State Rep. Donna Lasinski (D-Scio Township) was instrumental in assisting the Acorn Farmers’ Market & Café with obtaining the more than 350 donors that helped raise $50,000 locally this summer, to match a grant from the Michigan Economic Development Commission, to renovate its location into a full grocery store. 

Even after the crowdfunding campaign ended in September, Lasinski continued her efforts on behalf of the market and helped raise an additional $5,000 by partnering with the Virginia-based Altria Group.

“Altria had a specific, and very competitive, set of criteria for awarding these grants nationwide,” Lasinski explained during the check presentation on Saturday at the future location of Acorn, 455 W. Main Street. “They asked me for five local non profit efforts that I felt might qualify. Out of those, both Acorn and Faith in Action (in Chelsea) qualified.

“It is great to have an uncluttered, happy moment to make this presentation this afternoon,” she added, recalling a busy and stressful week at her Capitol office.

Megan DeLeeuw, president of the Acorn board, said that the board had applied months ago for assistance to recoup additional costs related to COVID, which included the restriction of number of customers in the building and increased staff time due to pre-orders.

“We had received a notice from Altria in September that we were pre approved for a grant of up to $5,000,” DeLeeuw said. “They requested an outline of what we needed funds for. We had talked to Rep. Lasinski in the summer, asking for help in reaching out to potential donors for our crowdfunding campaign and I imagine that’s how the connection was made.”

Ken Heers, owner of the building and director of the project, gave a tour of what will eventually turn into not only a home for the Acorn Farmers’ Market & Café, but for a full grocery store that will serve the community, a branch of Iorio’s Gelato, and a bakery and butchery that will source the new local Doll n’ Burger chain, along with the Grand River Brewery and Veritas fine dining restaurant in Jackson.

As Acorn prepares to make its move in March, the non-profit will be seeking to add volunteers to its current roster. Contact the store or stop in during business hours (currently 3-6 on Thursday and Friday, 10-4 on Saturday) if you are interested in volunteering in the new store.

Ken Heers, owner of Perky Pantry and Lenawee Fuels, partners in the Doll n’ Burgers venture, gave a tour of the market progress and showed a video of the architect’s vision for the building.