Many East Lansing Businesses Are Back Open (and Need Customers to Survive)

As East Lansing businesses are reopening in accordance with Gov. Whitmer’s new policies regarding social distancing, they have been developing systems for safety and efficiency in their public spaces.

For example, Campbell’s Market Basket has masks for customers who may have forgotten theirs, and Footgear is allowing only two customers to be in their store at a time.

A number of downtown stores are now open for customers to go inside and shop normally, but they are required to wear masks and maintain social distancing.

Curious Book Shop, Flat Black & Circular, Massage & Wellness, Target, Rally House, Urban Outfitters, Pitaya, Footgear, Student Book Store, Campus Street Sportwear, Campbell’s Market Basket, and Evergreen Cycles & Repairs are just some of the businesses open for shopping.

Many restaurants are offering carry-out options for customers who stop by, order online, or call to place an order. Sushi Ya, Panda Express, and Starbucks are all following this procedure, and they are requiring that people wear masks and stay as safe as possible when they come to pick up their food.

Other restaurants are open for both take-out and dining in. They’re requiring that customers wear masks while not seated at a table, and customers are required to sit at tables that are six feet apart.

HopCat now has dine-in service and is using its roll-up side window for take-out, and customers can use the picnic tables provided by the City nearby to eat and drink. Barrio Taco also offers dine-in and take-out.

Black Cat Bistro is back open, and you can get table service on the patio under the purple umbrellas next to Sharp Park.

The sidewalk in front of Peanut Barrel has markings six feet apart for customers to stand in line before being seated inside or on the patio. They also provide masks for those who don’t have them, and the wait staff is wearing masks as well.

Foster’s Coffee is also allowing customers to dine-in, as long as they are six feet apart. At Omi Sushi, customers are required to social distance, and some of the tables are not open to keep customers six feet apart.

Coldstone Creamery and Snap Custom Pizza are also allowing customers to eat in the store as long as they follow safety guidelines. Like a lot of downtown establishments, Snap has the windows open when the weather is nice.

These businesses all have signs on the front of their stores to state the requirements and expectations for customers and employees. Most businesses also have reduced store hours, which are also written on the signs on their doors and windows.

Under the governor’s orders, hair salons and barbers were able to open back up on Monday. Some, like Great Clips, offer outdoor seating for customers waiting their turn.

Next door to Great Clips, Campbell’s Smoke Shop is offering curbside pick-up.

Though many businesses in downtown East Lansing are opening again, some do remain closed, including Clever Clover. A few have closed permanently, including Espresso Royale Coffee and Exscape Smoke Shop & Vape Lounge.

For more information about specific businesses in East Lansing, call or visit to see the information posted on the outside of their stores.