I would like to thank The State News for bringing attention to the struggles of East Lansing’s independent businesses. The importance of supporting your community of businesses cannot be overstated. Before opening my used CD shop, Replay Entertainment Exchange, I was a resident and patron of downtown East Lansing during the ’80s and ’90s. The transformation of East Lansing has been significant these last two decades, with the loss of independent booksellers, restaurants such as Michelangelo’s, and fine clothing such as Redwood & Ross.
As a consumer, I too enjoy grabbing a burrito at Chipotle or stopping by Barnes & Noble for a business book. But I also buy coffee at Biggby Coffee and Espresso Royale, CDs from Flat, Black & Circular, and a burger and fry combo at Lou & Harry’s Five Star Deli.
Having a balanced approach about where we spend our money, and choosing local businesses first before making a purchase at a chain store can make all the difference in keeping downtown East Lansing diverse with great independent stores and chain stores that provide jobs and services we as local businesses might not be able to offer.
I would love to see a local business directory from The State News posted on its Web site. You also could put an update in the paper every semester of all the locally owned independent businesses that serve the MSU community. We as business owners can’t blame people for not shopping at our stores if they don’t know we’re even here.
Ted Wilson
owner of Replay Entertainment Exchange
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