12/24
Kane sat outside Mill Number 5 in Lowell soaking up the information that the Mill will be shutting down its inside small business shops after a decade of unique opportunities for new business owners at the end of January. This information rang out to the community a few days before celebrating the City of Light parade opening the holiday season. The buzz around the city was sad. It’s hard to say goodbye to small business development opportunity, especially within the young adult population. Who doesn’t embrace the vision and excitement and even the needed idealism of a budding small business opportunity coming to fruition.
Kane a frequent patron of Mill Number 5 was feeling nostalgic as he remembered visiting as a young pup the coffee shop Coffee and Cotton, several farmers markets, Sutra Studio, and the old fashion Luna theater. Kane reports it is a unique concept to allow dogs in a coffee shop and small businesses with their family. He has fond memories of meeting new people and other dogs on his way to score his next cookie. Each of these businesses will need to relocate outside the mill to most likely a higher rent situation. Kane wishes them luck in their transition.
Although Mill Number 5 houses several small businesses, it was the vibe of new business, dreams coming to light, and a sense of local community and hope that kept the energy positive and high. Kane reports the Mill definitely brought the creativeness of the young adult community into focus. Patrons attend live productions and events such as book clubs, poetry slams, and local musical talent and jam sessions. Besides the art community many local growers brought their produce to sell at the farmer’s market. Now that Kane thinks about the different people that came to the mill it was eclectic.
What makes the Mill number 5 space unique? Well, the inside storefronts resemble what you would think the set of the Christmas Carol would look like. Walking through the mill on the wood floor you pass a variety of vintage glass storefronts, each unit representing someone’s dream. The property, owned and run by James Lichoulas, has been known to create smaller spaces at a very reasonable rent for small businesses starting out.
A novel idea that you don’t see everywhere. Mill Number 5 also boosts having regular bazaars featuring local ventures to sell their products in the main corridors throughout the month. Kane has purchased some beef jerky, dog treats, and a couple of collars in the last year to stay fashionable.
In an article in the Lowell Sun on November 30, 2024 by Peter Currier it was reported by the Lichoulas family that the Mill was operating at a loss since COVID slowed down business in general. Kane learned that many of the business owners paid half their rental fee during the pandemic hoping to keep business open during this sparse shopping time. Over the years many small businesses got their start in this location. For example, Sutra Studio started in the Mill now has a new location on Canal Street in Lowell and an additional location in Maynard, Mass.
So what will become of the Mill space? Kane read on the November 28th, 2024 edition of Inside Lowell that the Mill will be gifted to the Lowell Community Charter Public School (LCCPS) which houses 800 plus children. The school plans to expand its space for education resources. Kane is hopeful that the building will continue to see many happy faces inside its walls in the year to come. The Mill was built in 1873 as part of the Appleton Mills originally powered by water, coal, then eventually oil. So the building itself has seen many transitions and hopefully the next one will continue to add value to the community as it houses educational opportunity.
Kane says goodbye for now Mill Number 5 and thank you for the memories. Namaste.
Kane Peaslee, Columnist
Valley Patriot ◊