Business & Tech
$15K Coming To Historic Schooley's Mountain General Store
The historic general store was the latest recipient of a $15,000 check today from the Morris County Small Business Grant Program.
LONG VALLEY, NJ — A historic Washington Township business received a $15,000 check from the Morris County Small Business Grant Program today, as the Morris County Board of County Commissioners continues to assist businesses and nonprofits impacted by the pandemic.
Schooley’s Mountain General Store, one of New Jersey’s oldest continuously operating country markets, was visited by Commissioner Deputy Director John Krickus and Washington Township Mayor Matt Murello.
The $15,000 grant check was presented to owner Peter Aldrich, who has been running the shop's current incarnation since 2006.
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The General Store, which opened around 1830, still houses the area's oldest U.S. Post Office and is steeped in the region's rich history, with visits by past U.S. Presidents such as Ulysses S. Grant, William Henry Harrison and Franklin D. Roosevelt.
The General Store, like many others in the county, was closed during the early days of the pandemic due to state lockdown orders, and Aldrich says they have slowly worked to rebuild it.
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“It’s absolutely going to help. It’s going to help me get back to where I belong, get me back in the right direction and hopefully get the ball rolling again,” Aldrich said.
Morris County Commissioners are personally delivering the grant checks to learn more about small business struggles, to see if the grant program can be improved and to spread the word that the program is still open.
The grant program was established by the Morris County Board of County Commissioners using pandemic relief funds provided by the American Rescue Plan Act. The majority of applications awaiting final approval will award each qualified business and nonprofit the maximum grant amount of $15,000.
Schooley's Mountain General Store is located at 250 Schooleys Mountain Rd and is open from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday and from 11 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. on Sunday.
The General Store offers a variety of pizzas, sandwiches and salads. You can check the full menu on their website.
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