About Lewiston's Downtown Lewiston

Tear it down, or spend a kazillion dollars renovating the space?

The City of Lewiston Maine has long struggled with ideas for what to do with the Bates Mill No. 5 building. Much of the city center has been undergoing a revival over the past ten years. This landmark remnant of Lewiston's textile mill hay days came to the forefront this past year when an initiative to build a casino, hotel, and convention center on the site failed to get voter approval.

Most of us in the Lewiston/Auburn Maine area have never seen the inside of the building that we pass by each day. From the outside, it appears to be fraught with possibilities. Mainers pride themselves on their creative utilization of the old for something new. Other mill buildings in the area have been successfully renovated, although they are still not at full occupancy. However, in this case, has the deterioration gone beyond the point of usefulness?

Today, the Lewiston Sun Journal ran a good story on the potential fate of the Bates Mill No. 5 building and included the video below. Personally, I was struck by the level of deterioration on the interior and the fact that so much of the old factory equipment is still there. What do you think? Time to tear it down...or is there still hope?

Click here to view video and see inside Bates Mill No. 5.

While “Buy Local” campaigns seem to be gaining momentum around the country this year, Mainers have long valued locally made products. The Lewiston/Auburn area has a wealth of small owner/operated businesses for holiday shoppers to choose from.

On Thursday, December 15th, the Lewiston Winter Farmers Market will be transformed into a Holiday Extravaganza, making it easy for area residents to shop for a home grown holiday.

You will find hand-crafted unique foods, gifts, & even gift certificates. Stock up on Maine grown and Maine made products including fresh fruits and veggies, pasture-raised meats, eggs, seafood, fresh milk and artisan cheeses.

Buy bread and baked goods to freeze for the holidays, maple products, and one of a kind sweets. Find unique gifts like hand crafted soaps, pottery, fiber arts, cards, holiday wreaths, herbs and herbal products.

The Lewiston Farmers Market has become more than a simple shopping destination. The market is a great, family friendly event. Bring your appetite and have dinner at the Winter Market Cafe, serving hot soup, bread and salad combos at affordable prices. Enjoy live music as well from local favorite Jan Kendall Mayes.

The December Holiday Extravaganza will run from 5:00pm to 7:30pm on Thursday, December 15th at the St. Mary's Nutrition Center (208 Bates Street.) Additional parking is available in the parking lot to the right of St. Patrick's church.


For questions or directions, please call 207-513-3848.

Connect with the market on their facebook page as well to keep up with their most recent news and events.