During the past few years, Lansing and East Lansing residents have seen the rise and fall of several locally owned businesses. Despite the current economic climate, Scott Harris, owner of EVERYbody Reads, Books and Stuff, 2019 E. Michigan Ave., in Lansing, has been able to keep his business alive by offering a different selection of books than the average bookstore, he said.

The content at EVERYbody Reads developed as the result of community involvement and a need for a diverse spread of information on different social and cultural issues, Harris said. By offering a wide selection of books and periodicals, EVERYbody Reads attempts to survive in harsh economic times, he said.