Discover West Concord and find surprises on every corner. From great food to eclectic shops, activities for kids, the arts, and more. West Concord has so much to offer!
West Concord has never been a place that stood still. Its identity has been shaped and reshaped by the Assabet River, mills and factories, railroads, a prison, farms, shopkeepers, artists, and entrepreneurs. Buildings have repeatedly found new purposes; new arrivals have affixed their
own layers, adding to what came before.
Few people have watched that process longer than Maynard Forbes. He arrived in West Concord in 1951 at fourteen and, nearly seventy-five years later, still describes the village in terms of three forces that preceded him: “The railroad, the prison, and industry. Those are the entities that developed West Concord as we know it today.”
In 1989, opening a store devoted to organic foods, natural remedies, bulk ingredients, and environmentally responsible products was hardly an obvious business proposition. But Debra Stark knew that you could feed your family—and that it could still be delicious—with nothing artificial, nothing chemical, no refined sugars or flours. The idea was clean food, period. Thirty-seven years later, it is difficult to imagine West Concord without Debra’s Natural Gourmet.
Something whimsical is coming to West Concord—and soon visitors to Junction Park will be greeted by a fanciful new sculpture designed to spark curiosity, imagination, and a sense of wonder. Centrally nestled at the corner of Commonwealth Avenue and Main Street, this August the park will become home to Rybee House 5, a striking work of public art that will invite passersby to pause, explore, and experience the creative spirit of the village center.
Concord Center takes justifiable pride in its history, but today great things are happening in West Concord. Innovation and self-reliance are nothing new on the west side of Route 2; they’ve defined the community for centuries.
West Concord is embracing Fall fun, with events and activities for the whole family this year. From music and arts to the village’s biggest annual birthday bash, you won’t want to miss the chance to discover what makes West Concord such a vibrant place for shopping, eating, and exploring.
The foundation of Discover West Concord Day (October 19 from 10-3) is the annual birthday bash for Debra’s Natural Gourmet. This tradition is now in its 35th year and the whole community jumps in to make it an event to remember! Like any great party, it’s more fun with friends, so please come out to join us. You are warmly invited to be a part of a fun-filled day of celebrating the character, charm, and family fun vibe that makes this part of town so special.
As state restrictions cautiously ease, there is a palpable buzz of excitement as shops and restaurants reconnect with old friends – and make new ones as well!
“An unexpected silver lining to the COVID-19 crisis has been a newfound appreciation for the variety of food, shops, and services we have right here in West Concord,” said Meg Gaudet of A New Leaf. “Even while our shops were closed, the outpouring of support from the town – the people who jumped in to order gift cards, curbside pickup, or home delivery – helped us so much. It gave us all a renewed sense of pride in our amazing community. Continued support will be key in ensuring our vibrant town center comes through the crisis.”
Many people visiting Concord Center for its historical, cultural, and shopping attractions may not be aware of its little sister on the other side of Route 2, West Concord. Fairly recently, buildings on this side of town were falling into disrepair and there was little to tempt a curious traveler. When I encouraged an old friend of my mother’s to join us at a music festival, she remarked, “In West Concord? In my day, we only ventured over there on Sunday afternoons, for charitable work.”
