The Pub at Baxter Brewing Co

In the heart of downtown Lewiston lies the Bates Mill Complex, a textile mill that was the epicenter of the Franco & Irish community in the 1800 and 1900’s. With over 6,000 employees it was the largest employer in Lewiston, Maine. Bates was famous for its bedspreads as well as uniforms for the Union Army, casket liners, and more.  When Bates hit hard times in the 1960’s, it never recovered and closed in the late 90’s.  The complex, over 1,200,000 sf, was nearly empty, with leaking roofs, hazardous materials, and structural problems throughout.  It was devastating to see the decline of a space once so central to a city’s life and vitality.

Today, these buildings are full of life, people and activity.  Walk down Mill Street and you will find yourself drawn to a locally made wrought iron gate, behind which sits Mill #1 Wing, the new home of The Pub at Baxter Brewing.  The No. 1 Wing, built in 1850, was originally only four stories tall, a floor was added in 1866 – 1867.  As you meander up a path lined with gas torches, you will pass large brewing vessels and reach a custom wrought iron door at the base of the five story brick building.  When you enter The Pub, 25 foot tall ceilings draw your eyes to the mezzanine sitting above a 35 seat, horseshoe shaped bar.  The flooring removed to open up the space was hand crafted and reused for the bar, dining tables and cabinetwork throughout.

Three historic ‘sluiceways’ under The Pub once carried water to power the paddle wheels and turbines for the mill.  In keeping with the commitment to honoring the history of the space, one of the sluiceways was repurposed and now carries storm water from the upper canal down through the sluiceway, under The Pub and back to the lower canal.

In the course of the renovation the interior woodwork and brick was carefully stripped and clear coated.  Exterior brickwork was cleaned and restored; new energy efficient windows replaced the boarded up window openings. Interior lighting is provided by LED ‘Edison’ style bulbs, supporting history while conserving energy.  An original air compressor sits on its pedestal in the middle of the space. As part of the celebration of this community a local artist was commissioned to create three panels that depict the history and people who worked at Bates Mill.