062: Michal Bay - Owner and Developer of Merino Mill in Mooresville

In this episode, I sit down with Michal Bay, the owner of the amazing Merino Mill in Mooresville. This is a conversation that I’ve really been looking forward to sharing, because Michal has such a great story. Born in a small Mesopotamian village along the Euphrates River, Michal's entrepreneurial journey has taken him across Asia to Europe and to the United States. Michal tells the story of how he started selling furniture wholesale practically door-to-door back in the 1990’s, traveling in his van from city to city throughout the Southeast, and logging more that 100,000 miles per year. It was during that time that he had a chance meeting with a furniture market in a small Georgia town. That meeting would set him on a course for entrepreneurial success. Little by little, brick by brick, Michal would build a highly successful business, and come to own not one mill, but three mill buildings in separate cities here in the Southeast.Merino Mill is an especially exciting story. Michal has reimagined the potential for the million-square-foot complex, and it’s now home to two of his restaurants - the Barcelona Burger and Beer Garden and Alino Pizzeria - and also home to dozens of high-tech businesses, a huge antique mall, artisans and craftspeople, and that’s just the beginning. Michal and his team have their sights set on growing Merino Mill as a hub for small and large companies, startups, creatives, hospitality, and retail.Friends, I think you’re going to love getting to know Michal and listening to him tell the story of his entrepreneurial journey. Thanks for joining us - enjoy the episode!Merino Mill500 S. Main StreetMooresville, NC 28115Barcelona Burger and Beer GardenAlino PizzeriaBooks recommended:A Promised Land, by Barack ObamaThe Art of Happiness, by 14th Dalai Lama and Howard CutlerSupport the show