Give the Gifts That Make a Difference: an MSUFCU Holiday Gift Guide to Businesses With Spartan Ties
November 27, 2024
The familiar, rich, and verdant MSUFCU color palette doesn’t just match the anticipated red-and-green tidings of the winter holiday season. It also reflects the Credit Union’s long-standing ties with Michigan State University.
And just like MSUFCU continues to grow its presence in communities across Michigan and Illinois to serve our members, the comforting Spartan green casts a long shadow that touches every corner of the Great Lakes region.
As we all gear up for the season of giving, MSUFCU has done some inside-the-box thinking and crafted a list of small businesses with significant Spartan ties, ideal for gift ideas that will bring a smile to the face of all on your list this year.
And they all happen to be conveniently located near an MSUFCU branch.
GREATER LANSING
Cravings Gourmet Popcorn
If you crave to put a little pop into stockings this year, a holiday gift tin from Cravings Gourmet Popcorn, 1221 Turner St. in Lansing, is just what you need. Cravings has been redefining popcorn deliciousness since owner Chad Jordan, a Class of 2003 Spartan, opened the business. With nut-free and gluten-free offerings, Cravings offers a wealth of gourmet flavor creations from apple cider cinnamon and Mackinac Island caramel to hot Kansas City white cheddar and marshmallow lemon cake. It’s a one-stop pop for your holiday gift list.
Groovy Donuts
Spartan alums Andrew and Monica Gauthier fell into the groove of entrepreneurship in 2015. That was the year Andrew, a former Wall Street investment banker, and Monica, former head of an animal disease laboratory at MSU, opened the first Groovy Donuts location at 313 W. Grand River Ave. in Williamston. A second location at 3054 E. Lake Lansing Road in East Lansing came a year later in 2016. In the years that followed, the business racked up dozens of accolades: Rising Micro Entrepreneur, Best Donuts in Michigan, Best Doughnut in the Lansing Area, and more.
MSU Press
For the bibliophile on your holiday list, Michigan State University Press, the scholarly publishing house of MSU, has been printing and distributing award-winning stories, books, and journals since the mid-20th century. Headquartered in East Lansing with a distribution center in Chicago, MSU Press has published works on the arts, humanities, sciences, and social sciences. The press is particularly known for its Michigan-based works and books on the Great Lakes region, including “Twelve Twenty-Five,” the true tale of the locomotive featured in “The Polar Express.”
Château Coffee Company
Owned by Tarek Chawich, an MSU graduate with a Master’s in Market Research, Château Coffee Company operates two café locations. The design of each shop pays tribute to Chawich’s Lebanese heritage, featuring interiors inspired by the French aesthetic commonly found in Lebanon, and serving some of the familiar flavors of his youth. Chawich continues to collaborate with university classes, conducting research that supports the business while creating valuable learning opportunities for students.
DETROIT
Bon Bon Bon
Chocolate and the holidays go together like snow and mittens — and Bon Bon Bon has been elevating the chocolate game to the gourmet level since 2014. Founded by head chocolatier and 2010 Spartan grad Alexandra Clark, Bon Bon Bon has earned national acclaim and accolades since Clark launched the business in the back room of a Detroit diner. Today, the business has numerous Detroit locations, including midtown (411 Canfield St.), downtown (1435 Farmers St.), and Eastern Market (2934 Russell St.).
Detroit Tigers
The gift of an experience is something everyone can enjoy — and after a playoff berth in 2024 following a decade-long drought, seeing the Detroit Tigers take the field in the spring is sure to be a popular ticket. But about that field … You can thank Heather Nabozny for that green, green grass as you enjoy your hot dog. The 1993 grad studied sports turf management at MSU, and she has been the head groundskeeper for the Tigers since Comerica Park opened in 2000. She’s a world-class talent for a World Series-bound ball club.
Flowers of Vietnam
A global taste with local flavor has been on the menu at Flowers of Vietnam since the restaurant opened in 2016 at 4440 Vernor Highway. Chef, owner, and founder George Azar holds a hospitality business degree from MSU and has transformed the dining scene in the Motor City with Vietnamese street food. Working previously in Chicago, Copenhagen, and New Orleans, Azar’s culinary skills earned him a spot on Zagat’s 2017 “30 Under 30 Rock Stars Redefining the Industry” list.
Redfelr
Turn up the heat on the holidays with Redfelr. The hot sauce company founded by 2008 MSU alum Stephen Cooper- McCann is based in Detroit and manufactured in Michigan. Redfelr sauces are produced with locally sourced peppers, fruits, and spices. Each bottle is hand-filled from a small-batch fermentation. The process adds a bright, pickled undertone to the peppers, enhancing the notes and intrinsic flavors of the sauce. Redfelr’s original sauce is the signature apple and mild serrano blend.
GRAND RAPIDS
Littlefoot Coffee Roasters
The mission of Littlefoot Coffee Roasters, 3049 Broadway SW in Grandville, is a simple one: Roast the best coffee in the world. Co-founded by Director of Operations Rosie Quasarano, a 2004 MSU alum, Littlefoot has been brewing up big reviews since opening in 2017. Every batch is lovingly roasted to bring out the best in each bean, and the seasonal menu keeps things fresh year-round. Littlefoot ethically sources its coffee, works directly with farmers whenever possible, and always pays fair trade and pricing. Plus, a bag makes a perfect fit for any stocking.
Public Thread
Launched in 2016 by Class of 2001 Spartan Janay Brower, Public Thread sustainable and upcycled bags at 955 Godfrey Ave. SW in Grand Rapids is creating a circular economy that has diverted more than 300,000 pounds of materials from landfills. When you select a Public Thread product, you’re not just making a fashion statement; you’re making a conscious choice to support people and the planet. By choosing Public Thread products, you are supporting a reduced carbon footprint, local workers, and a healthier world.
TRAVERSE CITY
Cherry Republic
“Life, Liberty, Beaches and Pie.” That was the motto emblazoned on the first Cherry Republic T-shirts that founder Bob Sutherland began selling out of the trunk of his car in 1989. The success of the shirts led to the opening of the first Cherry Republic location in Glen Arbor. Today, the multiple northern Michigan locations offer more than 200 cherry- related products. A longtime conservationist, Sutherland was honored with an MSU Extension Key Partner Award in 2024 for promoting extension programs.
Grand Traverse Pie Co.
No holiday table is complete without dessert, and the Grand Traverse Pie Co. has made a lasting impression during the last course by shipping its pies to homes across all 50 states. However, the first slice of entrepreneurship started in northern Michigan, when Denise and Mike Busley — Spartans from the Class of 1980 — opened the first Grand Traverse location in downtown Traverse City in 1996 with six employees. The original flagship remains a frequent stop for residents and visitors at 525 W. Front St.
Mawby Vineyards and Winery
Raise a glass this month to all the Spartans making a difference — and while you’re at it, you might as well make it a glass from Mawby Vineyards and Winery, 4519 Elm Valley Road in Suttons Bay. Larry Mawby, a Spartan from the Class of 1972, planted grapes on a Leelanau Peninsula parcel more than 50 years ago with a goal to make incredible sparkling wines for all people and all moments. Mawby uses environmentally friendly and sustainable farming methods to make its wines as low-impact as possible.
Traverse City Whiskey Co.
The spirit of the season remains alive and well thanks to the Traverse City Whiskey Co., 201 E. 14th St. Founded by three MSU graduates — Chris Fredrickson, Jared Rapp, and Moti Goldring — the idea for the business launched in 2011 after Fredrickson discovered his great-grandfather’s old patents for distilling whiskey on the family’s cherry farm. The trio moved ahead with a dream to create a small-batch whiskey company that captured the spirit of “Up North.” The cherries infused in one of its most popular products still come from the Fredrickson farm.
CHICAGO
Hopsmith Chicago
Hopsmith Chicago is a high-energy restaurant and bar at 15 W. Division St. in the heart of the Gold Coast. But more than that, Hopsmith Chicago is Green-friendly. Listed among the “Official MSU Bars” in the Windy City by the Chicago Spartans alumni group, it’s a familiar place to gather with fellow Spartans to watch the game. At Hopsmith, you’ll find tasty American fare, 30 rotating taps from the iconic 1965 Volkswagen bus, and a lively ambiance keeping the party going till late. The two-story tavern features fully opening street-level windows, a second-floor retractable roof, and plenty of TVs showcasing the green and white.
Chicago Scoops
Kyle Welch dug deep into entrepreneurship after graduating from the Broad College of Business with a degree in hospitality business. Today the Grand Rapids native is the co-founder and president of Chicago Scoops, a restaurant management company that is also the largest franchisee of Cold Stone Creamery. In addition to his business acumen, Welch also flexes some philanthropic muscle and community support as a founding board member of Prosper Chicago. The nonprofit aims to spur job creation and employment training in tandem with Chicago-area restaurants while also addressing food insecurity.
Chicago White Sox
Taking in a game with the cross-lake league rivals of the Detroit Tigers is a rite of passage for anyone in Chicago — and MSU grad Courtney Cawley Gray helps make any trip to Chicagoland memorable as both sales director for the Chicago White Sox ballpark as well as a corporate ambassador for Choose Chicago visitor and tourism agency. While attending MSU, Gray worked at the MSU Bakery and the University Club of MSU, where her role in banquets and events provided insights into coordinating memorable events that leave a lasting impression on guests.
Go Green this December by supporting local community businesses and local Spartan alumni. Happy shopping from all of us at MSUFCU!
Tags: Tips and Tricks, Community