About Us
Welcome to our favorite place. From the outset, Stir It Up was intended to be much more than a place to grab a cup of coffee. When we made the decision to open in Mullica Hill, it wasn't without a LOT of thought. We wanted to create and cultivate a great place, somewhere people could feel comfortable right away. Somewhere artists, musicians, and others befriended to the muse could gather to share their work and collaborate on greater work. We wanted to create an environment worthy to play host to the most virtuous talent, where the work and music of gifted artists could be shared with our own community - right here in Mullica Hill. We believe we've created that place in Stir It Up.
A Philadelphia Inquirer "Best Find"

What it is: A comfortable yet elegant coffeehouse that is fast becoming a community center on Mullica Hill's historic main drag. "We're looking to stir up something on Main Street," said Pat Settar, who opened the place May 18 with husband Mike.

What we like about it: Everything. From the work of homegrown artists hanging on the walls - check out the jewelry created by Nancy Kowalik from estate pieces and the Main Street scenes by painter Linda D'Urbano - to the pastry... Enjoy the fare inside on antique and restored furniture or out back on the patio.

-Philadelphia Inquirer, Sunday July 10, 2005

Courier Post Online "Favorite Coffeehouse"

Rated #1 Favorite Coffeehouse in South Jersey, November 2006.

 

The History Of Mullica Hill

In the late 17th century, English and Irish Quakers  first established plantations around the area now known as Mullica Hill. This Quaker community centered on the south bank of Raccoon Creek and was called Spicerville, honoring prominent landowner Jacob Spicer. Originally only the north bank of the creek was known as Mullica Hill, recalling the town's pioneering Finnish settlers, Eric, John, Olag and William Mullica who first began purchasing land here in 1704. Two of the homes they built still stand on North Main, near the creek.


 
 Their father, Eric, Sr., born in Sweden in 1636 of Finnish parents, immigrated to the Delaware Valley in the mid-seventeenth century. The Mullica family traces its origins to a tiny village in south central Finland also named Mullica Hill. Thus the village holds the distinction of having one of the few place names of Finnish origin in the Middle-Atlantic region.


Image taken from Civil War Re-enactment,
October 2000
 
 Prior to the American Revolution, Mullica Hill was a coaching town of little more than two scattered clusters of houses north and south of the creek, two taverns and a grist mill. Four of these structures remain today.

The township's first real period of growth began around 1780 and continued until the 1830's. Commercial development occurred principally in Spicerville (South Main) and four of the town's first churches were built there. Although a blacksmith shop, schoolhouse and one of the town's two taverns were to be found on the North side, this neighborhood remained principally agricultural. Nonetheless, the entire village came to be known as Mullica Hill, perhaps because the hill itself comprised the town's most notable feature. Many structures from this era can still be seen today along Main Street.


 
 In the late 1800's, a small mill district was established along the Raccoon Creek raceway. For several decades a woolen mill and iron foundry operated here until fire and competition from larger industrial centers brought about the district's eventual demise. Today only the 18th century gristmill, greatly altered remains.

A second period of growth followed the Civil War and noteworthy Victorian homes and public buildings were built throughout the village, including the Town Hall. During this period Harrison Township established itself as one of the country's most productive agricultural areas. A railroad spur was constructed and very quickly the town became one of the nation's most active shipping points for agricultural commodities.


 
 Throughout most of the 20th century, Mullica Hill has served as the principal town and seat of government for Harrison Township and its businesses catered to the needs of surrounding farms. While agriculture today is still an important local industry, Mullica Hill's businesses are no longer locally oriented. The town has emerged as a major antiques and crafts center, and is widely known for its nostalgic charm. Historic homes have been restored and the streets now bustle with visitors from throughout the eastern seaboard.

In 1991, the entire village was placed on the National Register of Historic Places and the New Jersey State Register of Historic Places in recognition of its historic and architectural significance. The following year, Harrison Township established the village as a local historic district.