Your ultimate guide to Merino Mill — food, art, antiques and more in the Charlotte area
Merino Mill — once a mill cranking out Turkish towels — is now a community hot spot in Mooresville offering shopping, office space and food in a historic building.
The factory, which closed in 1999, was slated to be razed until entrepreneur Michal Bay stepped in to give the space a second life. Now, he’s redeveloped about 820,000 of the 1.1 million square feet with restaurants, market space, art studios and more.
At Merino Mill, you can grab a pizza with authentic Italian ingredients, dig into a burger rated the best in North Carolina and browse antiques while you pick up farm fresh produce at the weekend farmers market. Here’s your guide to what’s available to eat, see and do at Merino Mill.
Food at Merino Mill
A taqueria called Picasso and Copenhagen Wine & Beer Garden are on their way to Merino Mill in 2024. Current food and beverage options include:
Aliño Pizzeria
Scratch-made in wood-fired ovens and on your plate in 90 seconds, Aliño serves authentic Neapolitan pizza crafted with the ingredients and know-how of a true Italian pizzeria. Pies are prepared with San Marzano tomatoes, Caputo Italian flour, extra virgin olive oil and buffalo mozzarella that’s imported from Italy weekly.
The Barcelona Burger & Beer Garden
Known for its “best cheeseburger in North Carolina” accolade from MSN.com, this burger spot serves hand-pressed burgers with fresh toppings, which pair perfectly with craft beers on tap. Visitors can also enjoy hot dogs, wine and salad in a space with both indoor and outdoor seating.
Defined Coffee
This Huntersville-based coffee company harvests beans at small farms to be roasted at local Carolina spots such as Hex Coffee, Hatchet, Methodical and more. Each of the drinks at the state-of-the-art espresso bar and roastery are prepared using proper technique and equipment to deliver the perfect drink.
Shopping at Merino Mill
Main St. Antiques & Design Gallery
Home to 350+ vendors, this antique mall offers vintage goods, arts, clothes, accessories, jewelry and custom upholstery. Inventory is constantly changing, so visitors can always find something new.
The Mill Cyclery
The Mill Cyclery offers a variety of premium bicycles and gear, along with apparel and accessories.
Nest and Bower
The ideal destination for redecorating, this home goods and design shop offers new and refinished furniture, as well as home decor items and gifts. Products are hand-picked from local vendors, and there’s also the opportunity to visit the design bar for wallpaper, fabric and design services.
The Perfect Dress
Combining years of experience in the bridal industry, The Perfect Dress offers a selection of upscale prom dresses and personalized expertise to help guests find the ideal outfit for their big events.
Relax at Merino Mill
Soul Wellness
This holistic and healing arts center offers services such as massage, acupuncture, nutrition, Reiki, chiropractic and personal training.
Other tenants at Merino Mill
Merino Mill is also home to office space for more than 30 companies of all kinds. They include:
Carolina Finance
An affiliate of Harvey Enterprises, Inc., Carolina Finance specializes in non-prime auto loans to help customers re-establish credit while ensuring they have means of transportation.
Cavotec USA
This leading clean-tech company designs and delivers solutions to ensure sustainable operations for shipping ports, airports and more.
Concord Global
This business-to-business wholesale company manufactures heat-set and printed nylon area rugs.
Fiskars
Fiskars specializes in providing products that pose practical solutions for projects around the home, garden and outdoors.
Greenworks
A leader in battery-powered outdoor power tools, Greenworks provides products for DIY-consumers and landscaping professionals.
Hitachi
Hitachi offers a range of business solutions as well as products, including industrial equipment, automotive products and consumer electronics.
Mohawk
The world’s largest flooring company, Mohawk offers a selection of both hard- and soft-surface products for both residential and commercial spaces.
Oldcastle APG
Offering both masonry and hardscape products, Oldcastle APG represents premiere product lines and offers a range of green building products.
Olpr
A family-owned leather goods shop, olpr sells products such as journals, bags, watch bands and more.
Ove Decors
This bath, lighting and outdoor furniture company offers design and DIY solutions for homeowners with affordability in mind.
Pet Screening
Pet Screening facilitates both commercial renters and residents in getting household pets screened to match renters with the right communities.
Quad Marketing
Quad Marketing is a media company specializing in creative solutions, print and marketing strategy and management.
Suncast
Suncast is a market leader in custom wood structures and offers a range of high-quality outdoor storage solutions made in the USA.
Susie Films
Experts in storytelling and the art of moving images, Susie Films is a full-service media company.
Yotrio
Yotrio is a leading designer of high-quality patio and outdoor equipment.
Merino Mill
Location: 500 S. Main St., Mooresville, NC 28115
Instagram: @merinomill
Editor’s note: This article was first published July 20, 2021, and has been updated.
This story was originally published July 20, 2021 at 12:55 PM.
