Development News

Grand Rapids pizzeria to open downtown East Lansing location

Eric Tuinstra, Peppino's Pizzeria Wednesday, May 15, 2013

Another popular Grand Rapids destination is coming soon to East Lansing. Just as construction on the new HopCat is getting underway, Peppino's Pizzeria and Sports Grill has announced it will occupy an approximately 11,500 square foot space in St. Anne's Lofts. The restaurant will include a first-floor dining area, as well as a second floor with a patio and three-season bar area and retractable garage doors.

"The upstairs will be the smaller portion, but it'll be a really happening spot," says Eric Tuinstra, Peppino's chief marketing officer. "Overall, it should look and feel a lot like our downtown location, with the brick, the televisions and the wood panel ceilings."

The pizzeria specializes in fresh, handmade foods. Tuinstra says opening an East Lansing location made sense, considering how many of their Grand Rapids-area patrons are MSU fans, and have suggested a Peppino's near campus would do well.

"We just kept hearing that people [in downtown East Lansing] were starving for a good place to eat, with good, real food that is reasonably priced," says Tuinstra.

The East Lansing location will be the fourth full-service Peppino's Pizzeria, joining restaurants in downtown Grand Rapids, south Grand Rapids and Allendale. The franchise also includes six carryout restaurants.

The Peppino's franchise is owned by founder Joe DiLeonardo, and the East Lansing location will be operated by franchisee Kris Elliot. Tuinstra expects the new restaurant will employ between 65 and 75 workers and will open in August.

Source: Eric Tuinstra, Peppino's Pizzeria
Writer: Natalie Burg, Development News Editor

Bikram Yoga Capital Area to be region's first, opening in East Lansing

Ann Chrapkiewicz, Bikram Yoga Capital Area Wednesday, May 08, 2013

Ann Chrapkiewicz still remembers how she felts after her first Bikram Yoga class in 2003.

"My whole body seemed to be functioning in a different way," she says. "I felt so good so quickly that I couldn't stay away."

Chrapkiewicz immediately began practicing six days a week, and a year later attended Bikram Yoga Teacher Training in Los Angeles. After teaching at Bikram Yoga studios throughout the state, she's now opening her own business, Bikram Yoga Capital Area (BYCA) right in East Lansing's Brookfield Plaza.

The 3,600 square foot studio is now under construction, transforming from a former grocery store space to a studio for yoga practiced at 105-degree heat and 40 percent humidity. The renovations include flooring, lighting, a new sound system, mirrors, new showers and changing rooms.

Chrapkiewicz, who moved to the area five years ago to begin work on a doctoral degree in anthropology at MSU, says the nearest Bikram Yoga studio is 60 miles away.

Bikram Yoga students all around the state of Michigan have been asking for a studio here for nearly as many years," says Chrapkiewicz. "So, after a long wait, the capital region and MSU will have access to this yoga."

BYCA will open in mid-June offering more than Bikram's Beginning Yoga class 30 classes each week. The studio will begin with a staff of five teachers with the support of four out-of-town instructors teaching occasional classes.

Source: Ann Chrapkiewicz, Bikram Yoga Capital Area
Writer: Natalie Burg, Development News Editor

Local firm to begin second Michigan Ave. mixed-use development

Mike Dowdle, Wolf Development Wednesday, April 24, 2013

Wolf Development is on a roll in East Lansing. As the local firm is completing an estimated $2.9 million mixed-use project on Michigan Ave. that includes 16 new apartments, they have announced a similar project will soon be underway right next door on the corner of Michigan Ave. and Louis St. on the site of a current BP gas station.

"We really have found East Lansing is a very reasonable place to work," says Mike Dowdle of Wolf Development. "They make clear what they want, and it's a clear, clean communication back and forth."

The four-story, 36,000 square foot development will include 39 residential units, including one and two-bedroom apartments. The first floor will include 1,200 square feet of commercial space for lease.

Dowdle expects construction on the project to begin in July or August of this year and to be completed in July 2014. The exterior will be similar to the neighboring development now underway, with enough variation to keep things interesting, Dowdle says.

Creating an aesthetically pleasing entrance to East Lansing along the region's most development-focused corridor is one of the attractions for Wolf Development to continue investing on Michigan Ave.

"This was a great opportunity, because in the end, between the print shop and the gas station, this was probably the least attractive part of the drive down Michigan Ave.," says Dowdle. "Now, we believe it'll be the most attractive. Everybody wins."

The neighboring development is set to be finished in July. All units have been leased. Dowdle says Wolf Development plans to continue developing in East Lansing in the future.

Source: Mike Dowdle, Wolf Development
Writer: Natalie Burg, Development News Editor

MSU to foster collaboration with $60.8 million Bio Engineering Building

David DeWitt, MSU College of Natural Science Wednesday, April 24, 2013

A new $60.8 million facility that aims to foster collaboration among Engineering, Human Medicine and Natural Science is moving forward on Michigan State University's campus. The new Bio Engineering Facility was approved by the MSU Board of Trustees this month.

"You get a lot of synergy by getting these interdisciplinary groups together," says David DeWitt, associate dean for research for MSU's College of Natural Science. "The sum of the parts is greater than the pieces themselves."

The Bio Engineering Building has been under development for about six years. The four-story, 130,000 square foot facility will include office and open laboratory space. The effort to connect related areas of research together is nothing to MSU, says DeWitt. The college has previously combined bio chemistry and agriculture teams to collaborate on projects that make sense from the lab to farmers' fields.

"I think this is a really good investment," says DeWitt. "It'll be a good opportunity for us to do some new research in translational medicine that will have an effect on people's health."

MSU is awaiting $30 million in funding from the State of Michigan to fund the project. Approval from the state is expected in May, and DeWitt hopes to break ground in late July or early August. Construction is expected to take about two years.

Source: David DeWitt, MSU College of Natural Science
Writer: Natalie Burg, Development News Editor

American Board of Emergency Medicine expanding facility by 6,000 sq ft

Alan Goschka, Bergmann Associates Wednesday, April 10, 2013

When the American Board of Emergency Medicine found they were outgrowing their East Lansing building, the national organization with board members on both coasts and a testing site in Chicago could have moved anywhere.

"When we first started their master planning almost two years ago, they really spent some time looking at where they wanted to be located," says Alan Goschka of Bergmann Associates. "They did their due diligence and decided that East Lansing was the best place for their home. They are very proud of their facility."

That's good news for East Lansing, as well as Bergmann Associates, which is now managing the renovation and expansion of the ABEM's facility. First built in 1993, the 13,000 square foot building is receiving a 6,000 square foot addition.

In addition to the extra space, Bergmann Associates have worked with local office interior experts DBI to renovate the existing space so the organization can make better use of the original portion of the facility.

"Times are changing, and how people are working are changing," Goschka. "We gave them smaller, more efficient work stations but gave them more conference spaces."

Work on the project began about two weeks ago and Goschka the renovation will be complete by the end of the year. ABEM will continue to work from the facility throughout the duration of the project.

Source: Alan Goschka, Bergmann Associates
Writer: Natalie Burg, Development News Edtior

CBRE|Martin signs 45,000 sq ft of space in Park Place Office Park

Eric Rosekrans, CBRE|Martin Wednesday, April 10, 2013

March was turned out to be a stellar month for East Lansing's Park Place Office Park, which secured two new tenants that together will occupy 45,000 square feet of the commercial property.

"They were both significant transactions in the marketplace," says Eric Rosekrans, senior vice president with CBRE|Martin. "They happened independent of each other, but both tenants were out looking for large suits and Park Place just happened to have what that needed. The Class A market in Lansing is very tight."

The two new tenants are Coverys, a medical professional liability insurance company, and CLEAResult, an energy optimization firm based in Austin, Tex. The companies will occupy 26,000 and 18,500 square feet respectively, and both plan to move into the office park this summer. Both offices are moving from existing Lansing-area locations, and Rosekrans says the ability to expand in their new spaces was a factor for both growing businesses.

The Park Place Office Park was built in the early 2000s and offers a total of about 105,000 square feet of space for tenants. After the new tenants enter the complex, just 12,000 square feet will remain vacant. Rosekrans says the space would be ideal for a variety of tenant types, such as attorneys, associations, insurance companies or medical practices.

"It's a wide ranging and flexible type of space," Rosekrans says. "If you want anybody in particular going into a project like this, you want someone in growth mode."

Source: Eric Rosekrans, CBRE|Martin
Writer: Natalie Burg, Development News Editor

Panopoulis Salon grows staff in new Eastwood Towne Center space

Renee Vanatten, Panopoulis Salon Wednesday, April 10, 2013

After 20 years in East Lansing, Panopoulos Salon moved westward to Eastwood Towne Center in late 2012. The full service salon and spa opted for a new space that was similar in size, but far greater traffic.

"It's been a lot busier here," says Panopoulos Salon's Renee Vanatten. "We've been much busier with walk-ins."

The salon has seen such an increase in business, in fact, that the staff has had to grow to keep up. Two new stylists have been hired since Panopoulos' move to Eastwood Towne Center, and Vanatten expects more to be added soon. The salon currently employs nine stylists and four receptionists. A flexible staff is cited as a key factor in Panopoulos' success.

"We're a full service salon, so all the girls are qualified in all the services we offer here," says Vanatten. "Seeing one person for color and cuts allows customers to have a connection with their stylist."

Source: Renee Vanatten, Panopoulis Salon
Writer: Natalie Burg, Development News Editor

Howell's Jonna's 2 Go to expand to East Lansing

Anthony Jonna, Jonna's 2 Go Wednesday, March 27, 2013

Jonna's 2 Go is a familiar brand a short drive east down I-96, with two locations in Howell. The popular party store is expanding westward with its first East Lansing store on Michigan Ave. in the former 24/7 convenience store.

"We've always loved this area," says Anthony Jonna, manager partner of Jonna's 2 Go. "We're the biggest Spartan fans in the world."

The East Lansing Jonna's 2 Go will be the fifth outlet of the Jonna family business, with two Jonna's Market stores in West Bloomfield and Taylor. The party store specializes in homemade pizza, sandwiches, salads and other deli items, along with craft beer and wine.

"We're going to pay special attention to this one," says Jonna. "It'll really pop. I don't think anybody in the area will have seen anything like it."

Work on the renovations is currently underway, and Jonna expects the store to open in the next few weeks. Jonna's 2 Go will employ about a dozen workers.

Source: Anthony Jonna, Jonna's 2 Go
Writer: Natalie Burg, Development News Editor

Frozen yogurt and sweet bun shops come to Downtown East Lansing

Kayla Nguyen, Tutti Frutti and O' My Buns Wednesday, March 27, 2013

East Lansing just got sweeter in two new ways with the opening of Tutti Frutti and O' My Buns on E. Grand River downtown. Kayla Nguyen brought the frozen yogurt and sweet bun stores together under one roof on March 7.

"I went to visit my friend in California and I fell in love with frozen yogurt," says franchisee of both businesses, Nguyen. "It's non- or low-fat and it's good for digestion."

Located in a 1,800 square foot, second floor location next to Yoga State, Nguyen built out Tutti Frutti and O' My Buns to be a place where students can comfortably relax, study or hangout between or after classes.

"I designed it to be more like a lounge," she says. "I personally prefer places like that, where students can move the tables together and come and do their homework."

Tutti Frutti offers frozen yogurt with a topping bar containing 50 choices of toppings. O' My Buns offers plain or cream cheese-filled buns with either coffee or vanilla topping.

Nguyen currently employs a staff of three across the two stores, but plans to soon grow to 12 to 15 employees.

Source: Kayla Nguyen, Tutti Frutti and O' My Buns
Writer: Natalie Burg, Development News Editor

Blowout bar trend hits East Lansing with Salon Karma

Dawnn Gibson, Salon Karma Wednesday, March 20, 2013

The new Salon Karma brings hairstyling secrets from all over the U.S. to East Lansing. First, there's owner Dawnn Gibson, who brought her talents to the Lansing area from Toledo about six years ago. Then, the salon is also a blowout bar offering a shampoo, blow-dry and one of six chic styles.

"The blowout bar came after us opening," says Gibson of the 2,200 square foot Salon Karma, which opened in December. "The idea came from an outside source form Arizona. I got online, and I saw that this is really big all over."

The idea, Gibson says, is to offer regular salon services to women that mimics the atmosphere of salons of years gone by, with ladies coming in weekly or monthly for a style and to socialize with friends.

"We're working on getting a liquor license so people can have a beer or wine and relax while they're here," says Gibson.

Salon Karma is located in the former location of Panopoulos Salon on Lake Lansing Rd. The business also offers regular salon services, including men's styles, nails, tanning, and aesthetician services. Gibson currently employs a staff of eight.

Source: Dawnn Gibson, Salon Karma
Writer: Natalie Burg, Development News Editor

MSU Rehabilitation Clinic expands into 7,000 sq ft Hagadorn space

Mary Thiel, MSU Rehabilitation Medicine Clinic Wednesday, March 13, 2013

The move Michigan State University's Rehabilitation Medicine Clinic is about to make into the Eyde Building on S. Hagadorn has been in the works for a long time.

"We started with the idea in 2008," says Mary Thiel MPT, clinic manager for the Rehabilitation Medicine Clinic. "We needed to develop our program a little bit first."

The nearly 7,000 square foot space will not only allow the Rehab Clinic to double its currant usable space, but will also place the office across the hall from the MSU Sports Medicine clinic, adding a great deal of convenience for both patients and practitioners from both offices.

"We've wanted to offer the community a more collaborative facility," says Thiel. "Being right across the hall, the patients can just walk to the other clinic. The physicians and ourselves can have more ease of communication."

The MSU Rehabilitation Medicine Clinic's growth has also motivated the move. When she began working for the clinic in 1999, it was just Thiel and two physical therapy assistants. The office now includes six physical therapists, four physical therapy assistants, two athletic trainers, one occupational therapist and a neuropsychologist.

Thiel expects the move to happen at the end of April. The new office will include an open gym area, private exam rooms and increased capacity to offer classes and partner with the Spartan Nutrition and Performance Program.

Source: Mary Thiel, MSU Rehabilitation Medicine Clinic
Writer: Natalie Burg, Development News Editor

Bulgogi Korean Cuisine opens in East Lansing with 20 jobs

Kevin Choi, Bulgogi Korean Cuisine Wednesday, February 13, 2013

When Kevin Choi owned and operated Korean restaurants in both Novi and Ann Arbor, he noticed a similar thing happening in both locations.

"There are many MSU students and that, during the weekend are going an hour away to go to the restaurant," says Choi. "There are many Asian students here, but they go to Ann Arbor and Novi because they couldn't find the right Korean food in East Lansing."

Choi decided it was time to open an authentic Korean restaurant right where he knew there was demand: in East Lansing He opened the doors of his Bulgogi Korean Cuisine on Albert Avenue last week with 20 employees and room for 80 diners.

Though other small Korean restaurants to exist in the area, Choi's offers something new to the scene. Not only is the 3,400 square foot Bulgogi Korean Cuisine larger than the others, it also features Korean barbeque grills at each table.

" We bring out the customer scan too,' says Seoyoung Choi of Bulgogi Korean Cuisine. "A lot of customers don't know about Korean barbeque grills, so we want to make it a fun and enjoyable way to get the word out about Korean food."

In addition to Korean barbeque, Bulgogi offers other traditional Korean dishes, hot pots and noodle dishes. The restaurant is currently working to secure a liquor license, and Choi plans to add delivery as an option in the future.

Source: Kevin Choi, Bulgogi Korean Cuisine
Writer: Natalie Burg, Development News Editor

Coco's Off the Rack opens on Lake Lansing, creates four jobs

Colleen Adams, Coco's Off the Rack Wednesday, December 12, 2012

Coco’s Off the Rack may have just opened in September, but Colleen Adams has been in the wedding gown business for decades.

“It started with me just really just loving fashion,” Adams says. “I started out working retail in different places, and before Lett’s went out of business I worked there. I decided it was time to branch out and do something on my own.”

That “something” became Coco’s Off the Rack on Lake Lansing Road in East Lansing. The 2,000 square foot store not only sells bridal dresses, but also prom, ready-to-wear, and offers alterations.

Though only open for a couple of months, Adams has already been busy with brides and other shoppers. The bustle has validated her decision to open in Lansing, even though she considered other options.

“Originally, I looed around at Novi because that’s were I live,” says Adams. “The more I thought about it, it seemed more reasonable to come to Lansing, because I’ve been working here since 1993.”

In addition to Adams the store currently employs one part-time employee, and Adams plans to soon hire two additional staffers. Coco’s will be hosting an open house this Saturday, along with her neighbors, Ann’s Dance Studio, Cutters’ Point and Magic BJJ Martial Arts Center.

New GLCVB visitor center to welcome guests to East Lansing

Tracy Padot, Greater Lansing Convention and Visitors Bureau Wednesday, November 07, 2012

The Lansing area is about to become even more welcoming with the opening of a second location for The Greater Lansing Convention and Visitors Bureau (GLCVB) in East Lansing. The new 400 square foot visitor information center celebrates its grand opening with a ribbon cutting this week.

“The addition of a second visitor center location is something that has been on our radar for a few years,” says VP Marketing Communications for the GLCVB, Tracy Padot. “We spent a lot of time finding the right location, to position ourselves for maximum success. The space needed to be affordable, visible to the traveling public and adjacent to shopping, dining, attractions and events. When the space opened up across from the Broad, we knew we had found the right fit.”

The new Eli and Edythe Broad Art Museum is, in fact, a primary reason for the second GLCVB location. The museum is expected to create a great influx of visitors. Additionally, an East Lansing location hopes to service Michigan State University’s growing population of international students and their families.

The location will be staffed Tuesday through Sunday and will showcase special events and projects, as well as guide visitors to destinations throughout the Greater Lansing area.

Vertafore expands into 36,000 sq ft East Lansing office

Ed Vincent, Vertafore Wednesday, November 07, 2012

Formerly known locally as Sircon, the insurance industry-focused IT firm Vertafore moved from their Okemos location to Abbot Road in East Lansing in early 2012 to accommodate the office’s continued growth.

“We have deep roots in Michigan beginning with Sircon,” says Ed Vincent, senior vice president of Producer Lifecycle Management for Vertafore. “We were in a couple of different facilities in Okemos, and we wanted to get everyone in one space.”

The 36,000-square-foot office houses about 130 local Vertafore employees. According the Vincent, the space could accommodate about 25 additional employees, after which the office may consider expanding more in the building.

“I’m excited that we’ll be in the position that we’ll be hiring software engineers ad hiring service professionals,” says Vincent. “We absolutely have a commitment to growing the staff, and giving the staff career development opportunities.”

Vertafore is headquartered in Seattle and employs approximately 1,300 workers. The company purchased Sircon in 2008.

Vincent says the growing staff has been enjoying their new East Lansing home, and look forward to becoming increasingly involved with the community and Michigan State University.

East Lansing : Development News