McDaniels’ popular monthly event series, Partners in Design, continued in March with a fun and interesting event featuring Rhea VanAtta of Old Town General Store. Located right here in Lansing, Old Town General Store blends the warmth of a traditional general store with a progressive approach to the food and other products they carry, as well as their customer service. They focus on Michigan-themed and produced products whenever possible, and have a wide selection of local specialty foods, snacks, wine, and Michigan-themed gift items. This is the place to find a unique gift for your favorite Michigander (or a gift for yourself!).
All About Our Partners in Design Events
McDaniels Kitchen and Bath offers this popular Partners in Design event series, each month featuring a new design partner for a fun and educational event. We proudly present these events right here in our Lansing, MI showroom. All our design partners are local businesses and organizations that provide products and services in our local area. The design partners join us to present an informative and fun event, where they tell us about their organization, their background, their business journey, and their area of expertise. Every month is an opportunity to meet people and learn something new!
All About Old Town General Store
Old Town General Store brings the character and warmth of a traditional general store to Lansing. Rhea and her partner Ben have positively influenced the general vibe in Old Town with their store’s approach to their products, services, vendor partnerships, and employees. She supports local vendors by focusing wherever possible on products made in Michigan or featuring Michigan. Rhea’s creativity in presenting products, both in her store and in custom-made gift baskets brings a one-of-a-kind mood to her store and her work. She employs people with creative strengths to help carry out her vision for Old Town General Store. This business is truly a family affair, as Rhea told us their grandkids even help out with labeling and stocking shelves. She said that foreign students love to come into the store to buy things representing Michigan when they return home. Some even bring in their parents to visit the store and get a taste of Old Town Lansing. They also have a hidden gem in the back with a garden and stage for concerts and performances.
All About our March Event
At our March event, Rhea shared with us:
- The original idea for the store and its history,
- How the store has evolved over the years to meet the ever-changing consumer demands and business environment,
- Why do they focus on Michigan products, and
- How they develop partnerships with their vendors and maintain loyalty and respect with them.
Rhea also brought along some Hanover’s Michigan Mints chocolates to share with the participants! It was so much fun hearing about this amazing business and the positive influence it has had on the local community.
Here is a sneak peek at next month’s Partners in Design event:
On April 16, we will be hosting Malinda Barr from the Beeswax Barrn in Haslett, MI. Beeswax Barrn (spelled after her last name Barr), puts its love of beeswax into practice by creating 100% beeswax products. They use natural beeswax and promote health and eco-friendliness. We can’t wait to welcome them into our showroom to share the wonder of natural beeswax with us and tell us about their business and their products. Join us on April 16th from 3 – 4:00 pm!