I hadn't realized that the corporate leadership had changed over at QD, but that does explain why they've actually started renovating the exteriors of some of their tired properties and the headquarters. I've even noticed some work being done to the mechanicals on the Cedar/Saginaw store, which I agree is probably the worst QD store eyesore.
They mention in the article that they're going to open a renovated concept store soon in Holt, so I'll be eager to see what that looks like...
... and on that note, I really wish they'd update their logo. It looks so outdated and 80s, with the red/white/black color scheme and the fine lines and words written in barely legible font. A simple, big red (or Spartan green, perhaps???) block Q in the original retro font would look smashing IMO!
Saw the QD article, wasn't aware of the corporate change at QD either. The QD in Holt has been closed for a few months now due to fire, so it makes sense that it would be the first store upgraded. Otherwise I can think of others that are probably in worse condition. The East Lansing QD, (on Grand River east of campus), the exterior is average, but the tile floor inside is quite bad (ripped up in places). The QDs at Jolly/Dunkel, in Okemos, and in Haslett are all fairly nice (and have laundromats - probably has nothing to do with it, but an interesting coincidence).
It's true that Quality Dairy is kind of a symbol that says you are in the Lansing area and we have our own brand of corner stores here. I think it would be great if QD did more to bring their store up to date, and more attractive, so a tourist might say "in Lansing, they have these really great corner stores called Quality Dairy".
I think QD's image is perfect as-is. It screams, "We're fumpy, sour cream in everything is our secret ingredient and we love to get hand-dipped ice cream from decrepit gas stations! Oh, and I think I have just enough money for another lotto ticket thanks to that deal on cigarette cartons." I wouldn't want it to change for the world.
Yes, I think that is what people will agree is the situation at most of their stores, maybe that's what people like, they certainly are busy enough. I was saying that QD is a Lansing business that could benefit from a whole new plan and image, upgrading all of their stores into the 21st century. They could go from being a local joke to being a point of local pride. This is our own Lansing dairy with the best milk, our own Lansing bakery, a place you can get good coffee cheap, look at these nice stores! Something like that.
I'm sure upgrading the existing QDs would probably be better for sales in the long run. But the current QDs are very endearing. People love QD. The logo/signage could be spruced up a bit, but at this point I think staying retro is the way to go, a la Krispy Kreme. I guess I'd rather see QD "refurbished" rather than overhauled.
Maybe you are right! Going to a store that looks and smells the same as it did in the 70's as my QD on W. Mt Hope does, is comforting but there is room for improvements and upgrades without losing that "charm?".
I think a downtown locally owned bookstore would be really great. I was downtown for the Women's March on Sunday and every place that was open was packed with people. It really felt like the old times when downtown was the major shopping district. I try to figure out how to get lots of people to go downtown more often than just big events. One would be more shops and real restaurants, more shops that are open more hours, maybe even on Sundays. Promote all the things that our real downtown has that shopping centers and malls do not have, parks with real trees and fountains, gardens, colleges and universities and a big river with trials, beautiful historic churches, and interesting museums, The Capitol building. Inform people about all the hours of free parking. I know this will not happen but take out the parking meters or somehow offer free parking or a free bus ride home after shopping or dining downtown. I really believe people like downtown and go there when they have a reason to do so, it would be a great reason if there were a major bookstore at the Knapp's building. I would go there if they went into Frandor as well, I don't believe I would head out to Edgewood very often.
I would think Frandor, with all the parking space, would be a better location than Knapps, but either would be great for Lansing. However, there aren't any large empty buildings currently available in Frandor... unless, perhaps they were to occupy all the available commercial space at SkyVue? Anyone know how much SFage is available there?
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I hadn't realized that the corporate leadership had changed over at QD, but that does explain why they've actually started renovating the exteriors of some of their tired properties and the headquarters. I've even noticed some work being done to the mechanicals on the Cedar/Saginaw store, which I agree is probably the worst QD store eyesore.
They mention in the article that they're going to open a renovated concept store soon in Holt, so I'll be eager to see what that looks like...
... and on that note, I really wish they'd update their logo. It looks so outdated and 80s, with the red/white/black color scheme and the fine lines and words written in barely legible font. A simple, big red (or Spartan green, perhaps???) block Q in the original retro font would look smashing IMO!
Saw the QD article, wasn't aware of the corporate change at QD either. The QD in Holt has been closed for a few months now due to fire, so it makes sense that it would be the first store upgraded. Otherwise I can think of others that are probably in worse condition. The East Lansing QD, (on Grand River east of campus), the exterior is average, but the tile floor inside is quite bad (ripped up in places). The QDs at Jolly/Dunkel, in Okemos, and in Haslett are all fairly nice (and have laundromats - probably has nothing to do with it, but an interesting coincidence).
It's true that Quality Dairy is kind of a symbol that says you are in the Lansing area and we have our own brand of corner stores here. I think it would be great if QD did more to bring their store up to date, and more attractive, so a tourist might say "in Lansing, they have these really great corner stores called Quality Dairy".
I think QD's image is perfect as-is. It screams, "We're fumpy, sour cream in everything is our secret ingredient and we love to get hand-dipped ice cream from decrepit gas stations! Oh, and I think I have just enough money for another lotto ticket thanks to that deal on cigarette cartons." I wouldn't want it to change for the world.
Yes, I think that is what people will agree is the situation at most of their stores, maybe that's what people like, they certainly are busy enough. I was saying that QD is a Lansing business that could benefit from a whole new plan and image, upgrading all of their stores into the 21st century. They could go from being a local joke to being a point of local pride. This is our own Lansing dairy with the best milk, our own Lansing bakery, a place you can get good coffee cheap, look at these nice stores! Something like that.
I'm sure upgrading the existing QDs would probably be better for sales in the long run. But the current QDs are very endearing. People love QD. The logo/signage could be spruced up a bit, but at this point I think staying retro is the way to go, a la Krispy Kreme. I guess I'd rather see QD "refurbished" rather than overhauled.
Maybe you are right! Going to a store that looks and smells the same as it did in the 70's as my QD on W. Mt Hope does, is comforting but there is room for improvements and upgrades without losing that "charm?".
I'd be surprised if Shuler's came to South Lansing. I'd love it, don't get me wrong, I just don't see that happening.
I think a downtown locally owned bookstore would be really great. I was downtown for the Women's March on Sunday and every place that was open was packed with people. It really felt like the old times when downtown was the major shopping district. I try to figure out how to get lots of people to go downtown more often than just big events. One would be more shops and real restaurants, more shops that are open more hours, maybe even on Sundays. Promote all the things that our real downtown has that shopping centers and malls do not have, parks with real trees and fountains, gardens, colleges and universities and a big river with trials, beautiful historic churches, and interesting museums, The Capitol building. Inform people about all the hours of free parking. I know this will not happen but take out the parking meters or somehow offer free parking or a free bus ride home after shopping or dining downtown. I really believe people like downtown and go there when they have a reason to do so, it would be a great reason if there were a major bookstore at the Knapp's building. I would go there if they went into Frandor as well, I don't believe I would head out to Edgewood very often.
I would think Frandor, with all the parking space, would be a better location than Knapps, but either would be great for Lansing. However, there aren't any large empty buildings currently available in Frandor... unless, perhaps they were to occupy all the available commercial space at SkyVue? Anyone know how much SFage is available there?