Is There A Good Reason Why We Don’t Have A Dave & Buster’s In Frandor?

Does Dave & Buster's have a problem with Lansing?

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Give the people what they want, and they want a Dave & Buster's.

Sadly, a lot of places have been forced to shut down recently. Mostly due to the pandemic, staff shortages, inflation, etc. We've lost a ton of great local businesses.

We just told you about American Bistro in the Eastwood Towne Center closing its doors earlier this week.

According to a friend of mine, American Bistro in the Eastwood Towne Center was indeed open this past weekend.

Sunday to be exact. They know because they were there. February 6th, 2022.
Read More: How Did We Miss American Bistro In Lansing Closing? For Good?

We usually ask two questions right after that. What happened and WHAT'S NEXT?

There's usually an impromptu poll and folks throw some names of restaurants or chains that aren't in the area. A fair amount of people wax ecstatic about the need for more local businesses occupying spaces too.

One franchise that CONSISTENTLY gets mentioned is Dave & Buster's.

Locally we've already got this covered, right?

I mean we've got The Grid in Old Town with all the old-school video games and pinball machines.

Pinball Pete's in East Lansing.

And High Caliber Karting and Entertainment at the Meridian Mall.

Do we really need a Dave & Buster's? Maybe they haven't shown up yet because they feel the market might already be saturated.

But they do it big, right?

And if they're looking for a big enough location, there's a great big ole empty building in Frandoor that's roomy enough. It's actually a dream location for a D&B if you think about it.

The former Sears location in Frandor has been empty for a little while now. And there has been SOME speculation as to what it might become.

The parent company of Sears/Kmart – Transform Holdco – announced today (Thursday 11/07/19) that it was closing 96 Sears and Kmart stores by February 2020. On the list of closures: The location at Lansing’s Frandor Mall.

Read More: Could The Sears Lot In Frandor Be Headed For A Major Makeover?

At the time D&B was not a part of the conversation. But let's look at how roomy it really is over in Frandor.

• The Sears building (196,000 square foot building) sits on roughly about 14 acres in Frandor.

• The Gillespie Group purchased the property back in 2007.

• Sears still holds the lease through 2029, but has since employed Gillespie Group to put together redevelopment plans. (Lansing City Pulse)

Read More: Could The Sears Lot In Frandor Be Headed For A Major Makeover?

Sure it needs a little work. But a fresh coat of paint or two, some exterior work, some lights & neon...ok, LOTS OF LIGHTS & NEON, and you definitely gotta do something with that parking lot.

And the added bonus of location, location, location. Right off of the highway and right down the road from Michigan State University.

Dave & Buster's. You can make this happen. And the number to Gillespie Group is right on the side of the building.

Just saying.