The Millstone Workshop Provides A Unique Sense of Community
Grab a cup of coffee, sift through antique items, and paint all in one historic space in Millstone: The Millstone Workshop.
Located in the heart of the Millstone historic district, this house was the borough’s post office in 1795 and then transformed a number of times from a millinery (women’s hat supply store,) to a hardware store, a candy shop, a yarn store, a children’s bookstore and most recently, an antique shop.
The store hosts private workshops and weekly events aiming to create a gathering space for the community, something that the area has always lacked. In the past they have hosted open mic nights and painting classes. Co-owner Zach Huber, instructs these painting classes.
In September, they will be hosting a Board Build Day in partnership with Freedom NJ, a non-profit skateboarding company. Participants will be given all the supplies needed to build a board along with a free cup of coffee.
In this quaint borough of Millstone, bordering Hillsborough Township, Millstone River Road turns into Main Street on this quiet, inconspicuous road. Lined with 19th century Italianate homes its towering walls of unruly trees lead to a church that was used as a hospital during the Revolutionary War.
One can find what appears to be a house unlike others nearby with a sign above the door that reads, “The Millstone Workshop.”
At first glance, it is unclear what this name means exactly. It was originally named The Millstone Workshop by the 1970’s owners who ran a yarn shop in the space. The Brooklyn couple who reopened the workshop in November 2018 define the space as a general store, coffee shop and community space.
Current owner Miriam Nouri-Huber explained “It’s been an ongoing sort of experimentation to see exactly what it is or what it can be.” Nouri-Huber and her husband moved to Millstone from Jersey City in search of a more spacious living arrangement after having their son Hunter.
The Millstone Workshop was everything they were looking for with its built in storefront, rich local history and the area’s small-town charm.
A photo of The Millstone Workshop in the early 1800s when it was a millinery.
The storefront is currently accepting vendor applications for the Millstone Market Fall Fest they will be hosting on Saturday October 12th. It will be centrally located on Amwell Road and Main Street. In addition to vendors, they plan on having live music throughout the day as well as a live shadow play of Ichabod Crane.
Miriam explained that the biggest business challenge they face is getting the word out about their location. She claimed that many people don’t even realize they are there.
“At the same time we can’t really cater to large crowds anyway. It’s a small intimate place and I’d like to keep it that way,” she said.
In the shop they sell local small batch artisan-made products ranging from home decor to locally made beauty products. Also for sale are a number of interesting antique items hand picked by the owners, a rack of assorted clothing, shelves of old books, and of course their top-notch coffee brewed with New Hope, PA-based Folk City Roasters’ gourmet beans.
The Millstone Workshop is an inviting place with a friendly laid-back atmosphere. Offering an eclectic selection of goods along with one of a kind events, owners Zach and Miriam have created a community space that is unlike anything else in the area.
