UpRoot Market & Eatery has officially opened its doors in downtown Battle Creek, creating a vibrant new hub for fresh, locally sourced food at 119 West Michigan Avenue.

The community-owned cooperative celebrated its grand opening on November 12 with a festive ribbon-cutting and drew crowds of enthusiastic residents eager for quality groceries close to home.

UpRoot Market responds to food access concerns after the former local grocery relocated in 2021, offering both a market and café that feature produce and meals from Michigan growers.

General Manager Stacy Niemann emphasized the cooperative model, noting hundreds of local owners have direct input on goods and operations.

Kitchen Manager Scott Wright highlighted the market’s commitment to supporting Michigan farms, while shoppers praised the strong focus on local suppliers.

The store aims to revitalize downtown and make healthy, local eating more accessible for all.

Cereal City Crafters Collective Holiday Showcase is gaining momentum as local makers eagerly sign up for the annual event.

The submission deadline has been extended to November 22 to allow even more vendors, especially those wrapping up other craft shows, to join in.

Early submission is key — the best spots are filling up fast, and top placements will be given to those who register soonest.

If you’ve already reserved your place, don’t forget to send in your photos and details promptly.

Showcase articles and ads are being prepared as entries arrive, giving early birds bonus promotion before the event launches.

For questions, reach out by email or text.

Let’s help our talented community shine this holiday season!

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Battle Creek’s comedy scene is enjoying a vibrant revival thanks to The Cricket, a beloved downtown bar now owned by Jeremy Kanaga and family.

After comedy legend Gary Fields retired, local stand-up vanished – until The Cricket introduced its biweekly “Comedy in the Creek” nights, now sought-after Friday events drawing laughter back downtown.

Excitement is building for the Night Before Thanksgiving Comedy Battle on November 26, pitting Team SlapTail Nation against Team Dan Does Comedy in a showdown starring Michigan talents like The Beaveman, Nicole Melnyk, and Dan Leach.

With audience votes determining the winners and proceeds aiding local charities, the night promises both friendly rivalry and community spirit.

The Cricket’s comeback has restored Battle Creek’s comic heartbeat—and every punchline has the city roaring again.

Wednesday brings a partly sunny and crisp start to the stretch, setting a refreshing tone.

Thursday stands out as the warmest day, with highs expected to reach around 51°F.

Overnight, temperatures remain cold, dropping into the 20s and low 30s, reminding everyone to layer up.

The weekend offers a pleasant break, as Saturday and Sunday bring sunshine and milder afternoon highs.

By Monday, conditions cool down and clouds return, creating a chillier, grayer start to the week.

If you have outdoor plans Friday evening or early Saturday, expect a brisk morning chill and dress accordingly.

Battle Creek and Marshall area residents can look forward to an energetic November, packed with unique local events and community gatherings.

The lunchtime HDI Federal Center Food Truck series runs weekdays, serving a variety of eats at the Champion Street Parking Lot in Battle Creek.

On Saturday, Nov 15, holiday craft markets pop up at both Eastend Studio in Marshall and on Beckley Road in Battle Creek, offering handmade gifts and art.

The iconic Battle Creek Christmas Parade returns downtown on Saturday, Nov 22.

Sports fans won’t want to miss the MHSAA Volleyball Championships at Kellogg Arena, spanning November 20–22.

Cultural highlights include Theresa Caputo live at FireKeepers Casino (Nov 14), movie matinees in Albion, and a comedy night with Yassir Lester in Marshall.

This month truly showcases the vibrant spirit and togetherness of our local communities.

Secret Little Hack

One little-known local tip for winter in Battle Creek, Michigan is to check out the Annual Christmas in the Village event hosted by the Leila Arboretum Society.

This festive event features beautifully decorated holiday trees, a lighted pathway, and visits with Santa Claus.

It's a great way to get into the holiday spirit and enjoy some winter fun with family and friends.

Plus, it's a free event that is sure to make your winter season brighter!

If you’re craving something distinctive in Battle Creek, Load A Spud serves up inventive, filling meals centered on loaded baked potatoes.

The menu features creative options like the Pizza Potato, topped with melty mozzarella, savory pepperoni, jalapeños, and a garlic butter base for an Italian flair.

The Meat Lovers spud is piled high with hearty meats, while the Alfredo Potato is creamy and rich—a dream for Alfredo lovers.

Don’t sleep on the tacos: the steak taco is generously stuffed, and the shrimp taco bursts with fresh flavor, all for just $3.75 each.

Exceptional service stands out, as staff is both friendly and helpful, guiding newcomers through the menu with genuine enthusiasm.

Load A Spud is quickly gaining loyal fans, and with its unbeatable mix of taste and value, it’s easy to see why locals keep coming back.

Sizzler is aiming for a major revival after years of dwindling presence in the American dining scene.

Once operating over 700 restaurants nationwide, the chain is down to about 74 locations as of late 2025.

To reignite its appeal, Sizzler is investing in extensive remodels and fresh design elements.

The Fresno, California location recently underwent a $700,000 renovation, adding new flooring, an upgraded salad bar, and an improved dessert station.

Downey’s spot now features a retro look, with red booths and wood-paneling that capture Sizzler’s 1970s charm.

Alongside aesthetic upgrades, menu enhancements spotlight the classic hand-cut steaks and all-you-can-eat salad bar, plus new treats like freshly baked brownies.

Guided by CEO Chris Perkins since 2019, Sizzler’s comeback strategy blends tradition with modern touches, renewing its commitment to value and quality for diners.

President Donald Trump has ended tariffs on key imports like beef, coffee, and tropical fruits to counter rising grocery costs for Americans.

Household budgets have tightened since tariffs drove up grocery prices, with the Consumer Price Index showing the sharpest food-at-home price increase in two years this August.

Coffee and beef prices have soared by over 16% year-over-year.

Retailers such as Walmart and Kroger publicly acknowledged that tariffs forced unwelcome price hikes, despite their efforts to shield consumers.

Polls highlight that more than half of U.S. adults now rank grocery costs as their top financial concern, outpacing credit card or child care worries.

The administration’s move is designed to quickly drop prices on diverse products, including bananas, oranges, tea, and cocoa—items rarely produced domestically in large amounts.

With the holidays approaching, both shoppers and retailers are optimistic this change will bring some welcome relief at checkout.

Michigan is home to seven of America’s largest trees, earning national recognition for their remarkable size.

Among these giants, the resilient red pine stands out, with one notable specimen drawing attention in Allegan County thanks to its massive trunk and wide-spreading canopy.

In Berrien County, another champion tree stretches its impressive branches over a neighboring home, offering a living connection to nature’s grandeur.

These monumental trees not only highlight Michigan’s rich forestry heritage but also underscore the importance of conservation.

The Michigan Big Tree Hunt, organized by ReLeaf Michigan, invites residents to explore and document these natural landmarks, contributing to the Michigan Big Tree Register every two years.

With a range of entries for 2023-2025, Michigan’s champion trees—whether roadside or deep in forests—remain enduring symbols of the state’s ecological diversity and beauty.

Michigan’s highly anticipated firearm deer season kicks off Saturday, November 15, 2025, attracting hunters from across the state for this time-honored event.

The season runs through November 30, with legal shooting hours on opening day set from 6:53 a.m. to 5:40 p.m.

Hunters must carry proper licenses and tags — including the base license, single or combo deer licenses, and antlerless tags, all varying in price and availability for both residents and nonresidents.

Each harvested deer requires an accurate kill tag, and harvests must be reported within 72 hours through the DNR app or website.

Hunter orange clothing remains mandatory for visibility, and firearm safety rules call for guns to be unloaded and cased during transport.

Deer baiting is prohibited in the Lower Peninsula, and all hunters are urged to secure landowner permission and respect property boundaries.

Michigan lawmakers are moving to protect residents from the long-term impact of medical debt by introducing bipartisan legislation to keep such debt off credit reports and make hospital financial aid more accessible.

Both the Senate Bill 451 and House Bill 4329 target the collection and reporting of medical debt, aiming to prevent negative effects on credit scores and expand support for patients facing unexpected hospital bills.

State Rep. Denise Mentzer stressed that medical debt often results from emergencies and should not threaten people's access to housing or transportation.

Nearly 700,000 Michiganders struggle with this type of debt, which the proposed laws seek to address by blocking it from credit profiles.

However, federal action by the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau in late 2025 could override these local protections, raising new hurdles.

Still, Michigan’s efforts underscore a commitment to shielding residents from devastating financial setbacks linked to health crises.

860 Sylvan Dr in Battle Creek, MI is a standout property listed at $475,000, drawing attention with over 1,800 views.

This spacious, two-story Colonial home features 4 bedrooms, 3.5 baths, and nearly 3,000 square feet of living space, offering comfort and versatility for families.

The remodeled chef's kitchen is equipped with new appliances, double oven, gas cooktop, and a walk-in pantry, making it ideal for entertaining.

Enjoy multiple living and dining areas, two refinished fireplaces, and beautiful hardwood floors throughout.

Upstairs includes a spacious main suite with remodeled bath and walk-in closet, as well as three additional bedrooms and a guest bath.

The walkout basement offers a rec room, private office, and extra storage.

Set on a 5.39-acre hilly lot with woodland, the property boasts a deck, in-ground pool, fenced yard, koi pond, and additional storage shed.

Cheryl Westdale of Keller Williams GR East is the listing agent.

The Humane Society of South Central Michigan is overflowing with adoptable cats, from energetic kittens to sweet seniors.

If you’re seeking more love and warmth at home, these pets could be just what you need.

Picture the holidays with a new feline friend curled up by your side, filling your days with joy and laughter.

Cats bring comfort, personality, and a sense of calm, brightening even the coldest winter.

Choosing to adopt means years of companionship—playful mornings, purring evenings, and a home that feels happier and more complete.

If your heart is leaning toward adoption, now’s the time to visit the Humane Society.

One of these loving cats could turn out to be the greatest gift of the year—both for you and for them.

📣 Nominate Your Favorite Local Business! 📣

Tickets

Tickets

FireKeepers Casino Hotel in Battle Creek, Michigan, is gearing up for a blockbuster 2026 with comedian Lewis Black performing on February 27 and legendary rockers George Thorogood & The Destroyers taking the stage on March 27.

Tickets for both shows go on sale November 15 at 10 a.m., starting at $29, and are available online or at the hotel box office.

Lewis Black brings his sharp, Grammy-winning comedy to the FireKeepers stage, offering fans a chance to experience his biting humor firsthand.

Meanwhile, George Thorogood & The Destroyers promise high-energy rock classics in a long-awaited live performance.

Recently, FireKeepers expanded its offerings with themed slot areas and a cutting-edge poker room, cementing its reputation as a top Midwest entertainment destination.

Visitors can also enjoy diverse dining, a pool, and a fitness center, creating a full entertainment experience in 2026.

Do you know someone in Battle Creek who’s making a difference?

Here’s your chance to celebrate them! Whether it’s a friend, neighbor, teacher, or local hero, we want to feature their story in the "Citizen Shout Outs" section of The Battle Creek Buzz! Submit your nominations, share inspiring stories, and help us recognize the amazing people who make our community shine.

Submit a brief story and their name to cerealcitybuzz@battlecreeknewsandevents.com 

let's spread some positivity together!

Interesting Facts

John C. Maxwell’s How Successful People Think explores the mental routines that set achievers apart, focusing on actionable strategies anyone can adopt.

In the opening chapters, Maxwell emphasizes the power of big-picture thinking—encouraging readers to look beyond daily clutter and connect decisions to long-term goals.

He urges regular reflection, prompting questions like whether choices serve greater ambitions and inspire real progress.

Maxwell then highlights the art of focused thinking.

By carving out quiet time each week to reassess priorities and strategize, successful people sharpen their vision and avoid feeling overwhelmed.

This clarity helps transform ideas into actual results, ensuring energy is spent on what matters most.

Together, these habits show that the way we think shapes what we accomplish—big vision guides us, and focus drives us forward.

Quote Of The Week

"The only way to achieve success is to constantly adapt, grow, and cultivate positive habits that drive you towards your goals." - Unknown

Battle Creek employers are actively seeking new hires across several key sectors, providing fresh opportunities for local job seekers.

In manufacturing, Flex-N-Gate needs 3rd shift press operators and packers, while Post Consumer Brands and Musashi Auto Parts have openings for plant support and general production roles.

Retailers like Menards, Sam’s Club, and CVS Health are recruiting for stocking, sales, and store associate positions, offering flexible schedules in busy local stores.

The education sector is hiring as well, with Battle Creek Public Schools seeking educators and support staff for the new academic year.

The City of Battle Creek has government roles available in administration, fire, public works, and utilities, helping keep the local community running smoothly.

With so many local options, job seekers across Battle Creek can find fresh starts and rewarding careers close to home.

Does your business have a list of engaged customers that you email on a regular basis?