Niles — At the Niles Bluegrass Festival, local new businesses give community members a glimpse of what’s to come.

Jen Tabor, owner of lifestyle brand Souldier, was one of many vendors at the festival at Riverfront Park. Founded in Chicago in 2005, Souldier uses primarily upcycled materials to create custom merchandise such as fretted instrument straps, dog and cat collars, saddle straps, and wallets.

Souldier reached audiences around the world with recording artists such as Chris Stapleton, Taylor Swift, Tom Petty and Panic! At The Disco sports brand.

“I am thrilled to be at the Niles Bluegrass Festival this weekend,” said Tabor. “This is the first time we have met the public and we are excited to show you the new opportunities coming to Niles and the new businesses coming to Niles – and we are part of it. It’s all on display here to give people a taste of what the store will look like in the new Star Building this weekend.”

Souldier purchased the Star Building from Leader Publications at 217 N. 4th St. in October 2022. The building now houses the manufacturing facilities of Leader Publications and Souldier, and soon he will have a flagship store at 223 N. 4th St. to sell these products. There will also be a vintage guitar shop and a space to offer music lessons to local residents.

In addition, Tabor said a beauty salon, a beauty bar that offers eyelash services, waxing, tanning and more, will move to the building at 225 North. Seouldia also said it will also transfer its non-profit Good for Your Soul Foundation. Visit the historic home connected to the Star Building on Sycamore Street to promote music and arts activities for youth and teens in Berrian County.

“I will be taking lessons in guitar, piano, vocals, drums, and more,” she said. “We plan to revitalize the space and open a full music store with lesson programs in conjunction with the Souldia flagship store. It will be a very unique space here at Niles.”