Moments & Milestones
The Making of a Timeless Hospitality Business
The Deal, the Scramble and the Second Beginning
“Yes, actually just prior to the pandemic we met with a business broker about selling the business.”
That was the one-line response to my email. I had reached out to Brown Butter Crêperie & Café on a whim, after ordering a Mother’s Day Brunch Box and being blown away by the creativity of the experience. I didn’t expect much—maybe a quick conversation.
Instead, a few back-and-forth emails and some quick diligence later, the business was ours.
From Shutdown to a New Beginning
March 2020 changed everything.
Like every other restaurant, we were forced to shut down. At first, it was just a temporary closure. Then, we tried switching to takeout only. But being in downtown Lansing, our business relied heavily on foot traffic—state workers, office employees, and the daily buzz of commerce. Now, the streets were empty. Outside of a few incredibly loyal customers who stopped by out of the kindness of their hearts, sales had essentially dropped to zero.
The 601 Group: How It All Began
Some ideas start with a business plan. Others begin over breakfast.
When Gina and I moved back to Michigan after eight years in Atlanta, we felt a pull to reconnect with the community we had always considered home. East Lansing was where Gina was born and raised, where we met while at Michigan State, and now, where we were raising our family.