Discovering Medford, New Jersey
A verdant enclave nestled in Burlington County, Medford and the surrounding area once boasted glass factories and mills. Today, Medford is known more for its thriving agriculture industry.
When visiting, you will notice a mix of old and new as Medford works to preserve its history while bolstering its small-business scene. Between its multiple farms, artisan markets, modern boutiques, and historic sites there’s a little something for everyone.
9am
Coffee Lovers, Rejoice!
Start your day by parking along Medford Village and Main Street. The coffee scene is plentiful here and In Dietro Caffé, which opens at 8am every day, is always a good first stop. An Italian espresso and wine bar, the café is split into three areas: a gorgeous outdoor patio with fountains, a bright sunroom, and a more intimate space inside. Here, you will find an assortment of European pastries, small eats, and an Italian marketplace. My favorites are their seasonal drink, Perfetta, and Noci Toast. In Dietro reopens in the evenings for aperitivo, an Italian tradition of pre-dinner drinks and appetizers. An important note: When visiting you will encounter many friendly pups.
Harvest Coffee Roastery and Roast Coffee Company are other options. Both are small-batch roasters with their own specialties. At Roast Coffee, I recommend their CBD lattes, which are perfect for calming stress during hectic times. At Harvest Coffee, you’ll find vegan small bites in addition to their coffee, including their Japanese Iced Coffee, my own favorite.
10am
Shopping on Main Street
Main Street is home to antique shops, clothing boutiques, game stores, and wellness centers. During the holidays, the street transforms into a winter wonderland for the Dickens Festival, which always takes place on the first Saturday of December. This is a free event for all ages where you can enjoy holiday lights, carolers, live presentations, and hot chocolate, and is one of many events hosted on Main Street throughout the year.
Two of the many shops worth a visit on Main Street are Mill Creek Apiary and Mystical Blossoms. Mill Creek Apiary, a haven for honey lovers, features creatively infused honey, creamed honey, and beeswax products, all local to New Jersey. The shop has thoughtfully arranged displays for easy grab-and-go gifts. As she guides me through a sampling of their flavors, Val Hicks, the product manager, notes that the honey “is packaged right in the shop. With our apiary around the corner, we have more control over the process to ensure honey of the highest quality.” Garlic-infused honey is a fall/winter specialty, with their fantastic lemon honey and turmeric-ginger creamed honey available year-round. The shop feels like a sweet hug, from the gratitude for bees to the buzz of pleasant conversation.
At Mystical Blossoms, an apothecary for house-made herbal elixirs and more, sister herbalists and founders Jody and Michaline Koveloski have adopted a seed-to-blossom philosophy, growing their own herbs to create teas, aromatherapy, and skincare products. Towards the back, you’ll discover a section dedicated to nonalcoholic drinks and infusions. Whether you’re zero-proof or not, the shop offers a wide assortment of mixology flair and drinkware. Mystical Blossoms is where you can find the ideal gift for the friend who might need a little magic in their life—even if that person is you.
If you’re interested in more shopping, a drive to 18 Charles Street will lead you to The Shoppes at Medford Mill. This indoor marketplace has over 40 local artisans and vendors selling handcrafted goods such as ceramics, woodcrafts, and jewelry.
From left: In Dietro Caffé, Johnson’s Corner Farm, Mill Creek Apiary
noon
Grazing and Other Repasts
Continuing down Main Street, you’ll want to pop into Cupcake Wish for a quick dessert. Try one of their unique flavors, like Chocolate Mint, Persian Garden, or Blueberry Pancakes. I also recommend checking their daily menu on their social media pages or call before stopping in.
A few doors away is the Grazing Affair, an establishment specializing in charcuterie boards. Their kitchen bursts with color as they assemble meats, cheeses, fruits, and breads to create vibrant masterpieces. Get a sandwich (I highly recommend the Eggplant + Beet Sandwich!) or a graze board to enjoy for lunch. While they focus on takeout, you can eat inside the shop’s quaint dining area. They excel at presentation and creating an eating experience that is a feast for your eyes and mouth. Grazing Affair’s boards make bountiful gifts or an impressive display when entertaining guests, and many of the wooden boards are crafted by local artists.
A short drive from Main Street, you’ll encounter a plethora of strip malls. The options of restaurants and shops can feel overwhelming but an easy recommendation is to grab a classic Margherita slice at Tigas Artisan Pizza. They have all the comforts of a traditional pizzeria, with a focus on organic sourcing.
Consider visiting The Trading Post, another strip mall with shops reminiscent of cabins. Here you will find The Art Studio and Gallery, where you can browse local art and partake in creative classes for all ages. Classes need to be booked online but you are free to peruse the gallery during open hours. At the Honey Post, which serves healthy bowls, juices, and smoothies, I ordered an Irish Potato Smoothie and it tasted strikingly similar to its namesake. The Honey Post also offers a lineup of local products such as Mill Creek honey, apparel, and candles.
1:30pm
Exploring the Past
For a taste of history, I recommend a short drive to Kirby’s Mill, a historic grist mill built in 1778 that once produced flour, cornmeal, and chicken feed for the town. The mill sits on the banks of an offshoot of the Rancocas Creek, surrounded by greenery. Walk the grounds to take in the breeze and the soothing sounds of moving water. When Kirby’s shut down in 1969, it was the last commercial mill operating in the state. To keep its story alive, the Medford Historical Society hosts events throughout the year, including a flea market, quilt show, and Medford’s annual apple festival.
Another historic site worth a visit is the Dr. James Still Center, honoring the legacy of African American physician, herbalist, and author James Still (1812–82). A resident of Burlington County his entire life, Still was known as one of the wealthiest men in the area and the “Black Doctor of the Pines.” His medical office, now home to the Center, is the first African American property that New Jersey acquired for preservation and historical education.
3pm
Farms, Big and Small
In Medford, farms are plentiful but Johnson’s Corner Farm is the first pick for the whole family. Johnson’s is family owned and operated since 1953, when the owners started off selling corn out of a wagon at the intersection of Church and Hartford roads. This evolved into their now-bustling farm market and bakery. There is plenty to do here, including apple picking, hayrides, a discovery barnyard, and holiday light shows. Johnson’s holiday season kicks off in late November, with the farm offering various holiday and music light shows, visits with Santa, and gingerbread cookie decorating. Be sure to try their sparkling apple cider and pumpkin pie parfait, too.
While Johnson’s focuses on family-friendly agritourism, there are many other farms in the area. If you’re looking for something quieter but just as scenic, I recommend Jersey Acres Farm, located near Kirby’s Mill. (When driving by in early fall, the glow of a sunflower field caught my attention!) This small family farm is a newcomer to New Jersey’s agricultural community, having just begun operations in 2022 and farmer Erin Padden describes one of the benefits of their location. “Medford has a small town feel with a big town impact,” she says. “Small businesses are our town’s engine and the community values local farms and businesses.” At the moment, Jersey Acres Farm specializes in sunflowers and hosted their first sunflower festival this past September. The farm grows 11 varieties of sunflower, provides bee and butterfly education, and is an enchanting photo spot. Refer to their social media for current hours and seasonal offerings.
“MEDFORD’S COMMUNITY-CENTRIC APPROACH NOT ONLY ENSURES HIGH-QUALITY, FRESH PRODUCTS BUT ALSO STRENGTHENS OUR RELATIONSHIPS WITH NEARBY FARMERS AND BUSINESSES.”
6pm
Dinner
After a day spent trekking between shops and visiting farms, sitting down for a meal at Mi Pueblito, a modern Mexican restaurant, is a welcome reprieve. I felt like a guest in someone’s home thanks to the gracious service and hearty food. The tamale with crab cream sauce was a comforting embrace but the churros with cinnamon-spiced cream and chocolate stole the show.
For other dining options, Medford is home to a variety of Italian restaurants like ITA101, Femmina Italian Grill, and Tarantella Ristorante. Braddock’s Tavern is another local favorite that has been around since 1898. For fine-dining and seafood lovers, Two Fish BYOB is a stellar option; a reservation is required or you will be turned away.
7pm
A Final Stop
Peewee’s Ice Cream, a year-round scoop shop specializing in house-made small-batch flavors, makes for a delicious last stop. You’ll find delights like basil white chocolate, Jersey corn, honeycomb vanilla bean, chai, and dairy-free and vegan options here. The menu at Peewee’s changes seasonally and everything is made utilizing ingredients from local businesses, such as honey from Mill Creek Apiary and tea from Mystical Blossoms, pointing to a spirit of community and entrepreneurial connection shared by many of the town’s businesses.
“Medford’s community-centric approach not only ensures high-quality, fresh products but also strengthens our relationships with nearby farmers and businesses,” notes owner Maranda Burns, who opened Peewee’s in 2019. “We believe that in order to succeed individually, it is important to lift up our fellow small businesses.”
left to right: April Collison, Grazing Affair Primo Trinidad, Mi Pueblito Eileen Dzwill, Honey Post
Shopping & Dining
1 In Dietro Caffé
22½ S. Main St.
indietrocaff e.com
2 Roast Coffee Company
200 Tuckerton Rd.
roastcc.com
856.267.5384
3 Harvest Coffee Roastery
67 N. Main St.
(located in The Feed Mill)
harvestcoffee.com
609.975.8484
4 Mill Creek Apiary
1 N. Main St.
millcreekapiary.com
609.451.BEES (2337)
5 Mystical Blossoms
35 S. Main St.
mysticalblossoms.com
6 Cupcake Wish
31 S. Main St.
cupcake-wish.square.site/shop
609.678.0414
7 Grazing Affair
5 S. Main St.
grazingaffair.com
609.975.8069
8 Tigas Artisan Pizza
643 Stokes Rd.
tigasartisanpizzeria.com
609.257.3324
9 Honey Post
20 Trading Post Way
honeypost.com
609.451.5156
10 Johnson’s Corner Farm
133 Church Rd.
johnsonsfarm.com
609.654.8643
11 Jersey Acres Farm
65 Eayrestown Rd.
jerseyacresfarm.com
856.236.3873
12 Mi Pueblito
560 Stokes Rd.,
Suite 10B
mipueblitomedford.com
856.885.2638
13 ITA101
20 S. Main St.
ita101.com
609.654.0101
14 Braddock’s Tavern
39 S. Main St.
braddocks.com
609.654.1604
15 Peewee’s Ice Cream
57 N. Main St.
peeweesicecream.com
609.257.3365
Arts & Culture
16 Kirby’s Mill
275 Church Rd.
medfordhistory.org/kirby-s-mill
17 Dr. James Still Center
210 Medford–Mt. Holly Rd.
drjamesstillcenter.org
