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.

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.