Niles kicks off first ever Restaurant Week

NILES, Mich. -- The first ever Restaurant Week is underway with city officials hoping to give the local food and drink industry an extra boost and get consumers to come and explore all that Niles has to offer.

18 restaurants are participating and while each will have special promotions to entice customers, they say it’s been much more rewarding to see how committed the city is to helping its local businesses.

“I’ve been a huge supporter of Niles DDA and Lisa Crodeau who does everything she can to support the small businesses down here,” said Linda Skwarcan, General Manager of Veni’s Sweet Shop.

At Niles Brewing Company, owner Brendan Townsley knows what it’s like to open a business in the pandemic and said it’s been the support from his neighbors that has kept him going.

“Me being the new kid on the block, I’ve collaborated with several businesses with some of my beers to try and we help each other in that regard,” he said.

Among those being Veni’s Sweet Shop, one of the last spots you can find local, homemade treats in Berrien County.

“We’ve paired with Niles Brewing Company to make peppermint for his peppermint stout, so we do like working together to help everybody out,” said Skwarcan.

But with so many dining barriers still in place, Niles is making sure the trip is well worth it with its Outdoor Dining Experience – the NODE – which continues to be a success.

“Most of the restaurants around here, if you call and let them know you’re at the NODE they’ll walk food down to you, so you could just hang out at the NODE for a couple hours and walk over here whenever you want a refill,” said Townsley.

Niles Brewing Company will have $12 mimosa flights and $8 specialty caramel White Russians all week, and at Veni’s, they’ll be offering hot chocolate bombs you can enjoy while you keep warm at the NODE.