Developments

Middle Village, a retail accelerator program presented by Downtown Lansing Inc. (DLI) and powered by Lake Trust, welcomed three new businesses as part of its fifth cohort. This year’s participating shops included BeBe’s Boutique, returning for a full-year run with a fresh new look, along with two exciting newcomers to Downtown Lansing: BHouzeOriginals and Blueprint of Beauty Boutique.

Middle Village’s newest cohort introduces a fresh lineup of curated women’s boutique fashion, original designs that celebrate individuality, holistic skincare, jewelry, and more.

Middle Village, a retail accelerator program presented by Downtown Lansing Inc. (DLI) and powered by Lake Trust, announces three new businesses participating in its fifth cohort. Middle Village’s 2025 Grand Opening will be held on Wednesday, June 25, at 11 a.m. at 215 S. Washington Square in the historic Atrium Building in Downtown Lansing.  

Source: LEO V. KAPLAN via Lansing City Pulse

Oluwaseun “Sean” Sipeolu learned to cook by example.

Growing up in Nigeria, he watched his parents and older relatives cook and helped where he could. At first he’d just grind the salt or pepper for them.

“It’s part of the culture,” he said. “You cook with your parents, and when they cook, you watch them.”

New restaurant & lounge opens its doors on S. Washington Square 

LANSING, Mich. (May 22, 2025) - Downtown Lansing welcomed a new restaurant and lounge right on Washington Square during the highly anticipated grand opening of Jollof Afro-Caribbean Lounge located at 221 S. Washington Square. On Thursday, May 22, community members gathered to celebrate the ribbon-cutting ceremony officially marking the start of the business being open to the public. 

Funds to help launch kitchen incubator space for local food startups in Lansing

LANSING, Mich. (May 13, 2025) - Downtown Lansing Inc. (DLI) has been awarded a $100,000 Small Business Accelerator Grant from The Hartford, in partnership with Main Street America, to create a culinary accelerator kitchen that will serve as a launching pad for 16 startups.

After years of anticipation, contractors have officially broken ground on Lansing’s new City Hall. I’m your Lansing neighborhood reporter, Asya Lawrence, here with a look at what’s to come for the city’s new home base.

“We came to downtown Lansing to see a new neighbor of ours… City Hall,” said Bruce Wheeler, assistant director with the Justice in Mental Health Organization, also known as JIMHO 

Source: Ed Coury with WKAR Public Media 

A groundbreaking ceremony was held Wednesday for Lansing’s new city hall building.

It will be located at 425 South Grand Avenue, across from the CATA Transportation Center and near the historic Cherry Hill neighborhood.

Source: Mike Ellis with Lansing State Journal

Source: Asya Lawrence with Fox 47 News

“I pledge to do my part — whether that means investing my time, my ideas, my dollars, or my voice — to help Downtown Lansing grow strong.”

This is part of the pledge that many Downtown Lansing business owners and neighbors signed ahead of Thursday evening’s State of Downtown Address. I’m your Downtown Lansing neighborhood reporter, Asya Lawrence, here with what’s to come in the next 36 months for the heart of downtown.

DLI Highlights Growth & Investments Expected in the Next 36 Months at 2025 State of Downtown