Niles’ Main Street developing into a foodie’s paradise Story by Ambrosia Neldon Photos by Emily Sobecki In a brick building at 3 N. Third St. in Niles, cocktails and gourmet burgers are served where customers once waited to have their brakes aligned. The sound of clanking wrenches has been replaced by clinking glasses, the churn of engines by the hum of conversation. When Iron Shoe Distillery owners Howard and Laura Tuthill announced in 2018 they would be transforming a former muffler shop into a distillery, many were skeptical, unable to see the vision the Tuthills had for not only the space, but the City of Niles. Less than two blocks away, another
young couple, Melanie and Donny Kennedy had not long before welcomed the community to experience their own transformation. The pair had converted a dilapidated, historic Elks Lodge into an elegant event center called the Fifty5 at The Grand LV. Today, the smell of fresh-baked Italian pastries, homemade soup and cappuccinos emanates from a corner of the building’s main floor. The world-class Italian bakery is one of the latest in a long line of entrepreneurs to buy into the vision for the next chapter of downtown Niles. Within walking distance, hungry shoppers can find a large menu of items ranging from barbecue to authentic
ramen, and not one, but three pizza shops, each offering its own take on America’s favorite pie. Downtown Niles is also home to a restaurant specializing in gluten free options as well as a full-service frozen yogurt bar, and will soon be home to a local brewery. This trend in all things culinary was no happy accident, but rather an organized effort on behalf of Niles Main Street, the city’s downtown development authority. Born out of an effort with the national Main Street organization designed to revitalize downtowns, the DDA developed a transformational study based on community interests and data supporting what was feasible in the district. GREATER NILES CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
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DINING & ENTERTAINMENT
DINING destination
