The 103-year-old building formerly known as The Mill of the Showers Brothers Furniture Factory is now reborn into a building that is designed to support entrepreneurs by providing a space for them to work on their current and future businesses. Anyone who has a business ,or even just an idea, can come and work in a environment where they can share ideas and collaborate with others

After the city bought the 12 acres of land formerly occupied by the historic Showers Brothers Furniture Company in 2011, the city planned to create a certified technology park called the “The Trades District.” The purpose of the park is to provoke innovation, attraction, job creation and increase the income and wealth of the city of Bloomington. The Mill is planned to be the heart of The Trades District.

The Mill was first built in 1915 and was used by the Showers Brothers Furniture Company to cut wooden logs into  planks that can be customize into furniture. The city did a complete renovation to change the building into a state-of-the-art working space.

J.D Thornton, the Marketing Coordinator of The Mill, says that he hopes The Mill can promote communication between businesses. “Whatever they are doing, they are able to just meet with each other talk and exchange ideas and that what really gets people starting on their business and can be very encouraging because entrepreneurship is a very lonely road.” J.D Thornton said.

Brian Payne, the Assistant Director of Economic & Sustainable Development of Bloomington, hopes that The Mill will be a unique place for entrepreneurs rather than simply another place that businesses can rent office space. “What we don’t want the Mill’s physical offices to be is just another place you can rent office place in Bloomington. We have a lot of that and part of the reason we are developing The Trades District around The Mill is so that more office space and flexible office space will spring up. So that’s not what we want The Mill to be.” Brain Payne said.

The Mill offers various membership options from a monthly plan to use the open co-working space to renting a 651 square feet office. The Mill also plans to host several public events to support the success of the businesses inside.

Forrest Fowler, The Founder of Workspace and Sid3car, says that he is excited about being a part of The Mill. “Now and forever would like to be a part of the awesome community that’s here because that’s really the benefit. it is a physical building but, the community is what really makes it amazing.” Forrest Fowler said.

The Mill Officially opens at November 15th but many businesses already moved in

For more information about The Mill and membership, please visit The Mill’s website