October 1, 2025
Cabarrus County, North Carolina boasts a long industrial history, with a legacy of 44 textile mills located here from the 1800s to 2000s that were part of the county’s evolving character over time. This is the history 44 Mills Kitchen + Tap nods to as they serve up seasonal cuisine, craft beer, wine and cocktails in Concord.
Today, many local restaurants are located in these historic buildings that carry forward the area’s rich history of creativity, innovation, and community. From upscale dining to casual meals and a quick coffee or sweet treat, guests have the unique opportunity to dine inside these restored and repurposed places to eat and drink in Cabarrus County.
73 & Main
The 1912 building that American restaurant and pub 73 & Main occupies, located in downtown Mount Pleasant, was originally constructed as a mercantile, then converted to a hosiery mill in the 1930s. It continued manufacturing hosiery until 2009. In 2017, the building was renovated, and now houses 73 & Main and Old Well Brewery.
Diners can enjoy small-batch beers from the brewery, a menu featuring local ingredients — including dishes infused with whiskey from the award-winning distillery operating out of a former prison just down the road — and an exceptionally large selection of antique and rare bourbon — a perfect fit for a place with such a long history. They host private events, too.
Café Lentz and The Bakery at Mount Pleasant
The name of Café Lentz, also located in downtown Mount Pleasant, is a nod to its building: The historic Lentz building, which has been host to a bevy of businesses since the 1910s as well as functioning as an important gathering spot for civil organizations and the community.
Now, it’s the home of a European-style café where you can enjoy pastries, flatbreads, sandwiches and salads on the patio, and enjoy treats at The Bakery at Mount Pleasant next door, too.
The Bank Food Hall
Set inside the former Cabarrus Bank building, diners can indulge in a variety of eats right next to the original vault at The Bank Food Hall in Downtown Kannapolis. The walls of the food hall feature tales of infamous bank robbers as a nod to their location. Stop in for lunch while exploring downtown, grab a bite before the baseball game, or have a cocktail after catching a show at the two historic theaters nearby.
Diners have plenty of options here, including Asian dishes and sushi, pizza, smoothies and bowls, salads, cheesesteaks, wraps, and burgers. Plus, grab a drink from the Bank Robber’s Bar and enjoy it onsite or while strolling through the West Avenue Social District where entertainment like slot car racing, duckpin bowling, arcade games and karaoke, boutique shopping, and more await.
Gibson Mill
In 1899, the Cannon Mills Company opened Gibson Mill in Concord as Plant No. 6. There, the company manufactured all kinds of items: yarn, gingham and madras fabric, towels and sheets. The plant closed in 2003, but Gibson Mill has been revitalized as a hub for the community that aims to preserve the location’s locally made legacy.
The campus boasts an antique mall, retail shops, and more, including locally sourced food hall Gibson Mill Market. Diners can choose from pizza, Mexican and Thai cuisine, specialty coffee and sweets, award-winning burgers and barbecue, a full bar, and more, or head downstairs to visit a local craft brewery and board game café. Gibson Mill Market also offers outdoor seating and tons of weekly special events, too.
After enjoying a meal, stretch your legs inside The Depot at Gibson Mill. This massive antique mall offers aisle after aisle of vintage treasures, and The Depot Deli is on site should hunger strike again. Indoor axe-throwing and a classic car showroom are also within walking distance along with Cabarrus Brewing Company, another excellent example of telling the destination’s story by maintaining the historic building’s character. The Kitchen at CBC serves up elevated pub food for lunch and dinner daily, plus all-day brunch on Sundays.
Check out our Insider’s Guide for the full scoop.
Southern Strain Brewing Company
The former Cannon Textile Mill in Concord, built in the 1880s, is now in the craft beverage business. Southern Strain Brewing Company, a brewer-owned and operated production facility and taproom, takes special pride in their place in the community. When restoring their building for its new use, they took care to retain the history and feel of the textile mill, so when you visit, you’ll see the brick, hardwood floors, open ceilings and original sliding doors.
At Southern Strain, you can enjoy small batch lagers, hopped up IPAs and more at a seated bar, tables, and an outdoor patio. Their in-house dining experience, The Eatery, took top honors during Cabarrus Burger Madness 2024, and like many of Cabarrus County’s local breweries — including Cabarrus Brewing Company at Gibson Mill and Old Well at 73 & Main — Southern Strain is on the Explore and Pour craft beverage trail. Be sure to get your pass and check in along the trail to earn prizes!
Come Explore With Us
There’s so much to do in Cabarrus, whether you’re visiting or this is your home. Check out our Destination Guide for more delicious and exciting experiences for locals and guests alike, including these 5 Historic Sites Visitors Can Still Experience Today.
