JACKSON COUNTY, MI – Small businesses are filling stores at Westwood Mall, and Rite Aid is closing a location in Jackson. These are among many businesses making news in Jackson County.

Here are some recent Jackson-area business stories you might have missed.

Crispy walnut-breaded chicken is a seasonal staple at One North

One North Kitchen & Bar is always looking to change its menu to offer unique seasonal dishes.

One North typically comes out with an updated menu each quarter, with some items removed and others added for the season. The restaurant’s new fall menu debuted Monday, Oct. 2, and features a range of seasonal salads, entrees and cocktails.

A popular item from last year’s menu that’s back on this year’s fall menu is the Harvest Salad. It’s a spinach salad topped with roasted butternut squash, feta cheese, blackberries and a house-made balsamic vinaigrette. A protein can be added, and the blackened shrimp is typically a popular pick, General Manager Kraig Foreman said.

Read the full story here.

Rite Aid is closing one of its Jackson locations amid bankruptcy filing

Pharmacy chain Rite Aid is closing hundreds of stores in the U.S. amid its bankruptcy restructuring, and a Jackson location is one of those on the chopping block.

The Rite Aid location at 3100 E. Michigan Ave. is one of 19 Michigan stores announced to be closing. The final day for the Jackson store is Monday, Nov. 6, Rite Aid officials wrote in an email.

Related: Rite Aid to close 19 Michigan stores amid bankruptcy restructuring

Customer prescriptions will be transferred to other pharmacies to avoid disruptions, and employees will be transferred to other Rite Aid stores, when possible, officials said.

Read the full story here.

Hearty sandwiches, fresh doughnuts are hits at Foundry in Albion

Just like a foundry, people at this Albion bakehouse take pride in creating great things with their hands.

Foundry Bakehouse and Deli was opened in 2019 by Bill and Karen Dobbins, who also own Caster Concepts, as a part of the revitalization of downtown Albion. Their daughter Emily Verbeke took over in 2021 hoping to continue filling the need for baked goods and sandwiches in the area.

Everything is made fresh daily inside the bakery and deli, including the bread, pastries and doughnuts. Sandwiches and salads are also made to order.

All the sandwiches and salads are named after the tools or processes found in foundries. One popular sandwich is the ShakeOut, an Italian sandwich filled with ham, salami, tomatoes, lettuce, banana peppers and mozzarella and provolone cheeses.

Read the full story here.

Local businesses are seeing the benefit of filling vacant stores in Westwood Mall

In the 1970s and ‘80s, Jackson’s Westwood Mall was the place to go for big-box stores and popular chain store brands.

Opened in 1972, the mall at 1850 W. Michigan Ave was filled with stores carrying popular brands. However, today, the nearly 50-space facility sits about half empty as stores have either closed or moved over the years.

Related: Peek Through Time: Cool, comfortable Westwood Mall ‘the place to go’ in summer of 1972

This has created opportunity for locally owned Jackson-area businesses that are filling some of the vacancies.

During the last few years, nearly 17 local businesses have taken advantage of the mall’s empty suites, and Ehrika Ray, Westwood Mall’s general manager, said she believes this will help the mall continue being a viable part of the community.

Read the full story here.

What’s that? This Jackson business has more options and other upgrades coming

A popular convenience store eatery is hoping to expand while still keeping some elements that made it a party store.

Flavorz has been operating out of Home Town Convenience, 1033 Cooper St., since 2022, but owner Rae Klavon is always looking for ways to develop the business, including with a new food truck in September. So, when the store’s owner Robert Cassa, decided it was time to retire, Klavon jumped on the opportunity to take over, she said.

Related: Michigan’s Best Local Eats: You’ll find a deep-fried Philly cheesesteak inside a Jackson convenience store

“It was just the right move for us,” Klavon said. “We knew it would obviously be a transition, but it’s an exciting one.”

Klavon took over Home Town Convenience on Thursday, Oct. 12, with the goal to remodel it into the restaurant Flavorz, while keeping some touches of a party store. Construction has started, but will be happening in phases, she said.

Read the full story here.

5 great places to get a Coney dog in Jackson

Coney dogs have been a tradition for Jackson County residents for more than 100 years.

While some Jacksonians may disagree on which restaurant serves the best Coney dog, they can all can agree the traditionally hearty hot dogs topped with Coney meat sauce, diced onions and mustard are a part of the city’s history dating back to 1914.

Here are five Jackson County eateries where residents can get a Coney dog.

Read the full story here.

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