EAST LANSING, Mich. — The East Lansing downtown underground market kicked off for the first time today to support local businesses.
Shoppers took to the lowest level of the M.A.C. Avenue parking garage attached to the Marriott Hotel to browse from local vendors who sold farm-fresh Michigan-made products and arts and crafts.
The market is part of the Daytime, Nighttime, Anytime Place Project which serves as an economic recovery strategy for businesses in East Lansing who have been affected by COVID-19.
Farmers market manager Karla Forrest-Hewitt said today's turnout was better than expected and she's happy to see people supporting local businesses.
Karla: “The event is sponsored by the DDA which is the Downtown Development Authority here in East Lansing," Forrest-Hewitt said. "So, vendors don’t have to pay any vendor fees. So, pretty much it’s a way to support vendors and bring people downtown to engage more with downtown businesses.”
The next underground market will take place Feb. 28 and Forrest-Hewitt said she expects more vendors and more shoppers to come out.
"We look forward to seeing you," she said. "Just remember to wear your mask and social distance."
Updates and a list of vendors for the next underground market will be on the East Lansing cities website.
