The Long Opening
Reflections on the first year at The Local Epicurean East Lansing
There’s a moment, sometime between signing a lease and unlocking the door on opening day, when the adrenaline kicks in. Everything feels possible. You can see the space in your mind: full tables, happy customers, the sound of clinking glasses, a line at the counter. The buildout moves fast, the launch gets close, and the vision begins to feel real.
And then, just like that, you open.
There’s an initial wave of energy, joy, and community. Old friends show up. New guests discover you. Early press and curiosity bring a swell of activity. You exhale. But if you’re not careful, you might also start to believe that the hard part is over.
Here’s what I’ve learned: the opening doesn’t end when you make your first sale. In fact, it may just be getting started.
At The Local Epicurean East Lansing, we’ve had an incredible first stretch—beautiful moments with guests, packed classes, and an outpouring of support from our community. But the truth is, we’re still building. Still learning. Still earning every single booking. The flywheel hasn’t yet reached that point where it spins on its own.
We underestimated how long the startup phase really is. Not the construction or the buildout, but the emotional, operational, and financial reality of standing something up in a new market. The reality is that “opening” takes 12 months after the doors open... Sometimes longer.
The costs don’t stop with the soft launch. The learning curve doesn’t flatten overnight. The momentum takes time.
There’s no hack to skip this part. You have to stay close to your guests, adjust constantly, and keep putting in the reps. One conversation, one class, one relationship at a time.
What we’re realizing (and embracing) is that the opening is not a moment. It’s a process. One that continues well beyond the first day of business.
And for us, that’s the work. That’s the joy. That’s the commitment. We’re in it. Eyes up, sleeves rolled, flywheel turning.
The long opening continues…