11/23/2025
At The Mill: A Final-Day Stroll Through One of Pointe Coupee’s Favorite Traditions
By Elizabeth Baudoin | Pointe Coupee Banner
If there’s one place in New Roads where the entire parish seems to gather under one roof each holiday season, it’s Market at the Mill. And on this final day of the market, the old red-tinned building—weathered from decades of history—felt more alive than ever.
The first glimpse of The Mill comes before you even step out of your car. Its towering, rusted roof stretches across the skyline, framed by gray November clouds and fall-colored trees. It’s a reminder of just how much history this place holds, and how perfectly it pairs with the charm of the event happening inside.
Walking up to the wide, barn-style entrance, the wooden beams and faded “The Mill” sign set the tone: rustic, welcoming, and deeply rooted in the character of New Roads. Visitors filed inside with shopping bags, coffee cups, and excited conversations, all ready to explore before the doors close for the season.
Inside, the giant American flag suspended from the rafters greeted everyone from above. Warm string lights draped across the ceiling gave the industrial space a soft glow, transforming it into a festive market village. The Mill Bar—set up against sheets of corrugated metal and decorated with a Christmas wreath—was buzzing with happy customers. Smiling volunteers posed behind the bar, ready to serve mimosas, lemonade, and locally loved treats.
Booths stretched as far as the eye could see. One aisle featured vintage artwork, handcrafted pieces, and antique treasures stacked on wooden shelves and nestled in gold frames. Nearby, a jewelry vendor displayed velvet-covered tables gleaming with St. Benedict medals and sparkling bracelets—rows and rows of gifts waiting to be wrapped and given.
Across the way, another tent was filled with children’s boutique clothing—rows of pastel tutus, Christmas pajamas, and tiny outfits that made shoppers stop and smile. And not far from that, a local vendor chatted warmly with a customer at a booth lined with seasoning blends and mixes, the yellow-checkered tablecloth adding to the homegrown Louisiana feel.
There were chairs set up for friends to gather, rest, and people-watch. Families strolled hand-in-hand. Couples browsed framed prints, knitted blankets, and holiday décor. Everywhere, conversations mixed with laughter and the clinking of shopping bags.
Market at the Mill isn’t just a place to shop—it’s a tradition, a memory-maker, and a yearly reunion for so many in Pointe Coupee Parish.
Today is the last day to experience it until next year. If you haven’t stopped by yet, there’s still time to catch the final hours, pick up those one-of-a-kind gifts, and enjoy the magic inside this historic New Roads landmark.
Because once the doors close, the lights dim, and the vendors pack up, The Mill will go quiet again—until the parish comes calling next spring season.
