The many minds of downtown’s Middle Village Micro Market

Soaps, clothes and art — oh my! Several new shops selling such goods were set up inside Middle Village Micro Market last week. City Pulse had the chance to speak with the owners. Here’s what visitors can expect to see — and whom they can expect to meet — next time they stop in. 

Poor Sport 

“Basically, I had this idea about two weeks ago,” said Erin von Kronenberger, the owner of Poor Sport.  

Poor Sport, she said, is an arena for up-and-coming artists and designers to showcase their work. She recently found out about Middle Village and decided to start the company in the space. Von Kronenberger said visitors can expect to see items like knit hats, jewelry, handmade apparel, ceramics and other artwork in Poor Sport. 

Many artists she’s contacted to sell in her shop don’t believe their work is worth selling. With Middle Village, von Kronenberger hopes to change their minds.  

“In the right setting, people see the value,” she said. “You’d be surprised at what people are interested in. I definitely want people to see that value in their works. It helps to have a curated space with objects to show that off.”  

Coco Bella Fashion Boutique 

When visitors wander over to the area of the market occupied by Coco Bella Fashion Boutique, they will see racks of trendy, celebrity-inspired women’s clothing. And they will be greeted with a warm welcome from owner Shebeeka Monique Hughes.  

“I don’t want my customers to feel like customers when they come in here,” Hughes said. “I want them to feel like we’re the best girlfriends ever, whether they buy something or not.”  

She added that customers will have “the best girlfriend experience” when they stop by Coco Bella, because “who doesn’t want to shop with their girlfriends?” 

Coco Bella has been a dream of Hughes’ for over 20 years, and she felt that Middle Village was the perfect opportunity to turn that dream into reality. Hughes also prides herself on her ability to style women for any occasion. To Hughes, Coco Bella is more than selling clothes. It’s about empowering women to feel confident and sexy.  

“If they’re real, they’ll say the best thing about her is her confidence,” Hughes said. “If she wants something, she’ll go get it. That’s what Coco Bella is about.” 

Nature’s 92 

Have you ever eaten sea moss? Deardra Westfall, owner of Nature’s 92, has been taking sea moss for years after a spiritual awakening caused her to cleanse herself. The superfood grows in warmer climate oceans and takes minerals from rocks, which is how it gets its healing properties. 

“I believe in taking care of immunities in my community,” Westfall said. “I offer my superfood products, moss products and supplements. I offer any holistic item that will help maintain health.” 

She hydrates the sea moss and makes a gel out of it to use in various products like soaps and face masks. At the start of the pandemic, Westfall made a facemask for a friend and her friend’s husband noticed a difference in her skin. Westfall jokes that was the moment she knew she had made a good product.  

Westfall said she’s in the process of licensing her products.  

Sylvia’s Sudsery 

The teal clawfoot tub near the center of the market belongs to Sylvia’s Sudsery, which belongs to Danielle Hastings. This is Hastings’ third year in business, an endeavor that she named after her grandmother.  

“She believed in bringing out the best in people, so that’s what we at Sylvia’s Sudsery do, is bring out the best in your self-care experience through our artisan, vegan-friendly soaps and other bath goodies,” Hastings said.  

The shop carries an array of homemade bath products like bath bombs and shower steamers. Hastings said she gets the inspiration for her products from food, which is apparent in soap bars with names like hot cocoa. All the products at Sylvia’s Sudsery are made with an environmental impact in mind. Hastings has plans to add filling stations. 

“We strive to be as eco-friendly as possible while still having fun,” Hastings said.  

The Gold Mine 

Brandon Navin founded the Artist’s Umbrella in 2019. The Gold Mine, Navin’s shop in Middle Village, features work from the Artist’s Umbrella and 10 other Lansing artists. 

“We wanted to create a store where artists sold that’s accessible and available to not just the well-to-do, but something that was available to the public and was accessible for more people,” Navin said.  

The Artist’s Umbrella has worked closely with Downtown Lansing Inc. on a number of projects and events, which is how Nevin found a spot within Middle Village.  

“For us, it makes sense, because we can get our feet wet before making any large commitments,” Navin said.   

At the Gold Mine, visitors can browse from an array of painting, jewelry, clothing and books, all made by local artists.

Middle Village Micro Market

11 a.m. – 7 p.m. Tuesday – Saturday

112 S. Washington Square, Lansing