Business Spotlight: Old Town Marquee

marqueeA historic building that was once used as a five-and-dime store and photo studio in the 30s and 40s is now the vibrant and innovative event space known as the Old Town Marquee.

John and Beth Morton, from Morton’s Fine Catering, purchased the space six years ago to create the Old Town Marquee, an event space for all. The Morton’s were motivated to create The Marquee because they wanted to connect with the community they grew up in and loved.

The Marquee has held several fun events such as weddings, private parties, conferences, work functions and even community events, like art exhibits, concerts and fundraisers. The Marquee did over one hundred events last year, and have already surpassed that this year. You can find The Marquee off Grand River in Old Town. To contact or reserve The Marquee, make an online inquiry here. (insert link)

Photo credit: Heather Kanillopoolos Photography

By Katie Davidson, OTCA communication intern 

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brewersshowcaseMore than 100 beer lovers gathered at The Marquee on May 24 for the first brewers showcase hosted by the Lansing State Journal. News and Brews, as they called it, brought nine breweries from the greater Lansing area together in Old Town for a great evening of sampling beers and chatting about the local beer industry.

LSJ business reporter Alex Alusheff said that the paper wanted to host the event to promote the local craft beer scene. Michigan cities like Grand Rapids, Ann Arbor and Kalamazoo already have a name for themselves in the beer industry, but Lansing is getting it’s own place on that map he said.

“The Lansing area has gone from two breweries to eleven in only four years,” Alex commented. “Places like Lansing Brewing Company have a mainstream following, but there are other breweries out there.”

Ellison Brewery + Spirits is one such hidden gem in East Lansing. Located at the end of an industrial drive behind the former Paul Revere’s Tavern, the place can be easy to miss. Their Tiramisu Stout was one of the fan favorites at the event and well worth a visit to it’s birthplace. Other notable crowd pleasers were Strawberry Pail, a pale ale from Charlotte Brewing Company, Golden 7 Weizenbock from Old Nation Brewing Co. out of Williamston and the Art Deco Amber from The Gallery in Portland.

Father and son duo, Dan and Kyle Malone were also on hand to promote their future Old Town business Ozone’s Brewhouse. This brewery and beer garden located at 305 Beaver St. is still under construction, but Dan hopes to open the doors by the Festival of the Moon & Sun on June 24.

By Molly Keenan, OTCA org committee

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