Rolando Palacio
The State News

Sarah Reese, left, hands out food from October Moon Art Gallery & Gift Boutique, 1209 Turner St., to Lansing residents Ed Pereault, Reene Pereault and Annette Pereault during Taste & Tour of Old Town on Sunday. Residents were given a map of the area's restaurants and lofts that they could view along the tour of Old Town.

Published on April 06, 2008.
Updated on April 13, 2008.

Lansing - Shoppers and diners sampled fare from Old Town's restaurants and meandered through unfinished lofts Sunday during the Taste & Tour of Old Town, in Lansing.

The Old Town Commercial Association organized the event to raise money for the district and bring people to the area.

"With every event we do, we seem to be attracting a whole new group of people to see all the wonderful things we have going on," said Jamie Schriner-Hooper, executive director of the association.

The tour has occurred twice before, but this year the loft tours were added.

Participants received a map and wristband to view lofts and sample food. About 250 tickets were sold in advance, but Schriner-Hooper expected about 400 people attend.

"I was surprised that right when I got here there were people waiting to check it out," said Heather Cathey, who was answering questions about a loft on Turner Street.

Visitors were not the only ones anticipating the tour - nine of Old Town's 11 restaurants prepared food ranging from pastries to barbecue rib tips.

"It gives people in the neighborhood the chance to see what we have available so they'll come back," said Pat McClure, manager at Rendezvous on the Grand, 226 E. Grand River Ave., in Lansing.

Rendezvous on the Grand is a nightclub, serving food and drinks until 2 a.m. But the food is a "step beyond" what customers might expect from a bar, and includes items such as homemade soups and bruschetta, McClure said.

Down the road, Vernadine Whitfield served ribs off the grill, chicken and red beans with rice. She opened Vernadine's, 401 E. Grand River Ave., about five years ago and said it's all homemade soul food.

The restaurant was one of many Old Town businesses that IKEA redecorated last year. Checkered black-and-white floors, electric blue walls and red chairs were among the new decorations.

"We're really happy and the customers are having fun," Whitfield said.

Lansing resident Nathan Wood said he wanted to eat at Vernadine's and see the lofts.

"My dog's out there, I brought him, too," Wood said.