News

Preuss Pets creates animal experience in Old Town

By |

As the sun sets in Lansing’s Old Town, the letter “P” on the wall of Preuss Pets alternates from blue to orange to green. Below the letter, and spanning the wall of the building, is a mural showing animal habitats, flanked by a waterfall. It’s a unique storefront — one that customers say is matched by the unique experience inside. “Kind of what makes our store special or significant or of value is that we take seriously the idea that having a pet and having successful relationship with that pet is really important,” Owner Rick Preuss said. “So when you employ that from our side for over 30 years, the store becomes a different entity than if we were just trying to set up a store to make money.”

Snakes in Preuss Pets range in a variety of sizes.

Agriculture

Giving Tree Farm provides opportunity through its produce

By |

Following the example set by the Shel Siverstein story “The Giving Tree,” the Giving Tree Farm gives to as many people as its can. The organic farm, which grows produce on seven acres and in eight hoop houses, is among local vendors that sells produce at Allen Farmers Market located in Lansing’s eastside neighborhood.

News
Mothers Renee Sommerlot and Stacie Lauterbach play with their children at Mother and Earth Baby Boutique.

Old Town boutique aims to help mothers and Mother Earth

By |

Diapers, toys and other disposable goods aims at parents and babies are filling landfills. But Ross Lynn, owner of Mother and Earth Baby Boutique, is trying to help parents make better choices. Lynn’s shop in Lansing’s Old Town has three main values: quality, sustainability and community. Its products aim to boost natural parenting methods by providing eco-friendly products. 

“We do our best to be Earth-friendly, and we try to carry organic products,” Ross said, “products that are sourced in an Earth-friendly manner.” Mothers and other customers are grateful to purchase the eco-friendly products for their children to aid in cleaning up the environment, said customer and mother Renee Sommerlot.

News

Old Town resident brings music studio into her home

By |

In Lansing’s Old Town, there is a private business called the Sigh Studio of Music, owned by Melissa Sigh. Not only is the Sigh Studio of Music her business, but it’s also her home. Sigh gives private music lessons to students of all ages. She also has a group ukulele class for those who want to play with other students and sometimes live bands.

Article

Transgender Day of Remembrance rally in Lansing

By |

Wednesday was Transgender Day of Remembrance and a few organizations teamed up to hold a rally downtown. Free Mom Hugs and Stand with Trans hosted the event to honor transgender lives that are no longer with us. A few speakers talked before a crowd about their own experiences and offered solutions to problems as well as a few words of encouragement.