A tiny country store with a working post office sits in a historic mountain community associated with visits from presidents such as Ulysses S. Grant and Franklin D.
Roosevelt. Yep, presidents.
And you can still mail a letter there today.
The store side went dark in April 2025, after roughly two centuries of serving its mountain neighbors. The post office kept running the whole time, like a stubborn little lighthouse.
That’s the detail I can’t get over.
Then a local family who makes caramel apples stepped in. They stripped the old building down and rebuilt it with care.
Now the doors are open again, with sandwiches, soup, and sweet treats on the counter.
I’d say New Jersey doesn’t get many comeback stories this charming. Old floors, old photos, new life.
And honestly, the apples alone might be worth the drive up the mountain.
A Store Older Than Most Of The Country’s States Just Got A Second Act
Few small shops can say they’ve been part of daily life since around 1803. Schooley’s Mountain General Store is one of them, and it’s widely called one of New Jersey’s oldest general stores.
Some reports go even further. They name it the state’s oldest continuously operating general store and post office pairing.
For centuries, neighbors came here for groceries, mail, and a bit of local news. Then, in April 2025, the store side closed after longtime owner Peter Andrich retired.
He had run the place since 2006.
It wasn’t the first rough patch, either. The store struggled during the COVID-19 pandemic and briefly closed.
In June 2022, it received a Morris County small-business recovery grant to help it recover.
So the 2025 closing felt like the end of a very long chapter. A lot of people figured that was it for good.
Happily, the story kept going. On October 17, 2026, the doors opened again under new local owners.
Think of it less like a brand-new shop and more like an old friend coming home after a long trip. Same mountain, same porch, fresh energy.
The Caramel Apple Family Who Said Yes To A Very Old Building
Mark and Maria Broadhurst already knew a thing or two about sweet local favorites. The Long Valley residents own Schooley’s Mountain Confection Company, famous for its caramel apples.
In March 2026, they leased the general store building with an option to buy it. That’s a big leap for any family.
It’s an even bigger one when the building is older than the Civil War.
Running the store is truly a family effort. Their four children and their son-in-law all pitch in.
That means the faces behind the counter belong to people with real roots in the community.
The Broadhursts have called the store an iconic landmark, a historic gem, and a community treasure. Those aren’t small words.
They clearly see themselves as caretakers of something that matters to a lot of people.
Their big goal is simple. They want the store to be a gathering place again, where neighbors bump into each other and catch up.
Honestly, that feels exactly right for a place like this. A general store has always been about more than stuff on shelves.
It’s about people.
Yes, You Can Still Mail A Package Next To The Snacks
Mail has been moving through this spot for a very long time. Records show a postmaster named William Dellicker here back in 1812.
The post office has operated inside the general store since at least 1867. It’s considered the area’s oldest post office.
That’s a whole lot of birthday cards, bills, and holiday packages.
Here’s the part that makes me smile. When the store side closed in 2025, the post office kept right on working.
The shelves went quiet, but the mail still came and went.
That steady service helped keep the building alive in a way. People still had a reason to pull into the lot and walk through the door.
Now the two halves are back together again. You can grab a sandwich and drop off a package in the same quick stop.
Talk about efficient errands.
Practical tip for your visit? Bring that envelope you keep forgetting to mail.
You’ll feel productive and well-fed at the same time, which is a pretty rare combo on a weekday.
Stripped To The Studs And Still Full Of Old Soul
Built around 1840, the current building is approximately 186 years old in 2026. That’s older than the telephone, the electric light bulb, and many everyday inventions we take for granted.
Look at the front and you’ll spot its classic shape. It has a clapboard-clad gable front with a central door and store windows on either side.
The corners feature cornerboard pilasters, a fancy term for trim that looks like flat columns. Then there’s the Italianate porch, held up by posts.
It gives the whole place a friendly, come-on-up look.
Inside was a different story. The Broadhursts stripped the building out entirely and rebuilt it.
That’s serious work for an old structure.
Even so, they aimed to keep its historic character. The goal was a fresh start without wiping away what made the place special.
The store is also a contributing building in the Schooley’s Mountain Historic District. That district joined the National Register of Historic Places in 1991.
So when you step onto that porch, you’re standing on a recognized piece of history. Pretty cool for a sandwich run.
Sandwiches, Soup, And Some Seriously Good Apple Energy
Caramel apples at a general store just make sense when the owners run a confection company. Those sweet treats showed up right away when the doors reopened.
The early lineup also includes sandwiches and soup. During opening weekend, the store sold muffins, banana bread, chili, and cookies too.
That’s a solid spread for a soft opening.
And yes, the sandwich buzz is real. Recent customers have shared kind words about the sandwiches and the friendly service.
Not bad for a brand-new chapter.
The family plans to bring back staples like ice cream, Lavazza coffee, and baked goods. Basic groceries such as milk, eggs, bread, and butter are on the list as well.
A big focus is sourcing products from local farmers and food producers. That keeps money and flavor close to home.
One heads-up for longtime fans. Pizza was popular under the previous owner, but it won’t be on the new menu.
Fair warning, so nobody shows up with a pizza craving and a sad face. Grab a sandwich and a caramel apple instead.
Old Photos On The Walls Do A Lot Of Storytelling
Walls can’t talk, but framed photos come pretty close. Inside the redesigned store, historic photographs show off its long and colorful past.
It’s a smart touch. The interior got a full redesign, yet those images keep the old days front and center.
And what a past it is. Schooley’s Mountain has a history of presidential visitors, with Ulysses S.
Grant, William Henry Harrison, and Franklin D. Roosevelt among the names associated with the area.
That’s quite a guest list for a country store on a mountain road. Most shops are thrilled with a local celebrity sighting.
Part of the reason ties to the area’s history. Back in the 1800s, Schooley’s Mountain was a fashionable resort known for its mineral springs.
Wealthy travelers came up here to relax and soak in the healthy air.
So take a minute while you wait for your sandwich. Look at the photos and imagine the folks who stood in this same spot generations ago.
It’s a free history lesson with a side of soup.
What’s Happening Downstairs Might Be The Sweetest Secret
Under your feet, there’s a whole lot of work going on. The store’s basement is a good size, and it plays a big role.
It’s used to store apples, which are central to the family’s confections. Makes sense, right?
You can’t make caramel apples without a serious apple supply.
The basement also holds a prep kitchen. That’s where a lot of the behind-the-scenes action can happen before food reaches the counter.
Upstairs, the main kitchen is still a work in progress. It’s being rolled out in stages as new equipment gets installed.
Hot sandwiches and grill items are coming later, once things like a grill hood are in place. So the menu will grow over time.
That’s actually kind of fun. Every return trip could bring something new to try.
It’s like watching a favorite show unfold, one episode at a time.
My advice? Visit now for the soft-opening charm, then come back later to see what’s grown.
Following the store’s Facebook page is a good way to catch updates as new items arrive.
Plan Your Stop Around These Early-Bird Hours
Early risers, this one’s for you. The store has reported weekday hours of 6 a.m. to 6 p.m., with similar hours on weekends.
Since it’s still in a soft opening phase, times may shift a bit. Checking the store’s Facebook page before you head out is a smart move.
You’ll find Schooley’s Mountain General Store at 250 Schooley’s Mountain Road, Long Valley, NJ 07853. It sits in Washington Township, in Morris County, New Jersey.
The location feels wonderfully tucked away from busy highways, but it’s not hard to reach. It’s roughly 45 miles from New York City.
That makes it a doable day trip for city folks craving trees and quiet.
The area takes its name from the Schooley family. They owned land up here back in the 1790s.
A morning visit could be a great idea. Grab something to eat, mail a letter, and enjoy the mountain drive while the day is still fresh.
Once the coffee returns, that early stop will be even easier to justify.
Pack A Picnic And Head To The Park Down The Road
Lunch tastes better with a view. Luckily, Schooley’s Mountain County Park is close by, with trails, picnic areas, and a lake.
That makes the general store a handy stop for provisions. Grab sandwiches, soup, or a sweet treat, then head over and find a shady spot.
It’s a classic New Jersey day out, honestly. Fresh air, a little hiking, and food from a store that’s been feeding neighbors for generations.
Families with kids could easily make an afternoon of it. Walk the trails, snack by the water, and let everyone burn off some energy.
Love history? The whole mountain has a story.
The Schooley’s Mountain Historic District surrounds the area, and the store is one of its proud buildings.
Back in the 1800s, visitors came here for mineral springs and mountain relaxation. Today, the draws are different, but the idea is the same.
People still come up to slow down.
So build a little loop. Start at the store, wander the park, and finish with a caramel apple for the ride home.
That’s a pretty sweet way to spend a day.
