Living Here

“You won’t be able to believe that such a cool thing is happening in our city,” said festival director Emma Selby.

Calling all film lovers. Grab your popcorn because it’s time to check out the Capital City Film Festival.

Every screening is a reel treat. With more than 100 films you can catch.

“The schedule is jam-packed. We have everything from some funky short films. We have things that we have titled heavy hitters, which are all you know like a cry your eyes out if you’re in that mood,” Selby said.

LANSING, Mich. (WILX) - Excitement about the future at the 3rd annual “State of Downtown Lansing”. Downtown Lansing Inc. highlighted some of the new work underway to liven up Washington Square.

Lansing’s downtown has been a huge talking point following the pandemic after most businesses moved to remote work leaving the downtown area. Businesses struggled to find another consistent customer base when work went remote. Still, Executive Director of Downtown Lansing Inc., Cathleen Edgerly, says this will be the year they bring people back downtown.

LANSING, Mich. (WLNS) — Visitors to Downtown Lansing can expect more activities, more nightlife, and more places to live many years into the future.

That’s the message Thursday from Downtown Lansing, Inc. the organization that works with merchants and residents to re-energize the city’s core.

Cathleen Edgerly, executive director of DLI, joined business leaders, politicians, and the community Thursday night to present the “State of Downtown Lansing,” at the Atrium Building. 

LANSING, Mich. (WILX) - There’s more help for the homeless coming to the city of Lansing as one local nonprofit prepares to move into a new building.

The City Rescue Mission has announced an official expansion onto West Kalamazoo Street in downtown Lansing, opening up more shelter space for the city’s homeless population. What was once an office building and the Michigan Correction Organization will soon offer beds to sleep in, food to eat and fresh sets of clothing for people in need.

 Volunteers are the heart of Downtown Lansing. They make all of our accomplishments possible — and they have fun doing it too! And when it comes to making his mark, Melik Brown brings his own style, enthusiasm and his love for the 517 to all that he does! Melik has been a downtown partner and Promotions volunteer with DLI assisting with projects such as Winterfest, last year’s city-wide Art Attack! Celebration, Kringle Holiday Market, holiday campaigns and co-op TV ads and more!

Calling all Lansing locals! Are you ready to celebrate 517 Day the Lansing way? Downtown Lansing is excited to be the hosting neighborhood for a two-day extravaganza for 517 Day, presented by Metro Melik and Lansing 5:01. Taking place on May 17 and May 18, you don’t want to miss this weekend full of festivities celebrating everything that makes Michigan’s Capitol City truly special.

Guest Writer: Laura Biehl

After starting their specialty floral shop during the pandemic, Sparrow Bloom has now found its permanent home in downtown Lansing. The floral company owned by Kait Bibb and Becca Barnell began as a door-to-door floral design and delivery operation. It has now grown into a full-fledged floral business with regular subscriptions, arrangements for weddings and workshops. 

The Lansing Lugnuts are back! The Crosstown Showdown, pitting the Lugnuts against the Michigan State Baseball team, promises an electrifying start to the season on Wednesday, April 3. Excitement is in the air, and tickets are flying off the shelves – have you secured yours yet?

Before the game, Downtown Lansing has several tasty options to choose from if you’re looking to dine or drink before the game. Here are a few of the many great places to visit: 

Titles don’t always do descriptive justice to relate the depth of someone or the profound difference a single person makes in the lives of others.

More than the small-business owner of Sweet Encounter Bakery & Cafe in downtown Lansing’s Knapp’s Centre, Nikki Thompson Frazier is also a woman who leads.

She’s a person of color who leads.

She’s a parent who leads, a partner who leads and a neighbor who leads.

In 2019, Bry Clover left her corporate job and set out to do what her soul was calling her to do, launching her own consulting company focused on racial equity and justice. That led to another entrepreneurial endeavor — launching an online store with handcrafted candles, jewelry, soap and more. Now, she’s the sole owner of Clover Joy Collective on Allegan Street in downtown Lansing, which opened in November 2022.