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

LONG VALLEY, NJ — What’s regarded as one of the oldest general stores in the Garden State will be reopening under new owners.

Schooley’s Mountain General Store, located at 250 Schooley's Mountain Road, closed down almost exactly a year ago after former-owner Peter Andrich retired.

A fixture in Long Valley for generations, the store is considered a local landmark with deep historical roots.

The General Store, which dates back to around 1803, is 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, and plenty more.

Its 2025 closure was dubbed the “end of an era,” with both local and out-of-town customers expressing their disappointment.

However, Mark and Maria Broadhurst of Schooley’s Mountain Confection Company will be ushering the landmark into a new era.

The Broadhursts began their sweet endeavors after purchasing a Cold Stone Creamery franchise in Bedminster, where they offer catering and ice cream truck services.

Mark told Patch that last fall, with ice cream sales beginning to drop with temperatures, the couple pivoted to creating a different seasonal treat: homemade caramel apples made with a secret recipe.

He said that “people went crazy” for the apples, and the couple began selling them at local festivals and food markets across the state. People would even ask for them to be shipped across the country, he said.

With the newly-founded Schooley’s Mountain Confection Co. booming bigger than expected, the Broadhursts decided it was time to make and sell these apples, and their other sweet creations, somewhere that had four walls and a roof. Enter: Schooley’s Mountain General Store.

The couple, who has lived just down the road from the General Store for almost 30 years, decided they’d set up shop in the beloved establishment.

“One thing that is really important to us is honoring its heritage,” Mark said of the General Store. “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.

“It’s a pretty heavy responsibility, and we’re excited about it,” he continued. “It’s a heavy one because that store means so much to so many people, and has meant so much for many generations. We’ve been members of this community for a long time, and we’ll take that responsibility very seriously.”

Mark said once up-and-running, the store will once again offer sandwiches, ice cream, coffee, baked goods, and more, along with the delicious apples. Customers can also expect to see staples like milk, eggs, bread, and butter on the shelves. One thing the store will not offer, as its previous steward did, is pizza.

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

The Broadhursts have been “floored” with 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 just want everyone to know how thankful we are for everyone’s support so far, and we’re really excited to reopen,” Mark told Patch. “We’re going to do our best to serve our community… We’re going to have some good coffee, some really good homebaked goods, we’re going to try our best with the sandwiches, which have always been famous… We’re going to try to replicate those and hopefully exceed everybody’s expectations.”

Running the establishment alongside Mark and Maria will be their four children, their son-in-law, and some local Long Valley hires with culinary talent and expertise.

Mark said the store is expected to have a “soft opening” over the summer, leading to a grand reopening by the end of the season.

The new owners have already begun selling some of their products outside the store as the interior is rebuilt. Check out Schooley’s Mountain Confection Company’s social media page for updates.