Wabash, IN. (June 15, 2017) — Wabash Woollen Works LLC, in partnership with the City of Wabash, is pleased to announce the upcoming opening of a new textile arts project located at 414 S. Miami St. in beautiful downtown Wabash.
Wabash Woollen Works, LLC is set to open to the public in late 2017 following a partnership between the City of Wabash Redevelopment Commission and the founder of Wabash Woollen Works LLC, Lisa Gilman. Gilman is a well-known entrepreneur and real estate developer who is active in downtown Wabash and has a background in the textile arts, previously owning and operating Frontier Fiber Mill in the Warsaw area until 2010. Wabash Woollen Works LLC will manufacture luxury yarn, roving, felting, rug-making cord, etc. on site, as well as operate retail and online outlets from the location in downtown Wabash. “We are a business that will be unique to the Wabash area and we will fill a void for lovers of the textile arts,” Gilman said. “We are the only mill of our kind in Indiana and we know that we will have not only an economic impact on the community, but will draw visitors to check out all that Wabash has to offer.” Wabash Woollen Works LLC also plans to offer educational classes where students of all ages can learn various aspects of the textile arts, such as spinning, weaving, knitting, and using natural dyes grown on site to color various fibers. Machine operation and maintenance could be another educational opportunity.
The business is located on a portion of the former Brown Trucking site, which the City of Wabash Redevelopment Commission acquired in late 2013 and subsequently performed a complete environmental remediation on the site. The building at 414 S. Miami St is circa 1850’s and constructed of local Wabash County limestone, and will be completely renovated for the project. “We are thrilled to be able to partner with Lisa Gilman and Wabash Woollen Works LLC on the renovation of a historic building in downtown Wabash and the start of a great new business venture,” said Scott A. Long, Mayor of Wabash. “This is a perfect example of a public-private partnership coming together for the betterment of our community and to help us grow Wabash County.”
Wabash Woollen Works LLC is set to begin operations in October 2017, but will not open to the public until December 2017 as the company starts to produce luxury yarns to have for sale in the retail portion of the store. “On behalf of the City of Wabash Redevelopment Commission (RDC), we are happy to work with Wabash Woollen Works LLC to bring this project to fruition,” said Keith Gillenwater, President & CEO of Grow Wabash County, who also serves as the staff for the RDC.
About Grow Wabash County
Grow Wabash County (legal name Wabash County Business Alliance) 501(c)3 and 501(c)6 not-for-profit corporation designed to assist business development needs, promote livability, foster entrepreneurship, and many other important functions in Wabash County, and is the new collaborative organization formed with the merger of the Economic Development Group of Wabash County and Wabash County Chamber of Commerce. We partner with local, regional, state, and federal agencies to accomplish our mission of “Together, Growing a prosperous Wabash County”. For more information about the Wabash County Business Alliance, Inc DBA Grow Wabash County, please visit www.growwabashcounty.com or call at 260.563.5258.