At the end of 2015, we reflected on the many business changes Niles saw throughout the year, and the new opportunities keep on coming.

The newest addition to our downtown will open just in time for the Hunter Ice Festival in the former Majerek’s Readers World storefront. While the business’s specialty is selling products more conducive to the warmer months, shoppers will have an opportunity to peruse the store and visit with the owners, who are no strangers to Niles.

Patty and Dan Eycleshymer, both Niles residents, relocated Backyards, a furnishing business, to our downtown from Mishawaka after eight years in business on the other side of the state line.

We welcome the Eycleshymers to the downtown district and are excited to see their business grow. Even more exciting, however, is reflecting on the continuous growth in Niles business as a whole. From South 11th Street all the way down to East Main Street, we’ve seen a steady flow of new commerce popping up in the last year, and are confident the momentum will keep building.

Citizens who have lived in Niles for several decades often tell us their main criticism of the city has been the steady decrease in downtown opportunities throughout the years.

Once home to a constantly bustling business district that housed everything from restaurants to jewelry, home furnishings and apparel stores, those who have lived in Niles for an extended period remember how our businesses used to draw people from all over Michiana.

We’ve heard stories of the days when you had to park blocks away from your destination, or walk the entire commute because all the spaces were filled. We’ve seen pictures of pedestrian shoppers lining the streets and traffic backed up all down Main Street as people waited for parking.

While we aren’t there yet, it seems we’re more on track to that level of traffic than we have been in several years, and it’s truly exciting to see the continual growth and interest in our downtown businesses.

We’re eager to see what the Eycleshymers have to offer and what other opportunities will become available in Niles as it continues to grow.

 

Opinions expressed are those of the editorial board consisting of Publisher Michael Caldwell and editors Ambrosia Neldon, Craig Haupert, Ted Yoakum and Scott Novak.