At the corner of Third and Cedar streets in Niles, sits a three storey, ninety-five year old brick building that is bursting with history, beauty, and opportunity. 104 N 3rd is the home of The Grand LV, a gorgeous and “unique event space for all things celebrated”, and the location of their Small Shops Artisan Market on February 11th, 2023.
“We began with only doing a Holiday Market on Small Business Saturday,” says The Grand LV owner, Melanie Kennedy. “In early 2021, we started hosting one or two Small Shops per month as a creative way to use the facility, and give local vendors a place to sell their goods.”
The February 11th Small Shops Market will be the perfect place to shop for a loved one (including yourself!) as Valentine’s Day approaches, with many gift ideas and unique wares available for purchase. Doors will open at 9 a.m, and attendees can shop until 3 p.m. Their November ‘shop’ is much larger than this one, with both floors of the building in use, but this one has a more intimate, cozy feel, and no entry fee!
Photos by the Grand LV
“I like the idea of buying unique, handmade goods –like an Etsy in real life, and I quickly learned that there is no shortage of local talent!” says Melanie. “Aside from artisans, we also have local boutiques that do not have a brick and mortar store, but instead rely on pop-up shop opportunities. This really allows for a new shopping experience each time.”
There are roughly eighteen vendors booked for the Small Shops event, and will feature a wide array of fantastic goods. You will find:
A Touch of Grace – Bare Naked Salts & Soaps – Barkin’ Bakery – Confetti Betti – Dani Morgans Boutique – Everlasting Links – Golden Paws Candles – Happy Glow – Hey GRL Hey Jewelry & Clothing – Hudon Herb Farm – Lantern Hill Soaps – Mitten Chic Boutique – NS Cosmetics – PaperPie Books – Raw Oats + Refillery – Roan Mountain Center – Sticky Spoons Jams – Wicked Pop Candle Co.
The event space at The Grand LV, formerly the Niles Elks Temple, has opened a little bit at a time since renovations began. “Our lower level opened in 2017, the main floor in 2018, and our tenants, Gabrizio Italian Cafe & Bakery moved in and opened inside The Grand LV in 2019,” Melanie says.
A lifetime resident of Niles, Melanie and her husband stumbled upon the space at 104 N 3rd, and instantly saw its potential. “It was really a diamond in the rough, but we saw all of the things that this building could be – that Niles needed it to be, and by the grace of God we have been able to bring it to life,” she says.
The Grand LV can host up to 200 people, weddings, reunions, holiday parties, corporate events, you name it! The natural light that pours in highlights every corner of the rentable space, adding to the elegant atmosphere that they have successfully created. Find out more about The Grand LV at thegrandlv.com, and follow them on social media to stay in-the-know with their public events.
By Jocelyne Tuszynski, MOTM Contributor
