With the recent approval of conceptual plans for redevelopment of the Nye’s Apple Barn site by the St. Joseph Township Board, Lori Nye Bolt is in full speed ‘Imagination Mode.’
Lori is the third generation driving force behind the future expansion and re-definition of the historic Nye’s Apple Barn into a destination for locals and tourists alike. In her mind, it’s 2028, the major improvements are all complete and customers are enjoying a unique experience that marries Farmers’ Market, neighborhood coffee place, and landscape design showcase under the Nye’s Apple Barn banner.
Lori Nye Bolt sat down recently with MoodyOnTheMarket.com:
“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’s grandfather, Harry Nye owned 300 acres of prime farmland on all sides of what became Exit 27, Niles Road at I-94 in the 1960s. Harry started selling his highly acclaimed peaches and planted an apple orchard. They soon began supplying the roadside stand that became Nye’s Apple Barn in 1962—under the supervision of Lori’s father, Gordon Nye. Later, her uncles Dale and John Nye both had a hand in further development of the Apple Barn and it’s been operated by the Nye family or close associates ever since.
John Nye put forth the real estate plans for the site a couple of years ago, touching off a neighborhood controversy that eventually led to the compromise plan approved recently by the Township Board. Each segment of that plan will require specific Township approval. We are focused today only on Nye’s Apple Barn.
Lori Nye Bolt says it’s now time to look ahead… and she has the vision and the energy to do that with the Apple Barn segment of the Nye property.
“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 acknowledged that during ‘the season’ there will be many out-of-state cars in her parking lot, and “that’s fine.” However, she is adamant that her focus is on Southwest Michigan neighbors and friends:
“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 says her vision for the Apple Barn’s future has been influenced by the recent success of The Market in downtown St. Joseph.
“The Market is a great model. It began as a manageable space and grew into itself as people had new ideas for what could be sold or created there. We want to do the same! Except we’ll also have some land, some ground we can use and develop.”
Lori’s vision for the Apple Barn includes color—lots of it!
“Flowers! Flowers surrounding the Barn so we can use them for cut flowers and bouquets available inside. Raised beds of fresh herbs. The Bounty of Berrien County surrounding the Barn”.
Lori envisions much more than the present gravel parking lot. She sees ‘so much color’, Wildflowers in a natural setting. Apple trees and flowering trees reminiscent of the orchard that came before Nye’s Apple Barn.
Where does the vision come from?
Lori Nye Bolt has spent 21 years as a Landscape Architect, nine years operating her own landscape design firm Artemis Garden Design in St. Joseph. She holds a degree in Forestry, Ecology and Botany from the University of Michigan. It’s that experience, vision and quiet confidence that she brings to her new life mission—to build on the legacy her family created at Nye’s Apple Barn. She’ll unite the two passions under one roof, moving her Artemis offices to a refurbished loft area of the barn, overlooking the Market Area. And the landscaped area around the Barn will become a showcase for her talents via Artemis Garden Design.
“I see a full circle. Horticulture and Agriculture. At the Barn, we can put Artemis literally ‘on the map,’ Artemis will blend with Nye’s Apple Barn. Design clients will be able to see examples of garden designs here, all around us! Market customers will be able to get ideas of how they might incorporate garden design in their own homes. It’s all going to work together.”
Lori is excited that the old barn can be updated as the centerpiece of her vision going forward. It will be slightly expanded, winterized, structurally bolstered where necessary and customized for the vendors and growers who will fill the main floor space. And she can already smell the coffee, fruit and fresh pastry from inside.
The timetable for the Nye’s Apple Barn project is still fluid. Architects and contractors are working against the calendar where 2026 is concerned. This will be an ‘interim year’ as final plans are made for the future. But Lori is hopeful that much of the renovation work can be done for 2027 and her vision will then come alive in earnest.
For this year, whenever you stop by Nye’s Apple Barn, look for Lori and ask her to take you Back to the Future. You’ll love her enthusiasm… and you’ll enjoy the ride!
Lori Nye Bolt of Nye’s Apple Barn & Artemis Garden Design
By Gayle Olson, MOTM Contributor
