Okemos Welcomes New Business Replacing Outback Steakhouse

A brand new business is taking over the old Outback Steakhouse in Okemos.

The Former Outback Steakhouse in Okemos is Turning into a New Business

The former Outback building has sat empty since January 2022, and it seems like something has finally taken over that space. An auto wash and light detailing place called Tidal Wave Auto Spa is going to be taken over that space, and from the sounds of it, demolishing that building to make way for a new one.

Tidal Wave Auto Spa is a car wash chain hailing from Georgia, and this will be one of the first locations opening in Michigan, there's also going to be a location "opening soon" in Petoskey.

Read Related: Three New Eateries are Opening in Lansing

This car wash place seems to have been in the works for a little while now, as a special permit for the business was approved in March 2023. Records show that the site plans to have a fully-automated, single-lane tunnel; two pay stations, and 28 vacuum stations.

It's always nice to see new businesses come into town. However, I've got to wonder, is there a different type of business that could have taken over that location?

What Businesses Would We Like to See in the Greater Lansing Area?

Don't get me wrong, this isn't hate against Tidal Wave Auto Spa. But, we have plenty of car washes in the Okemos and Greater Lansing Area.

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I think it would have made an excellent location for a different restaurant. Way back in January 2022 when the Outback closed, we asked you what restaurants should take over that space, and here's what you thought. You would have loved to see a mom & pop-style place take over, but there were also LOTS of votes to resurrect Chi Chi's, which filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy back in 2003. And oddly enough, their remaining 76 restaurants were bought by Outback Steakhouse in 2004.

Take a look at the list below to see what could have been...