Lowell, Massachusetts, is particularly known for the awe-inspiring historic mills scattered throughout the city, a remnant of the industrial revolution in the late 1800s.
Rather than let these incredible buildings remain vacant, there are many local businesses that have decided to call these mills home – often forming a tight-knit community, such as Mill No. 5. on 250 Jackson Street.
“Mill No. 5 is the reawakening of a textile mill from 1873.” The Mill No. 5 website explains, “Our renovation preserves its historic character and keeps the spirit of imagination, craft, and industry alive, relevant, and contemporary.”
Today, let’s take a look inside Mill No. 5 and see what this community of small businesses and local artisans has to offer visitors.
Coffee And Cotton
Our first stop in the mill has us grabbing a hot beverage and a delicious pastry. Coffee and Cotton is the “pumping heart in the center of Mill No. 5.”
Here, guests can expect delicious coffee, espressos, and lattes, fresh-baked treats, and locally-sourced breakfast, lunch, and dinner food options–including seasonal offerings.
The shop also hosts various live events throughout the year, so be sure to keep checking their calendar of events.
The Luna Theater
The Luna Theater is a “hidden gem, reminiscent of a time when movie palaces were commonplace” – perfect for cinema buffs.
The movie theater is an excellent alternative to larger, more commercial cineplexes. Here, visitors can expect to find showings of indie films, classic films, and even live events and performances.
For example, film enthusiasts can attend classic monster movie marathons, Alfred Hitchcock films, cult classics, and some of cinema’s most bizarre creations on Weirdo Wednesday. Best of all, you can view these films with a community of movie lovers in a classic theater setup.
Dow’s Soda Fountain
Despite being closed at the moment due to COVID. Dow’s Soda Fountain is a great spot to grab a bubbly drink.
This location offers the classic, 1950s soda fountain aesthetic, all while serving up delicious classic sodas, including Dow’s Signature Ginger Ale, Hood’s Sarsaparilla, and all your favorites.
Additionally, the soda shop also offers ice cream, specialty drinks such as egg creams, ice cream floats, and much more.
A Little Bazaar
At the Little Bazaar, you’ll find a marketplace of “handmade goods, peculiar finds & vintage commodities,” offered by local vendors. Every Saturday, the marketplace hosts various themed events.
For example, this April features their month-long Halfway to Halloween celebration. Local artisans and vendors from around the region will be present, displaying their amazingly strange and unusual goods and creations.
The Farm Market
The Farm Market is a weekly gathering of New England farmers and small business owners that come together for a “joyful celebration of food in a vibrant gathering place and destination.”
Vendors from across New England, including northern New Hampshire and Vermont, frequently attend to showcase and sell fresh produce, handmade candies, coffees, hot sauces, and so much more. You truly never know what you’ll find.
The market is open every Sunday, from 10 am to 1 pm, rain, snow, or shine.
