Development News

Gibson's Books opens 1,500 sq ft Gibby's Grinders, adds 4 jobs

Dave Poquette, Gibby's Grinders Wednesday, September 26, 2012

Fans of Gibson’s Books and Beans in Downtown Lansing have even more to enjoy now that the bookstore has expanded into an adjacent 1,500 square foot space to open Gibby’s Grinders.

“When they closed the cafeteria down at the school, which generated a lot ore people come over looking for places to eat,” says Dave Poquette, manager Gibson’s.” We did some brainstorming and thought a sub shop would be the best solution.”

The location had been vacant for several years before Gibson’s began developing the idea of Gibby’s earlier this year. The new sub shop opened last week, offering both hot and cold sandwiches.

“So far, so good,” says Poquette. “We’re just getting it going.”

Gibby’s currently employs about four new workers, and Poquette plans to add additional varieties of grinders and soup to the menu soon.

Fantastic Finds nearly doubles location with 11,000 sq ft expansion, to add up to 10 jobs

Sue Rosenberger, Fantastic Finds Wednesday, September 26, 2012

Lansing’s Fantastic Finds is on the way to becoming even more fantastic. The bridal and prom dress shop is nearly doubling their space with an 11,000 square foot addition to their location on Wood Street.

“We have, for several years, been trying to figure out a way to properly expand the building,” says Fantastic Finds owner Sue Rosenberger. “This is the oldest house in Lansing Township. We wanted to retain the original studio.”

The 25-year-old business had grown to the point of needing to lease temporary space at Eastwood Towne Center each year for prom season. When a long-term tenant expressed interest in the location, Rosenberger was happy to take the opportunity to consolidate her operations under one new roof.

“It will allow us to bring the prom store back to the bridal store and to enhance and create additional space for bridal. We’ve also been able to install an elevator in the building.”

That’s exciting news for the 38-room historic home with seven staircases. The $700,000 expansion project began at the end of May, and Rosenberger hopes to see it completed by the end of November. Fantastic Finds has partnered with Lansing Township, Citizens Bank and the Michigan Certified Development Corporation on the project.

In addition to the growing building, Rosenberger’s staff has been expanding. Two new positions have recently been added, and Rosenberger anticipates hiring six to 10 additional employees once the addition is complete.

Backbone Chiropractic expands into 1,200 sq ft East Lansing location

Kristin Batdorf, Backbone Chiropractic and Massage Wednesday, September 26, 2012

Backbone Chiropractic and Massage Therapy is growing in in East Lansing. After seven years next door to the Center for Yoga on Grand River, owner Dr. Kristin Batdorf expanded into her own building on Lake Lansing Road.

“I’ve always wanted to own my own building and I needed to be in a bigger space,” Batdorf says. “We were bursting from the seams in our previous location.”

Batdorf attributes her growth to her unique approach to chiropractic.

“I think that we operate a little slower,” she says. “We take our time. I’m trying to solve the problems people come in with. The massage helps, especially with people who are really tight, and it is an alternative to people who don’t’ like to be manipulated. “

The new location opened in September. In the new space, Batdorf has hired an additional massage therapist, expanded the hours of her receptionist, and hopes to eventually bring on an additional chiropractor.

The 2,000 square foot building houses Backbone Chiropractic in one half of the space, and Batdorf is seeking to lease the other half.

New, 11,500 sq ft development underway for Doctor's Approach

Dr. Marcy L. Street, Doctor's Approach Wednesday, September 26, 2012

Dr. Marcy L. Street is one busy lady. The dermatologist and owner of Doctor’s Approach in East Lansing is Mid-Michigan’s only fellowship-trained Mohs surgeon, and her business’ three divisions – dermatology and surgery, a medical spa and a product line – have grown out of her solo practice that began in 1992. No wonder she earned the Lansing Regional Chamber’s Outstanding Small Business Award this year.

It may also be no surprise that her achievements have made the Doctor’s Approach grow right out of its current location at the Sparrow Michigan Athletic Club‎. A new, 11,500 square foot facility is currently under construction on Jolly Road that will soon be the business’ new home.

“There are three divisions of the business,” says Street. “So it’s a way to help bring everything under one roof. All three divisions, as well as a dental practice, Park Dental, will be in the facility.”

Street expects the move to take place in early October, and plans to grow her staff with the expansion. Twenty employees currently work for Doctor’s Approach, and four additional workers will be added to the staff.

If there is a secret to Street’s success, she says it’s been the support she’s received along the way.

“We just appreciate the support of the community,” she says. “That’s been huge. We are just so appreciative. It’s been a long and fun and exciting journey.”

Dorsey School opens Lansing campus in 10,000 sq ft location

Niya Sims, Dorsey School Wednesday, September 19, 2012

Dorsey School is new to Lansing, but not to Michigan. The career school was founded in 1934 by Ruth Dorsey, and the new 10,000 square foot campus on South Cedar is the school’s ninth location.

“The response that we have gotten so far has been positive,” says Dorsey Schools’ Niya Sims of the new campus. “It is great to hear people say they are glad we are in the community.”

The Lansing location’s School of Healthcare began on August 13 and offers training programs for medical assistants, medical administration and billing, patient care technicians and pharmacy technicians. The School of Beauty is scheduled to open this fall.

“Each program at Dorsey Schools is committed to providing quality career education and positive reinforcement,” says Sims, “enabling the development of self-esteem, self-reliance, discipline and confidence in each graduate, coupled with an obligation to the communities where they live and work.”

Across its nine locations Dorsey School offers programs in technology training, and certifications for the medical, culinary arts, business, legal, and computer fields.

MSU's $37M Wells Hall addition creates innovative language hub, 88,000 ft of new space

Mike Jenkins, Michigan State University Wednesday, September 19, 2012

The evolution of Michigan State University’s Wells Hall began more than a century ago when a dormitory by that name was destroyed by fire and a second Wells Hall was constructed. After that location was demolished to make way for a library expansion in the 1960s, the present day Wells Hall was constructed on Red Cedar Road. Today, the building named after Hezekiah G. Wells has undergone another change in the form of a $37 million addition that brings all of the university’s language departments under one roof.

“It’s been quite a few years since the languages have been all together,” says Communications Director for MSU’s College of Arts and Letters, Mike Jenkins. “The close proximity to the International Center, as well as the College of Education being right there too, will engender collaborations and opportunities to work together.”

The 88,000 square foot addition includes office, instructional and research space. The project added a new three-story atrium, three classrooms and language laboratories, and both private and open office environments intended to promote faculty and student interactions. A new Starbucks café has also opened in the facility.

“It’s a beautiful building,” Jenkins says. “It has some of the latest technologies in many areas. It’s an opportunity for faculty and the students to take a giant leap forward.”

The addition includes many environmentally sustainable elements, including a self-maintaining green roof and daylight-controlled window shades.

Planning for the Wells Hall project was initiated in September of 2008, construction began in September of 2010. A grand opening ceremony was held earlier this month.

Rizzi Designs adds 6,800 sq ft events venue and grows staff

Rochelle Rizzi, Rizzi Designs Wednesday, September 19, 2012

Old Town’s Rizzi Designs is growing once again, but this time in a whole new way. The design firm recently announced the purchase of Perspective2 (P2), the 6,800 square foot events venue, also in Old Town.

The project began when former P2 owner Lynne Brown contacted Rochelle Rizzi to see if she was interested in the expansion opportunity.

“I get presented with opportunities to grow or invest or donate every day,” says Rizzi, owner of Rizzi Designs. “I had to sit back and say, ‘Is this something that could make sense?’”

Ultimately, the answer to that question was, “Yes.” Under Rizzi Designs, the venue will soon receive a new name and become the home of RD I Do, Rizzi’s bridal branding division, as well as their special events division.

“It turned out to be a very affordable way to get these divisions to make sense on their own,” says Rizzi. “It’s going to be a sister company of Rizzi, so what we’re creating is a small family of businesses.”

In addition to the firm’s physical expansion, Rizzi Designs continues to add new staff. Two new hires have recently been added, with two more hires expected before the end of the year. Rizzi anticipates the firm’s growth to continue in 2013 as the new venue begins to evolve.

$300,000 renovation project adds three apartments to Downtown Grand Ledge

Bruce MacDowell, MacDowell's Fireplace Wednesday, September 19, 2012

Downtown Grand Ledge is now the home to three new residential units thanks to the renovation of the MacDowell’s Fireplace building’s upper floor.

“Our building was built in the late 1800s, and the second story has been businesses, residences, offices and such over the years,” says Bruce MacDowell. “It had been vacant since the 1940s.”

The 4,500 square foot story is vacant no longer. The MacDowells partnered with the City of Grand Ledge, the Grand Ledge Downtown Development Authority (DDA) and Michigan State Housing Development Authority (MSHDA) to complete a $300,000 rental rehabilitation project. The space now contains three, 1,400-square foot, two-bedroom apartments with 12-foot ceilings.

“Along with the significant funds we invested, the MSHDA program and the DDA grant made it all possible,” MacDowell says.

The project began six months ago and was completed in September. Two tenants have already moved into their new apartment and a third will soon occupy the third.

New, 7,600 sq ft Buffalo Wild Wings to open in Delta Township

Cheryl Moscato, JK&T Wings, Inc. Wednesday, September 19, 2012

More wings are on the way to Lansing. On October 13, Buffalo Wild Wings plans to open their second area location in the former Benningan’s building on West Saginaw in Delta Township.

“We’ve been looking for a second location in the Greater Lansing area for several years now,” says Cheryl Moscato, vice president of marketing and advertising for JK&T Wings, Inc., a franchisee of Buffalo Wild Wings. “We’ve always had the intention of putting in a second store.”

Renovations on the interior and exterior of the building are now underway. A four-season patio will be added to the building, bringing the new restaurant to 7,662 square feet. According to Moscato, about 130 employees will be hired initially to open the new Buffalo Wild Wings in October. Regular staffing levels are expected to be maintained at around 100 workers.

“We are happy to be expanding in the Greater Lansing area, and we’re looking forward to being an active member in the community,” Moscato says.

That community involvement will kick off soon as the restaurant is partnering with two local high schools on a fundraising opportunity. The high schools will sell $20 tickets to the Buffalo Wild Wings employee trainings. Ticket holders will be the first patrons of the new restaurant before its official opening, giving employees a live training opportunity. All proceeds from the sales will benefit the schools.

SWAT Environmental expands into 9,000 sq ft facility, to hire nine new staff members

Matthew Noss, SWAT Environmental Wednesday, September 12, 2012

When SWAT Environmental began as a small radon mitigation company in 1988, it’s safe to say theat the Lansing based startup wasn’t expecting to grow to international notoriety. When the firm was recognized in Inc. Magazine’s list of 5000 fastest growing companies, however, it’s place as the world’s largest radon mitigation company was confirmed.

SWAT now operates roughly 45 locations nationwide with a total of about 100 employees. Around 40 of those are right here in Lansing at the company's headquarters. Noss expects about nine new employees to be added locally by the end of the year.

“Our main focus right now is franchising,” says SWAT’s Director of Marketiing, Matthew Noss. “We actually have been posting new positions for technicians across the country on a daily basis.”

While Noss describes radon mitigation as the company’s bread and butter, he attributes their growth in part to expansion into other services, such as soil, water and air technologies – hence the SWAT acronym.

“It’s not just the expansion, but also the demand,” Noss says. “Our goal used to be to get 150 installations per week, but we’re doing around 300 installations per week right now. We’re coming up on 100,000 installations across the county.”

With the increased staff and demand, SWAT has expanded physically as well. The company purchased an approximately 9,000 square foot facility in January and has been renovating it ever since. Staff have already moved into half of the former Moose Lodge office, located off of MLK. Renovations are currently underway on the other half, which will become a training facility.

Williams Subaru building new $3M facility, expanding staff by up to eight

Jeff Williams, Williams Subaru Wednesday, September 12, 2012

There’s something big going up on Howard Street in Lansing, and it represents some big growth for the Williams AutoWorld family. The new, 16,833 facility will become the new home for Williams Subaru.

“We started our plans to build last fall,” says Jeff Williams. “It’s a lot of fun, but a lot of work. Everything will be under one roof."

The new building will include a variety of environmentally friendly features, such as LED lighting, hoists powered by compressed water, in-floor heating and greenspace.

The new building will also be home to new faces at Williams Subaru. Four new employees have been added to the staff already this year, and Williams expects another three or four employees to be added by the time the facility opens in early 2013.

The nearly $3 million project is utilizing all local contractors, including D.L. Kesler & Sons.

“They’re doing a fabulous job,” says Williams.

Painting With a Twist to hire up to five artists, bring painting parties to Frandor

Diane Wey, Painting With a Twist Wednesday, September 12, 2012

A new business in Frandor will allow Lansing area art enthusiasts to try their hands at painting while enjoying time out with friends. Owner Diane Wey says all it took was one visit to Painting with a Twist in Ferndale to decide she wanted to bring the concept to Lansing.

“We went in February to paint for my sister’s birthday,” says Wey. “The bug bit me. I contacted them the next day and said, ‘I want to do this.’”

Painting with a Twist hosts classes and parties for people of all ages to enjoy painting in a group with an artist instructing.

“Everybody paints the same painting,” says Wey. “You’re busy for the whole class, but there’s time to chat and sip wine here and there. It’s not serious art; it’s fun art. It’s a wonderful evening out with girlfriends or sororities or baby showers. The greater Lansing area is so ready for this.”

Painting with a Twist will open in a 4,344 square foot location in Frandor at the end of October. Wey says the location is perfect because of its central location and proximity to the expressway.

“I worked with Amy at CBRE, who just absolutely became a friend,” Wey says. “We had a lot of fun, and she was very enthusiastic about the concept.”

Wey is now seeking artists to work as part-time instructors. She plans to hire up to five instructors. The Painting with a Twist business model also includes community outreach. Wey looks forward to finding ways to benefit the Lansing community through her new business.

New resale shop, Just My Style, opens in 2,000 sq ft Delta Twp location

Camie O'Dell, Just My Style Wednesday, September 12, 2012

There’s a new place for fashion resale in Lansing. Just My Style opened in August on West Saginaw in Delta Township. The 2,000 square foot facility offers children’s and adults' clothing, accessories and home goods.

“This is what we’ve always dreamed of doing, starting our own business,” says Camie O’Dell, who owns Just My Style with her husband, Clarence O’Dell.

The O’Dells worked at a children’s home for more than 20 years. After taking some time off while dealing with health issues, the couple decided the time was right to fulfill their dream by opening a resale shop.

“We try to do name brand clothes at great prices,” O’Dell says. “Everything is in really good condition and really clean.”

The O’Dells are still awaiting their sign, but are looking forward to attracting customers in their high traffic area.

“We love where we’re located,” says O’Dell. “Our goal is just to keep the good sales going and maybe offer people something different.”

East Lansing's new China Tong introduces Cantonese cuisine, adds four jobs

Jim Guo, China Tong Wednesday, August 22, 2012

After taking a break from more than 20 years in the restaurant business, Jim Guo recently decided it was time to jump back into the industry with the new China Tong in East Lansing.

Located at 1105 East Grand River, the new 1,500 square foot restaurant features original Cantonese cuisine.

“We are the only place doing that in town right now,” says Guo. “If people want to try original Cantonese cuisine, they can find it here.”

The restaurant has six tables for in-house dining and currently employs four workers. Guo hopes the restaurant will continue to grow and he can hire up to three more. China Tong opened last week.

Retail Therapy brings women's fashion and two jobs to Okemos

Celeste Saltzman, Retail Therapy Wednesday, August 22, 2012

The new Okemos store, Retail Therapy, got its start four years ago in Saginaw when Celeste Saltzman’s job as a stay-at-home mom ended with her children grown out of the house, and she was looking for something else to do.

“We have a little tagline: ‘just what the doctor ordered,’” says Saltzman. “My husband is a physician, and it’s meant to be a great place for women to come and get a little perk up.”

The fun store for ladies’ fashion relocated to Okemos along with Saltzman and her husband’s move the Lansing area. After her husband accepted a job with Sparrow Hospital, Saltzman found the perfect spot to re-open Retail Therapy on Marsh Road.

“I found a little store in the Central Park Place that was perfect,” Saltzman says. “It was previously store, and the colors were already just my colors, so it was meant to be.”

Retail Therapy opened in early August and will likely celebrate a grand opening in September. The store offers premium denim, casual clothes and handmade jewelry and accessories for women. Saltzman currently employs two workers in the 950-square foot location.

“It’s not anything you could find in a department store,” Saltzman says of her inventory. “I buy small lines that are boutique-driven, and I buy in small quantities, because when you live in smaller community you don’t want to see yourself coming and going all the time. There is always something new coming in.”