The latest from Southwest Michigan.
New Arena Plans: See Designs for Water Features, Courtyard, Parking Deck, Slimmer Street
Kalamazoo will narrow one of its downtown roads to make way for wider sidewalks, a parking structure, and an outdoor plaza to pave the way for the new $300 million downtown arena. Plans also include a skybridge in between the arena and the parking ramp as well as an educational water feature, a reflective pool, and waterfall.
New Kalamazoo ‘Cakery’ Brings Sweet Philosophy Downtown
Meka Phillips, who specializes in creating custom cakes for all occasions, is getting ready to open her first brick-and-mortar location in downtown Kalamazoo called Dessert First. In addition to sweets, the “cakery” will also have affordable breakfast and lunch offerings five days a week.
South Haven Proposes Expanded Social District
The South Haven City Council voted this week to approve plans that will implement several changes regarding the city’s social district. These include extending the daily hours, extending the season, and updating signage to make the boundaries more clear.
Grand Traverse Pie Company Announces New Fruits of Summer Flavor in Pure Michigan Partnership
Grand Traverse Pie Company unveiled its new Fruits of Summer Pie, a tasty partnership with Pure Michigan. Everything about this pie—from the berries inside to the box it’s packaged in—is from Michigan companies. The sweet collaboration was announced and taste-tested in Kalamazoo during the Pure Michigan Governor’s Conference on Tourism.
Music Industry Hometown Hero Honored in Benton Harbor
The city of Benton Harbor has honored a local music industry success. Commissioners named April 8 “Carlton Mays Jr. Day” to celebrate the work of Carlton Mays, a Benton Harbor native otherwise known as CNOTE. He’s a record producer and songwriter who’s won two Grammys.
Cocktail Bar Coming to Downtown Kalamazoo with Duckpin Bowling, Pour-Your-Own Beers
Crafted Copper cocktail lounge is getting a slight rebrand and will be opening sometime this summer in the heart of downtown Kalamazoo. The new location will feature a pay-by-the-ounce draft beer wall and duckpin bowling, which is similar to traditional bowling, but with a twist.
WMU to Host Fly-in Open House in Battle Creek Saturday
Alpha Eta Rho Theta, the professional aviation fraternity at Western Michigan University’s College of Aviation, will host its annual “fly-in” open house from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday at WMU’s Aviation Education Center. Attendees will be able to get a closer look at WMU’s training aircraft as well as aircraft from industry partners at this unique event.
Historic Marshall Building to Transform Into Event Center by 2025
Renovations of a nearly 200-year-old building recently began in Marshall. The building, purchased by President and CEO of Schuler’s Restaurant and Pub Sue Damron in 2019, will become a new event center called 19 Zero 9 and will accommodate up to 250 seated guests for weddings, corporate events, and other special occasions.
LMC Music Students Present Two Concerts in April
The Lake Michigan College Visual & Performing Arts Department will showcase its music students during free public concerts in April. The performances will take place in the LMC Mendel Center Hanson Theatre on the college’s Benton Harbor Campus.
SEMCO Launches $235K Scholarship Fund for HVACR Students at KCC
SEMCO Energy Gas Company has launched a $235,000 Workforce Empowerment Scholarship fund specifically dedicated to supporting HVACR students at Kellogg Community College. The goal of the scholarship is to support the development of a diverse workforce that is proficient in advanced HVACR systems and sustainable in the use of natural gas.
Capri Drive-In Opens for 60th Season This Weekend on U.S. 12
The snack bar is ready, and so is the Capri Drive-In theater, which will begin its 60th season Friday night just west of Coldwater on U.S. 12. Cozy up for a bit of nostalgia as you watch on the giant 150-foot-wide by 75-foot-tall Screen 1 or the 80-foot-wide by 40-foot-tall Screen 2 with sound on an FM radio.
Kalamazoo Students Developing Ideas to Keep Professionals in the City
Students from Kalamazoo College and Western Michigan University are working on ideas to keep top talent in town, including developing a stronger connection between the social and professional scenes. The Monroe-Brown Foundation has pledged up to $400,000 to invest in concepts that come out of these student projects.