Capital Gains Media

DTN develops 41-unit residential & 10K-sq ft commercial spaces

2012-02-22T00:00:00Z

Lansing-based DTN Management knows the local apartment market. In Okemos alone, the company owns 400 apartments within a half-mile of each other in the Hamptons of Meridian, Berrytree and Glenwood developments. They also know there’s room for growth. “We know that it’s a good market,” says DTN’s Allen Russell. The company plans to give the market what it wants with Waterbury Place, a new 41-unit residential building and neighboring commercial development on the corner of Hagadorn and Mt. Hope Roads in Okemos. The commercial building will include two 5,000-foot floors with space still available for lease. “The shell is about 75 percent complete,” says Russell. “We’ll finish the brick and stonework by the end of the next week. After that we’ll have a complete shell, and we’ll do the internal build-out as soon as we have a client.” According to Russell, the space is ideally suited for medical or office use. Work on the approximately 49,000-square foot residential development began in August and is expected to be completed and ready for residents by August of 2012. It is located across Mt. Hope from DTN’s Hamptons of Meridian building. “The Hamptons has been successful, and we think we’re going to serve a segment of the community,” says Russell. “Right now, leasing is bearing that out. We’re more than half committed for the upcoming school year.” Russell estimates that more than $5 million has been invested in the Waterbury Place development.

Incu-Bake's CrunchGranola adds good works to good food

2012-02-22T00:00:00Z

Holt-based kitchen incubator Incu-Bake has only been in operation since July, but it already has some exciting new businesses popping out of the oven. Christine Stamper’s CrunchGranola is one in particular that is not only baking up some good eats, but also supporting a great cause. Stamper, her husband and two kids were looking for a reason to get back to their native Michigan after relocating to Baltimore for her husband’s schooling and living in Pittsburg for a year. “I wanted to find something to do that allowed me to spend time with the kids, and something to give back,” says Stamper. She found the solution in one of her family’s favorite recipes and one of Michigan’s greatest needs. “I couldn’t believe how much of a hard time so many people were having with hunger,” she says. “I decided to take my granola and create a product that would give back.” The business model of CrunchGranola is one that many people have told Stamper is crazy. She’s giving 50 percent of her profits from the sale of her all-natural, locally-sourced granola to food banks. She estimates that for every $6 bag of granola she sells creates two meals. CrunchGranola has been operating out of Incu-bake for one month and Stamper reports remarkable sales in her very first weeks. She plans to continue to grow her operations at Incu-bake and hire two Holt-area employees by the end of the year.

LIfe-long bike enthusiast opens EL repair shop

2012-02-22T00:00:00Z

Trek Vandecar was destined to live a life centered around cycling. His grandfather owns Denny’s Central Park bicycle store in Okemos, where biking became a big part of his life early on. “Basically, I’m named after a bike,” Vandecar says. “I’ve been working on bikes since before I even wanted to.” Vandecar is now taking a lifetime of experience into his new East Lansing bicycle repair business, The Bike Shop. The approximately 600-square foot shop below the colorful parking garage on Albert Street turned out to be exactly what he was looking for. “It’s in the heart of East Lansing, and there is tons walk-by traffic,” he says. “Another benefit is I can ride to work. I ride everyday unless it’s freezing.” The Bike Shop will also sell bike accessories and some apparel, but will specialize in bike repair. The shop is scheduled to open on March 31.

Dansville Saloon expanding in new space after fire

2012-02-22T00:00:00Z

Kathy Hershiser worked at the Wooden Nickel for 15 years before the Dansville landmark was destroyed by a fire last April. The historic restaurant and bar was a community meeting place, and the fire hit the town pretty hard. “I believe Larry says it was the oldest running saloon in Ingham County,” says Hershiser of owner Larry Arnett. “It’s been a bar since prohibition." But now, the local saloon is on its way back. Though the original building was beyond salvageable, Arnett purchased two buildings immediately behind the Mason Street location. Slowly, one was renovated into a replacement location and opened with a limited menu. In the next month or two, Hershiser expects the second building to open and the full menu to return. “It took him a lot to come back,” she says of Arnett. “He’s 63, so he didn’t have to do it. He did it for the community.” The Dansville community has been enjoying the smaller version of the Wooden Nickel with seating for 30 to 40 people and a staff of four. When the new building opens that space will double and steaks, burgers and more will return to the menu. “It’s not going to be huge,” Hershiser says, “but it will be a nice size for Dansville.” Hershiser hopes to see the staff continue to grow and more of their customers to come back more regularly after the expansion.

Choosing Lansing: Amelia Marschall and John Miller

2012-02-22T00:00:00Z

When two student athletes came together in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula, it wasn’t exactly love at first sight. “I couldn’t figure out why this senior was talking to me, a sophomore. I thought it was weird,” says Amelia Marschall, with an infectious grin on her face. But she gave him a chance, and after a first date of bowling and Red Lobster - “They didn’t have places like Fork in the Road in Marquette,” John Miller is quick to point out - this swimmer and hockey player knew they had something special going on.

New coffee and ice cream shop creates 28 jobs

2012-02-22T00:00:00Z

If you’re not in the mood for coffee, odds are you may be in the mood for ice cream. That’s the idea behind the new TimHortons and Cold Stone Creamery restaurant on Okemos Road. The business has only been open since New Year’s Eve, but so far, locals have been responding well to the combination. “Things are getting better and better every day,” says manager Bujar Dervishaj. “Everyone who has been coming has been sticking with us, and we’re picking up new customers.” The 3,000-square foot restaurant was remodeled from its former life as a Burger King into the new Tim Hortons and Cold Stone Creamery. In the spring, additional exterior work will renovate the parking lot and landscaping, as well as add an outdoor patio stretching around nearly half the building. Twenty-seven employees have been hired to staff the new restaurant, and Dervishaj expects to soon hire four or five more. He says the business’ early success is based on a great location with high traffic, and a commitment to fresh food and coffee. “One thing we guarantee is the always fresh standard,” Dervishaj says. “We dump out our coffee every 20 minutes and brew it again. We bake 24 hours a day to always have fresh donuts.”

Red Cedar Technology doubles revenue, staff in 2011

2012-02-22T00:00:00Z

It’s been a good year for East Lansing’s Red Cedar Technology. The design optimization software and services firm doubled their revenue and customer base, as well as increased their staff from seven employees to 17 in 2011. According to Vice President of Business Development Angelo Flemings, the phenomenal growth is all about partnerships.

“Red Cedar is at a new level now as a business,” says Flemings. “We understand the importance of having companies help market and sell our product, and also embed our technology in their software.”

In addition to several partnerships with companies made over the last year, Red Cedar has recently announced new partnerships with New Hudson, Michigan-based Pratt & Miller Engineering, as well as California-based MSC Software Corp. Flemings expects to announce even more partnerships in the coming weeks.

Increasing visibility has been another priority for Red Cedar Technologies, and one that Flemings believes has been key to the company’s growth.

“The important thing for a company to do is increase their visibility, and that will increase their viability,” he says.

Red Cedar Technology has worked to raise visibility by engaging in social media, working with key business leaders, attending shows and seminars, and more. The company will host Optimize This! 2012, the first International HEEDS Users Conference in October.

Flemings expects staff growth to continue this year, with three new jobs being added immediately and another four scheduled for hire in the second quarter.

Ingham County Land Bank reports record sales in 2011

2012-02-22T00:00:00Z

The Ingham County Lank Bank recently released their 2011 annual report, which was brimming with good news. The Lank Bank reports a 70 percent increase in rehabilitated and new home sales over 2010. Even better, 2012 is already on course to show even more improvement. The Land Bank’s dramatic growth numbers came from the sale of 36 homes in 2011, and 50 properties are currently under renovation.

Ingham County Treasurer and Chair of the Lank Bank Eric Schertzing attributes the jump in sales to a jump in investment that began in 2008.

“We are growing,” says Schertzing, “in large part from Neighborhood Stabilization funding.”

The Land Bank partnered with the City of Lansing in 2008 to leverage $25 million in investment from the Federal Neighborhood Stabilization Program.

“HUD financial support and grant timelines make this the year with the most supply of homes,” says Schertzing. “A better local economy and spreading knowledge of quality of Land Bank homes is driving demand.”

The Land Bank has sold a total of 100 homes since 2006. According to Schertzing, the organization has a goal to sell 50 homes in 2012.

Downtown eatery expands menu, hours, staffing

2012-02-22T00:00:00Z

There’s big news for diners who just can’t get enough of Downtown Subs and Salads / New York Burrito. The formerly lunch and dinner-only restaurant has now expanded its menu and hours to include breakfast. “We’ve wanted to do this for a couple years now,” says co-owner Thomas Vonachen. “We’ve spent the last year getting our ideas and recipes right. We wanted to take advantage of the city and state workers who are down here in the morning.” The Downtown Lansing restaurant is now open at seven in the morning and remains open until six at night. The expanded menu includes breakfast burritos with egg and chorizo sausage, homemade bread, granola, oatmeal and more. “Everything is made from scratch,” says Vonachen. The extra hours allows Vonachen and his brother and co-owner David Vonachen to expand the hours of their current employees, taking two 10-hour employees to nearly full time. The expanded menu and hours began nearly two weeks ago, and Vonachen reports a positive response thus far. “It’s good,” he says. “We’re getting more people everyday.”

CG Slideshow: Frost Fest 2012

2012-02-22T00:00:00Z

Did you miss the frosty Festivities at Frost Fest this year? Well, Dave Trumpie gives you a glimpse into what you missed so you don't make the same mistake next year! Enjoy our Frost Fest 2012 slideshow

Big Pour begins with 7000 cu yds of concrete for BWL plant

2012-02-22T00:00:00Z

The Board of Water and Light’s much-anticipated $182 million natural gas-fired energy generation facility and headquarters in REO Town is now taking shape. Last week, construction crews began pouring 1,300 cubic yards of concrete at the site. The work will continue once a week through March 7, totaling 7,000 cubic yards of concrete. The concrete will serve as the plant’s ground floor, which will encompass 67,000 square feet. Thirty-seven construction workers and 13 cement truck drivers will collectively work on the project BWL is calling, the “Big Pour.” Though the Big Pour may be one of the first physical signs of the development, the excitement the forthcoming facility has created in REO Town has been building for some time. Several new businesses moving into the district have cited the development as a reason for their investment in the area. “We're not surprised at all that new businesses are already planning to invest in REO Town,” says BWL’s Mark Nixon. “When you have 180 BWL employees working every day in REO Town, it's bound to spark investment by retailers and others.” The visible signs of progress on the project will only increase after the Big Pour. Within two weeks, the first steel girders that will support the 7-story cogeneration plant will go up. “Once steel begins going up,” says Nixon, “people in REO Town – and from a fair distance – will be able to see our future literally taking shape.”

MSUFCU adds positions to prep for new branch

2012-02-22T00:00:00Z

Michigan State University Federal Credit Union has been hiring and promoting from within to prepare for the opening of their new Marsh Road Branch this summer. The new positions of branch manager, assistant branch manager, assistant manager of payment services and assistant manager of mortgages have now been created for the new branch. By the time the Marsh Road Branch opens it will create 14 positions. Hiring for the positions ahead of the branch opening is part of MSUFCU’s training strategy. “We typically hire ahead to allow for time for training and preparation for the new branch,” says April M. Clobes, Executive Vice President/Chief Operating Officer for MSUFCU. “The individuals were promoted from within and placed last fall. The rest of the staff for the branch will be placed in the spring.” The 7,800-square foot Bath Township location has been under construction since June of 2011. The estimated $3.8 million project is being managed by Granger Construction. MSUFCU has been busy adding positions outside of those needed to staff the new branch. The credit union has recently created new positions in IT, eServices, branches, and the contact center this year.

EL-based Superior Growers adds 21 jobs

2012-02-22T00:00:00Z

Superior Growing Supply isn’t new to the Lansing area, but the company that began in owner Jeff Gibson’s garage nearly 30 years ago has recently become much more visible. In the last two years, the hydroponic growing supply retailer has added stores on Lansing’s Westside, Southside and in Howell to their original locations in East Lansing and Livonia. “We could already brag that we had the largest indoor gardening supply store in the United States in Livonia,” says Sue Smith, Director of Communications for Superior Grower Supply. “Then we had a boom. We recognized more retail opportunities here in Lansing.” Superior Growing Supply human resources director Danielle Polaskey estimates the additional stores added 21 employees to the company. The business also owns Hydrodynamics International, an East Lansing-based manufacturer of soilless gardening nutrients. The two businesses together employ 50. “And in two weeks, 51,” says Smith. Both businesses are continuing to grow to meet the increasing demand for their products. According to Smith, Superior Growers Supply’s commitment to customer service is what gives them an edge over their competition. “We’re pretty proud of our personnel,” says Smith. “They’re highly skilled people, and well trained. We do our own internal training, so they can really be able to answer customers questions.”

Capital Gains Speaker Series: The Growth of Niche Networking Groups

2012-02-22T00:00:00Z

If you live or work in the Capital region and read Capital Gains, then you probably know a thing or two about professional networking. But, what kind of networking are you looking to do in town? Why not come to the Speaker Series on Tuesday, Feb. 28, listen to some live music, get some popcorn and get your toes wet by hearing about some of the many niche networking groups in the area!

Owlyn Solutions and Growers doubles space in first six months

2012-02-22T00:00:00Z

Hydroponic gardening is on the rise. Between growing demand and good timing career-wise, it seemed opening Owlyn Solutions for Growers was an obvious choice for Tonie and Robert Brovont. “My husband and I have been indoor gardeners for a long time,” says Tonie Brovont. “We first became interested in hydroponics about 30 years ago when it was just being developed.” The Brovonts opened Owlyn Solutions for Growers at 2398 Jolly Road in Okemos in September. Already, they’ve doubled their space to 3,000 square feet by expanding into the suite next door. The extra space allows them to grow their ownhydroponic vegetables right inside the store. “We're very passionate about local food and helping people eat more healthfully,” says Brovont. “We’re into the whole buy local and raise your own food movement.” Owlyn currently employs five workers and offers growing supplies for both indoor and outdoor gardeners, as well as organic gardening supplies. “One of the misconceptions about indoor gardening is that it’s expensive,” says Brovont, “but it isn’t. You can grow all sorts of vegetables under florescent lights and LED lights now.”

All-of-us Express Children's Theatre: Curtain Up on Lansing's Youth

2012-02-22T00:00:00Z

Sure, as an up-to-date person about town, you’re familiar with of the richness of the theatre culture present in the Lansing area. But have you heard about a 23 year old organization that works year-round to help raise the leaders of tomorrow through a truly community theatre experience? Children, regardless of ‘age, color, creed, gender identity, disability, height, membership in any labor organization, national origin, parental status, political identification, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, or weight’, are welcomed with open and supportive arms at All-of-us Express Children’s Theatre. Read on to learn more about the remarkable things happening both on and off the stage.

New Sunday Soup series to raise microgrants for artists

2012-02-22T00:00:00Z

Editor's Pick: Frost Fest 2012

2012-02-15T00:00:00Z

Celebrate winter in downtown Lansing at the third annual Frost Fest this Saturday, Feb. 18! You can't go wrong with microbrews, great live music and all kinds of frosty entertainment in a heated tent!

At long last, snow falls at Hawk Island

2012-02-15T00:00:00Z

The new Hawk Island Snow Park is finally getting some snow, and staff hopes the park will open soon. According to excerpts from the article: The park was originally scheduled to open in mid-December but technical delays and an unusually balmy winter have delayed the opening. One side of park’s enormous hill will be used for tubing and the other will have rails and boxes for skiers and snowboarders. Read the entire article here.

Spagnuolo's brings jobs, homemade sweets to East Lansing

2012-02-15T00:00:00Z

Spagnuolo's Chocolate, Fudge & Ice Cream has been an Owosso staple for 14 years. When Vic Spagnuolo retired from law enforcement, however, he and wife Barb decided it was time to grow. The pair opened an East Lansing branch of the business in October. “We were both raised on the east side of Lansing, and we thought this location would be better because we can service our customers from Owosso and attract new customers,” says Barb Spagnuolo. “It’s a bigger store, and we have burgers and we an ice cream parlor now.” The new lunch offerings and extra room in the 1,806-square foot Chandler Road location complements the handmade fudge, chocolates, candy and ice cream the Spagnuolos are famous for. They were also able to expand these selections, now offering 24 flavors of homemade ice cream, malts and shakes. Spagnuolo’s employs two workers from the business’ original location as well as four new employees. “And some of our family work fs for us now and again,” says Spagnuolo. Business has been building steadily for the shop since their opening, which Spagnuolo attributes in part to the students living so close to their new location, and a great response from senior citizens.

“We’re trying different things,” she says. “We just became a Chamber members, we’re handing out lots of flyers. We still make all the chocolate right here on a marble slab, and the fudge, and people really like that.” Chocolate, Fudge & Ice Cream has been an Owosso staple for 14 years. When Vic Spagnuolo retired from law enforcement, however, he and wife Barb decided it was time to grow. The pair opened an East Lansing branch of the business in October. “We were both raised on the east side of Lansing, and we thought this location would be better because we can service our customers from Owosso and attract new customers,” says Barb Spagnuolo. “It’s a bigger store, and we have burgers and we an ice cream parlor now.” The new lunch offerings and extra room in the 1,806-square foot Chandler Road location complements the handmade fudge, chocolates, candy and ice cream the Spagnuolos are famous for. They were also able to expand these selections, now offering 24 flavors of homemade ice cream, malts and shakes.

East Lansing Rocking Pot to open, create 10 jobs

2012-02-15T00:00:00Z

When Yuenming Kwan and her husband Piancong Diao graduated from Michigan State University in 2010, they didn’t let a slow job market slow them down. They got busy making jobs of their own. Their hard work is about to debut to the public at the end of February with the opening of Rocking Pot, a new Chinese hot pot restaurant Chandler Road in East Lansing. “We want Americans to try this kind of Chinese food,” says Kwan. “We want to make it a restaurant with really high standards.” The 2,600-square foot restaurant will seat 60 and will include a private room seating 12. Kwan plans to open the restaurant with 10 new employees on staff. The hot pot concept is a part of traditional Chinese cooking not seen as often in American culture as the well-known stir-fry dishes. Diners choose a flavored soup base and then cook chosen ingredients in the soups at the table. “Hot pot is really healthy food for people,” Kwan says. “People are really looking for healthy food right now.” Kwan and Diao are currently working with local company Media Advantage on branding and marketing for Rocking Pot.

Chester's Nuts moves into new Eastwood Towne Center space

2012-02-15T00:00:00Z

Chester’s Nuts may be an East Lansing staple, but that doesn’t mean the business isn’t always improving upon its tried and true recipes for sweet and salty success. Nelson has owned the business more than a decade - and the business - which features nuts, chocolate, gummies and customer packaging, has been located in Eastwood Towne Center for seven years. The specialty shop opened its doors in a new location, also in Eastwood Towne Center, just last week. The new location in the lifestyle center’s central court, will provide ideal traffic for Chester’s Nuts. “They do a lot more activities in the summer in the center court,” says Amy Nelson, Chester’s Nuts employee and daughter of Nelson. “They’ll have a band that will come out and play, they’ll have face painting, and they have Santa here for the holidays.” According to Nelson, Chester’s Nuts will continue to offer the same variety of goodies and services in the new location, including their handmade caramel corn and unique gift-wrapping services. They'll also be unveiling a new website soon to complement their new location.

Sparrow, HGB eye affiliation

2012-02-15T00:00:00Z

Two area healthcare facilities are planning to strengthen their partnership with a formal agreement. According to excerpts from the article: Officials from Lansing’s Sparrow Health System and Hayes Green Beach Memorial Hospital in Charlotte said Tuesday they have signed a memorandum of understanding to pursue a formal affiliation. Read the entire article here.

Twiggies expands to 3,000 sq ft in DeWitt

2012-02-15T00:00:00Z

Beth Herendeen’s floral, retail and events rental store Twiggies has been a Downtown Mason business for 14 years, even through two successive expansions. When Herendeen saw a larger storefront opened just a block away from her original location in 2010, she jumped at the chance to grow. “The space became available and it’s a beautiful storefront that gave us more square footage for retail space,” Herendeen says. She moved from her 1,200 square foot location to her new, 2,200 square foot location on East Main Street in April. It didn’t take long, however, for her to expand once again. In November, Twiggies expanded into the suite next door adding another 800 square feet to the business for an events rental studio. “It retail boutique is one of those places where every little nook and cranny has something neat in it,” says Herendeen. “It’s like a modern day general store. All of our fresh floral daily business has picked up tremendously.” Herendeen attributes her business’ growth to making careful choices over the past 20 years, since Twiggies began as a home-based business. “It’s always been a slow growth,” she says. “I’m a strong believer in slow growth if you’re going to be in it for the long haul. I’m extremely fortunate that we have such a good name for event planning, so our referral business is amazing.” That slow, steady growth is set to continue, as Herendeen has plans for future expansion and adding a new element to her retail operations.

Williamston gets new 800 sq ft Our Space Yoga studio

2012-02-15T00:00:00Z

Though Our Space Yoga just opened in Williamston in January, owner Cherie Ferro isn’t a new face in the local yoga scene. Ferro, who is certified by the Temple of Kriya Yoga in Chicago and registered with Yoga Alliance has taught yoga in the Greater Lansing area for more than 16 years. “I first did yoga in seventh grade in Southern California and remember that it was the first time I actually enjoyed my P.E. class,” says Ferro. “Eventually, I returned to yoga, and over time decided that I wanted to teach it, to share that good feeling with others.” Ferro chose Williamston as the home of her new 800 square foot studio on North Williamston Road because of the community’s business-friendly atmosphere, and so she could be centrally located to her existing clients in from such cities as Lansing, Okemos, Holt, Webberville, Bath, and Owosso. “What makes the studio unique,” says Ferro, “and why I chose to name it Our Space Yoga, is the relaxed, communal feeling my students and I have created here.” The studio also includes a rope wall, a feature that allows students to hang from and stretch using anchored ropes. Ferro makes her space available for rent by other yoga instructors. She has future plans to develop “"A Day in Williamston" class, during which the class would do morning yoga, have lunch in Williamston, do some shopping, and then return to the studio for additional yoga and relaxation.

Metalist International grows staff by 400%, to hire more

2012-02-15T00:00:00Z

In the early 1960s, Ed and Connie Resser started a welding business in their backyard. Today, that company has a slightly larger footprint. Lansing-based Metalist International now spans 10 acres on South Pennsylvania including a production area of 71,339 square feet, an engineering department of 3,465 square feet and a 6,204-square foot office area – and they’re still growing. Responding to the slowing economy, Metalist was operating with a scaled-back staff of nine in 2009. In just a few years, the staff has grown to nearly 50, and the company is currently hiring several machinists and millwrights. “We are growing to meet up with the increasing demand for custom solutions for our customers,” says Anne Wilson, Marketing and Public Relations Director for Metalist. “Several of original manufacturers of the forging presses we work on have gone out of business and our customers with these presses need them to be repaired.” Metalist International offers complete press rebuilds, QDC’s, press overload protection, emergency service repair and in-stock perishable parts to customers in both the US and abroad, including Canada, Mexico, Brazil, England, Korea, and Germany. “We have been able to create a blend of old and new strategies tailored to maintain a competitive edge in an ever-changing global market,” says Wilson. “Manufacturing has changed over the years and we are working to upgrade our customers machinery to modernize production.”

Six Lounge Hookah & Smoke Shop celebrates official grand opening

2012-02-15T00:00:00Z

A new smoke shop and lounge has opened in Downtown East Lansing. According to excerpts from the article: The lounge, located at 400 Albert Ave., opened for business Jan. 23, but held its grand opening this weekend, which featured a disc jockey with dance music and a light show. Read the entire article here.

DeWitt community restaurant, creates 10 jobs

2012-02-15T00:00:00Z

Mary Mullins learned how to make homemade pie crust from her mother. It’s therefore appropriate that she now owns and operates a DeWitt restaurant with a focus on community. Mullins owned Mary’s Café on US 27 between Lansing and DeWitt when the opportunity to move to downtown DeWitt almost became available in 2009. Though she found out that the former DeWitt staple, Sam’s Kitchen, was going out of business just a few days after it was sold to another restaurateur, she told the owners how much she would have loved to locate there. When the 2500-square foot restaurant space became available again in 2010, Mullins jumped at the chance. “It’s a community restaurant,” says Mullins, “and [the original owners] wanted to keep it alive. They remembered that I was looking around, and I owned the restaurant in less than a week.” Mullins’ goal was maintain the sense of community Sam’s Kitchen had built over many years. Between bringing back the original menu with Mullins’ homemade enhancements, to hiring 10 local employees – many of whom were staff from Sam’s Kitchen, she’s already reaching that goal with less than a year in business. “We have a waitress celebrating 21 years of working here,” says Mullins. “We came in, we took over, and we took the menu and everything back to what the community remembers.” Mary’s Homestyle Restaurant features such specialties as homemade soups, biscuits and gravy, cinnamon rolls and Mullins’ famous stuffed hashbrowns. It is currently open for breakfast, lunch, catering and special events.

Habitat for Humanity celebrates $5M in local investment in 25 years

2012-02-15T00:00:00Z

It’s been a busy 25 years for Habitat for Humanity Lansing. The organization, which celebrated a quarter century of service on February 2, has invested $5 million in the community, worked with 125 local families and have built or rehabbed 85 homes in Greater Lansing that now generate $160,000 in property tax revenue annually. For such a big impact, it’s notable that the local Habitat for Humanity chapter began as a simple conversation between friends. “Jimmy Carter had gotten involved and it seemed like a movement that was meaningful to folks,” says Habitat’s executive director Denise Paquette. “It was a broad spectrum of activists and those involved with social justice who started it.” Since its inception in 1987, Habitat for Humanity Lansing’s mission has stayed the same, though its projects have changed with the needs of the community. According to Paquette, the organization began with small rehab projects and then grew into exclusively focusing on new builds. “Now about half of the houses we’re doing are new and half are rehabs,” says Paquette. “There are a lot of empty houses in the Lansing area, and if we can get a house rehabbed and family into it, that’s good for the neighborhood.” Now, Habitat for Humanity Lansing works with the Ingham County Land Bank on rehab projects, as well as performs new builds. It also operates ReStore, a building materials resale shop that raises funds for the organization, as well as supplies building materials to local homeowners at a low cost.

Siena Wealth rebrands in preparation for continued growth

2012-02-15T00:00:00Z

Siena Wealth Advisors of Grand Ledge has taken a unique approach to investment advising and turned it into a growing, nationally- recognized success in less than a decade. The company, formally known as Siena Capital Management, LLC, has changed its name and branding to better reflect the scope of their services as they continue to grow. “Our competition exited when the economy collapsed,” says co-founder of Siena Wealth Advisors Stephen Hicks. “While they were doing that, we were growing.” Hicks was trained as both a lawyer and CPA in Chicago where he then practiced law and working at the Chicago Mercantile Exchange. It was the desire to start his own business that brought him back to the Lansing area, where he originated. “I was in my mid-thirties and I said, if I’m going to start my own firm, I’m going to do it now,” says Hicks. “There was one person in Michigan whose type of investing resonated with my own.” That person was Roger Millbrook, and the two became business partners in Grand Ledge in 2005. Since that time the business acquired a second account firm, opened a second office, hired seven employees and received accolades as one of the nation’s best investment advisory firms by two national trade publications. The company has earned such recognition for their unique fee-only, Institutional investing strategies for high-net worth individuals, businesses and nonprofits. And the growth is set to continue. Hicks estimates the firm will open an additional office and add 12 additional staff over the next five years.

East Lansing property to gain 4,000 and 10,0000 sq ft developments

2012-02-15T00:00:00Z

A 6.3-acre on Lake Lansing and Coolidge Roads is about to get a dramatic makeover. The two-story, 24,718-square foot former Blue Cross/Blue Shield building is scheduled to be demolished by the end of this month to make way for three new developments on the East Lansing site. “This is one of the few gems in Michigan right now because it has high visibility and high traffic,” says Kevin McGraw, President of the Lansing-based Caddis Development Group that is developing the property. “We had several users who wanted to be on the site. We’ve been working with the municipality and the local neighborhood to find a plan that works for everyone, and it looks like we did.” The new developments will include a LEED-certified, 4,000 square foot PNC Bank and a 10,000 square foot medical center. The third lot is intended to be a second development center that could be up to 24,000 square feet. “We’ll be doing site work immediately after [the existing building is demolished] and we expect PNC to comment in the next couple of months,” says McGraw. CADDIS hopes to see PNC Bank is open before the end of the year, and the medical office open by next spring. While a timeline has not been set for the third development, McGraw says that several potential occupants have expressed interest in the property.

The Ladies of Lansing's Creative Agencies

2012-02-15T00:00:00Z

Lansing should take pride in providing an environment that fosters the leading ladies of women-owned creative agencies. Take a peek inside the minds and lives of some of Lansing’s top creative entrepreneurs. Through their successes and challenges, we find out why Lansing is bursting with creative agencies that are perfectly suited to serve a diversity of clients across the region and throughout the state.

Vine & Brew brings 2,000 sq ft specialty food and drink to Okemos

2012-02-15T00:00:00Z

Curt Kosal loves interesting food, beer and wine. So much so, he decided to share that love by opening Vine & Brew, a new specialty food and drink store on Jolly Road in Okemos. “I’ve been in the food business on various levels in both retail and wholesale levels for the last 15 years,” says Kosal. “Finally we just decided that we would try to take a crack at opening up our own place.” Vine & Brew opened about six weeks ago, and Kosal reports a great response from the community thus far. He chose the 2,000 square foot location because of its size, accessible parking and because he felt the area was a good fit for his products. “Okemos has a great demographic for specialty foods, wine and beer,” he says. Kosal says his inventory will continue to grow over time, but he intends to keep a special emphasis on Michigan-made products. “The kind of product we want to focus on are those from the smaller, more artisanal producers,” he says. “We’ll be adding a lot more of those things as we come in contact with people and discover new ideas.” Vine & Brew features a build-your-own six pack service with their Michigan-made and specialty beers, and hopes to offer a variety of events and tastings as the business continues to grow.

MSU researcher awarded $65K to find causes of cleft palate

2012-02-15T00:00:00Z

Youssef Kousa got into the field of medical research to make a difference in the lives of children with cleft palate. Thanks to his receiving of the prestigious Ruth L. Kirschstein National Research Service Award from the National Institutes of Health, he’ll get the chance to do just that. “Someone's face is one of the most important parts of the body,” says Kousa. “It’s how you relate to people and how you express every emotion. When a defect affects that part of your body, to me it’s really important.” Kousa received the $65,000 award for his research proposal that will study factors that lead to the development of cleft palate. These include both genetic and environmental factors. Kousa hopes to find ways to prevent or lower the instances of cleft palate in children around the world. “The toll that it takes is pretty large,” Kousa says of the disease. “Surgeries often begin at three months, and because the face grows, you constantly have to go back. Six to 18 procedures are not uncommon depending on the severity of the disease.” While the corrective surgeries can be traumatic, cleft palate is most serious for those living in countries where such options aren’t available. “People with severe cases in developing counties often die,” says Kousa. Kousa’s study will begin in April and continue for 21 months. He is a student of MSU’s College of Osteopathic Medicine's D.O.-Ph.D. program, which is a dual-degree program to prepare students for careers in biomedical research or academic medicine.

Renewed Spirit opens in Downtown Okemos

2012-02-15T00:00:00Z

Heidi Foland knows massage. After nine years of practicing massage, she felt like it was time to expand her reach. “I wanted to challenge myself to something more,” she says. That challenge translated in Foland and her husband Brad Foland opening Renewed Spirit in Downtown Okemos on January 2. Not only does the new spa offer massage therapy, but it also features hair salon and nail services. “The name is what we want people to feel,” says Foland. “We want them to come in and renew their spirit when they walk through the door.” Foland chose the 2,200 square foot location on Hamilton Road because of its walkable distance from many homes and businesses in Okemos. She currently employs three fulltime styles and nail technicians. Though the facility required some renovation before opening the salon, Foland was able to make quick work of the site preparation. “We pretty much gutted it and totally remodeled it in one month,” Foland says. “We did some massive remodeling.” Foland hopes Renewed Spirit become known for its atmosphere that is a blend of serenity and energy. “It’s calming when you walk in here,” Foland says, “and when you leave here, we have the fun, energetic personalities to make people say, ‘I feel great.’”