Tandem Bagel Brings Fresh Flavors to the Renovated Mills in Ludlow

Ludlow, MA - Local favorite Tandem Bagel Company announced the opening of their 6th location in Western Massachusetts along the riverwalk in Ludlow in the newly redeveloped mill buildings. The location offers great views of the Chicopee River and is within walking distance of the historic downtown and new housing development, the Residences at Mill 8 & 10. Tandem Bagel was established with the mission to support local producers and contribute to the economy.

“When we learned about the opportunities at the Ludlow Mills, we knew this was the right place for us to grow. This space has allowed us to continue our commitment to sustainability and fostering economic development. The renovation at Ludlow was a significant project; we strongly believed it was a valuable resource that, with some attention, could revitalize a space that had been underutilized,” says owner Chris Zawacki.

 A ribbon-cutting ceremony will be held at 44 Riverside Drive in Ludlow on Friday, May 23rd at 8:30 am with the East of the River Chamber of Commerce to commemorate the opening. Afterward, guests will be invited inside to order food and beverages and tour the new space.

The story of Tandem Bagel Company began in 2013 with a café in a renovated train depot in Easthampton, MA. Two couples working in tandem sought to create a space that offers fresh, quick, delicious food in a family-friendly environment. About a year later, in 2014, Tandem expanded to Northampton in a shared space at the Northampton Athletic Club, but has since moved down the street to the Kingsgate Plaza. The growth continued in 2019 with the opening of a Hadley café and bakery on Route 9. Two years later, locations in Florence and West Springfield were incorporated into the existing family of locations. Tandem is committed to staying involved in its communities by donating bagels, funds, and more to numerous nonprofits and schools.

Tandem, currently with one location outside of Hampshire County in West Springfield, aims to expand further south into Hampden County. A. Crane Construction purchased the building and collaborated with Tandem to renovate and revitalize the historic structure. The project took nearly a year to complete, during which significant repairs and modifications were made to transform the building into a suitable café space. Since much of the café seating is housed on the second floor, a lift was installed for accessibility needs. The building also features original wood ceilings, original brick, and trusses that date back to the building’s factory days. The goal was to strike the perfect balance of preserving original features while modernizing the space. Tandem looks forward to promoting the town’s economy with jobs, supporting local vendors and businesses, and connecting with folks looking for a bite to eat or a place to meet with friends and colleagues.

Constructed between the 1870s and 1920s, the historic complex at the Ludlow Mills was the backbone for economic development in the town in its early days. Used to house production spaces for jute, yarn, twine, and webbing in its 66 buildings, Charles Hubbard owned it and later sold it to the Ludlow Manufacturing Company. After World War I disrupted the supply chain of jute, the Ludlow Manufacturing Company moved operations overseas in the mid-20th century. It has since housed multiple businesses, but had been deteriorating; in 2008, Westmass Area Development Corporation saw potential for redevelopment at the complex and proposed a master plan with retail, office space, and housing, and later purchased the complex in 2011. Since then, the nonprofit has secured millions in funding for the project and continues to redevelop the land. It currently houses Sole Sydicate Brewing (formerly Iron Duke), Riverwalk, Housing, HealthSouth Hospital, and more.