A local business owner spoke out Monday night during the city council meeting with the hope of encouraging the Forever Young Car Cruisers shows to take place in a different location.

The car shows began last week in downtown Niles, and are expected to continue from 5 to 9 p.m. Wednesdays through Aug. 30.  To put on the show, a portion of Main Street is closed off so that cars can park along the street for display.

Addressing the council members, Pizza Transit owner Sarah Brittin said she was not opposed to the car show, just the location. She asked those involved to consider a location beneficial to both parties should be utilized in the future.

“I am in no way against the car show,” Brittin said. “We do see extra people during the car show, but it is not enough to have [other regular] customers unhappy. I just don’t think we have to close down Main Street. It does hurt and impact businesses in a negative way.”

By blocking off Main Street, those not participating in the event have to walk about two blocks to use the businesses. Brittin said this deterred some customers from visiting her restaurant Wednesday night. Several people cancelled their food orders when they found out about the event, Brittin said.

Brittin suggested that the show take place in Riverfront Park, as it has in the past. Car show goers would still be able to utilize local businesses while having more space for the event, without blocking off any of the main roads, she said.

“There is no reason it would not be just as fun at Riverfront Park or another location,” Brittin said. “We have a beautiful park and I think it would [still] bring lots of people downtown.”

While the event does bring a lot of foot traffic, Brittin said about half who visit her business during the event want to use the bathroom or have a glass of water. This  may hamper customers who are dining-in from using the facilities, Brittin said.

Another issue she cited was garbage being left on the streets after the event was through.

In a follow up interview Tuesday, event organizer Rex Carpenter said he did not feel persuaded to move the event’s location.

“Having it in the park does absolutely nothing for the downtown businesses,” Carpenter said. “As I explained to several people before, people my age and stuff who have cars are not going to walk four blocks one way. They will leave Niles without spending a dime. Having it on Main Street is the draw.”

The car show has taken place in Riverfront Park before, during the Main Street Bridge construction in 2015.

“We had a 30 percent less turnout at the park than we did [when the event was] on Main Street,” Carpenter said.

Carpenter touted the benefits to business owners and said owners of the Nuggett told him that they experience an increase in business each Wednesday during the show.

In regards to trash, Carpenter said there are several barrels for bottle recycling, but no further trash receptacles are put out.

He also said there are no porta-potties for event goers to use.

Brittin reiterated her support of the car show and said that she hoped to start a discussion that could lead to a solution for both parties. She said other business owners had expressed similar concern to her.

“I just think closing down our downtown is not beneficial to businesses,” Brittin said. “They could have a wonderful car show and we could work together to have something nice going on.”