Maine Heritage Weavers, Inc., of Lewiston, Maine, is "the latest permutation of the historic Bates Manufacturing Company which put Lewiston on the map back in the 1850's," according to a recent article in the Sun Journal, Lewiston's primary source of local news. Former Bates employees work with looms similar to those used by the former Bates Manufacturing Company, in the same buildings that used to house the textile giant.
Now, however, Maine Heritage Weavers are producing an even higher quality of Matalesse and Terry bedspreads; throws; shams; and Coverlets. Starting from scratch back in 2002 after Bates closed its doors, Alfred Lebel and his staff are now producing high quality products on several looms. The demand for the products produced by Maine Heritgage Weavers has now risen to a point where a second shift is being added.
People from across the country seeking high quality matelasse and terry bedding are finding products woven by craftsmen and women on behalf of Maine Heritage Weavers customers, and just like their grandmothers they recognize quality when they see and feel it.
In 1850, Boston Industrialist Benjamin Bates formed Bates Manufacturing, a textile mill in Lewiston, Maine.
The company, in various forms and under arious owners, would continue to do business for almost 150 years, developinga national reputation for its elegant bedspreads and other stylish fabrics.
The Bates Mill Store opened in the 1950’s by Bates Manufacturing to provide an outlet for second quality bedspreads and to offer employees bedspreads at a discount.
Although the textile industry in America has changed over the years, we continue to be the factory direct supplier of Bates style and quality bedspreads, coverlets and chenille throws. These luxury throws are woven by the last generation of Bates employees, who are now the first generation of employees of Maine Heritage Weavers.
