A Bit of History

Just two blocks east of Main, on Child Street, is the Cutler Mills district. It is a dynamic section of Warren undergoing an incredible rejuvenation. Constructed by the Cutler Manufacturing Company between 1868 and 1916, these textile mills eventually housed the Mount Hope Spinning Company, Consolidated Thread Mills, and French Mfg. Thread Mill. From the 1940s until the ‘80s it was a Chevrolet dealership.

And then...

In 1995 Dave Wescott and Bob Barrow, owners of Warren Chair Works, purchased the ramshackle buildings—using 25,000 of the existing 100,000 square feet of space for their business. Slowly they began to lease the remaining space, building small boxes on the sprawling floors to accommodate the tenants space requirements. Eventually the once derelict mill building became a community; it now provides space for more than thirty artists and small businesses.

In 2002, Dave sold his interest in Warren Chair Works to Bob, while still retaining a 50% share of the 30 Cutler Street property. That same day, 16 Cutler Street came on the market—Dave bought it. Today, Cutler Mills is home to a number of new businesses. The old Chevy showroom is now an organic grocery market and cafe; the former power plant and boiler room is now a British tearoom; and the Chamber of Commerce and an artist run co-operative gallery have joined the Cutler Mills community. A work in progress, this is definitely a hands-on project for Dave. His goal is to reunite the mills into a vital small business and arts community in the heart of Warren. He invites interested parties to "take a look, make a suggestion, or offer an idea."

Contact Info

If you would like to get in touch with us please email or call us:

dcwescott@cutlermills.com
Phone: 401.247.9204
Cell: 401.374.1758