JACKSON COUNTY, MI — A new business is coming to Jackson’s southside, you make a sandwich your way in Hillsdale and someone is moving into the former DuPuis et Fils building in downtown Jackson

Here are those stories and other recent Jackson County business news you may have missed.

Make sandwiches to your liking at Handmade in Hillsdale

Seeing the lack of food choices in the Hillsdale area, owner Derek Spiteri wanted to make sure his restaurant allowed customers to create whatever they wanted.

Since its opening in 2016, the sandwich joint has been known for offering an array of signature sandwiches that can be appeased to any customer, Spiteri said, noting that it allows for customization has become a major seller.

One of the most popular sandwiches is The Fireflame, which is served with buffalo chicken, pepperjack cheese, sweet peppers, banana peppers and ranch. It was a no-brainer to combine the buffalo sauce with the ranch for this sandwich, he said.

Read the full story here.

See what’s planned for former DuPuis et Fils Jewelers store in downtown Jackson

A former long-standing jewelry store building is being given new life in an attempt to provide a needed service to downtown Jackson.

Tricia and Brock Cavins recently purchased the former DuPuis et Fils Jewelers, 160 W. Michigan Ave., with the hope of turning the building into an event space, as well as a market and party store to serve the greater downtown Jackson-area. The building has been vacant since the jewelry store closed in 2013.

The Cavins are avid bikers who frequently passed the DuPuis et Fils building on their routes. Seeing it sit empty in a thriving downtown persuaded them to open a shop of their own, Tricia said.

Read the full story here.

The fried catfish keeps customers coming for more at C-Store Deli in Jackson

C-Store Deli is known for cooking up home cooked meals made with love and a lot of seasoning.

The restaurant has been open on Jackson’s southside since 2002, with owner Isabella “Marie” Fletcher, hoping to feed residents’ need for an eatery in the neighborhood. People commonly stop by when they’re craving a home-cooked meal they don’t have to cook themselves, she said.

Inside, customers find an array of soul food fare, including fried catfish, fried chicken, macaroni and cheese, green beans, mashed potatoes, meatballs, sweet potatoes and spaghetti, all served buffet style.

Read the full story here.

‘A miracle sent from God’: Grants are transforming Jackson’s southside businesses

Michael Parker has been cutting hair inside a cramped 225-square-foot building on Jackson’s southside for almost 20 years.

He long imagined renovating and extending his business, Mikey’s Barbershop, but a lack of funding made it impossible. Grant funding through the Martin Luther King Jr. Corridor Improvement Authority, however, will turn his dream into a reality.

In December 2023, Parker was awarded a $50,000 grant from the authority’s Entrepreneurial and Real Estate Fund, allowing him to add 400 square feet to his business at 1601 Francis St., improving the experience of his customers while allowing him to hire additional barbers, stylists and braiders.

Jackson’s MLK Corridor Improvement Authority launched the grants in November 2023 to encourage business growth along the corridor, which covers Martin Luther King Jr. Drive between E. Mason to E. South streets, extending along Prospect Street, Cooper Street and Euclid Avenue.

Read the full story here.

What’s that? A new business is coming to Jackson’s southside

Mario Selby has been a personal trainer in the Jackson-area for roughly 15 years and has been trained athlete, aided in people’s weight loss journeys and just helped residents reach their physical goals.

Selby was hosting his classes at places like Jackson’s Martin Luther King Jr. Recreation Center, 1107 Adrian St., and Cascades Falls Park, 1401 South Brown St. However, these spaces weren’t as welcoming for the average resident looking to get in shape, he said, so he decided it was time to open his own gym.

The new gym, M-Power Fitness, is opening in a vacant building at 1701 Woodbridge St. on Jackson’s southside. The plan is to convert the 4,600-square-foot facility into a place where people can learn strength and conditioning skills, take circuit training workout classes and take advantage of workout equipment, he said.

Read the full story here.

5 great places to get a cinnamon roll in the Jackson County area

Freshly baked and covered in icing, cinnamon rolls are the perfect way to start your morning.

Those who want to make their days a little sweeter have plenty of options in the Jackson County area to enjoy the baked goodness. Here are five great places known for baking cinnamon rolls.

Read the full story here.

Slow-smoked ribs & pulled pork draw customers to Saucy Dog’s Barbeque

Customers are hit with the smell of smoked meat and the sight of dog-themed décor when they walk into Saucy Dog’s Barbeque in Jonesville.

Wayne Babcock started the restaurant in 2005, after he had visited barbecue places down south and brought back ideas and recipes. Current owner Mike Sweeney took over in 2017, after working in the restaurant since 2010, to continue the tradition of offering southern-style barbecue.

Read the full story here.

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