The Lansing area gained some vibrant new stores and restaurants in June. A new ceramics studio, a second Deadtime Stories book and gift store and a food trailer that serves classic Jamaican dishes all opened.
However, the area also lost a few long-time businesses. Jon Anthony Florist, a staple on Michigan Avenue for more than 80 years, closed. So did October Moon, a gallery and boutique that called Lansing’s Old Town home for more than two decades.
Here’s a look at what opened and closed, along with which Delta Township restaurant announced plans to move to its own building.
Openings:
Charlotte Pottery, Charlotte
Where: 118 E. Lawrence Ave.
The details: The locally owned and operated craft and ceramics studio opened in the city’s downtown in early June. Learn more about the business on its Facebook page at “Charlotte Pottery – Craft & Ceramics Studio.”
Deadtime Stories: The Sequel, Charlotte
Where: 100 W. Lawrence Ave., inside the 1885 Eaton County Courthouse
The details: Deadtime Stories: The Sequel is the second location for Deadtime Stories Books & Gifts, located in Lansing’s REO Town. The book and gift store specializes in all things macabre and spooky, including true crime.
Owner Jenn Carpenter opened the original location off South Washington Avenue in 2021. The new location in a historic former courthouse’s lower level offers a smaller version of the first. It opened in early June.
Learn more online at www.deadtimestoriesbooks.com or by following the store’s Facebook page at “Deadtime Stories: The Sequel.”
Domino’s Pizza, East Lansing
Where: 3992 Coleman Road, East Lansing
The details: Domino’s Pizza opened in a 1,830-square-foot former Tim Hortons at the corner of Coleman and Chandler roads in June. The property was vacant for six years. Learn more at www.dominos.com.
Mexico To Go, Potterville
Where: 125 E. Lansing Road
The details: Mexico To Go, a restaurant with a storefront off Elmwood Road in Delta Township that had closed, opened a new location in a space off E. Lansing Road in early June. Menu items include wet burritos, enchiladas, tamales, fajitas and other well-known Mexican dishes.
Learn more at the eatery’s Facebook page at “MEXICO 2 GO!”
Perpah’s Reggae Kitchen, Lansing
Where: 1975 E. Jolly Road, parking lot of The Lab Ski and Snowboard Shop
The details: Kristen and Wayne Frazer opened Perpah’s Reggae Kitchen, a food trailer that serves Jamaican dishes, on June 28. The name is in honor of the nickname their grandson coined for Wayne and the menu harkens back to Wayne Frazer’s roots. He grew up in Montego Bay and has been cooking professionally for 40 years. His career includes stints at Half Moon Resort in Jamaica and Mission Point Resort on Mackinac Island.
The couple’s menu includes jerk chicken, ox tail, curry goat and a vegan and vegetarian stew. Wayne said the lineup will be added to in the future.
To check hours of operation and view the menu, visit their Facebook page at “Perpah’s Reggae Kitchen.”
Closings:
Bobcat Bonnie’s, Lansing
Where: 637 E. Michigan Ave.
The details: Bobcat Bonnie’s closed in early June, just before the Michigan Liquor Control Commission suspended the restaurant’s liquor license on June 9. Ownership faced allegations of writing bad checks to employees and the State Journal reported that owner Matt Buskard owed more than $1.3 million in tax liens. The property’s landlord confirmed the location won’t reopen there in late June.
The restaurant opened in Lansing in January of 2024. When it closed, it was the last of seven Bobcat Bonnie’s seven locations still open.
READ MORE:
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Michigan’s last Bobcat Bonnie’s, in Lansing, won’t reopen in historic former train station
Jon Anthony Florist, Lansing
Where: 809 E. Michigan Ave.
The details: Jon Anthony Florist was a Lansing staple for more than eight decades before it closed permanently on June 14. Harriet and John Anthony opened the floral business in 1941.
John died in 2014, Harriet eight years later, in 2022. The flower shop property has been for sale since her mother’s death, daughter Pamela Sage said. The family ran the business until the closure.
October Moon, Lansing’s Old Town
Where: 119 E. Cesar E Chavez Ave.
The details: October Moon, a gallery and boutique, was a fixture in Old Town for 24 years. Owner Aura Ozburn announced her store’s closure with a May 12 social media post. She told customers that October Moon’s closure comes as she prepares for a move to Scotland. The store’s final sale ran through June 1.
Moving:
Hela’s Kitchen, Delta Township
Where: 5330 W. Saginaw Hwy., inside the Lansing Mall
The details: Hela’s Kitchen has occupied a space in the Lansing Mall food court serving “authentic-style, fast food” Mexican cuisine since 2023.
Restaurant owner Angelita Cabrera announced plans to move from the mall to a building at 1909 W. Saginaw St. earlier this month. The eatery’s last day at the mall was June 27. The new location is expected to open in August. Follow the business on Facebook at “Hela’s Kitchen.”
Contact Reporter Rachel Greco at rgreco@lsj.com. Follow her on X @GrecoatLSJ .
This article originally appeared on Lansing State Journal: Lansing area gained new bookstore, food trailer, but lost some mainstay businesses in June
Reporting by Rachel Greco, Lansing State Journal / Lansing State Journal
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