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Local vendor fair features COVID-19-friendly services

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Source: Aubrey Rademacher/ Shoppers peruse Winter Vendor Market at Meridian Mall. Meridian Mall hosted the Winter Vendor Market, which is an opportunity for local, small businesses to promote their companies and to spread awareness of how their business has changed in response to the pandemic. Products on display included baked goods, mental health tools, nail polish, accessories and more. 6 different vendors exhibited at the market, and the turnout was much higher than years prior due to COVID-19 restrictions. Nail companies

Anne Oswald, an independent stylist  for the company Color Street, is selling a product that is a dry nail polish strip – it’s 100% nail polish that has zero dry time.

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This Mason farmer’s market is as local as you can get

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Madison NorfleetCustomers can purchase products ranging from home-made crafts to fresh meat to honey. You look at your grocery list and see bread, milk, and soap. For most people they may just go to Kroger or Target. For the city of Mason they have an even better grocery store: The LFA Farmer’s Market. 

Dan Kostecke owns the LFA Farmer’s Market. He started the business after he and his wife struggled to sell the products of their farm in the winter.

Large bouquet of yellow and green flowers
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Roses are red, violets are blue, Tammy has the flower for you

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One of the many arrangements that Mason Floral offers. From dancer to dance teacher to flower shop owner, Mason Floral owner Tammy Weber always knew she had a skill for the arts. With the only floral shop in Mason, Michigan, she feels responsible for meeting the floral needs of the Mason community. 

Weber was involved in dance and gymnastics throughout her childhood. The passion continued into her adult life when she went to Lansing Community College, taking dance classes along the way. 

Further down the road, Weber had her daughter and enrolled her into Fusion Dance Center in Lansing, Michigan. This dance studio was where Weber could finally put those dance classes to great use. 

“I really hit it off with the owner [Theresa Pitman] and she was great with my oldest daughter,” said Weber.

Snow-covered sidewalk with not a person around.
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Snow throws wet blanket on East Lansing businesses

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Grand River Avenue was quiet and piled with snow at 4 p.m. Wednesday. Power outages occurred near Grand River Avenue on Tuesday afternoon leading into the night when snow arrived. Despite this, most East Lansing businesses were open Wednesday and doing their best with the heavy snow. 

Arts & Entertainment
The Mad Hatter clothing store has been in Flint since 198

Economic health affects other indicators of livability

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SMALL CITIES ECONOMIC HEALTH: Flint ranks at the bottom of Michigan’s small cities when it comes to economic health, buffeted by the pull-out of GM and other factors. The mayor and economic development director say there’s been progress and improvement and are pushing new ideas to boost the city’s status. Troy ranks #1, thanks in part to quality public schools and a diverse population. We also hear from an MSU economist, small business owners in Flint and residents in Troy and Flint. By Dina Kaur, Maggie Livingston & Caroline Miller. FOR DETROIT, CORP!, GRAND RAPIDS BUSINESS and ALL POINTS.

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Merchandise at Coyote Wisdom Bookstore 

Astrology, crystals, and Tarot Cards: East Lansing teens’ pandemic revolution 

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In East Lansing, increased spirituality may be a side effect of the COVID-19 pandemic. This past year, two local metaphysical hubs, Triple Goddess Bookstore and Coyote Wisdom bookstore, have experienced an influx of new customers. 

Metaphysical experts and the influx of business 

Triple Goddess Bookstore, 2019 E. Michigan Ave., is filled with everything from tarot decks and spellbooks to bulk self-serve herbs and candles. Owners Dawne Botke-Coe and Alan Coe provide tarot, astrology, palmistry and rune readings by appointment, as well. “Lansing is a very liberal town. And we all kind of know each other.

Business & Economy
Michigan and U.S. Jobless Rates 2020-21

Michigan’s worker shortage persists; why? 

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WORKER SHORTAGES: LANSING – “Help Wanted” and “Now Hiring” signs make up the storefronts of many Michigan businesses as employers struggle to find employees. Business officials blame unemployment benefits for discouraging workers from returning. But others say unemployment insurance doesn’t come close to replacing regular wages for most workers. Low wages and a dramatic shift in interest in finding a new job is more likely the reason, they say. By Cameron Cass. FOR GRAND RAPIDS BUSINESS, CORPS AND NEWS AND BUSINESS PAGES OF ALL POINTS.

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East Lansing has its own version of Black Friday

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Instead of Black Friday, East Lansing has Green Friday, where shoppers can support East Lansing’s small businesses. The sales started on Dec. 3 and ended Dec. 4 at 5 p.m. during East Lansing’s Winter Glow Event. Kate Petsch, a cashier at Campus Corner, said she doesn’t know if people know about Green Friday.