Savory Spice Shops Opens on Spring Street

Oregano? Check. Cumin? Check.

Kaffir lime leaves and mango powder? Check, check.

Featuring more than 400 fresh ground herbs and spices and 140 hand-blended seasonings, Savory Spice Shop Princeton has opened at 15 Spring Street.

The smell of spices wafts through the closed front door of the 2,400 square foot shop, which was once a gym but has been completely renovated.

Inside, there’s a wooden barrel filled with cinnamon sticks. The shelves are stocked with jars of spices, both for purchase and for tasting.

There are spices for chili, baking, BBQ, chicken and seafood and dips and dressings.

All are available from as little as half an ounce to multiple pounds.

The Princeton store is the dream of Jon Hauge, who first walked into a Savory Spice Shop in Denver, Colo. seven years ago.

“I said ‘If I ever have an opportunity, this is what I want to do,’” Hauge remembers.

The opportunity came in Nov. 2010, when Hauge purchased a Savory Spice Shop franchise. The Princeton store opened on Nov. 21. 

 “I’ve always loved cooking since I was very young,” Hauge said. “I love the kitchen, love working in the kitchen.”

He worked briefly in a restaurant during high school and was accepted at the Culinary Institute of America, but chose a different career path.

He worked in the building materials industry for several companies, including Home Depot, in New Jersey and Florida.

Eventually the company he was working for was acquired and he was offered a Midwest job transfer.

Hauge declined.

He decided to franchise with Savory Spice Shop, founded by Mike and Janet Johnston, because of its extensive, consistent and quality distribution network and fresh ground spices delivered weekly.

“I feel like part of the family,” Hauge said.

The Princeton shop is a bit of family business too, with Jon’s wife, Janet Hauge, an adult reference librarian at Princeton Public Library, working part-time, along with son Alex, 20 and soon, daughter Olivia, 15.

Hauge also employs five part-time employees ready to help both the experienced and novice spice lover.

“That’s the coolest thing about the store,” said employee Alix Moren. “It encourages people to take spices home, get some fresh produce and make something as opposed to picking up some ready made meal.”