Popular Jackson eatery brings an ‘experience’ to East Lansing
Before choosing East Lansing as the location of the second RJ’s Burgers & Ice Cream Co., co-owners Robert and Yvette Wilkie often encountered customers who drove from Lansing to Jackson …
LEO V. KAPLAN's Latest Articles
Anti-data center Capitol protest comes amid opposition to Lansing project
Last week, the developers of a proposed $1 billion data center in Howell Township pulled the plug on their conditional zoning request after months of community opposition. Yesterday, Lauren …
Sturdivant out as fire chief after civil rights lawsuit
Lansing’s top fire official is on his way out, mayoral spokesperson Scott Bean confirmed last week. The city of Lansing will not renew its contract with Fire Chief Brian Sturdivant, which ends …
La Cocina Cubana targets MSU students with second location
Before he became general manager of the new East Lansing La Cocina Cubana location, Ariel Rodriguez Peña was a regular at the initial eatery in downtown Lansing. Peña, also senior director of …
‘The most serious troll you’ll ever meet’
“The Furries Are Coming For Me…” reads the subject line of a campaign email sent out two weeks ago by Tom Barrett, the Charlotte Republican currently representing Michigan’s …
Residents widely oppose ModPod plans at community meeting
About 150 people attended a meeting on Dec. 3 about Lansing’s plan to establish a pod community as transitional housing for residents who are homeless. In a packed room, hitting the Foster …
Can Old Town stay old?
In the heart of one of Lansing’s most booming districts, one decaying building hovers like a ghost. A look over the boarded-up or missing windows of the former Frank Preuss & Son Star …
Thrift Witch moves into planned forever home
The solid foundation, huge arched windows and thick metal vault door of the former Bank of Lansing building in Old Town lends it a sense of permanence. It’s fitting, then, that Thrift …
Macotta Club delayed again as historic building presents challenges
The windows on the first floor of downtown Lansing’s historic Knapp’s Centre still advertise The Macotta Club as “coming 2024,” but the project is now expected to open …
Dungeons & Flagons offers ‘premium’ tabletop experience
Colton Hughes learned interior design by crafting the relaxing, classical, element-themed rooms at Element Massage, the downtown Lansing massage parlor he has run for 10 years. His next venture? …