Moving from Can-Do Kitchen to Can-Do Kalamazoo is more than a name change. The nonprofit organization that started 14 years ago as an incubator for food-based businesses is now focused on growing and scaling businesses of all kinds. And it is set to expand into a new location in 2023.
A business that creates a K-POD that becomes a hot drink with alcohol has been growing in Battle Creek since it launched in 2018. Now Cask & Kettle is selling 600,000 K-PODS annually and is closing in this year on just over $1 million in annual sales.
The $26 million housing project involves the construction of two, three-story buildings -- a 36,000-square-foot northern structure with 36 apartment units, and a 33,000-square-foot southern structure with 34 units.
A recent project for Christina Ne’Cole Smith involved capturing images of children dressed as African American historical figures during Black History Month in February. And the Battle Creek photographer displayed the photos on various social media platforms.
Through city and federal grants, and cost-saving measures, a local landlord keeps rent low, provides housing security, and hopes to make a small dent in Kalamazoo's housing crisis. Jake Tardani's been called a landlord with a mission.
The idea of a food co-op in downtown Battle Creek has been discussed for several years and now there is a demand for it given the growth of residential properties that are fully occupied with waiting lists.
Running crafting retreat centers is a business where people are making memories together. Katrina Asselin, owner of Riverside Retreats in Marshall and Kim Hall manager of Creekside Crafting Retreats in Emmett Township have found their niche.
Kim Langridge has hit the jackpot even though she’s never won the Michigan Lottery. Langridge, who was born and raised in Marshall and continues to make her home there, creates the majority of the radio spots for the state’s lottery, in addition to writing copy for television commercials promoting it.
Sisters in Business Michigan and Black Wall Street Kalamazoo are working to increase the access African-American entrepreneurs and their businesses have the funding and training they need.
For those who might be missing their favorite treat from MacKenzie's bakery in Kalamazoo after it closed the same recipes, smells and even some staff from the former locations on West Main and Ransom streets can now be found in Vicksburg courtesy of the folks developing The Mill there.
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