East Lansing will get a taste of a popular Jackson, MI restaurant in December as RJ’s Burgers & Ice Cream Co. is set to open its second location on 1399 E. Grand River Ave.
The grand opening on Dec. 9 should coincide with owners Robert and Yvette Wilkie’s late son, RJ’s, 14th birthday. The restaurant is “more than a business,” Yvette said. “It’s about hope, it’s about inspiration, it’s about turning pain into purpose.”
The Wilkies’ business grew from the grief of losing their son days after he was born. About a month later, when their daughter asked for a “Barbie” birthday cake, Yvette Wilkie created it. She said the cake brought her spark back, “The cake turned out so nice. It was so cute.” Soon, family members and Robert Wilkie’scoworkers began asking her to bake one for them…