NILES — A business with three generations of family ownership celebrated its first of three new phases by reopening its brick and mortar store in Niles.

At 11:30 a.m. Friday, Casperson’s Books opened at 302 Broadway St., following months of renovations of the storefront. It specializes in unique, antique, rare and out-of-print books; paper ephemera; records and collectibles.

A grand opening and ribbon-cutting ceremony followed at 4:30 p.m., co-hosted by the Greater Niles Area Chamber of Commerce and serviced by Jim’s Smokin’ Café. The event drew in more than 40 people, from elected officials to area book enthusiasts.

Al, Christina and Linda Casperson will operate the store, located a short walk away from their home.

“Now, I’ll never be late to work,” said Al after the ribbon cutting, eliciting laughs from attendees.

“And I’ll know where to find him,” Linda, his wife, replied.

The opening is the first of three phases the Caspersons hope to complete. The second phase will be the opening of the storefront’s lower level, which will feature inventory meant to be appealing to younger generations.

The third phrase will be the opening of Subculture Art Gallery operated by Christina, daughter of Al and Linda. She will feature her own art and the artwork of other local residents whose creations push boundaries.

The Casperson family first began their bookstore venture in 1964 when Al’s dad, Ralph, opened A. Casperson’s Books. In 2009, he passed it on to Al.

Al closed the shop in 2013 for personal priorities, selling books online and helping create Shelf Life Community Bookstore on Fourth Street.

With bookstores on the comeback — and Niles’ downtown district, too — Al said the time was right to open a brick and mortar again.

“The corridor itself is a good indicator of what’s happening to Niles,” he said, alluding to Iron Shoe Distillery, the Grand LV, Gabrizio Italian Bakery and Café and Berkshire Niles Apartments near his store.

All four entities opened in the past two years. Now, another new neighbor is among them.