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NBS Lansing Small Business Saturday

Unwrap Lansing: Your Ultimate Guide to Supporting Local

With the holiday season and Small Business Saturday just around the corner, we are excited to spotlight some of our team’s favorite local gems in each region where our NBS Experience Centers are located. To make it easier for you to shop small and support local in the Greater Lansing area, we’ve put together a curated guide featuring standout restaurants, cozy cafés, delightful bakeries, unique shops, fun activities, and more.

Check out some of our Lansing team’s top picks!

Food & Drink

Flour Child Bakery and Café – Grand Ledge, MI
This family-owned restaurant takes pride in making everything from scratch, using only the freshest ingredients and zero preservatives! From their delicious croissants and bagels to hearty sandwiches, wraps and salads, every bite proves their commitment to quality.

Joe’s on Jolly – Okemos, MI
Step into Joe’s on Jolly, where a cool dive bar vibe meets a fresh twist on classic bar food. They make everything in-house and use local Michigan ingredients as they serve up a tasty array of sandwiches, tacos, salads and yummy shareables, ensuring there’s something for everyone to enjoy!

Ozone’s Brewhouse – Lansing, MI
Craving a great beer? The owners of Ozone’s Brewhouse are a talented father/son duo who work hard to craft a fantastic lineup of beers on tap. Choose from their signature house brews or refreshing seltzers, ciders and wine, and pair your beverage of choice with tasty bites from Ozone’s Fire Food Truck located right outside the door!

Sleepwalker Spirits & Ale – Lansing, MI
“This REO Town staple is a must-try! Sleepwalker combines a microbrewery’s attention to detail with a new-age pizzeria’s willingness to experiment. The result is a combination of tasty brews and the best specialty pizza for hours in each direction.”

– Logan, Workplace Specialist at NBS Lansing

NBS Lansing Small Business Food and Drink

Coffee & Sweets

NBS Lansing Small Business Coffee and Sweets

Strange Matter Coffee – Lansing & East Lansing, MI
At Strange Matter Coffee, they believe that coffee is more than just a quick sip – it’s an invitation to pause, reflect and savor the moment. With a warm community vibe, delectable donuts and stellar coffee, they offer an experience that elevates your daily caffeine ritual into something special.

Sweet Encounter Bakery – Lansing, MI
I try to get something different every time I go in since they have so many options to choose from! Their items are made from scratch and are gluten, soy and peanut free (and still taste amazing)! They also provide baking classes for children, teens and adults – a great way to spend time with your loved ones as you create your own sweet masterpieces!”

– Jayme, Workplace Specialist at NBS Lansing

Shopping & Gift-Giving

Hooked – Lansing, MI
Attention, bookworms! Hooked is your ultimate haven for community gatherings, great reads, participating in lively discussions, and even meeting authors. You can also enjoy wine, cocktails, coffee and food while you explore, unwind and connect – what more could you need?!

October Moon – Lansing, MI
Whether you’re looking to shop for yourself or find the cutest gifts for friends and family, October Moon has you covered! Here, you can explore a fantastic selection of unique treasures from stylish clothing, stunning jewelry and chic bags to wonderful soaps, kitchen essentials and home décor.

Old Town General Store – Lansing, MI
“Old Town General Store is my go-to spot for picking up a pre-made gift basket filled with Michigan-specific treats, or to handpick items and have a custom basket assembled. They have a wide variety of everything from snacks, jewelry and décor. The staff is incredibly friendly, making every visit a pleasure. Plus, it’s right down the street from Pablo’s Mexican Restaurant…the best tacos in town!”

– Colleen, Client Experience Coordinator at NBS Lansing

The Peanut Shop – Lansing, MI
If you love a mix of sweet and savory, you need to visit The Peanut Shop! They sell a range of delicious nuts, seeds, chocolate and lots of other tasty candies. Plus, they offer pre-made tins full of treats – perfect for holiday gifts or entertaining!

NBS Lansing Small Business Shopping and Gifts

Fun Things to Do

Lansing Shuffle – Lansing, MI
Ready for a great time and friendly competition? Located on the Lansing riverfront, this city hotspot features five food vendors to taste test a variety of local street food, two full-service bars, a large outdoor patio, and of course, shuffleboard courts!

Meridian Township Farmers’ Market – Okemos, MI
This year-round market brings together local vendors, offering the best farm-fresh produce, foods and handmade crafts. With most products sourced right from Michigan, it’s the perfect place to support local and have fun while doing it!

We hope this list inspires you to try new spots and support local this holiday season! These remarkable businesses make it easy to shop small and support local, so please join us in giving back to our wonderful Lansing community!

For even more local business recommendations in the Greater Lansing area, check out our 2023 small business guide, Shopping Small & Supporting Local: NBS Lansing Edition.