A step into Clara's Lansing Station, 637 E. Michigan Ave., is a 100-year leap back in time.
Black-and-white photographs and scruffy animal heads line the walls, while chandeliers dangle from the vaulted ceiling. Near the stairway is a solid bronze statue lamp that once helped light the Olds family's mansion. Ransom E. Olds, the founder of Olds Motor Vehicle Co., later known as Oldsmobile, helped build the auto industry in Lansing.
The former train station hasn't accommodated travelers since 1972, when service through Lansing stopped, but it still serves as a welcome destination for hungry wanderers and area residents.
Originally opened in 1903 as a train station, Clara's transformed into a restaurant in 1978. Owner Peter Jubeck purchased the station to expand on his Sir Pizza franchise, which is still family-owned.
He decided to renovate the station and his Sir Pizza menu, expanding it to include pasta, steak and seafood, along with a full-service bar.
The menu has since grown even further from its original four pages to an additional 12 pages of dishes.
Jubeck also opened a second restaurant in Battle Creek with partner Ross Simpson.
"He could have made this into a pizza place, but instead it has all this on the menu and it's fascinating to come here," said Eleanor Smith, who was at the restaurant the day it opened. The Lansing resident is now a regular customer at Clara's.
When the restaurant opened it was in a bad part of town, said Scott Jubeck, co-owner of Clara's. Jubeck has co-owned the restaurant with his sister, Cindy, since their father, Peter, died of cancer in 2003.
"My dad felt the area had economic advantages with MSU and General Motors (Corp.) nearby," he said. "He thought the area was on an upswing and would get cleaned up."
Jubeck has been involved with the restaurant since he was young and used to spend Saturday mornings bussing tables after playing racquetball with his father.
He said he considers Clara's to be both a fine and a fun dining experience.
"If you had on a three-piece suit or a T-shirt and jeans, you would still feel comfortable here," he said. "We try to wow customers from the time they walk in with the atmosphere, large menu selection and the whole dining experience."
Name: Scott Jubeck
Family: Wife, Tamara, and two daughters
Other interests: Jubeck enjoys being with his family and watching football, particularly the Pittsburgh Steelers
Cooking tips: Jubeck advises students to keep it simple. "I know as a student if the recipe was too big or difficult it usually wouldn't come out right," he said.
Favorite Clara's dish: Chicken Hawaiian Dinner
Prices: $7-20
