Mount Pleasant businesses: What changed while you were gone?
The streets of Mount Pleasant might be looking a little different for those who’ve been enjoying the summer months elsewhere.
If you haven’t been back in a while, there’s a new crop of businesses to check out and, unfortunately, others you may have missed your last chance to patronize.
While the summer may thin the city’s population, Mount Pleasant’s businesses are generally able to weather the storm, says Melinda Salchert, membership director for the Mount Pleasant Chamber of Commerce.
“The majority of businesses that we have in Mount Pleasant are strong, and while they might be busier while the students are here, they still provide when the students are not here,” Salchert said.
A few establishments closed up shop for good this summer, but there were new arrivals to take their places. Here’s a rundown of what’s new and what’s gone in Mount Pleasant’s business community.
New businesses
Tiki Pineapple - Tiki Pineapple is a tropical-themed ice cream shop with seven fruity dairy-free flavors, lactose-free chocolate and vanilla ice cream, and a variety of smoothies, floats, salads, and wraps. Its location at 807 S. Mission St. features a drive-thru and an outdoor dining patio complete with tiki torches. All of their ice cream is Dole Soft Serve: a “fat-free, dairy-free, and low-calorie” dry mix made with no artificial flavors, with health-conscious customers in mind. Tiki Pineapple is open every day from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m.
Mount Pleasant School of Dance - The Mount Pleasant School of Dance is a new dance academy owned by CMU dance instructor Andrea Purrenhage. Its team of instructors include two Central Michigan University alumni and former members of University Theatre Dance Company, Justine Tuma and Katie Hunter. Classes began on Aug. 26 and include ballet, hip-hop, jazz, tap, and more – 20 classes in total. You can register for classes online, contact the academy by email at info@mpschoolofdance.com or by phone at (989) 488-6871. Mount Pleasant School of Dance is located at 1235 N. Mission St.
All Things Divine - Is the fall semester getting your chakras a bit out of balance already? All Things Divine, which opened on Mission Street April 10, is a new destination for your spiritual needs, whether you require energy healing, psychic reading, hypnosis or even a craniosacaral massage. On top of spiritual and wellness services offered by appointment, All Things Divine sells over 100 varieties of loose leaf tea and an array of gifts, including crystal jewelry, natural soap and shampoo, meditation supplies, and CBD products. All Things Divine is open Tuesday through Friday from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. and on Saturday from 1 p.m. to 6 p.m. at 437 S. Mission St.
Jib-Bob Korean Restaurant - Jib-Bob’s been around with a limited menu since their “soft opening” in April, but they’ll be having their grand opening on Friday, Sept. 13, followed by a “lantern event” after they close at 9:30 p.m. The grand opening will be taking place on Chuseok, a Korean holiday similar to Thanksgiving. Jib-Bob is located at 1705 S. Mission St. behind Tim Horton’s.
Five Guys Burgers and Fries - Five Guys’ famous burgers and fries are set to come to Mount Pleasant in October. The popular fast casual restaurant will be putting down roots at 1620 S. Mission St. As of yet there’s no firm opening date, but a representative of BAC Holdings LLC, the holding company opening the restaurant, said one may be available soon after a Five Guys in Southfield is finished being remodeled next week.
Consano - Consano is a medical marijuana dispensary, formally known as a provisioning center, that opened July 8 at 309 W. Michigan St. In April, the Mount Pleasant Planning Commission awarded permits to establish provisioning centers to three applicants selected through a bingo ball lottery. So far, Consano is the only one of the three to have opened its doors. For the time being, they’re only selling “concentrates, cartridges, shatter, wax, and edibles” -- a number of regulatory factors have kept their supply of cannabis flowers at zero. A family business run by Deborah Cary with her son Caleb, Consano is open every day from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m.
Hobby Lobby - A Hobby Lobby location is coming soon to fill the vacant anchor position of the strip mall which features JCPenney and Dunham’s at the intersection of Mission and Broomfield streets. The ribbon cutting ceremony will take place Monday, Sept. 16 at 8:45 a.m. and a grand opening celebration will follow from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. According to the announcement on Mount Pleasant’s website, refreshments will be provided.
Closed businesses
Kroger - We knew it was coming last year when we saw the inventory getting thin, but the Mount Pleasant community still reacted strongly when the grocery store with an 80-year history in town closed its doors. Originally scheduled to shutter May 25, the date was advanced and Kroger ended its run in this town on May 4.
Cranker’s Restaurant & Brewery - After adding a brewery to their Coney Island-esque restaurant in 2014, Cranker’s struggled to keep its head above water before closing in May after 14 years in Mount Pleasant, according to a Morning Sun report. One Cranker’s location remains operating in Big Rapids.
CherryBerry and Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory - Self-serve yogurt bar CherryBerry and premium chocolatier Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory, neighbors in a Mission Street strip mall, both closed this summer. Replacing them at 2157 S. Mission St. is another of the three medical marijuana provisioning centers awarded a permit in April. CherryBerry, which closed May 18, has no remaining stores in Michigan. The nearest Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory location is in Birch Run.
Taichi Bubble Tea - Some of you may remember Taichi from late last school year. They opened on March 3, bringing Mt. Pleasant a taste of the trendy Asian drink which, while it comes in many varieties, generally features flavored tapioca balls in a mixture of tea and milk. Located at 1035 S. Mission St. Taichi also serves sushi, ramen, smoothies, and many other teas. This summer, the business announced in a Facebook post that it would be closed until Aug. 1 to make changes to the parking lot. The business has yet to reopen and has not provided any further information. Central Michigan Life reached out to the business but could not get in touch with a representative.
