To the editor:

I recently read Mike Caldwell’s article in The Daily Star about taking care of our hearts. I believe his words are what people need to think about when thinking of the downtown area of Niles.

I grew up in Niles, and remember well as a teen what a great  place the downtown area was.

The old JC Penney building, Montgomery Wards, a bakery, a five-and-dime store, which I believe was a Woolworths.  I can even recall we had two theatres and a couple groceries.

Everyone did their shopping downtown. I moved away from the area for about 20 years, but always found my summers to be trips to what I called home (Michigan) to visit and see family.

I think it would be great if Niles could be rebuilt a little and become in Caldwell’s words “re-energized” again.

Everyone in Niles pays taxes and I believe some of that money could be put into the area downtown. It is only going to benefit the town in the long run.

It is nice to go to a mall once in a while but there is still no place like local. Some cities seem to revitalize their downtowns. Why not Niles?

Dolores Arroyo
Niles