Welcome to Lansing: Here's what's new in 2022 — shopping, entertainment and more!
If you haven’t been in or around downtown Lansing lately, you may not have noticed all the new and updated businesses, each one actively contributing to an increased level of activity and bustle.
Among the most significant changes: A new downtown grocery store, an incubator for aspiring retail shop owners, some truly unique restaurants and stunning new art displays.
Read on to learn “What’s New in 2022” in and around downtown Lansing. This is part of a series of articles published as a "Guide to Greater Lansing" — click here to read more.
More shopping options
Love to shop? Downtown Lansing now features even more shopping options than you remember, thanks to older stalwart businesses who've persevered — e.g. Kositchek's, Linn & Owen Jewelers, The Peanut Shop — and newer entrepreneurs finding their home downtown. Enjoy perusing books and fashion, graphic novels and board games, as well as plenty of gifts and home decor. Not to mention the recent addition of the Nelson Gallery and new home for the Lansing Art Gallery & Education Center, both selling local art to keen-eyed patrons.
LSJ EDITORIAL: For Downtown Lansing to survive and thrive, it takes all of us working together
Art opportunities & things to do
In addition to our great art galleries and performance spaces, a host of community events and partners have created more opportunities for local arts and artists than ever before. Live music, poetry events, open mics, festivals and fairs are multiplying and we are here for it! Plus, the City of Lansing has announced a new performance center coming soon thanks to $2 million in dedicated state funding — and perseverance from a very involved arts community. Visit downtownlansing.org for upcoming things to do downtown.
READ MORE: Performing arts center just might come true for downtown Lansing
Better, updated parking systems
Complaints about parking have largely been addressed, with plenty of better and updated parking systems downtown. Mobile pay for your on-the-street parking space, or use one of the convenient kiosks (cash or card) replacing individual, outdated parking meters. Park in an updated garage and enjoy new signage, refreshed decor and improved accessibility — in addition to digital pay options. And for freebie seekers, you can continue to enjoy free parking after 6 p.m. on weekdays, all day on weekends and, as a summer special, parking is also free for two hours on Fridays. Learn more at lansing.gov.
READ MORE: Free two hour parking in downtown Lansing for the summer
New and interesting places to live
Intrigued by what's new and coming to downtown Lansing? Do you want to be part of the action? What better way than to move into one of the many new and interesting places to live? From the Outfield Apartments at the back of the ballpark to the soon-to-be-finished City View Apartments overlooking Capitol Avenue, there are plenty of new and interesting places to live. Learn more at apartmentfinder.com.
READ MORE: Inside City View Apartments, a new complex coming to the former Lake Trust building
Capital City Market groceries downtown
Capital City Market is a downtown grocery store that, by all accounts, is a thriving addition to the downtown landscape. Located diagonally across Michigan Avenue from the ballpark, it features locally made items — such as bread, desserts, beer and liquor — in addition to all the staples you’d expect to find in a grocery store. The prime location, along with shopping local, are reasons for anyone to stop in. Learn more at capitalcitymarket.com.
Middle Village Micro Market incubator
This spring, the Middle Village Micro Market — an incubator for small businesses testing the water before opening their own space downtown — welcomed a new cohort of six shops into their downtown space. Fashion, eclectic gifts, sweet treats, soaps and a variety of local art can be found here. Even more importantly, you can meet the proprietors and truly #ShopLocal. Stop in Tuesday-Saturdays from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Learn more at Facebook.com/middlevillagemicromarket.
READ MORE: Here are the shops now open in downtown Lansing's Middle Village Micro Market
Heritage Hall at the State Capitol
The new entrance off West Ottawa Street offers a much more open and inviting way for visitors to enter the picturesque Capitol building located in the heart of downtown. With similar facade work and hints of the old building within, the new construction keeps up the basic feel of the building that has served as the seat of state government since 1879. The new, 40,000-square-foot space has a combined role as visitors center and event space, and is now open (while still under construction) for guests to tour. For more information, visit capitol.michigan.gov.
READ MORE: After two years of work, Heritage Hall at the state Capitol is now open
Your morning pick-me-up
Need a morning pick-me-up? Downtown and the surrounding area have plenty to offer. Coffee choices abound — try Sweet Encounter in the Knapp's Centre, Ferris Coffee in the Capital City Market or Blue Owl with locations in Old Town and REO Town. You can also find muffins and other baked goods at the Capital City Market, Sweet Encounters, Biggby, etc. For something a little different, try Turkish coffee, baklava and myriad other options at Social Sloth Cafe & Bakery.
READ MORE: Where's the coffee in downtown Lansing? Shops that are now open
Rotary Park, cool riverfront hang outs
Down by the waters of the Grand River, where the Lansing River Trail runs between East Michigan Avenue and East Kalamazoo Street, is the grouping of cool riverfront hang outs known as Rotary Park. Updated in Fall 2019, features include bar-style seating overlooking the river, a shaded picnic area (with a fireplace for the colder months), under-the-bridge concert space, an enclosed beach with real sand, a solar-powered electric forest, community art mural project and more!
READ MORE: I went to the beach Monday, and I didn't have to leave Lansing
Bonus! Lansing Shuffle, a new social club (coming soon)
“This ain’t your granddad’s shuffleboard [club]” is what the website says, along with “Coming Summer 2022.” Plans to update the old Lansing City Market building include seven individual restaurant spaces (think upscale food court) along with full service bars, an art gallery and podcast studio. Oh, and there will be shuffleboard. Follow along on Facebook.com/LansingShuffle for updates.
Tell us your favorites!
We know you've got opinions. Whether you're new in town or a longtime Lansing resident, we want to hear from you: What are your favorite new spots downtown? Share your thoughts on our Facebook page or by emailing opinions@lsj.com.
This article originally appeared on Lansing State Journal: Welcome to Lansing: What's new in and around downtown in 2022