Residents who have enjoyed picking up their libations from the Belle Plaza Party Store will not have to travel far to visit the store’s newest location.
The store, which has been re-branded under the name Mega Liquor & Smoke, opened its doors at 1911 S. 11th St. in Niles Township three weeks ago, just across the street from the old location.
Manager Eilene Rogers said customers have responded favorably to the new location, which is closer to the neighborhoods on the east side of S. 11th Street, where a large part of their customer base lives.
“They love it,” Rogers said. “Because it is so nice. You have open space. They walk in for the first time and they stop at the door and say, ‘wow.’”
The store offers lottery tickets, varieties of draft and microbrew beer, wine, cigarettes and cigars. An ATM is also available inside the store.
Rogers, who has served as a manager for Belle Plaza Party Store for 10 years, approximated that the new location was about four times the size of the old location, offering the opportunity to expand some of the offered products, including dairy products and other grocery items.
“It is a lot brighter and prettier,” Rogers said.
True to the store’s name, Rogers said they were able to offer more liquor and beer into the varieties of available alcohol.
Working the register Monday afternoon, Rogers said she enjoys interacting with the customers, many of whom she now knows by name.
“I have got some good customers,” Rogers said. “ I like to know their names. They feel more at home here when you call them by their first name.”
About five years ago, Bhola Singh, of Granger, bought the business, Belle Plaza Party Store. Singh rented the space, where the store operated out of Belle Plaza.
About two years ago, Singh said he purchased the property at 1911 S. 11th St. The location has been the home for Niles Pool and Spa, which is also owned by Singh.
The pool store will be moving to 2310 N. Front St., and will open on April 17. The pool store offers equipment, chemicals and new pools. The new location will also house a smoke shop.
Singh owns several other properties across Indiana and Michigan. In Niles he owns Sunrise Party Store, U.S. 12 Liquor and Gas, 70s Party Place, Crockers Party Store, 7 Day Pary Place and Riverside Food and Liquor.
Singh said he decided he wanted to move the pool and liquor store to larger and more convenient locations.
“[Customers] don’t have to cross the road (S. 11th Street). It is a lot safer for them to just walk,” Singh said. “[There’s lots of] open space and it is a beautiful store.”