The Lansing area gained nearly a half dozen new retailers and restaurants in May. It also lost a coffee shop.
Pop-culture focused BoxLunch, a California-based retail chain that sells everything from clothing to collectibles opened a store in the Meridian Mall. Okemos also gained rock climbing gym Terra Firma Bouldering Co. in the former Foods for Living property.
Three new restaurants opened in the area, while Blue Owl Coffee Co. closed its East Lansing location.
Here’s a look at what opened and closed in May.
Openings
BoxLunch, Okemos
Where: 1982 W. Grand River Ave., inside the Meridian Mall
The details: BoxLunch, a California-based retail chain that sells a mix of pop culture-themed clothing, accessories, home goods, novelty items and collectibles, opened a new store in the Meridian Mall at the end of May.
The 3,485-square-foot store, the Lansing area’s first BoxLunch location, was first announced in April. It’s adjacent to clothing retailer Charlotte Russe.
The company already operates locations in Clinton Township, Taylor, Novi, Auburn Hills and Grandville. Founded in 2015, the business partners with Feeding America, donating one meal for every $10 a customer spends.
Learn more about BoxLunch at www.boxlunch.com.
Chick-Fil-A, Lansing
Where: 6430 S. Cedar St.
The details: The Lansing region’s third Chick-Fil-A location opened its doors on the southside of the city on May 7.
The approximately 5,000-square-foot restaurant had been in the works since last year. It was built on a portion of the 6-acre plot that was once home to University Motor Mall, an automotive dealership that closed in 2015.
The chain already has two other established locations in the area, in Delta Township along West Saginaw Highway and in Okemos along West Grand River Avenue. Learn more at www.chick-fil-a.com.
Einstein Bros. Bagels, East Lansing
Where: 505 E. Grand River Ave.
The details: Einstein Bros. Bagels opened in downtown East Lansing near Michigan State University’s campus in mid-May. The chain took the place of Bruegger’s Bagels, which occupied the same storefront for at least two decades before closing in March.
Panera Brands, the parent company for both chains, is transitioning all Michigan Bruegger’s locations. That included stores in locations in Ann Arbor, Bloomfield, Rochester and Royal Oak.
Einstein Bros. Bagels is known for its bagels, double-whipped cream cheese shmears and signature breakfast sandwiches. Learn more at www.einsteinbros.com.
University Weiner, Lansing
Where: 325 Riverfront Drive, inside Lansing Shuffle
The details: University Weiner, a takeout hotdog restaurant that opened three years ago in downtown East Lansing, expanded to a space inside the Lansing Shuffle. It opened at the food hall and social club in the Stadium District on May 29. It will join five other eateries.
Founder Ben Pikus is a 2024 Michigan State University graduate.
The restaurant offers various hot dog creations, including the most popular, the “MAC Ave,” a hot dog with covered in bacon, mac ‘n cheese and barbeque potato chips. The menu also includes the “Spartan Dawg,” topped with bacon, cream cheese, hot sauce, and sauteed peppers and onions, and the “Windy City Weiner,” topped with mustard, onion, relish, a pickle spear, tomato, sport peppers and celery salt.
Learn more at www.lansingshuffle.com.
Terra Firma Bouldering Co., Okemos
Where: 2655 E. Grand River Ave.
The details: Grand Rapids rock climbing gym Terra Firma Bouldering Co. opened a new location in Okemos in late May to members. The gym will welcome the public June 5. It opened in a 15,000-square-foot space that was previously home to independent grocery store Foods for Living for 27 years. The store closed in June 2024.
The gym specializes in bouldering, which is “rock climbing in its simplest form. No ropes, no harness, all you need is yourself, your comrades, chalk, shoes, and a cushy pad to catch your falls,” according to a description on the company’s website.
The location offers “6,000 square feet of climbing terrain,” group and private lessons, a shop offering climbing gear, and youth programs, according to the website. It’s located near Whole Foods, Hobby Lobby and Crunch Fitness.
Learn more at www.climbterrafirma.com/east-lansing.
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Closings
Blue Owl Coffee Co., East Lansing
Where: 1034 Trowbridge Road
The details: Blue Owl Coffee Co. closed its East Lansing location on May 29. The move came two and a half years after the company moved the location from Ann Street in the city’s downtown to the 1,700-square-foot space in a plaza off Trowbridge Road.
“In the theme of East Lansing being built around education, we have decided to view this post as sort of a graduation announcement,” owners said in a May 14 post to its Facebook page. “We began this year with a goal to get back to our original mission, and that means we must say goodbye to our Trowbridge Rd location. Friday 5/29 will be our final day of business in that space. We have enjoyed all the stories and friends we got to meet through this location. We are forever grateful to the supportive neighbors and landlords as we make this transition.”
Blue Owl Coffee Co. closed its Old Town location in February. The company’s location in REO Town remains open.
Contact Reporter Rachel Greco at rgreco@lsj.com. Follow her on X @GrecoatLSJ.
This article originally appeared on Lansing State Journal: Lansing area gains rock climbing gym, 3 restaurants in May
Reporting by Rachel Greco, Lansing State Journal / Lansing State Journal
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