Come Visit Muddy Pond, Tennessee
Follow a narrow winding road up a steep hill through five or six sharp curves, turn left at the Mennonite church, and you’ll be on Muddy Pond Road. Continue up its twists and turns past a few fields of sorghum cane, some arrows pointing the way to the Muddy Pond General Store and even a sign offering black buggy beer. You’ve found Muddy Pond.
Why is it called “Muddy Pond”?
Muddy Pond is actually named after one of the many small muddy ponds up on this mountain community. Now it’s home to several Mennonite communities as well as lots of small local farms.
The town folks who have lived here for generations love the charm and comfort of this little spot deep in the hills of Tennessee. Tourists enjoy the unique sights and shopping experiences back on these winding roads. You’ll find something to love about Muddy Pond too.
The Troyer’s Cafe
Stop by The Troyer’s Cafe first, it’s the small building on the right immediately after Pilgrim Christian Fellowship church. Josy is the sweet girl that runs this charming spot, and she will usually smile and call out a greeting as you walk in. There’s plenty of reasons to stay awhile too, a little Book Nook with comfy couches and shelves of books to peruse as you sip your hot cappuccino or a glass of iced kombucha. There’s usually doughnuts and pastries in the display case, and burgers are on the menu for lunch.
Tip: Don’t leave without trying the Muddy Pond, a sweet little drink Josy created featuring a Nutella lined cup.
If tea is more to your taste, she also has a self-serve tea bar. Just pour yourself a steaming teacup of hot water and drop in a little muslin tea bag with your choice of apple, hibiscus or berry tea leaves.
Location and Hours
The Troyer’s Cafe (CURRENTLY CLOSED, UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE)
3082 Muddy Pond Rd
Monterey, Tennessee, TN 38574
☎(931) 445-3875
The Country Porch
Just down the road from the cafe, you’ll find The Country Porch, a small building that is chock full of interesting finds and delicious food. This bakery/cafe/deli/gift shop/grocery just opened this spring, and Muddy Pond couldn’t be more excited about their new lunch spot. The wide front porch filled with rockers and picnic tables is the perfect place to sit and stay awhile. Order up some deli sandwiches made with freshly baked bread, grab a Cranberry Feta Salad and a drink, and find a spot to relax with your friends.
After a doughnut or cookie for dessert, you’ll want to explore the little gift shop that offers antique toys, sticker sheets by the foot, and handmade aprons. The grocery side is also delightful, with everything from aloe vera drinks to flour, sugar, jam, and frozen pie pastries. The delightful young ladies working the deli counter are always happy to help you find anything you need.
Location and Hours
The Country Porch
3130 Muddy Pond Rd
Monterey, Tennessee, TN 38574
☎ (931) 445-7370
Hours; Monday -Saturday
9 AM – 5 PM
Jay’s Custom Leather
Mmmmmm… it smells like leather up in here! Everyone who walks in the door of this friendly little leather shop is greeted with a, “hello there” and the delicious smell of leather. Jay has been helping riders find their perfect saddle for years and has three generations of experience in the leather trade. His grandfather started the first leather shop in Muddy Pond over 50 years ago, and Jay grew up stitching and creating in his dad’s leather shop.
If you are an equestrian, you’ll be fascinated by the selection and quality of tack and saddles that Jay keeps in stock. There’s also something for everyone, from leather belts and bags to sheepskin rugs and leather bracelets. The true treasures of the shop are Jenn and Ruby who are ready to answer questions and field random jokes from customers all while continuing to create leather goods behind the work bench.
This small shop is also the home of Urban Southern.
You’ll always be able to try out our collections in person from the display beside the front counter. If you watch Ruby for a bit, you may be able to see if she’s making a new batch of Market Totes or Crossbody Wallets. Ask Brit if she needs any help finishing edges, and she will certainly offer you a seat at her worktable.
Location and Hours
Jay’s Custom Leather/Urban Southern
3600 Muddy Pond Rd
Monterey, TN 38574
☎ 931-445-2225
Hours: Monday – Friday
9 AM – 5 PM
Saturday
9 AM – 4 PM
Aaron Bauman Leather Shop
The big metal building next door to Jay’s is the Leather Shop. Jay’s dad runs this unique spot which offers everything from leather tack to horse supplies. Kids love the little leather holsters with wooden guns to keep on their belts. If you get a snack from the General Store next door, you can even find an empty rocker on the wide front porch and catch the breeze while your friends shop for belts and wallets. You may even get to chat with Jay’s mom and tell her which state you call home.
Location and Hours
The Leather Shop
3518 Muddy Pond Rd
Monterery, TN 38574
☎ 931-445-3234
Hours: Monday – Saturday
8 AM – 5 PM
The Muddy Pond General Store
The General Store is one of the oldest and most well-known destinations in Muddy Pond. It’s been here since 1986 and hasn’t changed except to offer a few new items as the popular trends dictate. Tourists come back year after year to stock up on their lovely jams and spices, as well as stacks of stainless steel bowls and wooden rocking chairs.
You can also buy a pound of deli meat or cheese at the deli counter and the sweet girls there will even slice it to your exact specifications. Upstairs you’ll want to spend some time trying on handmade aprons and cotton bonnets, Little House on the Prairie style, as well as see the gorgeous handmade quilts, vintage poster prints and little wooden birdhouses.
Location and Hours
The Muddy Pond General Store
3608 Muddy Pond Rd
Monterey, TN 38574
Hours: Monday – Saturday
8 AM – 5 PM
The Sorghum Mill/Muddy Pond Variety Store
Take a deep breath when you step inside the sorghum mill… the sweet aroma of cooking syrup is a delicious flavor all it’s own. The Guenther family still own and operate this fun spot, every September and October on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays. Their sorghum is 100% pure sorghum with no additives made from their sorghum cane that they plant each year.
When you come out this fall, you may hear the train whistle blow as the wood fired, steam locomotive boiler makes the steam that boils the juice down to syrup. Muddy Pond Sorghum was chosen by Southern Living Magazine as one of 15 products to be given the Food Award as Southern Cooking Staples in this year’s June edition.
Here’s a fun video detailing more behind the scenes of the complete process:
Muddy Pond Variety Store is open year round, just across the road from the sorghum mill. The Variety Store carries bulk foods, hardware, collectible items, enamel bakeware, stainless steel, home baked goods and of course Muddy Pond Sorghum.
Location and Hours
The Sorghum Mill
4064 Muddy Pond Rd.
Monterey, TN 38574
Hours: The Sorghum Mill is open only September-October on Tuesday Thursday and Saturday from 9-4
We hope you decide to plan a day trip to Muddy Pond soon and tell us how you like it!
The post Your Day Trip Guide to the Charming Community of Muddy Pond, Tennessee appeared first on Urban Southern.
9 comments
Are any of the stores open after Christmas’s? Thank
Christa Williamson
Do you all raise alpacas?. My daughter and son-in-law are interested in learning more about raising them but wanted some first hand advice on their care.
We are on our way!!
Looking forward to visiting your place this October. Hope we get to see your operation in action.
Jim M.
One of the neatest places around. My wife and I venture to Muddy Pond at least twice a year from Nashville. Quiet, peaceful. Like stepping back in time. Already planning our spring trip. Great friendly people. The ride and countryside is a beautiful work of God!