LITTLE FALLS, NY — The Mustard Seed, a beloved artisan shop in Little Falls, New York, has spread its roots to a larger location at 401 Canal Place, right next door to its original storefront at 407 Canal Place.
Owner Julie Webster, whose passion for local, handcrafted goods has made the shop a community staple, recently sat down to discuss the move, which promises to amplify the shop’s production and offerings while preserving its small-town charm.
The Mustard Seed, known for its artisan herbal goods, gluten-free baked treats, and an array of locally sourced gifts, has been a fixture in Little Falls since Webster and her sister, Jenny Vittiglio, rekindled the business with a storefront at 407 Canal Place.
The shop’s cozy retail space and unique products, like scape relish and rhubarb jam, have drawn locals and visitors alike. However, as the business grew, the limited production space began to constrain its potential.
“When we first moved in next door, we weren’t doing all of the things that we are now,” Webster explained. “It was our very first time with a real, eager market, and an inspected kitchen to make so many of the baked food products. And then we had done all of the other smelly and wonderful things too. But to be able to make an unbelievable amount of product.”
The opportunity to expand came when the art center at 410 Canal Place moved across the street and it became available. For Webster, the decision to relocate was driven by the need for more production space rather than just a larger retail area.
“When we found out about this space, we knew it would double our production space,” she said. “So it was more about doubling the production space than the retail space. But that kind of happened too. Which is amazing, absolutely amazing.”
The new location, which opened its doors just after Memorial Day, offers a significantly larger workspace, allowing Webster and her team to scale up their production of gluten-free baked goods, jams, and other specialties.
The expanded retail space also means more room to showcase products from local artisans and farmers, a cornerstone of The Mustard Seed’s mission. “It allows us the room to not trip over each other to make more of everything,” Webster said with a laugh. “So more. More local.”
The move has already sparked excitement about new possibilities. While Webster is keeping some details under wraps until the shop is fully settled, she hinted at an influx of fresh products tied to the season. “Right now, it’s exciting because now all my farmer friends and wonderful people who bring me things know I have the room. I had rhubarb this morning. So guess what’s coming to the shelf? Rhubarb jam,” she shared.
The larger space also includes a second refrigerator, a game-changer for storing perishable ingredients like garlic scapes for the shop’s “locally famous” scape relish. “To have a refrigerator to put all of the scapes in—I can only store so many-you can’t freeze them. They can only stay for so long,” Webster noted.
While the new space enables The Mustard Seed to produce more, Webster emphasized that the shop’s core offerings will remain true to its roots. “Not necessarily different, just more,” she said when asked if the expansion would lead to new types of products.
“So more gluten-free goods, more baking, more jam… More shelf space means we can do more products from other friends. The maple and honey sections can both get bigger, you know?”
The Mustard Seed’s hours will remain consistent with its previous schedule: Wednesday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Sunday from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Mondays and Tuesdays are Webster’s “weekend,” though she noted that the shop typically operates daily during the Christmas season.
The continuity in hours reflects Webster’s commitment to maintaining the shop’s accessibility and community feel, even as it grows.
The new storefront at 410 Canal Place is still a work in progress, with Webster focusing on behind-the-scenes setup before fully unveiling new products and displays. “At the moment, there’s added shelving, products are coming,” she said. “I have to finish all of the crazy behind-the-scenes before I get to make stuff.”
She invited the community to visit in about a month to see the space in its full glory, suggesting that the best is yet to come.
The Mustard Seed’s website, www.themustardseedshop.com, highlights its dedication to artisan herbal goods, gluten-free foods, and home and body care products, all crafted with a focus on local ingredients and sustainability.
Recent posts on the shop’s Facebook page celebrate the move, showcasing the spacious new interior and teasing upcoming additions to the product lineup. The expansion aligns with Webster’s vision of fostering community through quality, locally made goods, a mission that began when she and Vittiglio opened the original Canal Place location.
As The Mustard Seed settles into its new home, Webster’s enthusiasm is palpable. The larger space at 410 Canal Place not only doubles the shop’s production capacity but also opens the door to more collaborations with local farmers and artisans. For Webster, it’s all about creating more of what makes The Mustard Seed special: “More. Just more.”
For those eager to explore the expanded shop, The Mustard Seed welcomes visitors to stop by, browse, and experience the “good smelling” atmosphere Webster hopes to cultivate. With rhubarb jam on the horizon and more local treasures to come, the shop’s new chapter promises to be as vibrant and community-driven as ever.
