New in town

UPDATE: Due to reporting errors, a previous version of this story contained several mistakes. Kellie’s Consignments is not closing during the move and does not sell bridal/wedding apparel. The article also corrects the new store’s square footage and the age of the business.

Okemos-based Kellie’s Consignments is taking advantage of the post-holiday-season lull to move into a larger location. In April, the 10-year-old retailer will move from its location at 4800 Okemos Road (in the Meijer parking lot) to new space, about a mile east, at 5000 Marsh Road.

“Thanks to our more than 10,000 consigners and loyal customers, we have outgrown our current location,” said owner Kellie Murphy in an email release. “In an effort to provide the finest and most unique shopping experience in the Lansing area, our new location will offer the space to provide many new services and features two levels for customers to shop and consign.”

The new location, slated to open early next month, will take over a 24,000-square-foot building situated behind Wheat Jewelers. The move gives Murphy about double the space she has at the current location.

Kellie’s Consignments deals in new and gently used women’s and men’s clothing, furniture, home décor, jewelry, shoes and accessories. Murphy said the new location will also offer a “couture store,” featuring fine jewelry, handbags, shoes and accessories. Future plans include children’s consignment, a wholesale diamond service and a thrift store.

“The new building will also be leasing space out to other local businesses and services, such as hair care, nails and coffee,” Murphy said. She also announced a new partnership with Morning Dance Jewelry, who will offer “one-of-a-kind jewelry items, jewelry repair, fabricating and designing.” Morning Dance owner Steve Klepinger is a second-generation master jeweler with nearly 40 years of experience.

For her part, Murphy has a message for her longtime customers.

“Thank you so much for the continuous support and for helping us grow,” Murphy said. “We love our customers.”

For the latest information on the move, follow updates on Kellie’s Consignments’ Facebook page: facebook.com/kelliesconsignments.

Cupcake boss

The Trowbridge Lofts development in East Lansing will get its second retail tenant sometime this spring. Gigi’s Cupcakes, a national confectionery chain, has begun construction in a 1,650-square-foot space on the ground floor of the mixed-use development. It will be just a few doors down from Iorio’s Gelato & Caffé, which opened last fall, creating something of a mini-sweet tooth district.

“I was looking for a location with high visibility, convenience (and) highway access,” said franchise owner Gina Farhat, adding that she was also looking for a space with “a community of complementary businesses nearby and in close proximity to MSU.”

The Gigi’s Cupcakes chain was launched by entrepreneur Gigi Butler in Nashville in 2008. The Oklahoma native had moved to Music City to start a singing career, but when that didn’t take off as planned, she switched gears into the culinary arts. Eight years later, Gigi’s has over 100 locations around the contiguous U.S. This will be the first Michigan location. Farhat said her store will feature specialty beverages, coffee, and branded merchandise.

“We have core items that all stores sell, including cupcakes, cheesecakes and cookies,” Farhat said.

The store will also carry “gourmet cupcakes” (such as the Gigi’s Party, a devil’s food cake creation with chocolate chips and buttercream frosting), as well as sugar-free and glutenfree offerings. Farhat said the East Lansing store should be open next month.

Wayback machine

This week, west Lansing became home to the latest addition to a fast growing casual hamburger chain: Wayback Burgers. On Tuesday, the New England-based franchise opened a location inside the 1,500-square-foot space near the Lansing Mall that was formerly the location of Piggee’s Smokehouse and BBQ; before that, it was the home of Turkeyman.

Wayback features specialty burgers, including the Reuben Burger and a nine-patty (!!!) behemoth known as the Triple Triple. There are also chicken sandwiches, turkey burgers, creative sides (such as mac & cheese bites and Irish nachos) and fresh-made milkshakes.

Wayback has over 100 locations throughout the U.S., including two Southeast Michigan restaurants in Rochester. The company recently went international, launching stores in Saudi Arabia and Argentina. The company’s website says there are plans to open in 32 additional countries, including Canada, Mexico and locations in the Middle East and Northern Africa.

Whole opening

And after over a year of construction, Whole Foods, 2750 E. Grand River Ave. in Meridian Township, has announced its opening date: April 13. The high-end grocery retailer dropped that tidbit in its Facebook call for potential employees this week. Bonus: In addition to health insurance benefits, full-time employees get a 20 percent discount on store purchases and discounts up to 30 percent if they meet certain fitness criteria. That’s one way to avoid dropping your “whole paycheck” if you want to shop there.

Kellie’s Consignments 4800 Okemos Road, Okemos (until March 19) 9 a.m.-8 p.m. Monday-Friday; 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Saturday; noon-5 p.m. Sunday (517) 574-4523, kelliesconsignments.com

Gigi’s Cupcakes (opening next month) 1020 Trowbridge Road, East Lansing (anticipated hours) 9 a.m.-8 p.m. Monday-Saturday; 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Sunday facebook.com/gigiscupcakeseastlansingmichigan

Wayback Burgers 5021 W. Saginaw Highway, Lansing 10:30 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily (517) 708-7085, waybackburgers.com