On any given weekend, The McKinney Flour Mill feels alive in a way it didn’t generations ago. Where grain was once milled, you’ll now hear glasses clinking at cocktail hour, music filling the reception hall, and guests making their way down McKinney’s original Main Street. For James Bresnahan, part owner and manager of the property, that change is exactly what gives the space its purpose today.
“The Flour Mill has always been a place where people came together,” James says. “What’s changed is how we use it.”
Today, The Flour Mill is best known as one of the area’s most distinctive event venues, hosting weddings, corporate gatherings, and community events year-round. Yet the history of the property is never far from view. From the red brick walls built in 1914 to the concrete silos that once stored grain, every celebration unfolds against a backdrop that dates back well before McKinney was officially founded in 1848.
The property has been tied to flour milling since the earliest days of Texas settlement after independence from Mexico in 1836. Collin McKinney, signer of the Texas Declaration of Independence and namesake of the county, helped shape the area, and the mill soon became central to the local economy. “The original Main Street of downtown McKinney actually runs right through our property,” James explains. “That tells you this was once the heart of commerce in town.”
That sense of place is what couples and clients connect with today. The Flour Mill has operated as an event venue for just over 15 years, evolving from a rental-only space into a full-service venue with in-house catering and bar services. James attributes its success to thoughtful preservation rather than reinvention. “We’re listed on the National Register of Historic Places,” he says. “Our goal has always been to preserve what’s here and give it new life.”
Weddings make up many events hosted at The Flour Mill, and the property is designed to support an all-day experience. Brides and their parties begin in a large, elegant bridal suite that comfortably accommodates extended groups. From there, couples can choose between indoor and outdoor ceremonies, including an intentionally designed outdoor space known as The Secret Garden. James says The Secret Garden was created specifically for outdoor ceremonies, giving couples flexibility while still feeling private and tucked away.
Following the ceremony, guests can move into one of the venue’s most memorable spaces: the on-site speakeasy known as Prohibition. Located in a building originally constructed as a warehouse basement in the 1920s, the space feels intimate, layered with history, and unlike anything else on the property.
“That was the height of the Prohibition era, so the name made sense,” James explains. “There’s even a rumor it served as a real speakeasy back in the day.”
Inside Prohibition, history is more than aesthetic. The original safe used during The Flour Mill’s operating years remains in place, and the bar itself was repurposed from a countertop once used in the mill’s office over a century ago. During cocktail hour, guests sip drinks surrounded by these details, often unaware at first that they’re standing in a space that predates World War II.
From there, the celebration flows into Diamond Hall, the primary reception space at The Flour Mill. Its most striking feature is a large chandelier suspended from the 20-foot ceiling, built by James himself using repurposed wood from the original flour milling process. “When we hung it, it naturally settled into a diamond shape,” he says. “That wasn’t planned, but that’s how Diamond Hall got its name.”
Throughout the evening, the venue’s history quietly shows itself. Red brick walls, the original layout, and industrial details remind guests this was once a working mill serving early North Texas. Outside, that connection continues with a send-off along McKinney’s original Main Street. “There’s something special about ending the night on the same street where commerce and community once began,” James says.
Another beloved detail of wedding days is Maggie, the venue’s convertible 1972 MG in British Racing Green. Parked on Main Street for photos, Maggie has become a signature part of The Flour Mill experience. “Her license plate says MAINST,” James notes. “She fits right in with the history here.”
While weddings are central, The Flour Mill’s calendar reflects a wide range of events. Fundraisers, galas, high school proms, reunions, banquets, and corporate holiday parties regularly fill the space. The venue also hosts themed events, from Roaring Twenties celebrations to Boots and Bling evenings, where guests often lean into the property’s historical character.
Community involvement remains a priority. The Flour Mill hosts weekly McKinney Chamber of Commerce networking meetings, supports Leadership McKinney Alumni, and welcomes city meetings and panel discussions, aided by its location directly across from the newly built City Hall. “Being part of the community is just as important as hosting private events,” James says.
Prohibition is also available as a standalone venue for rehearsal dinners, birthdays, and holiday gatherings. In addition, the public can experience the space through curated wine and liquor pairing events hosted on-site. Tickets are sold through Eventbrite under Prohibition McKinney and often sell out quickly. “People love how personal and unique it feels,” James says. “It’s not something you stumble into every day.”
For those planning events, the process begins with an inquiry through The Flour Mill’s website or a direct call or text. Tours follow, which James says are one of his favorite parts of the job. “We love giving tours and sharing the story of the property,” he says. For weddings, booking a year in advance is encouraged, particularly for spring and fall dates when demand is highest.
Looking ahead, James sees The Flour Mill continuing to grow while staying rooted in its past. Plans include a boutique hotel on the unused portion of the property, offering a five-star on-site experience for wedding weekends, as well as a signature restaurant designed for elevated dining and intimate events. “This has been a vision of mine for 15 years,” he says. “It’s about creating a destination while honoring what this place has always been.”
Recent road and infrastructure improvements have elevated the area. With new sidewalks, lighting, landscaping, ample parking, and proximity to City Hall and TUPPS Brewery, the neighborhood has taken on new life. Some have even begun referring to it as The Flour Mill District.
“The history is always here,” James says. “But what excites me most is seeing people create new memories on top of it. That’s how places like this stay alive.”
A historic mill-turned-venue hosting weddings and events in downtown McKinney.