Tunnel City opens new roastery in historic Norad Mill

Tunnel City Coffee finds a new home for its roasting operation in the newly renovated and deeply historic Norad Mill in North Adams, MA. The new location provides more room for Tunnel City to roast its specialty coffee and create offices for marketing, human resources and professional development.

Along with moving its roastery to the Norad Mill, Tunnel City’s recent expansion includes opening its third cafe, Uptown Tunnel, inside in the Williams College bookstore. 

“Our new space at the Norad Mill will become Tunnel City’s primary location for teaching staff about alternative brewing methods, coffee production and espresso techniques,” says Tunnel City Coffee owner Paul Lovegreen. “We’re extremely excited to move into a community of artists, craftspeople, small manufacturers and entrepreneurs at the Norad Mill.” 

Building on history
The oldest industrial mill in town, the Norad employed several thousands of people in the late 1800s and was operated by the Adams Woolen Company and Crane Co, among others. New owner and Berkshires native David Moresi looks to dust off the cobwebs of this significant piece of North Adams history. “The history of the Norad Mill inspires my desire to grow opportunity for the people and economy of North Adams,” says Moresi.  “It used to be a driving economic engine back in 1863, and we want to bring that mill town spirit back.” 

For a town built on forward-thinkers and tireless work, breathing life back into the old Norad Mill is a direct representation of the kind of positive change happening in North Adams.

“Lots of people in the community were employed at the Norad Mill, and we are already seeing job growth within businesses here,” says Moresi. “It reminds us that our history can bring us into the 21st century as a thriving city.” 

Opportunity in the Berkshires  
Tunnel City Coffee employs young professionals, artists, musicians, photographers and individuals interested in learning the art of roasting, brewing and serving specialty coffee. It is a community in itself, a microcosm of a town like North Adams or Williamstown.

“There are so many good people in this community who want to work, and we lose something when we don’t provide jobs for them,” says Lovegreen. “By moving into the Norad Mill, we hope to create even more jobs for people who are tech savvy, skilled in graphics or marketing, or don’t necessarily fit into the service industry—Our young people don’t necessarily have to move away anymore.” 

Celebrating its 25th anniversary this year, Tunnel City’s reach now extends to three stores in Williamstown and North Adams.

Spirit of the mill town
“With Tunnel City, we are working towards bringing back the spirit of North Adams with small manufacturing,” says Moresi. “We are growing a community of diverse and growing businesses that can come together and compliment each other.”  

By tapping into the energy of passionate people actively involved in making their community better, both Tunnel City Coffee and Moresi and Associates hope to create a positive culture of growth and forward movement for the town of North Adams and beyond. 

“Being in an actual mill, you are surrounded by people who are interested in what they’re doing, and it’s fun to be in that environment,” says Lovegreen. “People here leave work and lead interesting lives, and their jobs make them even more interesting. I love being surrounded by that passion.” 

Norad Mill owner David Moresi of Moresi and Associates and Tunnel City Coffee owner Paul Lovegreen in Tunnel City Coffee’s new space at Norad Mill. Photo by Sydney Lester