One of the oldest continually-operating businesses in Acton, Erikson’s Grain Mill, has doubled its retail space. The grand opening, held November first, showcased the larger area with a full selection of bagged dog food and horse feed, and bigger items such as dog crates that were previously difficult to display. The store carries a wide variety of feed and supplies for livestock and for pets of any size. Siblings Mollie and Seth Erikson, third generation owners, carried out the expansion into existing storage space, adding new lighting and shelving while keeping the rustic feel of the original store. Next spring they intend on adding an entrance ramp to make the store more handicapped accessible.
The Mill is located at 113 Main St in South Acton, just south of the railroad bridge at the corner of High Street. In the 1700’s and 1800’s the site contained a fulling (felting) mill, a grain mill, and equipment for sawing lumber. Henry Erikson, grandfather of Mollie and Seth, bought the mill property and opened his business in 1942. At the time, there was a railroad line that ran through the property. The opening in the building where the railroad passed through the original structure remains and a section of railroad track is visible next to the store building. In 1978, there was a devastating fire that forced the owners to rebuild into the present configuration with a small retail area surrounded by warehouse space.
Erikson’s Grain Mill is open 8-5 Monday-Friday and 8-3 on Saturday. Closed Sunday. 978-263-4733. https://www.eriksongrainmillinc.com
Jeff Brown is the business beat reporter for the Acton Exchange.