Mount Pleasant’s downtown has much to offer; Includes plenty of art, music

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While Mission Street receives the most attention from students, many still consider Mount Pleasant’s downtown an alternative experience.

Downtown Development Director Michelle Sponseller said she believes downtown has an atmosphere that needs to be experienced to understand.

“I understand budgets are tight, but if you get a chance to go out once a week, come downtown,” Sponseller said. “Get to know the community.”

To help students get downtown easier, the Isabella County Transportation Commission is creating a bus line that runs from Central Michigan University’s campus to downtown. The route is free for students, staff and faculty and will begin running today.

The route runs from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Friday and should bring more students downtown.

“It can create a great stream through the whole day for students to come down,” Sponseller said. “It takes a while for students to find us downtown.”

Many of downtown’s staples are locally-owned business that fit the vibe, said Kim Lovejoy, owner of Emma’s, 111 S. University Ave., formerly a basement boutique.

“It’s quiet down here, it’s a small-town here,” she said. “You’re not going to have the traffic and mayhem on Mission, you’re going to see things that are unique.”

One of Mount Pleasant’s most unique aspects is its art scene. Art Reach on Broadway, 111 E. Broadway St., opens today and Rubbles Bar, 112 W. Michigan St., features live local music many nights a week.

Most of downtown will look familiar to returning students, but a few stores have opened or changed locations. The Off-Broadway Performing Arts Studio is opening at 118 S. Washington St., Sheree’s Scrapbooking is moving into 120 1/2 E. Broadway St. starting Sept. 1, to replace the former Emma’s Basement Boutique location.

The move has impacted Lovejoy’s business by 20 or 30 percent and she said looking forward to more students discovering her store as they make their way through the area.

“For every season, we have things to participate in,” Lovejoy said. “It just offers that downtown atmosphere you’re not going to get on campus.”