Business Districts
Concord Center
This walkable, picturesque New England business village is bordered by 18th-20th century buildings and landscapes that form a National Historic District. Locally owned retail shops, art galleries, small restaurants and cafes, civic buildings including the Town House, and professional offices all contribute to a lively streetscape.
Many historical sites are located in this area, including six National Historical Landmarks: Old North Bridge, The Old Manse, Orchard House, The Wayside, Sleepy Hollow Cemetery, Wright Tavern and Concord Museum. Regional audiences are drawn to the cultural venues here including The Umbrella Arts Center, 51 Walden Performing Arts Center, Concord Art and Concord Free Public Library.
Concord Center is as a hub for visitors to the town, with the Concord Visitors Center and the Concord Inn key destinations.
Thoreau Depot
Just a half mile from Concord Center, the MBTA Commuter Rail anchors this commercial center. The primary customer base is residents to a mix of local shops for everyday essentials including grocery, hardware and pharmacy, along with services including salons, dry cleaners, fitness studios, and medical and dental offices. Restaurants, coffee shops, and ice cream parlor attract customers from a broader area.
Functional, transit-centered, practical
West Concord
Sometimes called West Concord Junction, this business district developed as an industrial and retail area at the historic railroad crossing. Today the MBTA Commuter Rail service still runs on the Fitchburg Railroad, and the Framingham/Lowell line is now the Bruce Freeman Rail Trail.
The former industrial properties are now home to a variety of uses including artists, creative offices, and light industrial uses.
The shops and food businesses here have a generally more casual and sporty vibe, animated by public art and community events. New boutiques share the work of craftspeople near and far. The arts reign in this district too with dance, theatre and music venues offering classes.
This is a neighborhood business district for day-to-day errands including specialty grocery items, dry cleaning and shoe repair, pharmacy and flowers with businesses new and old.
Baker Avenue
This hub is home to Concord's larger commercial properties, primarily focused on business services, healthcare, and corporate offices. Conveniently accessible via the West Concord MBTA station, the Bruce Freeman Rail Trail, and Route 2, this area represents the town's more modern, business-oriented district. Office parks and professional buildings establish this neighborhood as a key employment center. The presence of amenities like the Residence Inn by Marriott, along with cafés and fitness centers, caters to the needs of professionals working in the area.
Virginia Road/Hanscom Field
Serving as the gateway to the airfield at Hanscom Air Force Base, this easternmost corner of Concord is a unique blend of the old and the new. Expansive parcels feature modern office buildings housing major employers, including a cluster of science-focused companies. Yet, the charm of old Concord endures, with historic farmhouses nestled among cultivated agricultural lands, preserving the area’s rural character.
Old Nine Acre Corner
Old Road to Nine Acre Corner (ORNAC) begins at Route 2 and Main Street in the north, where it is anchored by a cluster of medical facilities, including Emerson Hospital, Deaconess Abundant Life Services for senior care, and other medical offices. To the south, ORNAC extends into Sudbury Road and intersects with Route 117 (North Road), transitioning into a hub of agricultural activity. Here, Verrill Farm, Colonial Gardens, Mahoney's Garden Center, and Brigham's Farm showcase their products through both retail and wholesale operations, highlighting the area’s commitment to agriculture.
Farming and Recreation
Concord is distinguished by its active and varied agricultural sector, supported by over fifteen commercial and non-profit farms that contribute significantly to the town’s economic vitality and rural charm. The town boasts more than 6,000 acres (38% total of the town) with permanent or temporary conservation restrictions. Concord's Natural Resources Division, along with the Minute Man National Historical Park and Concord Land Conservation Trust, manage agreements for use of lands for agricultural and recreational uses. The town's waterways, extensive network of trails, and bikeways offer ample opportunities for businesses that utilize these open spaces. Large agricultural areas include Nine Acre Corner, Lexington Road. Monument Street, Williams Road/Sudbury Road/Route 2, and Reformatory Farms/Barrett's Mill Road.