Lansing’s Old Town General Store is Closing

The business landscape of Old Town Lansing is changing; soon we’ll see a longtime store close its doors.

Old Town Lansing Business Closing

It is with great sadness that I report on this Lansing business closure:

The Old Town General Store will be closing before the end of the year.

Although this may seem like sudden news to the general public, owner Rhea Van Atta has been considering retirement for the last three years. Here's what she had to say in a very heartfelt statement to the Old Town General Store's Facebook Page this morning, January 7.

The store and I will retire together, the same way we started. Three years is a long time to contemplate ending something that is so special to me. So many emotions: sadness, guilt, anxiousness, excitement, joy, relief; but no regrets.

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We plan the official closing to be at the end of March. Over these next three months, we need to clear out our remaining inventory. Everything, with the exception of consignment items, will be on sale. Come in as soon as you can for the best selection, or later for a better deal. We will be posting pictures of available products as well as store fixtures as we go through this process.

Rhea ends her letter by thanking everyone and sharing that the building will become the future home of the Old Town Cultural Center. The hope of this center is that is becomes "a hub for the arts in the Old Town neighborhood in particular and mid-Michigan in general; featuring concerts, retreats, group lessons, folk arts of all kinds, and more."

This is definitely a bittersweet Lansing moment. We're sad to say goodbye to this longtime favorite store, but there is a bright spot of opportunity and growth with the Old Town Cultural Center.

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You'll be able to shop at the Old Town General Store and take advantage of store closing discounts until the end of March.