By By ERIKA PICKLES / Niles Daily Star
NILES – They say something positive will always come out of something negative and that was proven true just this week.
After news of Simplicty Pattern closing in Niles and United Fixtures closing its Third Street plant, many worried about the future of this city.
But after just two days, it was announced by Forbes magazine that Niles not only is the best place for small business in the state and ranked No. 140 in the nation, but our town has also made the National Register list.
It was a roller coaster week for many, but most here say they have always liked the city and will never give up on it, no matter what happens.
Sue Majerek, who just recently bought Majerek's Hallmark Readers World, said she believes Niles will not struggle from the recent news.
"We bought this store because we believe in Niles and like the small town atmosphere. We're all about customer services and helping people in anyway we can. That's what small towns are about. I truly want to try to get whatever this community wants. You can't find that kind of service at the mall," Majerek said.
The new name of the book store is Sue's Hallmark, and it is still in the Majerek family. The goal of the store is to be there for the customers and that's what Majerek believes is the key to small towns.
"We have new products arriving daily. Niles is where I live, it's where my family and I grew up and we want to do anything we can for the community," Majerek added.
Nancy Studebaker, Director of the Niles District Library, moved here five years ago and said she has felt right at home since the first day she arrived.
"I really enjoy a lot of things in this town, especially the Arts in Motion. That is my favorite festival in Niles. I went to it last weekend and just had so much fun. It's events like Arts in Motion make our community what it is," Studebaker said.
Julia Hoskins, owner of Purple Rose Cafe, also loves Niles and chose it over many of surrounding towns.
"My husband and I first came here eight years ago from the East coast. We came for the new management at the Cook Nuclear Plant. Everyone else that came bought homes in St. Joseph, but we ventured our way to Niles," Hoskins continued. "It was funny because we came right in the middle of the Apple Festival parade. We had no idea what was going on so we had to stop and ask a police officer and he told us. We fell in love with it instantly and have been here since."
Hoskins said she likes that Niles is a nice, clean small town.
"I love how, everywhere I go, no matter what store, I always see someone I know and everyone is so friendly. They say hi no matter what. This is just such a great town to live in," Hoskins added.
Dana Hankins, owner of Color Me Christian, said too many people don't give Niles enough credit.
"Lisa (Croteau) and Juan (Ganum) are amazing and what they have down to this town is phenomenal. They are both so helpful. I think our downtown looks great. The flowers are beautiful, the buildings look great and it's really coming around. People will sit around and grump all the time and say bad things, but those are the people who don't participate in anything good this town has to offer," Hankins explained.
The youngest business owner in town, Laura Johnson, just opened her shop inside Red Shoe Jewelry. Johnson, just 4-years-old, was excitedly handing out fliers last weekend announcing the opening of The Lolly Shop.
Johnson sells "all of the princess accessories," including lip gloss, jewelry, tutu's and many other items. Johnson also has her very own booth at the French Market, which is open on Thursdays and Saturdays.
"I like Niles," she said while enjoying a pink candy stick.
Even though the bigger businesses may have struggled, it's good to see that Niles offers plenty of opportunities for small business owners. It's a town of success, a town promising a future and a town that many people are proud to call home.