By By JOANNA ARNETT / Niles Daily Star
NILES -- Older folks milled around 215 E. Main St., smiling at Santa Claus and surveying the beautifully-adorned tables of holiday sweets for the taking.
The former Fifth Third Bank offices have been transformed into a Santa's workshop of sorts.
Lisa Croteau, Downtown Development Authority (DDA) marketing director, explained the event that is becoming a big hit in downtown Niles.
Every item for sale is donated by a local downtown business and nothing exceeds $5. There are a variety of items, ranging from books to novelty ties, jewelry to Beanie Babies.
The volunteers are locals, city dignitaries, and members of the Red Hat Society, who always lend a hand in community events.
Also present, of course, cheeks still red from his ride south of the North Pole, is jolly ol' St. Nicholas (played by Al Fuller, Sr.)