Lifestyle brand Souldier purchases Leader Publications building in Niles

By Ryan Yuenger
ryany@wsjm.com

A company that manufactures and sells guitar straps to world-famous musicians will soon be moving its company headquarters.

Jen Tabor, owner of lifestyle goods manufacturer Souldier, announced Thursday the company has purchased the Leader Publications building, 214 N. 4th Street, Niles, for the future site of its headquarters.

Souldier was born out of Tabor’s Chicago apartment in the mid-2000’s, and has since expanded into an internationally-recognized music brand worn by stars like Taylor Swift, Aerosmith, Chris Stapleton and many more.

The company also makes and sells belts, handbags, animal collars and other goods using sustainably-sourced and upcycled materials. Tabor said while the company is known for its guitar straps primarily, she describes the company as providing a “full range of high quality lifestyle goods with an long history in the music industry.”

Photo via Souldier Facebook

“This is such a win for the community and the future,” Tabor said. “We’re honored to be stewards of this building and this landmark piece of downtown Niles.”

The historic, 35,291 square-foot building was built in 1926, and features warehouse space, as well as retail space along 4th Street. It is the current home of Leader Publications, which produces the Niles Daily Star, Dowagiac News, Edwardsburg Argus and Cassopolis Vigilant newspapers.

The space is also host to Off Main Street Salon and Shelf Life Bookstore. All three business have signed leases to continue operating out of the building, according to Tabor.

“I want the community to know I want to be here and I’m not changing anything,” she said. “We love the community in southwest Michigan and the growing community in Niles.”

Tabor said she intends to restore the historic building to its original glory, including restoring it’s original name of the “Star Building,” and re-opening the Niles incubator kitchen that formerly occupied some of the second story.

Once renovations are complete, the company will relocate production from its current location in Buchanan.

“It’s the right size and offers lots of opportunities for future growth,” said Tabor, of the Niles building. “We’re just getting started … depending on [the project], it could take anywhere from six months to two years.”

While the production facility will be moving from Buchanan, Tabor has purchased the old Stark Elementary School in Buchanan, and in the process of renovating the property into Stark Community Center.

“We’ll be leasing space on the community center soon,” Tabor said. “Our mission is to ignite the music community in SW Michigan, promoting inclusion, education and recreation.”