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Holden-Reid Clothiers / Green Dot Stables /Zaytoon Holt

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Bob Reid, co-owner of Holden-Reid Clothiers in Frandor, will close the longtime men's clothing store within the next eight weeks. His father, Marshall Reid, co-founded the store in 1955.
Allan I. Ross/City Pulse

Now here’s a sign you don’t see that often: “Quitting Business Sale.” In an era where Internet retail is putting the hurt on independent brick-and-mortar stores, you’re more likely to see “Going Out of Business” or simply “Everything Must Go.” But Bob Reid, co-owner of Holden-Reid Clothiers, announced last Friday that after 61 years, the men’s clothing store co-counded his father, Marshall Reid, was going out on a high note.

“Business has actually been great lately,” Reid said. “But I just decided that now was a good time to call it quits. It was a very tough decision. If (my father) was still alive, I wouldn’t be doing this.”

Marshall Reid launched the Frandor Shopping Center men’s clothing store with Joseph Holden in 1955. Holden died in 1988 at 73, and Reid died in 2010 at 87. The business was passed on to the sons of both men, including Bob Holden, who died in 2012. Bob Reid’s remaining business partner, Wayne Holden, retired four years ago, leaving Reid as the sole managing owner.

“It’s a family business, but there was no one (in the family) interested,” Reid said. “I’ve been working six, seven days a week for 40 years. It takes its toll.”

Over the years, the Holden-Reid team had more than a dozen stores around Mid-Michigan, including four simultaneously in Frandor near the original location. That store has been closed since Saturday as Reid’s team prepares the sales floor for a blowout sales event. Holden-Reid reopens at 9 a.m. Thursday with sales on all items — including suits, dress shirts, pants, sport coats, cufflinks, tie clips, underwear, socks and shoes — with prices between 25 and 75 percent off. Reid said the sale is planned to last through mid-December.

“But it would be great if we could sell everything the first day,” he quipped. “We’ve priced everything to move.”

Reid, 61, said he has no plans to slow down, however. He insists this isn’t a retirement, simply a reprioritization of his time.

“I’m too young to sit around,” Reid said. “I’ve missed a lot of family events over the years, and it will be nice to spend a little more time (with them). I like to golf, too, but I’m not ready to do it six days a week. I’m sure I’ll find something to do to keep myself busy.”

Electric slide out, sliders in

The capital city is getting a dash of the Motor City next year when a popular downtown Detroit watering hole opens a second location in the former Whiskey Barrel Saloon building. Last week, MSU alum Jacques Driscoll, who owns several restaurants in Metro Detroit, announced he is bringing his Green Dot Stables concept to the city’s east side.

“I was initially hesitant about opening (another Green Dot Stables bar), but there’s so much going on in Lansing right now. It seemed like a matter of right time, right place,” Driscoll said. “I think this is going to do well with both the students and the government workers. This isn’t a typical last-call kind of bar. It’s special.”

The original Green Dot Stables, located in Detroit’s historic Corktown neighborhood, specializes in craft beer and gourmet slider burgers. Choices include fried chicken Caesar, tofu bánh mi and Korean (with house-made kimchi) and side options like poutine, truffle fries and venison chili cheese fries.

Driscoll bought the 12,000-square-foot building, 410 S. Clippert St., from longtime owner Dave Allen for $674,000. It had been the Whiskey Barrel for 11 years before it closed last month. Before that, it was home to Sparty’s Night Club, the Wayside Bar and the Brass Monkey. But Driscoll said that famous dance floor probably won’t get much use.

“Right now we’re looking at turning that into event space for special functions,” Driscoll said. “But we’re still doing some design work. Nothing’s set yet.”

Know when to Holt ‘em

West Lansing fast-casual Mediterranean restaurant Zaytoon opened its second location in Holt last week. Owner/operator Samy Aburashed took to Facebook to thank his customers and express how astonished he was by first week business.

“You guys (...) what just happened?” he wrote. “We are blown away (...) with the support from (the) Holt community. (...) We were told that Holt was excited but we truly never expected the amount of people who came out. Our grill was filled to the brim and we still couldn't keep up. (…) Holt, I cannot thank you enough, you welcomed us with open arms.”

With first week sales “far exceeding” expectations, Abrushed noted some customers became frustrated with long lines. So as the new business settles in, he suggested dine-in customers call ahead to get an accurate wait time.

Holden-Reid Clothiers 444 Frandor Ave., Lansing 9:30 a.m.-8 p.m. Monday-Friday; 9:30 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday; closed Sunday (517) 351-6969, holden-reid.com

Zaytoon Holt 1979 Aurelius Road, Holt 11 a.m.-8 p.m. Monday-Saturday; closed Sunday (517) 906-6402, zaytoonlansing.com

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