Since I know the Lansing area like the backside of my hand, I thought we would talk about several businesses that were open and several that were closed during the pandemic along Washington Square in downtown Lansing.

We all want to see businesses do well especially since the coronavirus took its toll on many businesses throughout the last year and a half.

Get our free mobile app

If we take a look at a few of the businesses which are gone, we can mention Biggby at 115 W. Allegan St. in Downtown Lansing.  We can also add Edmund's Pastime to the list.  Edmund's was located at 206 S. Washington Square.

And what about Jude's Barbershop at 120 S. Washington Square?  This was a very familiar barbershop in the downtown Lansing area that is now closed, although at some point, Jude's Barbershop would like to reopen if things start getting better.

I've been to several of Jude's Barbershops over the years because they do an excellent shop of cutting hair.  They still have locations open in the Greater Lansing area.  The one I go to is on Lake Lansing Road.

Now that we've focused on the closings, let's focus on what's new along Lansing's Washington Square.

Are you familiar with Social Sloth Cafe and Bakery?  They're located at 201 S. Washington Square and their specialty is Turkish-style cuisine and coffee.  (LSJ)

If you enjoy houseplants and accessories, Neva Lee's is a great place to check out at 123 E. Kalamazoo Street.  This is a wonderful choice if you're looking for gift ideas and cute decorating ideas for your home.

Another business open on South Washington Square is called Nelson Gallery.  Even though I don't know much about the Nelson Gallery, I want to take a drive down South Washington Square to check it out for myself.

A lot has happened ever since the pandemic began and we're all trying to do our very best to move forward these days.  One thing we can all do is visit several businesses that are open along Washington Square in Downtown Lansing and help them grow so they can all stay in business for years to come.

50 Most Popular Chain Restaurants in America

YouGov investigated the most popular dining brands in the country, and Stacker compiled the list to give readers context on the findings. Read on to look through America's vast and divergent variety of restaurants—maybe you'll even find a favorite or two.

More From 99.1 WFMK