NILES — After nearly four years of growing his multi-media production clientele from his home office in Niles, Charles Nelson, 32, was ready for the next step in his company, On Base Production’s growth: opening his own local store front. 

So, when a vacancy at 227 E. Main Street opened — the former site of Resurrection’s Unique Home Furnishings — Nelson jumped at the chance to snatch the space up.

“It got too big for the little 5-by-5 office that I was working in,” Nelson said. “It’s scary and exciting, but it is a necessity.”

Nelson will offer a sneak peek of the multi-media production company during the Hunter Ice Festival Jan. 19 to 21. During the festival, people will be welcome to use a photo booth and green screen technology. The photo booth pictures will be available for purchase for a $1 each.

Nelson’s aim is to have the storefront up and running in mid- to late-February. The business offers an array of professional photography, video and design services. This includes crafting advertisements for businesses, wedding packages, graphic design or even video resumes.

“That’s what it is all about, is to stand out in the crowd,” Nelson said. “We want to help people do that. We want to make it an open space so that people who would normally have the access, have the access to it. There’s nothing like that around for anybody to do.”

With plans to incorporate numerous pieces of technology and the love for a new creative challenge, Nelson said he is open to whatever project or idea people might throw his way.

Nelson earned a degree in graphic design from Southwestern Michigan College and continued his education at Stevenson University in Maryland, where he earned a bachelor’s degree in film video theater.

With a love for his hometown, Nelson returned to Niles and went to work for the South Bend, Indiana news station WNDU as a videographer. Next, he pursued a career with Moore Theatres, the owners of Wonderland Cinema in Niles, where he created on-screen advertisements shown before the movie screenings.

In 2014, Nelson decided to form his own company. Moore Theatres is still a client, and Nelson’s outreach grew outside of Niles and across the country and even into Canada.

Nelson said he is enthusiastic about landing a spot for his business in the downtown corridor and sharing space with other business innovators who draw clients from outside the city limits. 

“That is a how community thrives, is when people from outside the community come in and spend money here and they can see how great Niles is,” Nelson said.

With the chance to move into a bigger space, Nelson also sees the opportunity to expand his expertise and offer new services to his customers.

In the front of the building, Nelson will build a studio with an approximately 8-foot tall green screen. The business’ space will also incorporate a meeting room for clients, as well as a rentable space for those who need it.

Within the next year, Nelson also hopes to add a video editing suite and a sound recording booth for voiceover, singing and soundtrack recordings.

Also on the agenda is a plan to teach classes in multi-media production including photography, audio engineering and video shooting. He also hopes to bring other local business owners on board to teach their own classes, such as crafting a cocktail or making a pizza.

Eventually, he also plans to sell equipment for video, photo and art projects.

“Our goal is to be a sustaining part of this community for a long time,” Nelson said. “We want to grow with the community and always have something to offer.”

Nelson is operating by customer appointment at this time. He can be reached at (574) 339-1253.