Historic Morris County General Store Eyes Long-Awaited Reopening

LONG VALLEY, NJ — Long Valley residents and visitors who have been clamoring for the reopening of an iconic general store will not have to wait much longer.

Schooley's Mountain General Store, known as one of the oldest in the state, will be hosting a soft opening on Saturday, according to its new owners.

The store, thought to have opened in the early 1800s, operated for literal centuries until its abrupt closure in 2025, an event that disappointed regulars called "the end of an era."

Located at 250 Schooley's Mountain Road, it was home to the area’s oldest U.S. Post Office and holds a prominent place in local history—having hosted visits from former U.S. Presidents including Ulysses S. Grant, William Henry Harrison, and Franklin D. Roosevelt.

Until last year, it had been serving locals with snacks, groceries, meals, coffee, pizza, and plenty more.

It was this past Spring when two long-time locals, Mark and Maria Broadhurst of Schooley’s Mountain Confection Company, announced they'd be ushering the historic landmark into a new era.

Read More: Iconic, Over 200-Year-Old NJ General Store To Reopen Under New Owners

“One thing that is really important to us is honoring its heritage,” Mark previously told Patch. “It really is an iconic landmark in our little community… We want to honor its history, honor the place that store has meant so much to our community. It has served generations… We’re leaning into and celebrating its history and its place in our community."

After an interior redesign, loads of inspections, and the hiring of a new staff, the time has come for Schooley's Mountain General Store to enter its new era under the Broadhursts.

"It's been a long time; we are really working hard, and we're so excited, a little nervous too. I know the pressure on; a lot of you have been waiting for this store to open," Mark said. "It's just such a privilege and honor for my wife and I, and our family, to take on the stewardship of this store. It's so historic, such a gem, and really just an iconic piece of our community here on the mountain."

Among breakfast and lunch items, along with treats from the Broadhurts' Schooley’s Mountain Confection Company, the store will be offering Lavazza Coffee, an iconic Italian coffee brand that is becoming more and more popular in the United States.

Mark added that a priority of the store will be supporting local farming and food producers when creating and selling products in the store.

The Broadhursts have been “floored” by the amount of support they’ve received after announcing the reopening. Mark expressed particular gratitude to the Washington Township Mayor and Council for helping make the store’s rebirth possible.

The family plans not only to give back to the community by providing goods, but has already become a sponsor for the Long Valley Baseball Club, provided donations to local events, and more. The couple will also use funds from the store to support local scholarships in their late son Joshua’s name.

"We're just so grateful. And we're going to be even more grateful when we see all of you on Saturday," Mark said. "We can't wait to see you all here in the Schooley's Mountain General Store, our gem, our community treasure."