Living Here

LANSING, Mich. (WILX) - There’s more help for the homeless coming to the city of Lansing as one local nonprofit prepares to move into a new building.

The City Rescue Mission has announced an official expansion onto West Kalamazoo Street in downtown Lansing, opening up more shelter space for the city’s homeless population. What was once an office building and the Michigan Correction Organization will soon offer beds to sleep in, food to eat and fresh sets of clothing for people in need.

 Volunteers are the heart of Downtown Lansing. They make all of our accomplishments possible — and they have fun doing it too! And when it comes to making his mark, Melik Brown brings his own style, enthusiasm and his love for the 517 to all that he does! Melik has been a downtown partner and Promotions volunteer with DLI assisting with projects such as Winterfest, last year’s city-wide Art Attack! Celebration, Kringle Holiday Market, holiday campaigns and co-op TV ads and more!

Calling all Lansing locals! Are you ready to celebrate 517 Day the Lansing way? Downtown Lansing is excited to be the hosting neighborhood for a two-day extravaganza for 517 Day, presented by Metro Melik and Lansing 5:01. Taking place on May 17 and May 18, you don’t want to miss this weekend full of festivities celebrating everything that makes Michigan’s Capitol City truly special.

Guest Writer: Laura Biehl

After starting their specialty floral shop during the pandemic, Sparrow Bloom has now found its permanent home in downtown Lansing. The floral company owned by Kait Bibb and Becca Barnell began as a door-to-door floral design and delivery operation. It has now grown into a full-fledged floral business with regular subscriptions, arrangements for weddings and workshops. 

The Lansing Lugnuts are back! The Crosstown Showdown, pitting the Lugnuts against the Michigan State Baseball team, promises an electrifying start to the season on Wednesday, April 3. Excitement is in the air, and tickets are flying off the shelves – have you secured yours yet?

Before the game, Downtown Lansing has several tasty options to choose from if you’re looking to dine or drink before the game. Here are a few of the many great places to visit: 

Titles don’t always do descriptive justice to relate the depth of someone or the profound difference a single person makes in the lives of others.

More than the small-business owner of Sweet Encounter Bakery & Cafe in downtown Lansing’s Knapp’s Centre, Nikki Thompson Frazier is also a woman who leads.

She’s a person of color who leads.

She’s a parent who leads, a partner who leads and a neighbor who leads.

In 2019, Bry Clover left her corporate job and set out to do what her soul was calling her to do, launching her own consulting company focused on racial equity and justice. That led to another entrepreneurial endeavor — launching an online store with handcrafted candles, jewelry, soap and more. Now, she’s the sole owner of Clover Joy Collective on Allegan Street in downtown Lansing, which opened in November 2022. 

Funding for development projects was on the Lansing City Council agenda Monday as the group accepted state dollars to support a downtown housing project and renovate city hall.

“I love cheesecake, I love desserts, I love food. Growing up, I can remember my dad making peach cobbler and experimenting with cakes, and I guess I picked up that spirit. If you had  asked me in high school what I was going to do when I got older, I would have told you ‘a culinary artist and a veterinarian’.

Little doggy cakes, the next big thing.

“It’s just a really great chance to break those winter blues,” said Natasha Dean, owner of Michigan Entertainment.

Every Saturday in February you’ll get to experience a winter play land with Lansing Winterfest.

It all starts on the 3rd with a winter block party from 11am until 3 pm.

“We are going to have a huge winter celebration on Washington sq. We’re going to enjoy live music, ice sculptures with live ice sculpting from artist,” said Marketing & Brand Specialist with Downtown Lansing Inc, Shakayla Zoss.