NILES — A new bakery in Niles has been selected as the recipient of a pilot program, aimed at supporting small businesses.

Gabrizio Italian Café and Bakery was chosen to be part of the Michigan Economic Development Corporation’s Match on Main program. The business is slated for location inside the Grand LV, 104 N. 3rd St. in downtown Niles,

The Match on Main provides grant between $5,000 and $25,000 to select or master level Michigan Main Street communities in conjunction with eligible businesses seeking support.

Gabrizio business owner Desyree Alberganti, of Granger, said the pilot program would help her dreams come to fruition.

“We will be able to invest Match on Main funds to grow our business in downtown Niles,” Alberganti said. “We otherwise would not have been able to.”

Prior to moving to Granger, Alberganti ran a successful bakery in Las Vegas.

Gabrizio will seek to be the ultimate bakery experience for customers, offering innovative cakes, daily baked pastries and coffee, Alberganti said. Gabrizio will offer a cake program that is built for everyday use or special occasions, and an assortment of pastries baked daily and complemented by European coffee service.

Lisa Croteau, the Niles Main Street executive director, said she had many reasons to be excited about the news. She said was excited that the business was selected for the program and that Alberganti chose Niles to set up shop. 

“It is very exciting to have them be part of our business community,” Croteau said.

Croteau said she expects work on the bakery to begin within the next couple of weeks. The business is projected to open in mid-May.

“Match on Main is a great partnership program between Michigan Main Street and the Michigan Small Business Development Center and will allow new and expanding businesses to get the support they need,” Croteau said. “Together we’ll build strong Main Streets and downtown Niles is thrilled to be a Match on Main pilot community.”

The Cheese Shop of Saline located at 98 N. Ann Arbor St. in downtown Saline was also chosen as a recipient to the program.

Projects funded by the Match on Main can include interior building renovations, furniture and fixtures, permanent equipment, point of sale systems, marketing expenses, and inventory. Participating businesses must also have worked with the Michigan Small Business Development Center on a business plan.

“Small businesses are the cornerstones of our communities,” said Katharine Czarnecki, MEDC senior vice president of Community Development. “With the support of the MEDC’s Match on Main program, we can positively impact many small businesses, further boosting the downtowns and commercial districts in these communities to make them a place where people want to live, work and play.”

The full Match on Main program is expected to launch in early summer 2019 and will be available to all 23 communities participating in the Michigan Main Street Program at the Select or Master levels.