A lot of people think that if you build a really good selection of new businesses customers will just show up. Actually, it usually works the other way around. It makes sense that entrepreneurs will not risk opening a new business unless they have some assurance that there will be customers to support them.

Remembering our own history demonstrates that it was consumer demand that brought the businesses to Niles.

Our business district actually began almost 200 years ago. The Detroit to Chicago Road, which is now U.S. 12, was built in 1823. This road became the main route for settlers that were heading west. Some travelers settled in Niles, but even if they were just passing through the area, they purchased supplies and services. By the time they had reached Niles, they needed “stuff.”

William Justice recognized this demand for merchandise, and in 1829 he purchased the land where our historic business district is.

Justice laid out the business district, the plat was recorded and the founding fathers picked the name Niles. The first store was erected in 1830. It and the other first buildings were built of wood construction. Niles’ first brick commercial building was erected nine years later, and it was located at the corner of Second and Main Streets.

The dozen or so settlers that lived here in 1820 grew to over 1400 by 1840. The Michigan Central Railroad, which is Amtrak today, was completed in 1848. It followed the route of the Detroit to Chicago Road and it brought even more people who also needed to buy lots of things.

In the heyday of the 1950s, our business district had several drugstores, shoe stores, clothing stores, hardware stores, gifts shops, bookstores, furniture stores, confectioners, grocery stores, butcher shops and bakeries.

I, for one, would like to see a similar variety of shopping options again. In order to reinvigorate the district, the entire community has to participate.

We are lucky to have some wonderful businesses in our historic district. By fully supporting our current shops, we will encourage more new businesses to locate in the district. The way to encourage investment by new businesses is to demonstrate that locating in our historic district can be profitable for the entrepreneur.

It is up to us. If we build it, they will come!

 

Jeanne Watson is a sixth generation Niles resident who wants to see the downtown strong once again. Jeanne has volunteered her time with the Niles Main Street/DDA for nearly 15 years. She can be reached at jeanne0503@comcast.net.