09/26/2026
Happy ! Today we’re celebrating Lansing’s three unique districts — Downtown Downtown Lansing, Old Town Lansing, and REO Town — and the businesses, history, and people that make each one special. (Check out Downtown Lansing Inc.’s page for more info on their Downtown Day shopping passport.)
In honor of this momentous occasion, we’re kicking off a little series of our own: Characters on the Square. Inspired by hours of professional people watching on Washington Square in Downtown Lansing, we’ve compiled a collection of starter packs for the people who peruse the district. Our people truly prove that it’s hip to be Square.
First up, the Downtown Lansing Regular. You know the type:
- Camera roll filled with photos of the Capitol at varying times of day.
- Stack of rewards cards for local businesses.
- Detailed knowledge of road closures at any given time.
- The Peanut Shop shells on the floor of their car.
- Awareness of which parking garage has the best odds of finding a good spot (Spoiler: Not North Grand during a rally at the capitol.)
- Identification of buildings by former tenantants that haven't been there in 40 years.
- First-name basis with the Kewpee’s staff.
- Calendar suspiciously full of festivals, Lansing Shuffle theme nights, and First Fridays.
- Walking shoes to slip into for their lunch-hour stroll.
- Bright-eyed optimism for the future.
Tag someone who fits the description, and stay tuned for more Starter Packs of Downtown.
