Press Release – Downtown Lansing Market Study

6 01 2009

From a City of Lansing Press Release….

Public Welcomed to Be Part of Downtown Lansing’s Future!
Downtown Lansing Conducts Extensive Market Study

“Market studies are imperative to successful economic development—which translates into jobs! Downtown Lansing has not had a market study done in nearly ten years.” acknowledged Bob Trezise, Jr., President and CEO of the Lansing Economic Development Corporation. “Since downtown Lansing has dramatically changed over the last three years, to the tune of over $500 million in new private investment, it is the right time to conduct a new downtown market study and keep our momentum going strong and in the smart direction.”

“Downtown Lansing is a rich urban environment where we want to foster creativity and growth, while maintaining the character and history of the district.” stated Mindy Biladeau, Executive Director of the Lansing Principal Shopping District. “Understanding the experiences and reflections of everyone in the public is vital to planning its future.”

The Lansing Economic Development Corporation (LEDC) has commissioned a Downtown Lansing Market Study and Strategies project with the Downtown Professionals Network (DPN) to accurately understand the value and future of Downtown Lansing. As a part of the study, a public workshop will be held on Wednesday, January 7, from 6:00 – 8:00 p.m. in the Governor’s Room of the Lansing Center, 333 E. Michigan Ave.

“Market studies are imperative to successful economic development—which translates into jobs! Downtown Lansing has not had a market study done in nearly ten years.” acknowledged Bob Trezise, Jr., President and CEO of the Lansing Economic Development Corporation. “Since downtown Lansing has dramatically changed over the last three years, to the tune of over $500 million in new private investment, it is the right time to conduct a new downtown market study and keep our momentum going strong and in the smart direction.”

The Market study process has been designed to provide a current snapshot of downtown Lansing today and to offer a glimpse of downtown’s potential and opportunities for the future in terms of business, residential and new market prospects.

“Downtown Lansing is a rich urban environment where we want to foster creativity and growth, while maintaining the character and history of the district.” stated Mindy Biladeau, Executive Director of the Lansing Principal Shopping District. “Understanding the experiences and reflections of everyone in the public is vital to planning its future.” Read the rest of this entry »


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Categories : Downtown, Food News, Lansing, Michigan, Press Releases

Los Tres Amigos – South Cedar

5 01 2009
  • 6405 S. Cedar St.
  • Lansing, MI 48911
  • (517) 393-4100
  • Website
  • Menu
Los Tres Amigos on South Cedar Street in Lansing

Los Tres Amigos on South Cedar Street in Lansing

I’ve said before on this blog I’m not a huge fan of ethnic cuisine.  I prefer my burger and fries, but we kept hearing such good things about Los Tres Amigos on South Cedar Street that we had to try it. 

After a whirlwind trip back to Chicago, we got home just in time for dinner on a Sunday night.  I didn’t feel like cooking and J suggested going out.  I asked her if she was in the mood for Mexican and she said she wanted to give it a try, so we headed to Los Tres Amigos for dinner.

Los Tres Amigos is part of a chain that also goes by the name La Hacienda  Los Amigos.  They have locations in Lansing, Jackson, and Howell.  We chose the location on South Cedar Street just because it’s close to our place.  We always see advertisements for their great happy hour specials, but J’s at work during those times, so we can never make it. 

When you walk in, your met at a hostess station then you can go one of two ways.  You probably guessed it by now.  One was was smoking the other was non-smoking.  We, of course, chose non-smoking and were shown to a table in the dining room. The waiter came over and took our drink orders.  Neither of us were in the mood for alcohol so we both went with Cokes.  Read the rest of this entry »


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Categories : Lansing, Local Flavor, Mexican, Michigan, Restaurant, Reviews

The Chocolate Garden

5 01 2009
  • 2691 Friday Road
  • Coloma, MI 49038
  • (269) 468-9866
  • Website
  • Menu
The Chocolate Garden outside of Coloma, MI

The Chocolate Garden outside of Coloma, MI

What would you do if you were faced with giant truffles staring at you from a billboard overlooking I-94 in southwest Michigan?  We have passed this billboard so many times on our way back to Lansing from Illinois, but always make excuses not to stop.  A few months ago, we needed gas and I pulled off in Coloma to find a BP, but we couldn’t find The Chocolate Garden, so we gave up and went home.  Turns out, we took a right when we should have taken a left.  This time, we were in no hurry and had no excuse not stop.

The Chocolate Garden is in the most unassuming location.  Heck, we weren’t even sure we were in the right place.  When you get off the Interstate in Coloma and take a left, you pass a number of U-Pick farms and even other chocolate places.  The Chocolate Garden was smart enough to put signs up across the street from these places to tell you to keep going. 

After about a mile, you come up a farm house with a sign out front telling you to turn in for the Chocolate Garden.  Not what we were expecting at all.  The shop sits behind the farmhouse in a little building that would be more in place in a downtown shopping district among other boutiques.  We actually passed the house the first time thinking 1.) it wasn’t open or 2.) we couldn’t possibly be in the right place.  I went up to the next farm house and turned around.  When we made our way back, I noticed the sign on the side of the building that said “open” and the other cars now turning in.  Read the rest of this entry »


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Categories : Chocolate, Coloma, Local Flavor, Michigan, Reviews

Press Release – 621 is NOT Closed Permanently

5 01 2009

I hadn’t even heard this rumor, but if they’re sending out press releases to local media, there must be something going around.  Apparently they are not closed permanently….just temporarily while they renovate.

From a Brant Johnson & Associates press release….

621, Lansing’s downtown hotspot, is temporarily closed for remodeling.

621 will be closed for approximately 60 days for modernization of the restaurant/bar, according to Julian Darden, MJJJ Inc., owner and operator.

Julian “JJ” Darden says, “For over 5years of ownership, 621 appreciates the loyal patronage and support of Lansing. It has been a blessing to provide entertainment services to the Lansing community. However, it is important to modernize our establishment in order to reflect the revitalization of the New Downtown Lansing area. And 621 looks forward to being the consistent Downtown Nightspot. ”

Within the past 5 years 621 was voted “the BEST” in a number of categories for Lansing Entertainment, including Best Martini Bar. Downtown patrons and Lugnut goers have been enjoying 621 for over 10 years.

621 asks the Lansing community to be patience and cooperative as these changes are taking place. 621 is eager to have a prosperous 2009.


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Categories : Bar, Downtown, Food News, Lansing, Michigan, Press Releases

Pluto’s Original Beef & Hotdogs – Oak Lawn, IL

5 01 2009
  • 10341 S. Cicero Ave.
  • Oak Lawn, IL 60453
  • (708) 425-2222
  • Website
  • Menu
Plutos Original Beef and Hot Dogs on South Cicero in Oak Lawn, IL

Pluto's Original Beef and Hot Dogs on South Cicero in Oak Lawn, IL

Did you think I would go to Chicago and not get an Italian Beef?  It doesn’t matter how short of a trip it is, there’s a place on every corner, so I will get an Italian Beef eventually.

Right before J and I left for Michigan on Sunday afternoon, her mom offered up one more meal.  The night before, we were talking about the best burger on the south side when her step dad brought up Pluto’s.  We drive by Pluto’s every time we go to her parents and any place with the word “beef” in the title is appealing to me. 

J’s parents order from there quite often, so they had a menu at home and the lady working knew her mom by name.  I passed on the burger and went straight for the Italian Beef.  J’s step dad ordered the special which was three hot dogs and three things of fries, so I didn’t have to order fries.  J got a homemade chicken fingers which came with fries and a chocolate malt while her mom got a salad.  They also got an order of the jalapeno poppers for all of us.

After about five minutes, we piled in the car to go pick it up.  We didn’t all need to go, but I always feel bad making someone else go after my food, so J and I went with her mom to get it.  We pulled up to the drive through and J’s mom told the intercom who she was.  The lady who knew her answered and told her to pull around to the window.  The food wasn’t quite ready, but it was close.  Read the rest of this entry »


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Categories : Michigan

7-Eleven – S. Cicero, Oak Lawn, IL

5 01 2009
  • 10441 S. Cicero Ave.
  • Oak Lawn, IL 60453
  • (708) 636-4052
  • Website
7-Eleven on South Cicero Ave in Oak Lawn, IL

7-Eleven on South Cicero Ave in Oak Lawn, IL

I told you I had a new addiction to 7-Eleven.  J and I had to make a quick trip back to Chicago for an unplanned visit that I’m not going to get in to.  We were only there a day and a half, but we still had time to go out to dinner with her parents.  We went to Hackney’s in Palos Park (review HERE) which is a few miles from her parents.  On the way, we noticed a huge range of gas prices.  The stations along Cicero were all at $1.95, but a couple stations along 111th Street were still at $1.75, so after we got home, J and I jumped back in my truck and went to get gas.

I’m not usually one who runs after cheaper gas, but I was shocked that gas was as cheap in the Chicago area as it was in Lansing.  Usually, we’re 30 – 40 cents less than the suburbs which is 30 – 40 cents less than the City, so I didn’t want to miss out on the 20 cent savings. 

So, we filled up at Speedway and started heading home.  Oh sure, I could have just went inside at Speedway and got a frozen Coke, but I knew I was passing a 7-Eleven.  I had been a little grumpy all day and both J and I were exhausted, so I decided to do something nice and offered to stop for slurpees.  At first, she hesitated, but quickly changed her mind.  Read the rest of this entry »


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Categories : Chains, Chicago, Illinois, Oak Lawn

Hackney’s in Palos Park (IL)

3 01 2009
  • 9550 W. 123rd St.
  • Palos Park, IL 60464
  • (708) 448-8300
  • Website
  • Menu
Hackneys in Palos Park on 123rd and LaGrange in Palos Park, IL

Hackney's in Palos Park on 123rd and LaGrange in Palos Park, IL

Whenever I talk about the “best burger” people always bring up burgers with lots of stuff on them or a great special sauce, but no one ever takes the time to talk about a really good flavorful piece of meat.  I don’t like sauces and condiments on my burgers.  I want a burger that tastes good with a slice of cheese on a bun that wasn’t delivered to the back door three weeks ago.  I’ve found a few places in Lansing with burgers like that, but it’s never at the places that win “best burger.”  Very few places take the time to grind their own meat and put the emphasis on the cow.  Lucky for me, there’s still a place in Chicagoland that does just that.

If the name Hackney’s sounds familiar, it’s probably because you’re a fan of Diners, Drive-Ins, and Dives on the Food Network.  Guy Fieri visited the original Hackney’s in Glenview.  There are six restaurants overall including a downtown Chicago location.  We chose to visit the Palos Park location which has been open since 1986. 

Hackney’s in Palos Park sits on the corner of LaGrange Road and 123rd Street.  It’s across the street from the forest preserve and there’s not much else around it. The building looks like an old farm house both inside and out.  We showed up on a Saturday night just before 5:00.  There’s a huge parking lot that was fairly empty, so we were pretty confident seating wasn’t going to be a problem. Read the rest of this entry »


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Categories : Burgers, Chicago, Illinois, Palos Park, Restaurant, Reviews, Sandwiches

7-Eleven – Jolly Rd

2 01 2009
  • 1975 E. Jolly Road
  • Lansing, MI 48910
  • (517) 394-7227
  • Website
7-Eleven on Jolly Road in Lansing

7-Eleven on Jolly Road in Lansing

I just have a thing for slurpee’s.  Not sure what it is, but J got me hooked again on the frozen Coke’s.  Sure, we usually stop at Speedway to get our frozen pop, but I was near a 7-Eleven today and decided to stop in. 

There are several 7-Eleven locations in the Lansing metro area.  This particular store is on Jolly Road where it meets Aurelius on the way to Okemos.  I had to mail some shredded coconut to my grandma to make peanut brittle.  She wasn’t able to find any for Christmas so there was no peanut brittle.  J and I found some at Horrocks so we stocked up and shipped some hoping to get a tasty return package. 

The Holt post office that I usually go to closed at noon for some reason so I had to head out to the post office on Collins Road.  After that, I needed to go back to Kroger to pick something up for dinner.  A third stop was going to be Speedway for a frozen Coke and a Mega Millions ticket, but I saw the 7-Eleven as I was turning back on to Aurelius and realized it was easier to get in and out of a convience store than a busy gas station.

7-Eleven is big in the Chicago area so they a history with me.  I always think of 7-Eleven as dirty stores run by shady people.  That seems to be the trend in Chicago.  I don’t always feel safe going in one.  My opinion completely changed with my first trip to the Holt 7-Eleven (review HERE).  That store was spotless, well staffed, and the people were friendly.  Read the rest of this entry »


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Categories : Michigan

Chili’s Grill & Bar- Okemos

1 01 2009
  • 5055 Marsh Road
  • Okemos, MI 48864
  • (517) 347-7188
  • Website
  • Menu
Chilis Southwestern Bar & Grill on Marsh Road in Okemos

Chili's Grill & Bar on Marsh Road in Okemos

Hey, why not start of the 2009 with a review of a chain restaurant?  J’s mom picked up a gift card for Chili’s for me for Christmas.  Just like Applebees (review HERE), I have never been to a Chili’s.  Growing up in the Kankakee (IL) area, there was no Chili’s and by the time I moved to Peoria, I was already on my “hunt out the local joints” kick, so I never took the time to actually eat at Chili’s.  J said she used to eat there all the time when she lived in Idaho Falls (ID) because they had great drinks and appetizers, so when I opened up the gift from her mom on Christmas and found a Chili’s gift card, J got excited that she was going to get to take me to what could maybe be called her favorite chain.

The Chili’s Grill & Bar in the Lansing metro is in Okemos adjacent to the Meridian Mall.  It sort of shares a parking lot with the Olive Garden. Our plan was to hit up Younkers at Meridian Mall then go to dinner, but we were too late for shopping as the mall must have closed at 6:00 and we arrived closer to 6:30.  Since we couldn’t go shopping, we just headed over to Chili’s for dinner. 

We were met inside by a hostess who I’m pretty sure punished us for picking non-smoking over smoking.  I was hoping to be seated where I could see the Rose Bowl game, but the only TV’s must have been in the smoking section which is basically the bar area.  Instead, she took us into a cramped dining room around the corner and sat us in a booth right next to the Chili’s To Go entrance.  The restaurant was not packed by any means so there was really no reason to put us at this table.  The table was fine, but it was right next to an outside door so every time someone came in or went out, we were also treated to the 20 degree weather outside.   Kind of ruins dinner when you have to eat with a coat on. Read the rest of this entry »


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Categories : Bar, Burgers, Chains, Michigan, Okemos, Pub, Restaurant, Reviews, Southwestern

Harrison Roadhouse Goes Smoke Free

1 01 2009

Saw this story on WLNS’ noon show today. 

An East Lansing restaurant is making it’s New Year’s resolution very public… it’s going *smoke free.*

The Harrison Roadhouse will officially make the move Thursday.

Just in time for it’s New Year’s day Bowl party for Michigan State University.

The operations manager says he’s been an opponent of the statewide smoking ban for a number of years and adds at this time…there’s enough people in the East Lansing area that want smoke-free dining.

All I can say is good for them.  We ate at Harrison Roadhouse back in the spring (review HERE) and really liked the place.  Going smoke free makes a second visit even more appealing.


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Categories : East Lansing, Food News, Michigan

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