for students. Weigelt says the church has discussed adding outdoor baseball fields and other facilities to the property in the future.

Unique beer, handmade furniture and three jobs coming to Mason with Bad Brewing Company

Brian Radsdale, Bad Brewing Company Wednesday, April 25, 2012

Brian Radsdale has been brewing beer as a hobby for several years. Starting this summer, that hobby will officially become a career with the opening of Bad Brewing Company in Downtown Mason. The pub will offer five house-brewed beers daily, as well as two to three beers that will change with the Radsdale and his co-owner Ryan Smith’s creativity.

“We do really small batches so that gives us room to experiment,” says Radsdale. “You might come in and there might be some crazy kind of beer we’re trying, but we’ll also have the staples.”

The 1,600 square foot location on Jefferson Street in Mason was a former flower shop that Radsdale, Smith and their friends and family have been working to renovate since January. Radsdale’s background in construction came in handy as they renovated nearly every aspect of the building, including adding two bathrooms and custom-made furniture and bar.

“It was my dream to start a small micro-brew,” says Radsdale, “the kind of place where you’d like to sit down, relax and have a beer.”

According to Radsdale, the Bad Brewing Company will have a laid-back, comfortable feel where customers can play darts, relax and even bring their own food to eat. Pre-packaged food items from Michigan companies will be available for purchase.

Radsdale expects the bar to be ready to open by mid-June. Bad Brewing Company will employ both owners and a third employee open opening.

Swab Collision opens in 2,100 square foot Mason location

Melvyn Swab, Swab Collision Wednesday, March 28, 2012

Melvyn Swab may have only opened Swab Collision in Mason in February, but he’s not new to auto work, or the Cedar Street location. Swab was just a teenager when he wandered into Tom’s Auto Body in 1978 looking for work. When he backed into owner Tom Hummer’s car in the process, he agreed to stay and work off the damages.

“And I never left,” says Swab.

Though Swab worked at Tom’s Auto Body for several years, he left to pursue other opportunities. After his kids were raised and he was looking to slow life down a bit, he and Hummer made a plan to transition shop from one man to the other.

“Swab Collision opened out of my garage in 2009,” says Swab. “I was just waiting for Tom to retire. We planned this about three years ago.”

Since purchasing and renaming the 2,100 square foot business, Swab has been busy painting renovating. He plans to grow his customer base with quality craftsmanship and great customer service. His history in the area shouldn’t hurt either.

“It’s a small town and I know a lot of people here,” Swab says. “Tom’s friends still come here too.”

Twiggies expands to 3,000 sq ft in DeWitt

Beth Herendeen, Twiggies Wednesday, February 15, 2012

Beth Herendeen’s floral, retail and events rental store Twiggies has been a Downtown Mason business for 14 years, even through two successive expansions. When Herendeen saw a larger storefront opened just a block away from her original location in 2010, she jumped at the chance to grow.

“The space became available and it’s a beautiful storefront that gave us more square footage for retail space,” Herendeen says.

She moved from her 1,200 square foot location to her new, 2,200 square foot location on East Main Street in April. It didn’t take long, however, for her to expand once again. In November, Twiggies expanded into the suite next door adding another 800 square feet to the business for an events rental studio.

“It retail boutique is one of those places where every little nook and cranny has something neat in it,” says Herendeen. “It’s like a modern day general store. All of our fresh floral daily business has picked up tremendously.”

Herendeen attributes her business’ growth to making careful choices over the past 20 years, since Twiggies began as a home-based business.

“It’s always been a slow growth,” she says. “I’m a strong believer in slow growth if you’re going to be in it for the long haul. I’m extremely fortunate that we have such a good name for event planning, so our referral business is amazing.”

That slow, steady growth is set to continue, as Herendeen has plans for future expansion and adding a new element to her retail operations.

Mason company invests $4.76M in technology, adds jobs

Richard Watkins, Delta Township Wednesday, February 08, 2012

Michigan Packaging Company in Mason has invested $4,760,000 in a cutting-edge technology that will help keep the company competitive, add jobs and reduce energy consumption.

“It’s allowing them to market cost-effective packaging throughout the region and maintain their services,” says Mason City Administrator Martin Colburn, “whereas some of their competitors have gone out of business.”

The technology will impact litho-lamination, the point of purchase display market and adhesive application and is projected to reduce energy consumption by 35 percent. The $4.76 million investment includes $125,000 for foundation and structural changes, as well as $4,635,000 in equipment purchases and installation. The current employer of 122 workers expects to create five new jobs with the investment.

The Mason City Council approved an Industrial Facilities Exemption for MPC, which enables businesses to renovate and expand aging facilities.

“I see it as advantageous for the whole region by allowing them to offer cost effective services to the growing industry,” says Colburn. “That includes the automotive industry and other industries.”

Mason : Development News