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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
MAY 1ST
NILES, MI — A new chapter of community, connection, and legacy is unfolding in Niles with the opening of the Northside Legacy Center, a family-founded gathering space created to honor the past while serving the present and future.
Co-founded by Georgia Boggs and her granddaughter, D'Lana Lark Person, Northside Legacy Center is more than an event venue—it is a continuation of decades of service, care, and commitment to the Northside community.
For over 30 years, Georgia Boggs has been a steadfast and respected presence in Niles, serving as 1st Ward City Council Member since 1995, supporting the local school system, and leading efforts through the Northside Neighborhood Improvement Association. She has also been a pillar of the community through her foundational service and dedication to Franklin AME Church, where her faith and commitment have guided her lifelong work. Her life’s impact has centered on uplifting families, advocating for youth, and creating spaces where people feel seen, safe, and supported.
Now, alongside her granddaughter, that legacy takes physical form in a space designed for life’s most meaningful moments.
“This space represents generations of care and commitment,” said D’Lana Lark Person, co-founder. “My grandmother has poured into this community for decades. Northside Legacy Center is a continuation of that work—a place where people can gather, celebrate, grieve, and truly connect.”
Located at 1305 N. 5th Street, the venue offers a welcoming environment for gatherings of up to 64 guests and is designed to host:
- Graduations
- Birthday celebrations
- Baby showers
- Repasts and celebrations of life
- Workshops and community gatherings
A Full-Circle Story Rooted in Place
The building itself carries a deep and layered history within the community.
In 1986, Georgia Boggs became connected to the space through the Northside Neighborhood Association in the former Palmer’s building.
In 1992, it became D’Lana’s Ice Cream, proudly serving Sherman’s Ice Cream, creating a space filled with joy, connection, and community for years on the Northside of Niles.
Many Northside residents still remember walking through these doors for ice cream, laughter, and connection.
Over time, the building housed additional businesses, including Frankie’s BBQ, before eventually sitting vacant—waiting.
Until now.
Today, it has come full circle.
“I grew up in this space,” said D’Lana Lark Person. “To return and restore it alongside my grandmother is deeply meaningful. This is more than an opening—it’s a continuation of something that has always belonged to this community.”
A Space for What Matters Most
Northside Legacy Center is intentionally designed to be accessible, flexible, and community-centered—offering a clean, welcoming environment where life’s most important moments can be honored with care and intention.
“This is about legacy—honoring what came before while creating space for what’s next,” Lark Person shared. “We want people to feel held here.”
 Media & Community Invitation
Members of the media and community are invited to visit, tour the space, and connect with the founders for interviews and feature opportunities.
Northside Legacy Center is committed to remaining accessible to the community and will explore opportunities for sponsored events and community-supported gatherings.
Event bookings are now open for upcoming seasons, including graduation celebrations, family gatherings, and repasts.
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