The Shirt Factory in Glens Falls Threads History, Art, and Community Into One Creative Campus
All photos courtesy: The Shirt Factory
Just south of the Blue Line—but firmly within the cultural orbit of the Adirondacks—stands one of the most dynamic creative campuses in the region: The Shirt Factory.
Located in downtown Glens Falls, in the foothills of the Adirondacks, The Shirt Factory and its Annex house 77 unique studios and shops and more than 100 talented individuals. It’s not a mall. It’s not a museum. It’s something far more interesting—a living, breathing ecosystem of makers, merchants, and creatives who open their doors year-round.
For travelers exploring the southern Adirondack region—or locals looking to rediscover their backyard—The Shirt Factory delivers the kind of layered, unexpected experience that rewards curiosity.
A building stitched into local history.
Built in 1902 and expanded in 1910, the sprawling brick complex began as a men’s shirt factory. In the 1930s, it added dress production, becoming a cornerstone of Glens Falls’ industrial economy. The factory operated until 1996.
Then, instead of fading into vacancy, the building found new life.
The McMullen Building. Photo courtesy The Chapman Museum.
Without government funding or tax breaks, its owners transformed the former manufacturing hub into a vibrant center for artists, entrepreneurs, and small businesses.
That evolution reflects a flexible vision—one that adapts to change while preserving history. The bones remain industrial. The energy feels thoroughly modern.
The story of The Shirt Factory continues to unfold, shaped not by corporate mandates but by passion and grit.
A creative campus under one roof.
Wander through its corridors and you’ll discover an astonishing range of studios and storefronts.
One of several galleries located at The Shirt Factory.
Fiber artists. Booksellers. Jewelers and metalsmiths. Painters. Potters. Upcyclers. Professional services. Galleries. A distiller’s tasting room. Bakeries. A café.
Each space carries the personality of its creator. No two doors feel the same.
Visitors can browse the full directory online, but the real joy comes from exploration—turning a corner and finding a working artist mid-process, or stumbling upon a pop-up exhibit you didn’t know you needed.
Here’s a look at the spirit of the place:
Watch: Inside The Shirt Factory.
A short YouTube tour showcasing the studios, artists, and creative atmosphere inside The Shirt Factory.
Step inside one of the southern Adirondacks’ most inspiring creative communities.
The video captures what words struggle to convey—the hum of creativity, the sunlight filtering through tall factory windows, the quiet intensity of artists at work.
More than shopping—an experience.
The Shirt Factory thrives because it resists easy categorization.
Yes, you can shop. And you should. Handmade ceramics, fine art, artisan jewelry, literary finds, locally crafted goods—this is the antidote to big-box sameness.
But the campus also hosts classes, workshops, open studio events, seasonal festivals, and collaborative exhibitions. It encourages interaction. Visitors don’t just consume art here; they engage with it.
A pottery studio.
That spirit aligns beautifully with the Adirondack ethos: self-reliance, craftsmanship, authenticity.
While Glens Falls sits just outside the official Blue Line, it has long served as a gateway to the Adirondacks. A visit to The Shirt Factory pairs perfectly with a Hyde Collection exhibit, a downtown dinner, or a weekend basecamp before heading north to Lake George or the High Peaks.
Meet Muralgarten.
Just steps away, another ambitious project is taking shape: Muralgarten.
Muralgarten is a free, public art park rising in the Shirt Factory neighborhood. Its goal? To become a world-class, year-round tourist attraction that combines large-scale murals, history panels, sculpture, and native landscaping.
It brings outdoor art into dialogue with community history and natural surroundings—a fitting complement to the creative energy inside the factory walls.
Watch: The Vision Behind Muralgarten.
A video introduction to Muralgarten’s mission and vision for public art in Glens Falls.
A bold new canvas unfolds in the foothills of the Adirondacks.
Together, The Shirt Factory and Muralgarten create a compelling cultural corridor—one that signals Glens Falls’ confidence as an arts destination.
Why it’s worth the detour.
Travelers often rush north, eager for mountain views and lakefront trails. But savvy Adirondack explorers know that the foothills hold their own rewards.
The Shirt Factory offers:
Year-round indoor exploration (a winter win).
Direct access to working artists.
One-of-a-kind gifts with real provenance.
A walkable downtown setting.
A front-row seat to creative reinvention.
It feels authentic because it is authentic.
The Winter Meltdown event in March, one of several annual events at The Shirt Factory.
No two visits look exactly alike. Studios evolve. New businesses move in. Exhibits rotate. Murals rise.
For readers of ADK Taste—those who crave insider finds and meaningful experiences—The Shirt Factory checks every box. It honors history without freezing it in amber. It supports small business. It celebrates craftsmanship. And it reminds visitors that creativity thrives not only in the High Peaks, but also in the valleys below.
In the southern Adirondack region, this former shirt factory now weaves together art, commerce, and community into something distinctly its own.
And that’s a story worth exploring.
Places to stay, shop, eat, and things to do in and around Glens Falls.
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