NILES — If only one word summed up the year 2017 in Niles and Buchanan, it would be “growth.”

While there were certainly other noteworthy events throughout the year, one common theme constantly resurfaced — positive changes throughout the City of Four Flags and the Redbud City.

For example, Niles Community Schools students began to reap the benefits of a pair of bond proposals passed in 2015, marking enormous growth in educational opportunities for students in the Niles school district.

Perhaps even more noteworthy was the constant influx of new businesses opening up shop throughout the two communities. So many businesses made their way to the area that it is hardly recognizable when compared to the previous year.

 

8: Niles makes progress on school bonds

As Niles Community Schools students headed back to school with backpacks, pencils and shiny new shoes, many were met with matched new tools at their respective buildings, as the district made significant progress on the $40 million pair of bonds passed in 2015.

After developing a clear and concrete plan for improvements in 2015, contractors broke ground on the bond projects in summer 2016 and completed much of the improvements while students were on summer vacation in 2017. When students at Howard-Ellis, Ring Lardner and Niles High School returned for the year, they were seemingly in brand new buildings.

Students at Howard-Ellis Elementary have nine brand new classrooms, a new gymnasium, and new ventilation, air conditioning and security systems.

The two schools — Howard and Ellis — blended into one. Staff and students at James Ellis Elementary at 27450 Mannix St. were relocated to Howard after Ellis closed in June. The building sold for $115,000 to a private buyer.

Ring Lardner Middle School and Niles High School buildings received similar improvements, with portions of the construction left to be finished this coming summer on Niles High School.

Improvements to Ballard Elementary, Eastside, Northside and Southside schools, and Oak Manor are projected to be completed before students return for the 2018-2019 school year.

As of fall, Niles school officials reported that the project remained under budget and had made minimal impact on students.

 

7 & 6: New businesses galore

Niles and Buchanan business districts transformed dramatically this year as entrepreneurs jumped at opportunities to launch businesses in the region — so much so that we felt the new business growth deserved two spaces on our top 10 countdown.

Foodies throughout the region were likely delighted with the sheer volume of new culinary opportunities.

At the turn of the year, Niles welcomed Front Street Pizza Pub, owned by Massimo and Cindy Cataldo (previous owners of Massimo’s Pizzeria). The restaurant, located at 510 N. Front St., next to Wonderland Cinema, quickly became a destination for food and libations, as well as live entertainment and weekly trivia sessions.

Just in time for the Hunter Ice Festival, Jim Morris, owner of Jim’s Smokin’ Café, put a spicy flare on historic eatery the Paris Soda Shop, when he opened his version, Paris Soda Co., at the same location at 220 E. Main. Morris brought his popular barbecue recipes with him to his new restaurant, but also introduced a number of other menu items — with mid-week specials ranging from shrimp and grits and gumbo, and brunch buffets on Sundays.

Halfway through the year, Morris teamed up with Niles chef Daysha Amster, who closed Olfactory Hue Bistro & Catering at 226 E. Main St. in February in order to spend more time with her family. Amster now brings her culinary expertise to the Paris a couple days per week.

It did not take long for the former Olfactory Hue space to be swept up by another popular dining destination. Longtime Niles restaurant El Amigo Pepe opened its new brick and mortar location in the former Olfatory building this July.

Lines extended out the door as people waited for the coveted authentic Mexican fare from the restaurant, which has previously owned restaurants on South 11th Street and just north of the downtown stretch. El Amigo fans had craved the tacos and burritos since El Amigo closed its 11th Street location to focus on its food truck two years ago, and were pleased that the restaurant reopened for the weekends in downtown Niles.

As the summer heat kicked in, Niles shoppers cooled off in a new popular frozen yogurt shop on Front Street. Swirlyz serves a constantly rotating menu of frozen yogurt flavors with a buffet of sweet and salty toppings to create customized yogurt sundaes.

In August, health buffs gathered two new options for cool treats as Healthy Habits opened in downtown Niles and Mi Nutrition opened in the Mancino’s Plaza on South 11th Street. Both smoothie bars are independent branches of the Herbalife franchise that serve hundreds of flavors of healthy smoothies and teas.

The same month, Lehman’s Orchard began serving cold libations and farm fresh food in Buchanan. The microbrewery is already a hotspot for all sorts of entertainment — from dinner with friends on the weekend to yoga classes through the work week.

Fisher’s Tips and Ribs relocated from the side of the Country Bake Shop in South Bend to the former Stateline Dairy Queen on South 11th St. Stateline Dairy Queen opened its doors in  a brand new building with more than three times the seating, right next door to its former location.

Other new food destinations included Robyn’s Family Restaurant on Mayflower and CC Cakery and Bakery in Buchanan.

In the non-culinary business world, Niles also welcomed The Nilly Clothing Store and Bella’s Boutique. Slocum’s Gifts, Décor and More returned to downtown Buchanan with a warm welcome from the Redbud community. Penny Slocum-Correa is once again selling home furnishings and other gifts at 111 Main St. in Buchanan.

Niles Wellcare Pharmacy opened in Riverfront Square Plaza in March, offering a convenient location for Niles residents to purchase pharmaceuticals locally.

As a handful of businesses closed their doors in downtown Niles at the tail end of 2017, it is only a matter of time before more changes present themselves on Main Street.