Joseph Yoho still remembers the first time he visited the Niles Community Auction House.

He was 12 years old, tagging along with his grandpa, Bill, a longtime dealer of antiques out of South Bend.

“I remember the smell of popcorn and getting something from the concession stand and just spending time with grandpa,” said the 34-year-old Mishawaka man. “It was loud and there was a lot of people. I remember the excitement of finding and looking at all the treasures and bidding. Grandpa even let me bid on one item for him. I raised my hand up and was hooked after that.”

The Niles Community Auction House closed down a few years later, making way for Aiden’s Bargain Barn flea market to move in.

After learning Aiden’s had closed, Yoho decided he wanted to restore the building to its former glory by reopening the auction house under its old name.

He leased the building, located at 802 Fort St., Niles, in September and began making improvements.

“When I walked in there again I saw it was all set up for an auction and it brought back all those memories,” he said. “I thought, ‘you know what, I am going to make this work.’”

Yoho said he would hold his first auction at 5 p.m. Nov. 15. From there, he plans to host bi-weekly auctions where everything will be up for bid from furniture to collectibles to old advertising signs and vintage electronics. He will take consignments and charge a commission fee for items sold.

“I am looking forward to my family being there and to the community to see what I’ve done,” he said. “I really hope the community will walk in the door and like it better than it was before.”

Yoho said opening the auction house is more than just a business venture — it is in his blood. His grandfather and father, Bill, Jr., also shared a love for the buying and selling of antiques.

His grandfather passed away in the late 1990s.

“I think he would be proud of me,” Joseph said. “I bet he is looking down and hoping that I will do well and succeed. There’s not many places like this left around here.”

For more information, visit the Niles Community Auction page of Facebook. Joseph can be reached by phone at (269) 635-0271 or by email at nilescommunityauction@gmail.com.