Known as the Golden Rose Restaurant and then Country House Catering is now the family-owned and revamped Taste Coffee Company.
Agriculture
Local produce stores aim to bring affordability to food deserts
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The way food travels from farm to table is complex. The food that shoppers normally see in massive grocery stores is grown on large farms, harvested in large quantities, stored until it can be transported to market and finally sold in grocery stores. When the food supply chain is local, the process can become even more nuanced. Two stores in Lansing that promote local food production are The Eastside Lansing Food Co-op and Campbell’s Market Basket.
Business & Economy
‘A dream and an 8-foot table’: How the Holt Farmers’ Market is helping startup businesses
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The Holt Farmers’ Market isn’t just any farmers’ market. The compact former Delhi Township Fire Department building, which only allows 23 tables inside, serves as a space for startups and young businesses to grow and thrive. Ofilia Diaz, the proud owner of a Mexican restaurant called El Burrito, is a testament to the transformative power of the Holt Farmers’ Market. Located just a few doors down from the market, her journey from a dream to a successful business was made possible by the support and opportunities provided by the market. “She just started selling hot food right there at the farmer’s market,” market manager Chuck Grinnell said.
Business & Economy
Supreme Court to rule soon on case about minimum wage for tipped workers
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TIPPED WAGES: A looming state Supreme Court decision could reinvigorate efforts to raise Michigan’s minimum wage and equalize it for restaurant and bar employees who receive tips. The issue is whether the Legislature acted unconstitutionally when it used an adopt-and-amend strategy to keep a citizen initiative off the ballot. We hear from Mothering Justice, a Detroit group that favors a higher minimum wage, and Save MI Tips and the Small Business Association of Michigan, which oppose it. For news and business sections. By Owen McCarthy. FOR GRAND RAPIDS BUSINESS, CORP! LANSING CITY PULSE, DETROIT, TRAVERSE CITY, PETOSKEY, HOLLAND, MANISTEE, CADILLAC AND ALL POINTS.
Arts & Entertainment
Grewal Hall reintroduces itself to Lansing residents at Silver Bells open house
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About 50,000 people joined in the streets of downtown Lansing on Nov. 17 for the 30th annual Silver Bells in the City. While the tree lighting and parade celebrated, the newly opened music venue Grewal Hall decided to join in the festivities with a holiday open house.
Business & Economy
East Lansing residents oppose potential affordable housing
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A new plan for affordable housing in East Lansing led to public disproval at the city council meeting on Oct. 3. Residents voiced their concerns about a potential development at 530 Albert Ave. It was expected that there would be a council vote on the building plan following a public hearing, but the agenda was changed at the beginning of the meeting. “I’ll move approval of the agenda with a couple of changes here,” East Lansing Mayor Ron Bacon said.
Business & Economy
Strange Matter Coffee comes to East Lansing
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Popular, local coffee chain Strange Matter fills the space left by Biggby at the MSU Student Union.
“I’m excited to have another non-MSU food option at the Union,” said Grace Densham, an MSU undergraduate. “I’m especially pleased with the fact that it is a small, local business. It was really sad to see Biggby go and be replaced by vending machines for so long.”
Strange Matter owner Cara Nader, understands the difference small businesses can make. “We are small, but very efficient at what we do,” she said. “I can’t speak to other coffee shops in town, but we pay a livable wage.
Business & Economy
Downtown Bethesda grows
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With nearly 200 restaurants, 75 retail stores and living spaces opening up, the downtown area of Bethesda, Maryland known as Downtown Bethesda is evolving into a bustling district.
The city located just outside Washington has grown over the last couple of years. Bethesda has grown in its population since 2010. According to Census data over 8,000 residents have moved to the Bethesda area in the past 10 years.
“My job is to figure out understanding what the mix is today if there’s an interest in retail and ground up new development,” said Vanessa Mendoza, who serves as the director of leasing for Bethesda Row, a mixed-use development area located at the intersection of Bethesda Avenue and Arlington Road. Within the row, there are numerous restaurants, shops and living spaces that have been added to the area.
Most recently. Nike opened up its store in Downtown Bethesda on May 25.
Business & Economy
Taste of Muskegon hosts largest crowd yet
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MUSKEGON, Mich. – Ann Meisch and her team of volunteers prepared for the largest crowd in the history of Taste of Muskegon. From 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. on June 8, there would be thousands of people waiting in lines to try food from local Muskegon businesses.
“We sold 30,000 additional tickets than we’ve ever had before in the past,” Meisch said, the city clerk of Muskegon and the director of Taste of Muskegon. “It was very much a success.”
Taste of Muskegon began in 2007 with little community involvement and only a few vendors participating. This year, over 25 vendors were in attendance, lining up the streets around Hackley Park with food and activities.
“At this point, they [the vendors] are totally overwhelmed and excited and like ‘wow, I’m already using Saturday’s food on Friday.
Arts & Entertainment
Line Leap’s “One Last Crawl”
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Line Leap held one of their notorious bar crawls on April 25. The fun began at 5 p.m. when students wearing their specific bar crawl shirts get free cover at the bars that are participating in the event.
East Lansing
Late Night East Lansing eats
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The small take-out wrap shop has expanded over the years and became an iconic staple at Michigan State University.