Jan 17, 2025
Lowell, Arizona, was once a prospering copper mining town located southeast of Bisbee. Today, it's famous for its historic charm and vintage cars that line the main thoroughfare. People from around the world visit Erie Street to take pictures next to the vintage vehicles and historic building facades, according to 12News.
But that may soon change. Freeport-McMoRan, which owns the nearby mine and many of the buildings in Lowell, had been reluctant to renew the lease for the Bisbee Breakfast Club, the only restaurant on Erie Street.
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"It's going to be really heartbreaking to me," Mitzi Satterfield, general manager of the Bisbee Breakfast Club, told the local broadcaster in a story published Nov. 29. "I have put everything into this restaurant, and it's my heart and soul."
Locals have been rallying around the eatery in an attempt to protect the town.
Residents fight for the business
Lowell resident Jay Allen, who owns many of the vintage cars on Erie Street, is concerned about the town's future.
"I watched it die the slowest death you can imagine, back when the mines pulled out around '74, this was nothing," he told 12News. "At some point, people came to Bisbee and said this place has promise … but, trust me, it was a beat-up old shoe."
After helping revive the town after the mining companies left, Allen is ready to fight on behalf of the Bisbee Breakfast Club. And he's not alone. Businesses are banding together to protect it, per 12News, hoping to either convince Freeport-McMoRan to maintain the lease or sell the building to the Bisbee Breakfast Club.
The broadcaster contacted Freeport-McMoRan for a statement.
"Freeport owns about 20 parcels or buildings within the Lowell District. The lease of one tenant is scheduled to expire in late 2025. That tenant has been made aware we will not be renewing the lease because of the aging condition of the building. We have been supporting the tenant in relocating,” a representative said. “We anticipate that the structure will eventually be torn down, leaving the facade intact."
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Allen says he’s working to gather signatures from Cochise County officials and plans to send a letter to the CEO of Freeport-McMoRan. He believes the loss of the restaurant would turn Lowell into a ghost town once again.
Residents may soon breathe sighs of relief, at least temporarily. A report published in the Herald Review on Jan. 16 says the mining company and restaurant are working on a deal that would keep the eatery in place until September 2026.
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Protecting the future
Lowell is celebrated for its historic charm, however, relying solely on tourism can be a risky proposition for a small town. If the Bisbee Breakfast Club meets its demise, local residents may want to look at alternative ways to generate income and rebuild infrastructure in the historic city.
Mining towns can be challenging to remediate due to the environmental effects of the previous work on the surrounding landscape. However, there are examples that show it can be done.
In Australia, a selection of coal mines have been transformed into lakes where people can swim, boat and camp. The Castlemaine Diggings National Heritage Park allows visitors to explore relics amidst its abandoned gold mines and settlements while out for a bushwalk or family picnic.
Establishing a neighborhood as a historic site can offer legal protections and open up funding opportunities for preservation. Jerome, Arizona, also a former copper mining town, became a National Historic Landmark in 1967 and today thrives on recreation and tourism.
Lowell's story is one of resilience, but its future may require further action to preserve its heritage and ensure that Erie Street remains a vibrant symbol of its ingenuity.
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Danielle is a personal finance writer whose work has appeared in publications including Motley Fool and Business Insider. She believes financial literacy key to helping people build a life they love. She’s especially passionate about helping families and kids learn smart money habits early.
