Have you ever been to The Shirt Factory in Glens Falls? You may have passed by and not realized the amazing stores found inside.
At one time, Glens Falls was known as one of the biggest manufacturing towns all around the world. According to their website, “Joseph (J.R.) McMullen and Walter Leavens, grew up in Glens Falls, they had family here and worked at various jobs before eventually apprenticing with the Joseph Fowler Shirt and Collar Company (located where the Glens Falls National Bank now stands on Glen Street).” On April 23, 1902, a devastating fire destroyed much of downtown Glens Falls. When news of the fire reached J.R., he saw it as an opportunity and immediately began discussing plans with Walter to strike out on their own. JR and Walter would take the shirt business, leaving BB (Fowler’s brother) with the detachable collar business. Read the rest of the history of what is now The Shirt Factory on their website.
Fast forward to now, The Shirt Factory doesn’t make shirts anymore, but at its heart is that same appreciation for Glens Falls and the surrounding area. Today the building features 77 unique studios, home to more than 100 different individuals. Businesses can rent a space or a studio for either a make-shirt store front, or a space for their creativity.
Take a few hours and walk through the three or so floors to explore the great local businesses found inside. A few of my favorites include:
- Black Walnut Books: An Indigenously Owned Bookstore Celebrating Queer Books & Authors of Color.
- Beldame Books: Focusing on new/used/vintage genre fiction, comic books, manga and more, there’s always a unique collection of extras to be discovered here too.
- The Sunflower Collection: essential oils, soaps and lotions.
- SensibiliTeas: a tea and eclectic gift shop that is dedicated to sharing happiness and spreading joy
