Fifth Niles business closes

Published 5:59 pm Tuesday, January 24, 2012

Lightning Automotive on Michigan Street became the fifth Niles business to close this week. Submitted photo

Lightning Automotive is the fifth Niles business this week to announce it is closing or has already closed.

Manager Tim Johnstone shut the doors on the 919 Michigan St. business on Friday, said property owner Bill Schilling.

Johnstone had been running the auto repair business for more than 10 years and had a land contract on it with Schilling.

Schilling  said Johnstone closed the shop due to health and lack of business.

Schilling said an abundance of repair shops in Niles contributed to the closing.

“I blame the city for letting everyone and their brother open a garage. There are too many businesses to go around,” Schilling  said. “Why the city allows another one to open and another is beyond me.”

Schilling said he has a tentative buyer who plans to use the shop as an auto repair business. He hopes to finalize the deal within the next 10 days.

Schilling also owns Schilling’s Auto Wash in Niles.