Living Here

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. 

Source: Lansing City Pulse

Back for a third year, the free Best of Lansing Festival, co-hosted by Lansing 5:01 and Downtown Lansing Inc., invites area residents to celebrate 517 Day among the top artists, creatives, retail shops, restaurants, influencers and changemakers in the area code.

May 17 events to highlight local culture, businesses, and community pride

Guest Writer: Chioma Lewis 

Graduation is a milestone worth celebrating, and what better place to do so than in the heart of Michigan’s capital city? Downtown Lansing offers a unique blend of scenic views, delicious dining, vibrant culture, and rich history, making it the perfect setting to honor your graduate’s achievements. Whether you’re planning a day of activities, capturing lasting memories through photos, or enjoying a special meal with family and friends, Downtown Lansing has something for everyone.

Guest Writer: Jay Krammes 

On Saturday, May 17, 2025, Downtown Lansing and its surrounding Lansing communities will come alive to celebrate 517 Day, an annual event that honors the region’s area code and the vibrant culture it represents. The day promises a variety of activities, including art festivals, craft shows, live music, and family-friendly events. Here’s a roundup of the key happenings: 

As the Downtown Lansing Spring Clean-Up approaches on Saturday, May 10, the day also kicks off this season’s Adopt-A-Spot program. The goal of this program is to improve the environment and appearance of our community. The program encourages individuals, organizations and businesses to adopt a spot in Downtown Lansing and to maintain that spot throughout the season. The Adopt-A-Spot sites range from large areas ideal for group sponsorships to small areas that can be managed by an individual.

Source: Lansing City Pulse

Your kids don’t have to be interested in politics to enjoy a visit to the state Capitol this Saturday (April 19). 

Downtown Lansing Inc. will host the 61st annual easter egg hunt on the Capitol lawn 10 to 11 a.m. Saturday. Participants will be divided into three age groups with three different start times: ages 3 and under at 10:30 a.m., ages 4 to 6 at 10:45 a.m. and ages 7 and up at 11 a.m. 

At Jackson Field in Downtown Lansing, it’s the perfect day for a home opener… except for the weather.
But Lansing Lugnuts fans still found ways to have fun, especially Gina Patton.

“We’ve been here through sun and snow before… haven’t we?” says Patton. 

So, for the five months of baseball season ahead, Patton will show up, rain or shine, along with other dedicated fans.

Since the pandemic sent state employees home, a debate has persisted over downtown’s future.

On Monday, John and his father, Paul Gentilozzi, celebrated the groundbreaking for Tower on Grand, a 28-story, 300,000-square-foot skyscraper on Grand Avenue near Washtenaw Street.

The skyscraper will contain 287 residences and feature a pool, fitness center, yoga studio and Grand River-front terrace. Apartment leasing is expected to begin in early 2028.

Spring is in the air, and there’s no better way to celebrate than with Spring Fling at Middle Village! Join Middle Village on Saturday, April 12, from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. for a full day of shopping, workshops, and hands-on experiences in the heart of Downtown Lansing. Also, as the current cohort is wrapping up, this is the perfect chance to stop in and support them before their next step on their entrepreneurial journey!