Bremen Development Authority and Downtown Development Authority have announced their plans to renovate the Warren Sewell Clothing Company building on Hamilton Avenue as part of its first phase in the Bremen Revitalization Program, which is designed to restore business opportunities throughout the city’s downtown area.

The Bremen Development Authority and Downtown Development Authority teamed up to form a large-scale campaign that embodies the renovation project: “Sewell Mill, the Fabric of Downtown Bremen.” This effort captures the essence of downtown Bremen during the 1900s, when it held a strong industrial presence after the success of clothing manufacturers such as Sewell Mill, which would later bud as the heartbeat of the downtown area.

With support through donations, the facility will house several businesses, and the ultimate goal is for business owners to outgrow the space and establish a space of their own throughout the city. In turn, the outgrowth can create new jobs for local residents and recapture bustling economic gains throughout the community.

“We envision that Sewell Mill will be the epicenter of Bremen and serve as a hub for economic development activities,” said Wendy Bennett of the Bremen Downtown Authority. “It will house several new initiatives designed to infuse life back into our downtown area.”

At the heart of the renovation is the Artisan Market at Sewell Mill, which will combine the sale and on-site creation of local and regional artists. Artists can also promote their works in the exhibition hall that can be used for various showcases and singings.

In addition, a historic preservation office will be on hand to serve as a processing and protection ground for submissions for the future Bremen History Museum, along with the Cherry Blossom Banquet Hall, which will be a full-service banquet quarter for special events.

The facility will also contain an entrepreneurial incubator, dubbed the Bremen Hatchery, to support small business owners in an effort to promote the entrepreneurial spirit.

“The Hatchery is a unique incubator program that will not only support talented business people with a community committee of advisors, but will also support the Sewell Mill building and the Bremen Revitalization Program,” added Amy Woodward Parrish from the Bremen Development Authority. “Our hope is to inspire our community and its entrepreneurial spirit with the Bremen Hatchery.”

The campaign carries a mission to “weave together the threads of education, innovation and preservation,” and Better Hometown Manger Neile Chambers says this can be attainable through the execution of the first step, which takes a helping hand from the community.

A $9,000 donation has kicked off the initiative, and the Bremen Downtown Development Authority is requesting donations to support the revitalization efforts. Meanwhile, as ongoing developments get underway, there have already been two booths for the artisan market and an office space commitment for the incubator, following the first donation of the revitalization fund as result of public meetings held by the Development Authority and the DDA.

“The opening of Sewell Mill represents the very best of what the program strives to do: establish new and grow existing businesses, foster a feeling of ownership in downtown by our residents, embrace our history and make Bremen a thriving destination for locals and visitors,” Chambers said.

“It will totally transform this town,” echoed Parrish. “It’s not about one building, its about a whole transformation. The average success rate with initiatives like this in other towns has been 12 to 18 months upon launch, and success is defined as a facility full with artisans, entrepreneurial business, and people already outgrowing their space in Sewell Mill. A facility like this inspires innovation and education, but also job creation. We’ve already approved five positions.”

There will be an official grand opening of the Sewell Mill on Saturday, Aug. 29, that will include several all-day activities, including a tour of the building and an outdoor movie.

The Bremen Development Authority requests the community to chip in to support this effort by making a donation. For more information, call 404-961-2230.