About Gibson Mill
Established in 1899
Once a thriving textile mill that offered a livelihood to entire generations of Concord, North Carolina residents, Gibson Mill hums and pulses with fresh, fun, environmentally conscious energy today. Its new vibe respects our past and present, strongly emphasizing environmental consciousness and setting an example as one of the region’s most significant adaptive reuse projects.
Woven in the Concord, North Carolina community since 1899. The historic Gibson Mill complex has been reimagined for a new generation.
Our Story
The Beginning
One hundred years ago, Gibson Mill looked completely different. Back then, it was Gibson Manufacturing Company. Established in 1899 when R.E. Gibson partnered with local industrialist James Cannon, Gibson Mill was Plant No. 6 for the Cannon Mills Company.
The Golden Years
The space hummed and pulsed through the early 20th century with over 31,000 sewing spindles. Mill workers manufactured vibrantly colored yarns, gingham and madras fabric, and dress goods before making towels and sheets from the 1930s through the 1980s. Gibson Mill thrived for decades.
When the Mill closed in 2003, it wasn’t the end of the story. One year later, some local friends purchased the property together and reopened it for retail, office, and warehouse space.
A New Generation
Today, Gibson Mill hums and pulses again, this time with a fresh and fun energy. It’s a new vibe that respects our past and present, strongly emphasizing environmental consciousness and setting an example for the region’s largest adaptive reuse projects.
Most importantly, Gibson Mill is not just a space but a community-driven gathering place. Everyone is welcome, and the community-minded design includes a locally sourced food hall, craft breweries, retail, office space, and more.
This is Gibson Mill—modern innovation built by a legacy of opportunity and community.
What We Stand For
Community
Community
First and foremost, we are a place for people to gather and exchange ideas, meals, conversations, good memories, and time well spent together.
Innovation
Innovation
We believe in fresh, new ideas and vibrant, experiential concepts. We are pushing toward progress that is inclusive, welcoming, and relatable.
Opportunity
Opportunity
For the past 100 years, this mill created jobs that changed lives. We want this space to continue to create jobs and opportunities for 21st-century economic development.
Tradition
Tradition
We respect the hard work, ingenuity, and craftsmanship of American manufacturing, and we respect that tradition in the partners, collaborators, and vendors we work with today.
Sustainability
Sustainability
We are in it for the long run. We know that a sustainable, environmentally conscious, and socially respectful approach to people, places, and the planet will sustain this concept for future generations. We welcome all people, ideas, and traditions in this vision.
Our History
1899
Cannon Mills, founded by James William Cannon, a cotton broker, and the Southern Power Company, partnered with R. E. Gibson to establish Gibson Manufacturing Company. These endeavors contribute to Concord becoming North Carolina’s third-largest industrial center after Charlotte and Winston-Salem by 1900.
1900 - 1927
Gibson Manufacturing Company erects a three-story mill with a six-stage stair tower and adds a one-story weave room. By 1910, Gibson Manufacturing Company had 550+ employees and over 31,000 spindles that manufactured colored yarns, fancy ginghams, and dress goods.
1928
Gibson Manufacturing Company and eight other Cannon-owned textile plants consolidate under the Cannon Mills Company name. Gibson Mill becomes known as Cannon Mills' Plant No. 6.
1929 - 1981
Gibson Manufacturing Company, now Cannon Mills' Plant No. 6, produces towels and sheets. Throughout most of the twentieth century, the Cannon textile enterprise continued to expand by adding to its family of mills.
1982
David H. Murdock, an American businessman, California industrialist, financier, and real estate developer, purchased Cannon Mills, reorganized management, and redesigned the company’s product lines.
1986
Murdock sold Cannon Mills to Fieldcrest, which became one of the largest producers of home furnishings and textile products in the world. In 1997, Pillowtex, a Dallas-based manufacturer of brand-name fabrics, purchased Fieldcrest.
2003
Due to industry downsizing and the low cost of textile manufacturers abroad, Pillowtex filed bankruptcy, and the mill closed, terminating over 4,000 jobs in Cabarrus County.
2004
Four local friends (Southpaw Investors) buy the Gibson Mill property (656,000 SF located on 48 acres) and restore it to accommodate new opportunities for businesses and tenants while preserving its history as one of the region’s most significant adaptive reuse projects.
2005 - 2021
Gibson Mill secures tenants: Liles Construction, AutoBarn Classic Cars, The City Club Event Center, The Depot at Gibson Mill, Carolina Rustica, Cabarrus Brewing, High Branch Brewing, Valcarol Missions Escape Room, and more.
2022
Gibson Mill revamps the complex and opens a new locally sourced food hall, Gibson Mill Market, in the former 34,500-square-foot weaving room.
1899
Cannon Mills, founded by James William Cannon, a cotton broker, and the Southern Power Company, partnered with R. E. Gibson to establish Gibson Manufacturing Company. These endeavors contribute to Concord becoming North Carolina’s third-largest industrial center after Charlotte and Winston-Salem by 1900.
1900 - 1927
Gibson Manufacturing Company erects a three-story mill with a six-stage stair tower and adds a one-story weave room. By 1910, Gibson Manufacturing Company had 550+ employees and over 31,000 spindles that manufactured colored yarns, fancy ginghams, and dress goods.
1928
Gibson Manufacturing Company and eight other Cannon-owned textile plants consolidate under the Cannon Mills Company name. Gibson Mill becomes known as Cannon Mills' Plant No. 6.
1929 - 1981
Gibson Manufacturing Company, now Cannon Mills' Plant No. 6, produces towels and sheets. Throughout most of the twentieth century, the Cannon textile enterprise continued to expand by adding to its family of mills.
1982
David H. Murdock, an American businessman, California industrialist, financier, and real estate developer, purchased Cannon Mills, reorganized management, and redesigned the company’s product lines.
1986
Murdock sold Cannon Mills to Fieldcrest, which became one of the largest producers of home furnishings and textile products in the world. In 1997, Pillowtex, a Dallas-based manufacturer of brand-name fabrics, purchased Fieldcrest.
2003
Due to industry downsizing and the low cost of textile manufacturers abroad, Pillowtex filed bankruptcy, and the mill closed, terminating over 4,000 jobs in Cabarrus County.
2004
Four local friends (Southpaw Investors) buy the Gibson Mill property (656,000 SF located on 48 acres) and restore it to accommodate new opportunities for businesses and tenants while preserving its history as one of the region’s most significant adaptive reuse projects.
2005 - 2021
Gibson Mill secures tenants: Liles Construction, AutoBarn Classic Cars, The City Club Event Center, The Depot at Gibson Mill, Carolina Rustica, Cabarrus Brewing, High Branch Brewing, Valcarol Missions Escape Room, and more.
2022
Gibson Mill revamps the complex and opens a new locally sourced food hall, Gibson Mill Market, in the former 34,500-square-foot weaving room.
1899
Cannon Mills, founded by James William Cannon, a cotton broker, and the Southern Power Company, partnered with R. E. Gibson to establish Gibson Manufacturing Company. These endeavors contribute to Concord becoming North Carolina’s third-largest industrial center after Charlotte and Winston-Salem by 1900.
1900 - 1927
Gibson Manufacturing Company erects a three-story mill with a six-stage stair tower and adds a one-story weave room. By 1910, Gibson Manufacturing Company had 550+ employees and over 31,000 spindles that manufactured colored yarns, fancy ginghams, and dress goods.
1928
Gibson Manufacturing Company and eight other Cannon-owned textile plants consolidate under the Cannon Mills Company name. Gibson Mill becomes known as Cannon Mills' Plant No. 6.
1929 - 1981
Gibson Manufacturing Company, now Cannon Mills' Plant No. 6, produces towels and sheets. Throughout most of the twentieth century, the Cannon textile enterprise continued to expand by adding to its family of mills.
1982
David H. Murdock, an American businessman, California industrialist, financier, and real estate developer, purchased Cannon Mills, reorganized management, and redesigned the company’s product lines.
1986
Murdock sold Cannon Mills to Fieldcrest, which became one of the largest producers of home furnishings and textile products in the world. In 1997, Pillowtex, a Dallas-based manufacturer of brand-name fabrics, purchased Fieldcrest.
2003
Due to industry downsizing and the low cost of textile manufacturers abroad, Pillowtex filed bankruptcy, and the mill closed, terminating over 4,000 jobs in Cabarrus County.
2004
Four local friends (Southpaw Investors) buy the Gibson Mill property (656,000 SF located on 48 acres) and restore it to accommodate new opportunities for businesses and tenants while preserving its history as one of the region’s most significant adaptive reuse projects.
2005 - 2021
Gibson Mill secures tenants: Liles Construction, AutoBarn Classic Cars, The City Club Event Center, The Depot at Gibson Mill, Carolina Rustica, Cabarrus Brewing, High Branch Brewing, Valcarol Missions Escape Room, and more.
2022
Gibson Mill revamps the complex and opens a new locally sourced food hall, Gibson Mill Market, in the former 34,500-square-foot weaving room.
Property Map
