E.L. businesses prepare for students' absence

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Because most East Lansing residents are MSU students, businesses often cater to them. But with their best customers leaving during winter break, many businesses are scaling back operations or relying on full-time residents.

Some bookstores, fueled by students, will remain open for the break but will be hurt by the absence of students, store managers said.

“Sure, when students go home, we hurt. We are called Student Book Store for a reason,” Student Book Store manager Howard Ballein said. “When (students) leave, we know, but when they come back we know.”

Both Ned’s Book Store, 135 E. Grand River Ave., and Student Book Store, 417 E. Grand River Ave., will remain open during break with regular hours. The time will mostly be used for restocking for spring semester, Ballein said.

“We are receiving new shipments for the semester, so we have to sort and stock those shipments,” Ballein said. “We need to be ready for the next semester. We’ll hire extra people, especially if the regular (employees) don’t want to stick around.”

Ballein said many stores up and down Grand River will likely stay open, with hours depending on their individual circumstances.

Brother’s Grill, 403 E. Grand River Ave., in the building that used to house BTB Burrito, is scheduled to open Dec. 12. Owner Eric Gunn is confident that business won’t be severely hurt by the absence of students.

“Obviously we want to cater to students,” he said. “But, I mean, we’re open for the public, East Lansing residents. We’ll probably have shortened hours and small opening parties to gear up for when students come back.”

Other restaurants, hampered by the cold weather, will close down for all or part of winter break.

After being forced to close down last winter break, The California Juice Company, 549 E. Grand River Ave., will be closed the entire break, co-owner and manager Erin Horton said.

“There’s just no one around,” she said. “It just dies, we just don’t get customers, there’s no point in being open. Plus it’s already cold, not the best weather for cold beverages.”

Melting Moments, 313 E. Grand River Ave., will close down the whole week of Christmas to give employees the holiday off, store supervisor Whitney Mrozinski said. Backyard Bar-B-Q, located in the same building, will remain open.

“Ice cream doesn’t accommodate a whole lot of people’s tastes during the holidays,” Mrozinski said. “Plus, we like to give employees some time off to enjoy.”

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