By Liz Johnson
Business is flourishing in Hunterdon County. Boroughs such as Frenchtown and Clinton are amending zoning laws to keep pace with changes in shopping and eating habits. The result is a boom of new stores opening up as well as expansion of existing businesses. Here are just a few worth checking out:
Inner Truth Hypnotherapy and Meditation Center
Hunterdon Hills Shopping Center, 1386 Route 22, Clinton
(908)617-1545
www.innertruthhypnotherapy.com
Recently launched by clinical hypnotherapist and health coach Tori Valspirit, Inner Truth offers hypnotherapy for sports performance, goal achievement and overcoming anxiety. It also sponsors weekly workshops on Sacred Science and meditation.
Polka Dot Café
76 Main Street, High Bridge
(908) 638-9066
Polkadotcafenj.com
Located near the Columbia Trail, the Polka Dot Café specializes in breakfast sandwiches, artisan sodas, chicken salad and almond or peanut butter and jelly sandwiches. Ingredients are locally sourced. Owner Christina Lynn Whited is best known for her One Spirit Festival. Outdoor seating and bicycle parking are available.
JayPat Commons
1309 Route 22, Lebanon
(908) 528-7243
jaypatcommons.com
A co-working space for change-makers, problem solvers and visionaries is how JayPat Commons describes itself. It offers hourly conference room rentals, mailbox rentals and shared office services.
Long Hill House Prints and Whimsy
Suite 4, 10 Bridge Street, Frenchtown
(609) 619-5885
longhillhouse.com
Specializing in recreating period wallpapers, prints and fabrics for historic homes, the shop also offers decor consultations, commissioned prints and patterns and color planning.
Vagabond Barbecue
51 Bridge Street, Frenchtown
The borough’s newest restaurant will feature barbecued brisket, pork butt and slow roasted meats, done in classic American style or a mix of international flavors including Chinese, German and Middle Eastern. Estimated to open by the end of summer.
Frenchtown Pottery
13 Race Street, Frenchtown
instagram.com/frenchtownpottery
Owned by Sam Nichols, this small batch pottery and workshop space is expected to host a grand opening on Bastille Day on Saturday, July 13th in Frenchtown.
15 Landsdowne Catering
Suite 1C, 29 Race Street, Frenchtown
(609) 212-0777
www.15landsdowne.com
Hunterdon Happening List Finalist for Best Catering and Best Chef, 15 Landsdowne Catering has recently opened a new location in Frenchtown. Owner and Chef Mia Emerson has worked in Beverly Hills, Hollywood, Italy, Southern Georgia and Oahu.
Sunbeam General Store
Suite 3, 10 Bridge Street, Frenchtown
(908) 996-0101
www.sunbeamgeneral.com
This tiny shop alongside the Delaware River offers an eclectic mix of river supplies, candy, vintage toys, jewelry, jams, snacks and kombucha. Recently it opened a second location at 15 Main Street in New Hope, expanding its offerings to include zip lines, camping equipment and gardening supplies.
Natural Beauty by Jamie
69 Main Street, Flemington
(908) 878-9607
www.naturalbeautybyjamie.com
Owner Jamie Saquicela started playing around with essential oils when her son developed eczema. Now she’s developed her own organic skin care line which she sells at her newly opened shop in Flemington that also offers a salon, spa and boutique apothecary.
Nespolo Restaurant
138 Main Street, Flemington
(908) 284-9777
nespoloristorante.com
Named after the loquat fruit native to Naples, Nespolo offers a a-la-carte four-course menu featuring local ingedients. Owned by Chef Luca Di Meglio, who is assisted by Chef de Cuisine Michael Schultz, breads, pastas and deserts are all made in house.
Hardy’s Coffee Bar
31 Bloomfield Ave., Flemington
hardyscoffeebar.com
Craft coffee that is locally roasted in an artisan atmosphere, this coffee bar offers a membership service for loyal customers starting at $9 a year that includes $1 off drip coffee, an automatic entrance key, 5% off retail items and members-only events.
PossAbilities
1 Church Street, Flemington
(908) 237-1329
abilitiesnw.com
A nonprofit agency that trains people with different abilities, the group opened a thrift store in March on Church Street, offering clothing, furniture and artwork made by its clients.
Artisans & Antiques
30 Mine Street, Flemington
(908) 336-4775
Themineshop.com
Offering a selection of interesting and fun antiques for collectors, decorators, set designers and those looking to be surprised, the shop includes handmade items such as jewelry, pottery, clothing and torched glassworks from local artisans.