New in town

Even though businesses have already begun opening inside the building, project developer Nick Eyde said the event will officially unveil the $36 million development.

“The renovation has been a massive effort, and (this event) will be an opportunity to thank everyone who’s worked to move this project forward,” Eyde said. “The Knapp Centre is going to be a vital part of the downtown Lansing economic and culture scene. We’re excited to be open.”

The Knapp Building, an example of Streamline Moderne architecture, was built in 1938. The five-story, 190,000-square-foot building was a department store before it was bought by the Eyde Co. in 1982 and turned into office space. It was vacant from 2002 to November 2012, when the redevelopment project began.

The first tenants are Draper Eyewear, The Runway, a fashion incubator and Dewpoint, an IT firm that has a ribbon-cutting next week. The building also has 23 one- and two-bedroom residential units, of which about half have occupants.

Beer at the Stadium Downtown Lansing already has plenty of spirit, but it’s about to get more. The Beer Grotto, a specialty wine and craft beer package store, was announced as the new tenant in the Stadium District’s west end. Construction is set to begin later this month for a January opening.

The Beer Grotto will be a 4,200-square-foot tasting room/bar with a small food menu and an outdoor patio.

”Beer Grotto is a hybrid concept that as far as I know is unique to the area,” said Beer Grotto owner/president Sam Short. “It´s like if you took the beer and wine section of a Whole Foods and put a bar in it. And we offer samples of everything, so there´s never any buyer’s remorse.”

Short owns the original Beer Grotto location in Dexter; another store is set to open soon in Ann Arbor. He’s also a partner in Zoobie’s Old Town Tavern and the upcoming Creole bar/restaurant in Old Town.

Valentine’s day The Plant Professionals celebrates 35 years this Friday with a special open house event. There will be a tour of the facility and demonstrations on subirrigation, composting and green roofs. There will also be music by the Grand Ledge Bums from 5-7 p.m., door prizes, picnic-style food and dessert.

Plant Professionals provides floral design services, interior plantscaping, exterior landscaping and garden design, holiday decorating and storage and event rentals.

The event will be 2-7 p.m. Friday at the Plant Professional offices, 16886 Turner St., Lansing. For more information, call (517) 327-1059 or go to theplantprofessionals.com.