Starting at 7 a.m. this Saturday, East Lansing residents and MSU students will see a Michigan restaurant recognizable to many from the Detroit area settle in downtown at 333 Albert Ave. after months of preparation and planning.

The East Lansing location will be from 7 a.m. to midnight on weekdays and from 7 a.m. to 4 a.m. on weekends. Food served includes Greek salads, soups, coney dogs, gyros and a full breakfast menu.

Leo’s Coney Island is one of the largest Coney Island restaurant chains in Michigan, with about 41 locations in the state, according to the restaurant’s website.

Being available in a metropolitan area near a college campus was an important factor in Krall’s decision to locate the business in East Lansing.

“It’s hard to say what would work in what location, but I know that this was a great spot for us,” Krall said. “It can’t get any better than this.”

Krall said he hopes to tap into a crowd of students who recognize the Leo’s Coney Island name, but he also wants to make the business known to those who have never come into contact with one before.

After living across the street from a Leo’s Coney Island location in Dearborn, Mich., for most of her life, psychology freshman Michelle Kerr thinks the restaurant will fare well among the MSU student body.

“It would be perfect for college students because it’s so cheap,” Kerr said. “Usually, a lot of them are open pretty late, so (it’s) even better for students.”

What Up Dawg?, at 317 M.A.C. Ave., owner Seth Tompkins said he was slightly concerned about having a restaurant carrying a similar menu item so close to his business, but said he’s familiar with the business and is excited to see an expansion to the East Lansing area.

“I welcome any new business,” Tompkins said. “There’s so many vacancies right now that it’s good to see people are willing to take the time and risk.”

Tompkins’ main issue lies with the restrictions put on him by the city to close his business by 1 a.m. because of the beer he sells, limiting his ability to compete with other businesses of a similar nature.

Heather Pope, a community development specialist for the city of East Lansing, said the business would thrive in the downtown area considering the variety of the city’s population.

“Leo’s Coney Island will be another great addition to the variety of dining options available in downtown East Lansing,” Pope said.

One of the aspects of opening a business Krall is most excited about is seeing a combination of students and residents during different times of the day.

“If you’re a resident or business in East Lansing, (the culture is) already intertwined,” Krall said. “I’m just joining the group — I’m just getting involved.”