Active volcanoes grow larger because they constantly emit a molten lava that covers and replaces previous layers.
The businesses on Grand River Avenue seem to work in a similar fashion.
“Downtowns are classically very volatile,” Deputy City Manager Jean Golden said. “They have lots of turnover.”
Golden said it is typical of stores to come and go in a downtown setting as the economy fluctuates and consumer demand changes.
Since August 2000, some downtown landmarks have disappeared, while others have relocated. In their places are new businesses that may one day become similar landmarks.
Jacobson’s, 333 E. Grand River Ave., Bagel Fragel Deli, 527 E. Grand River Ave., and the MSU Bootery, which was replaced by GNC, 217 E. Grand River Ave., have all closed after providing more than 150 years of service to East Lansing among them.
Another notable business, Tower Records, 115 E. Grand River Ave., has also vacated the downtown area.
And nationwide corporations aren’t passing on the opportunity to move into Grand River Avenue, the city’s main strip.
Barnes & Noble Booksellers is moving into the vacancy left by Jacobson’s and Gap, 435 E. Grand River Ave., fell into East Lansing last September.
Along with GNC, other newcomers to the area are Chicken Heads, 543 E. Grand River Ave., a thrift store, and Powerhouse Gym, 435 E. Grand River Ave.
Alternatives to hamburgers and french fries sprung up along Grand River Avenue when India Palace, 136 W. Grand River Ave., opened its doors last September, and Woody’s Oasis, 211 E. Grand River Ave., opened its doors this summer.
Carolyn Bennett, East Lansing’s community and economic development administrator, said city officials promote the city through varying phases.
“The first is an imaging campaign program developed for promoting the image of downtown,” Bennett said. “This is for the attraction of customers through various forms of media.”
Bennett said the second part of the city’s program is to attend meetings held by the International Council of Shopping Centers, of which the city is a member, in hope of attracting businesses to the downtown area.
“We are in a constant state of marketing our downtown to businesses nationwide,” Bennett said.
Bennett said that turnover is expected in any downtown, but that the city tries to bring in both small independent and large international businesses.
“The diversity makes (downtown) an interesting place to be,” Bennett said.
Accounting senior Becky Merriman said she likes some of the changes that are being made on Grand River Avenue, but she thinks it’s becoming more commercial.
“I think it’s good for a college town, but it’s bad for East Lansing,” Merriman said. “It’s great to have stores that are new and trendy, but you’ve lost a store like MSU Bootery that has been around forever.”
Merriman said she thinks some of the independently owned stores have been forced out on Grand River Avenue, as businesses become more and more obsessed with revenue.
“I think there is a mutual agreement between the university and new businesses,” Merriman said. “The university is always looking for a bigger draw, and the stores know that they will make a consistent profit in East Lansing.”
