City officials along with the Southwestern Michigan Economic Growth Alliance announced earlier this month a focus on the future of the South 11th Street corridor, taking steps toward a plan for economic development of the area.

One example of a business owner taking advantage of the area’s potential is Jeff Levy, who purchased property along South 11th Street to develop a building that will house two commercial businesses.

The Berrien Springs businessman and franchise owner will open a Jimmy John’s sandwich shop and drive-through later this year. He plans to lease out the second space.

Construction on the property located just next door to Burger King and across the street from Pizza Hut is under way. Levy doesn’t have an estimated completion date at this time, but said the hope is to have Jimmy John’s open for business in the spring.

“I really wanted to get involved with the Jimmy John’s franchise,” Levy said of the decision. “Niles was the closest territory that was available and I wanted to be located in the major thoroughfare or major street that gave me the best opportunity for success, which happens to be (South) 11th Street.”

Jimmy John’s will occupy 1,625-square-feet of space, Levy said. The neighboring leased space will be slightly smaller at 1,300-square-feet.

Levy currently owns two separate franchises in Berrien Springs. Upon deciding to get involved with Jimmy John’s and go into business in Niles, he said he had numerous discussions with city officials, business owners and the Southwestern Michigan Economic Growth Alliance.

In both cases, he said, support was evident from day one.

“(I was) just trying to seek advice and try to see what they thought about a new business coming to town, and I think from day one they recommended that the city needs a Jimmy John’s,” Levy said.

Construction begun without issue.

“Everybody welcomed me with open arms,” he said. “We’ve been able to work through everything with no problems at all. I’ve been quite pleased with everybody’s cooperativeness.”

Levy’s hopes are to lease the second space to another retail operation that will “complement mine and would draw more people into that space.”

Asked his thoughts on the profitability and potential of the South 11th Street corridor he said the area provides businesses and consumers alike with a lot of opportunity.

“It offers a great opportunity to businesses to come into that area,” he said. “I think that given there are so many restaurants located in that area along with a hotel, there’s a lot of traffic that passes by that street every day … it would give the people of Niles the opportunity to stay close to that area without having to go elsewhere to get what they’re looking for.”