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

Hannah's Koney Island owner to open Athena's Diner on S. Cedar

Anton Prenaj, Athena's Diner Wednesday, May 15, 2013

Fans of Greek cuisine will have a new place to get their fix when the new Athena's Diner opens on S. Cedar St. in the former Jon's Country Burger building. The new restaurant, which will serve both Greek and American fare, will be owned by local restaurateur, Anton Prenaj.

Area diners may be familiar with Prenaj's restaurant of eight years, Hannah’s Koney Island in East Lansing's Hannah Plaza. The new Athena's Diner, says Prenaj, will be both similar to and different from his existing restaurant.

"We will have great food, and our service will be very nice," he says. "It's not going to be a Coney Island, but it will be a family diner."

Prenaj hopes to open Athena's Diner in about one month, and expects to employ a staff of about 15 employees.

Source: Anton Prenaj, Athena's Diner
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

Park Dental Okemos opens in Doctor's Approach building

Veronica Isham, Park Dental Okemos Wednesday, May 08, 2013

The healthcare services at the new Doctor's Approach building in Okemos have expanded with the opening of Park Dental Okemos inside the facility. The practice is owned by Dr. Wallace Walker, who has practiced dentistry in the Metro Detroit area for more than 30 years.

Park Dental Okemos offers traditional family dentistry, as well as additional services some dentists refer out to other practices, including wisdom teeth removal.

"Dr. Walker has taken courses to expand his knowledge," says Veronica Isham, office manager for Park Dental Okemos. "He does that continuously."

In addition to extra services, Isham says what makes Dr. Walker's practice unique is his laid-back, friendly personality.

Park Dental Okemos opened on March 1 and is currently open on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays and the first Saturday of each month and employs a staff of four. Isham says Dr. Walker hopes to expand to fulltime hours as the new practice grows.

Source: Veronica Isham, Park Dental Okemos
Writer: Natalie Burg, Development News Editor

Family ice cream business connects with community in Dewitt

Max Dalman, iScream Wednesday, May 08, 2013

The Dalman family has long had a dream of running an ice cream shop, and now that plan has come to fruition in their hometown of Dewitt with iScream. The new 1,000 square foot shop serves ice cream, soft serve and low-calorie, high-vitamin smoothies.

"We are in the center of Dewitt," says Max Dalman, who manages the store owned by his parents. "We're right by the schools, and are tons of neighborhoods over here."

The Dalmans have been working on iScream since last fall, and the ice scream shop opened about a month ago. The shop currently employs a staff of eight. Despite the snowy weather during their opening, the community has come out to support the business, and they've found themselves even busier than expected.

The concept of iScream includes reciprocating that community support. The Dalmans also have a smoothie booth that they bring to local events to offer smoothies to attendees. The organization running the event receives a portion of the proceeds of every smoothie sold.

"We're in it for the fun," says Dalman. "We're trying to keep prices as low as we can and offer the best we can to the community."

Source: Max Dalman, iScream
Writer: Natalie Burg, Development News Editor

87-year-old Apothecary Shop opens new Grand Ledge location

Nag Yeasu, Apothecary Shop of Grand Ledge Wednesday, May 01, 2013

For 87 years, the Apothecary Shop has been serving the Lansing community. When an independent pharmacist in Grand Ledge retired and sold his business to a big box pharmacy, it became an opportunity for the long established business to expand it reach.

"We have seen [Grand Ledge] customers driving all the way up to Lansing to see us because they like the service of the independent pharmacy," says Nag Yeasu, pharmacist with the new Apothecary Shop at Grand Ledge. "We decided we had the opportunity to open our second location."

The new Apothecary Shop opened in April in a 1,400 square foot location on Charlevoix Dr. in Grand Ledge. It's proximity to other, big name pharmacies, says Nag Yeasu will work as a benefit to the new store.

"People have to come to this corner to get their medicine already," says Yeasu. "If they know that this is the best service in the town, they will go to the independent pharmacy."

Those exclusive services include home delivery of medications, quick turnaround on prescriptions and personal customer service from a consistent staff. The Apothecary Shop also offers a service that many pharmacies long ago abandoned: mixing custom compounds for patients with special prescription needs. Yeasu adds that clients can always expect a human to answer the phone.

The Apothecary Shop will celebrate its grand opening today. The pharmacy currently employs a staff of four, and Yeasu hopes to grow that number as the business continues to develop.

Source: Nag Yeasu, Apothecary Shop of Grand Ledge
Writer: Natalie Burg, Development News Editor

New contemporary Italian restaurant seeks to bring new dining experience to Okemos

Chris Roelofs, Tannin Wednesday, May 01, 2013

A different kind of restaurateur is planning to bring a different kind of dining experience to the Lansing area with Tannin, a new restaurant coming to Marsh Rd. in Okemos this spring.

"We love interesting, novel food for their own sake," says Tannin owner Chris Roelofs. "We hope to make money, but our goal, first and foremost, is to make great food."

Roelofs was a Ph.D. candidate in political theory while working at a restaurant in Williamston before taking the leap to going into business for himself. He and partner James Sumpter hope to add something new to the Lansing dining scene.

"We really want to raise the level of food discourse in the area," says Roelofs. " One of the many aspirations I have is to produce a level of food that would be considered excellent in any location."

Tannin will open in a 2,500 square foot space on Marsh Rd. in late May. The restaurant will feature a unique menu of contemporary Italian dishes as well as influences by other cultures. Roelofs says in-house ingredients will be key to their identity, and even on-site cured meats and cheeses will be integrated into the menu over the next six months to two years.

Tannin will employ 15 to 20 workers upon opening.

Source: Chris Roelofs, Tannin
Writer: Natalie Burg, Development News Editor

NBO Medical expands into new 6,000 sq ft office

Dr. Paul DeWeiss, NBO Medical Wednesday, April 24, 2013

NBO Medical launched in Lansing two years ago with the idea that people needed better access to a new treatment option for neuropathy. Now, with offices in Brighton, Flint, Grand Rapids and Naples, Florida, NBO Medical has serviced 5,000 patients suffering from numbness, pain, tingling and discomfort. That number is set to rise with NBO Medical's expansion into a larger facility on Belle Chase Way.

The quick expansion of NBO Medical is undoubtedly connected to its innovative treatment of neuropathy, which treats nerve damage, rather than attempting to mask symptoms through medication. Though medication is still considered the conventional treatment for neuropathy, says NBO Medical founder Dr. Paul DeWeiss, it comes with side effects, and it is only beneficial in about half of patients.

"Because of the way neuropathy is currently treated, people have this chronic, degenerative condition, so their life shrivels up," says DeWeiss. "They stop playing tennis, they stop walking the dog, they aren't as socially active, so there is a lot of insolation and depression. It's been very gratifying to see people get their life back."

NBO Medical opened the doors to their new 6,000 square foot facility in December. That's quite a jump from the company's original, 400 square foot office in East Lansing. After outgrowing their first office, NBO moved to Jolly Road, but now plans to continue to grow in their new location.

Now with a staff of 15, DeWeiss says his staff has grown about 25 percent over the past year, and he expects continued growth in the future. The Lansing facility is home to both his local practice, as well as the administrative staff servicing all of his offices. DeWeiss plans to grow his number of offices, including a future Florida office, as well as a possible forthcoming partnership with a Metro Detroit area hospital.

Source: Dr. Paul DeWeiss, NBO Medical
Writer: Natalie Burg, Development News Editor

Buttons and Beanstalks brings kiddie chic to Williamston

Danielle Mackay, Buttons and Beanstalks Wednesday, April 24, 2013

As a stay-at-home mom, Danielle Mackay loved to shop for her kids at children's boutiques, but kept running into the same problem: there just weren't enough options for boys. As both of Mackay's children are boys, this posed a problem for a boutique shopper like herself that she was determined to solve. Her answer was opening Buttons and Beanstalks.

"I do everything one-for-one between girls and boys," says Mackay. "I carry a lot of accessories that are really hard to find. I hand-make a lot of the hair ties and ties for little boys."

The children's boutique began online about a year ago, and has now expanded into a physical shop in Williamston's Keller Plaza. The new Buttons and Beanstalks opened on April 13 in a 220 square foot shop.

"I like that it is all indoors," Mackay says. "The size of the space is perfect."

Mackay now operates the shop on limited hours, but hopes to soon expand into full retail hours. She anticipates hiring up to three employees once Button and Beanstalks has expanded its hours.

Source: Danielle Mackay, Buttons and Beanstalks
Writer: Natalie Burg, Development News Editor

Southside Tattoos opens westside location as Noble Ink

Roxy Hayes, Noble Ink Wednesday, April 03, 2013

According to manager Roxy Hayes, the newly opened Noble Ink on W. Saginaw isn't your ordinary tattoo shop.

"We're all very family oriented," she says. "We're not that stereotypical idea of tattoo shop."

Noble Ink is owned by Southside Tattoos owner Bill Brown who had a vision top open a new location on Lansing's Westside. Hayes says fans of the original shop will recognize the same level of cleanliness, skill and personable service at Noble Ink with a new aesthetic.

"We have a lot of cool, aged décor," says Hayes. "A lot of local shops are darker with dark imagery on the walls. We have decorative mirrors and very old, cool tchotchkes everywhere."

Work on Noble Ink has been underway for a couple of months, and the new shop opened in March. The business currently employs three tattoo artists and one piercer. Hayes says the staff is looking forward to building a new clientele base on the west side of town.

Source: Roxy Hayes, Noble Ink
Writer: Natalie Burg, Development News Editor

Michael's opens in former Brannigan Brothers space

Benjamin May, Michael's Wednesday, April 03, 2013

Now on its third identity in the last year, the former Brannigan Brothers location in Downtown Lansing recently opened as a new restaurant and bar called Michael's. According to bartender Benjamin May, the new name comes with a classier atmosphere.

"We have a lot more top shelf alcohol," he says. " We're trying to attract a different crowd, a little bit older, such as the grad students at Cooley."

The restaurant's interior has been completely renovated since its time as Brannigan Brothers. Michael's now features live blues music on Wednesday nights and is also focusing on catering to sports fans with several TVs, as well as the local lunch crowd.

Michaels currently employs a staff of approximately 14, and May says the new business has been busy since their opening in mid-March.

"It's been a lot busier since the new owner has come in," he says. "We've got a pretty awesome staff."

May says Michael's hopes to soon add live music on the weekends in addition to Wednesdays.

Source: Benjamin May, Michael's
Writer: Natalie Burg, Development News Editor

Beyond the Fleece expands in Williamston

Jill Blain, Beyond the Fleece Wednesday, April 03, 2013

Less than a year after moving into Williamston's Keller's Plaza, the family-owned specialty yarn shop Beyond the Fleece has already expanded into a new location.

"We had great interest in store in Keller's Plaza, but we had many customers that were not able to climb the stairs," says owner Jill Blain. "I had also run out of room."

The shop's new, 2,000 square foot home on Grand River more than quadruples Blain's former location. The additional space allows Blain to do all of her fiber dying in the store, as well as provides a larger classroom area.

Beyond the Fleece is an outgrowth from the Blain family farm, Frosty Acres where Blain and her husband Brandon raise fiber animals, including lamas, alpaca, angora goats, Shetland sheep and angora rabbits to make handspun and dyed yarns.

"We support local artists and are a natural fiber store," says Blain. "We love to encourage the use of natural fiber and support local farmers."

The new Beyond the Fleece location opened on March 5. The store has grown in several ways over the past year, including carrying spinning wheels, looms, drum carders, and other yarn crafting accessories. The store also offers a variety of classes, workshops and lessons, and sells products from local artists in their in-store Michigan Fiber Artist Shoppe within the store.

Source: Jill Blain, Beyond the Fleece
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

MODI Gallery offers new option for local artists

Brendan Martin, MODI Art Gallery Wednesday, March 20, 2013

It began with Brendan Martin's desire to find the right place to show his own work, but now into its second show on Michigan Ave., the new MODI Art Gallery has the potential to become much more.

After moving back to the Lansing area where he grew up after living in Philadelphia and studying art in New York, Martin noticed a gap in the local arts scene.

"There are [local galleries] with older, more accomplished artists, and others that sell postcards and jewelry," says Martin. "There isn't a professional environment for young, emerging artists. We wanted to be a tradition style gallery with one show per month."

Together with partner Pat Abood, Martin set about changing that with the 600 square foot space at 605 E. Michigan Ave. A former medical marijuana dispensary, the pair invested some serious time and elbow grease into the storefront to transform it into a gallery, aided by funds raised on Kickstarter.

MODI Gallery opened with a showing of Martin's work on Feb. 1. A second month-long showing is now underway, and artists have expressed interest in showing in April as well. That all depends, says Martin, on how MODI continues to take shape as an organization, as he hopes it will become more of a community project than a proprietorship.

"We want to stay open and be able to let people show there," he says. "We're looking at how we can do that."

Martin is optimistic about MODI's future. He and Abood have already partnered with such organizations as the Arts Council of Greater Lansing and Lansing Art Works.

Source: Brendan Martin, MODI Art Gallery
Writer: Natalie Burg, Development News Editor

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