A fresh new business in Weissport is now open to the public.

Complete with an eatery, coffee shop and distinctive activities that set it apart, the Hofford Mill officially opened its doors Feb. 5.

Since then, the response to the one-time silk mill turned entertainment complex has been off the charts, according to owner/CEO Kathryn McEvilly.

“It was definitely a huge sense of relief finally getting the doors open,” McEvilly said. “The reception from the people has been fantastic.”

The Gorge eatery

McEvilly said the Gorge eatery offers tacos, flatbreads and smaller bar bites.

“It’s been very positive on the restaurant side,” she said. “We’re rolling it out in phases.”

Eventually, McEvilly said the menu will grow to include Schnitzel, potpie, meatloaf, fresh pasta, hot sandwiches, desserts and other items.

“We don’t have a million things,” she said. “But we have about 20 or so that we do really well.”

McEvilly shared what she said helps set the eatery apart from its other contemporaries.

“We make a lot of stuff in-house to give it that home-cooking feel,” she said. “We try to use the same ingredients.”

UnCommon Grounds at the Mill

Another option for customers is the UnCommon Grounds at the Mill coffee shop.

Owned by Melvin and Michelle Keil, the coffee shop sells coffee and homemade treats.

“We are super excited,” Michelle said. “The momentum is building.”

Keil explained what she believes makes the coffee shop such a popular hit.

“What make us unique is that all of our coffees are fresh roasted within a week to two weeks, max,” she said. “Everything we bake here every single morning is fresh.”

Ben Glueck, of Lehighton, purchased a cold brew Aztec coffee from the shop.

“I had their coffee at the Lehighton (Downtown) Farmers Market,” Glueck said. “I saw they had it here.”

Other attractions

In addition to the eatery and coffee shop, other features inside the Hofford Mill include ax-throwing cages; an 18-bed hostel; a private event room with minibar to hold 100-125 people; a state-of-the-art kitchen; a 2,500-square-foot deck outside; and a 40-foot bar.

McEvilly said that until they get their bar license, it is BYOB, and that once the bar opens, they’ll serve drinks from local wineries, breweries and distilleries.

The Hofford Mill currently employs between 25 to 30 people, with plans to hire more as they grow.

McEvilly described the establishment as a mixed use, multipurpose facility.

“A lot of our (customers) are local,” she said. “As the months get warmer, we’ll be seeing more tourists looking for something different and new.”

Positive feedback

McEvilly said that to date, she’s received various compliments on the layout of the facility.

“Everyone loves the space,” she said. “They say it’s very comfortable, and very welcoming.”

Kevin Fisher of Stroudsburg said the facility is unique.

“It’s pretty cool,” Fisher said. “It’s very hip.”

Stephanie Wittig, of Franklin Township, stopped in for a menu and said she likes what she saw.

“It looks nice; it looks good,” Wittig said. “I hope they do well.”

Wittig said the area where The Hofford Mill is located appears to be on the upswing.

“Weissport is a pretty little town,” she said. “I hope they do a good business here.”

McEvilly said the business plans to host its grand opening May 2.