Old Town - Lansing, MI

Compassionate Feast

This article was posted on Fri, Oct 31 2008 | Permalink

For many, the holiday season brings back happy memories of family, friends and good food.  The season is quickly approaching and the Old Town Commercial Association (OTCA) is now preparing for Compassionate Feast, a program dedicated to providing families in need with all of the ingredients necessary to make a complete Thanksgiving dinner and happy memories of their own at home. Compassionate Feast takes place Monday, November 24 at the North Presbyterian Church on the corner of Grand River Ave. and Washington Ave.

Each year, Compassionate Feast provides more than 100 local families under the federal poverty line with all the Thanksgiving fixings they need to make a traditional feast in their own home.  The program, started by David Such, owner of Such Video, is now in its eighth year and has come to be more than just a meal. It also aims to give back pride and respect that may have been lost to families within our community.

In partnership with Head Start, Cristo Rey and EVE Inc., the OTCA strives to find families who need the Thanksgiving baskets the most. With the help of the West Saginaw Meijer, the OTCA will purchase food based on the size of each individual family.

The OTCA is currently in the process of raising money to buy groceries for the baskets.  Because the space and manpower needed to complete the project are generously donated, every single penny raised goes toward buying food for the families. Compassionate Feast is a community event, and would not be possible without the charitable donations given every year from local businesses and community members.

If you are interested in donating to Compassionate Feast, there are many ways in which you can help. You can be a volunteer, give a monetary contribution, food donation, returnable bottle donation, or display a jar in your business for loose change donations.

If you would like more information about Compassionate Feast, or would like to make a contribution to the program, please contact the OTCA office at 517.485.4283. 

Two Day Oktoberfest Equaled Twice the Fun

This article was posted on Fri, Oct 31 2008 | Permalink

The third annual Old Town Oktoberfest was a huge success. During the two-day event, more than 4,000 people flooded the venue and were able to enjoy the sights, sounds and tastes of an authentic German Oktoberfest right in the heart of Old Town, Lansing.

Thank you to all who attended the event. As Oktoberfest is a major fundraiser for the OTCA, you helped to continue the revitalization of Old Town, Lansing while enjoying the festival.

In case you missed it, attendees were able to enjoy polka music by Melody Magic, Kevin Solecki and even the Michigan State fight song by Eddie and the Biergarten Boys in honor of homecoming weekend.  Dressed in dirndls, the Ruhala Performing Arts Center performed traditional German dances and taught the crowd entertaining polka moves. From schnitzel to four different types of sausage, Mama Bear’s Cafe, Blue Ribbon Catering and Good Eats Catering offered a variety of delicious German food for everyone to enjoy. And, souvenir Oktoberfest glass steins were filled with one of seven kinds of German and Oktoberfest beer available at the event. 

Thank you to all our wonderful volunteers and our very generous sponsors, without whom we could not put on the festival. A special thank you to Spartan Motor Mall, a long-time sponsor and 2008’s Signature Sponsor for all three major OTCA festivals.

Thank you to our 2008 Old Town Oktoberfest sponsors:
Spartan Motor Mall, Kincaid Building Group, Harvest Music + Sound Design, Irwin Union Bank, National City, MessageMakers, Dan Henry Distributing, Group 230, Barb Hranilovich, Spartan Printing, Events 2 Rent, Two Men & a Truck, Michigan Beer Guide, Patti Weihl, Fish Ladder Tattoo Co., City Pulse, Rizzi Designs, ae studio & Gallery, Capital City Reprographics, ING Magazine, 94.9 WMMQ, Uncle John’s Cider Mill

New 2009 OTCA MEMBERSHIP BENEFITS

This article was posted on Fri, Oct 31 2008 | Permalink

We’re now in the process of sending out the 2009 OTCA membership letters. We appreciate all of the help you’ve been able to provide in the past, and have new things to offer for the new year, including a partnership with the Small Business Association of Michigan (SBAM). All OTCA business members will receive free SBAM membership, including things like group insurance rates, discounted shipping, payroll services, web hosting and more.

Our organization relies on the help of a number of volunteers (nearly 3,000 in the last year) as well as funding from a number of sources. We hold more than 100 events a year, helped to welcome more than 20 new businesses who created more than 50 new jobs, offer training and assistance and more.  We’re doing our best to improve the neighborhood.

We’ve revamped our rates, basing them on the number of employees at the business, rather than one rate for all businesses. We realize that for some, this will be quite a change in rates. We’re trying to offer up new member benefits to make up for that difference, but know that we can always improve. If you have ideas, don’t hesitate to contact Jamie at 517.485.4283. We appreciate everthing that you do and hope to continue Old Town’s revitalization.

Old Town Gift Certificates Make Great Holiday Gifts

This article was posted on Fri, Oct 31 2008 | Permalink

Looking for the perfect gift for the holidays? The OTCA has a simple solution, Old Town Gift Certificates, redeemable at participating Old Town businesses.

If you are not sure what your friends and family want for the holidays, but know they are sure to find something they love in Old Town, purchase an Old Town Gift Certificate. The certificates and list of participating businesses will be available at the OTCA starting the week before Thanksgiving in $5, $10 and $25 increments.

Call the OTCA for more information at 517.485.4283. 

New Eco-Friendly Store

This article was posted on Fri, Oct 31 2008 | Permalink

Look for a new store opening soon at 317 E. Grand River.  Eric and Danielle Merckling hope to open Scavenger Hunt ECO, a store featuring eco-friendly fashions, in early December, just in time for the holidays. You might already know the couple from their popular East Lansing vintage clothing store, Scavenger Hunt. 

The idea for the new store stemmed from the fact that purchasing vintage clothing is eco-friendly because it is one form of recycling. The shop will feature new, manufactured, eco-friendly fashions made from organic and sustainable fabrics, hand-made organic clothing and some vintage items.

Eric & Danielle are very excited to be in Old Town. “It’s already been a great experience and we aren’t even open yet,” said Eric. If you see them in the new shop, stop by to say hello and get a sneak peak.

For more information on Scavenger Hunt ECO, contact Eric & Danielle at .