Nye's Apple Barn to Expand as Destination for Local Produce and Landscape Design

Third-generation owner Lori Nye Bolt plans to transform historic roadside farm stand into upscale market and design showcase

Published on Mar. 9, 2026

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With recent approval of redevelopment plans, Lori Nye Bolt is envisioning a major expansion and reimagining of her family's 60-year-old Nye's Apple Barn in Niles, Michigan. Bolt plans to transform the historic roadside farm stand into an upscale destination featuring fresh local produce, meat, cheese, and baked goods, as well as a showcase for her landscape design firm Artemis Garden Design.

Why it matters

Nye's Apple Barn has been a fixture in the Berrien County community for generations, and Bolt's vision aims to preserve its legacy while evolving it into a modern, community-focused market and design hub. The project aligns with the recent success of The Market in downtown St. Joseph, demonstrating the demand for locally sourced, experiential retail destinations in the region.

The details

Bolt's plans include expanding and winterizing the original apple barn, adding more vendor space for local growers and producers. She also intends to surround the barn with colorful landscaping, including flower beds, herb gardens, and apple trees, to showcase the "Bounty of Berrien County." Bolt will also be relocating her landscape design firm, Artemis Garden Design, to a refurbished loft space within the barn, allowing design clients to see examples of her work throughout the property.

  • Nye's Apple Barn first opened in 1962 under the supervision of Lori's father, Gordon Nye.
  • Lori Nye Bolt's grandfather, Harry Nye, originally owned 300 acres of farmland around the I-94 exit where the apple barn is located.
  • Lori Nye Bolt recently received approval from the St. Joseph Township Board for conceptual redevelopment plans.
  • Bolt hopes to complete major renovations by 2027, with 2026 serving as an "interim year" for finalizing plans.

The players

Lori Nye Bolt

The third-generation owner of Nye's Apple Barn, who is spearheading the redevelopment and expansion plans. Bolt is a landscape architect with 21 years of experience and holds a degree in Forestry, Ecology and Botany from the University of Michigan.

Harry Nye

Lori's grandfather, who originally owned 300 acres of farmland around the I-94 exit where Nye's Apple Barn is located and started the apple orchard and roadside farm stand in the 1960s.

Gordon Nye

Lori's father, who supervised the operation of Nye's Apple Barn after it first opened in 1962.

Dale Nye

Lori's uncle, who had a hand in further developing Nye's Apple Barn over the years.

John Nye

Lori's uncle, who put forth the real estate plans for the Nye property a couple of years ago, leading to the recent redevelopment approval.

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What they’re saying

“My intent is to re-open my family's 60-year-old historical roadside farm stand as an upscale, modern destination offering the SW Michigan community farm-fresh fruit, produce, meat, cheese, and bakery items from premier small family farms and local providers in the area.”

— Lori Nye Bolt (MoodyOnTheMarket.com)

“There's nowhere better at growing flowers, fruits and vegetables than Berrien County. That's what we do here! We want to showcase that to everyone, both locals and visitors. We're in a great location to do that, we just must create an attractive, fun and safe place for everyone to come together and make it happen.”

— Lori Nye Bolt (MoodyOnTheMarket.com)

“We are focused on attracting locals, the tourists will come just based on location and timing. We want this place to be rooted in the local community—as it really always has been. We want that to continue and grow in the future.”

— Lori Nye Bolt (MoodyOnTheMarket.com)

What’s next

Architects and contractors are working to finalize plans for the Nye's Apple Barn redevelopment, with the goal of completing major renovations by 2027.

The takeaway

Nye's Apple Barn is evolving from a historic roadside farm stand into a modern, community-focused market and design destination that will showcase the agricultural bounty of Berrien County. By blending its longstanding legacy with Lori Nye Bolt's vision and expertise, the project aims to preserve the apple barn's role as a local institution while adapting it for the future.