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Five retail shops have opened up in downtown Lansing’s century-old Atrium Building

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Five retail shops have opened up in downtown Lansing’s century-old Atrium Building

LANSING – When customers visit the five retail shops in Middle Village at its new home inside the historic Atrium Building Julie Reinhardt hopes it gives them a feel for what the century-old space should be − an “exciting retail space.”

Nonprofit Downtown Lansing Inc. started Middle Village at 112 S. Washington Square in 2021. It has been home to 15 small businesses in the last three years. Most now operate in storefronts throughout the Lansing area.

Earlier this month the micro market, which now includes three new retailers, moved about a block away and across Washington Square, to the ornate Atrium Building at 215 S. Washington Square. Built in the 1920s, it was once the Strand Theater.

Paul, John and Tony Gentilozzi own it and aim to maintain its character by connecting it via a 1-acre parking deck across Grand Avenue to the Tower on Grand. The 300,000-square-foot proposed building, planned for a lot adjacent to the Grand Tower at 235 S. Grand Ave., would include up to 308 units, including studio, one- and two-bedroom, and penthouse configurations.

“Right now is a good time to make the leap to activate that beautiful historic building,” said Reinhardt, director of downtown community development for Downtown Lansing Inc. “We thought by putting Middle Village there we can kind of lead that charge so people could envision what it could be.”

Middle Village opened there on May 2, featuring five retail shops that sell everything from vintage and upscale clothing to home decor, jewelry and accessories. Here’s a closer look at each business sharing the space.

Black Rose Designs

Owner: Oscar Peña

The details: Peña, 29, created a clothing brand “aimed at bringing back a piece of history in quality, manufacturing and design.” He originally set out to create quality workwear “and then it became this mission to help provide people with high-quality jeans, and various other accessories like jackets and shirts and bags.” The store specializes in custom-fitting clothing for clients, Peña, an East Lansing High School graduate, said.

Learn more: Visit www.ablackrose.design.

CoCoBella Fashion Boutique

Owner: Beeka Monique

The details: Monique, 47, worked as a medical assistant for two decades before starting her boutique. “When my kids got grown and I started to become an empty nester I thought it was time to do me,” she said. She’s been interested in fashion and has styled family and friends for years. The clothing collections at CoCoBella are carefully curated and meant to offer a full-service experience for the customer. “We’re all about having chic, transcending celebrity-inspired fashion and we have personal styling services. We cater to everybody,” Monique said.

Learn more: Visit www.sheiscocobella.com.

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Hoddy Collective

Owner: Amara Hoddy

The details: Hoddy, 22, aims to offer customers variety at her business. It carries classic rock T-shirts, flowy summer dresses and accessories. The unique second-hand retail shop includes “a really big variety of styles and prices for everybody and we’re always running sales,” she said. “We have just a large selection of styles to go through.” The Grand Ledge School school graduate strives for on-trend fashion. “We always sort of stick to things that are really trending and things that people are always looking for,” she said.

Learn more: Visit www.middlevillageshops.com/the-shops/hoddy-collective.

Ornamaloo

Owner: Mary Toshach

The details: Toshach sells items with a story. “It’s a museum-inspired boutique for decorating your home and yourself with vintage goods, adorning your life, so to speak,” she said. The vintage pieces include jewelry, pottery, and a set of dinnerware from the 1950s still in its original box. Toshach, 69, looks for her inventory when she travels, aiming to find “conversation pieces.”

Learn more: Visit www.ornamaloo.myshopify.com.

Sedona Wanderlust

Owner: Ashleigh Rogers

The details: Rogers, 36, stocks her shop with “unconventional” fashion. “We’re kind of a bohemian community and each of our pieces is inspired by the free-flowing and free-spirited lifestyle of Sedona, Arizona,” she said. The shop also carries Heaven Scent, a line of vegan body products that Rogers makes herself. Her father, Ellis Quainton inspired her to start her shop. He died less than a year ago at age 67. “He was always a person that encouraged me to be as free-spirited as I could be, and just to be a very spiritual person.”

Learn more: Visit www.sedonawanderlustboutique.com.

Contact Reporter Rachel Greco at rgreco@lsj.com. Follow her on X @GrecoatLSJ .

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