The Creative Pulse of Tennessee’s Oldest Town: Discovering Mill Spring Makers Market
Every time I get to Jonesborough, Tennessee, I can feel it. The place just has a spirit. Not one of those musty old spirits that you get from going to other historical towns. This is an upbeat spirit. It’s young, energetic, artistic, fun, and quaint all at once. Considering that this is the oldest city in Tennessee, this much energy in its spirit is an unexpected and pleasantly welcome feeling.
I’ve been there when a street preacher was delivering the gospel in front of the Central Christian Church, which is something you don’t see everywhere. They have a super cute Candy Store in the old Masonic Lodge building that is big, bright, and eclectic, complete with its own brightly decorated Smart Car for advertisement and a statue of Yoda, who, apparently, was the source of some controversy.
Jonesborough is also home to the Jonesborough Farmers Market and the Boone Street Market, which we have had the pleasure of covering before. But on my last trip to pick up chocolate from Cocoa Bean and Butter Chocolate Company, another place caught my eye.
Stepping Inside: More Than Meets the Eye
I had seen it across the street on previous visits and thought about going in, but this time, I finally did. I wasn’t there to write about it, but after walking through the first two rooms, it became apparent that I needed to.
It inspired me.
From the outside, the Mill Spring Makers Market looks like a little tiny shop. Inside, it is deceptively large. It’s a winding set of connected rooms, one after another, encompassing over 2,500 square feet of top-quality art and artisan products. The shelves are stocked with everything from tallow and goat’s milk cosmetics to screen-printed and handmade clothing, repurposed retro fans converted into lamps, gorgeous handmade wood furniture, high-end pet products, blacksmith creations, leatherwork, pottery, jewelry, and paintings. I’m not sure my hands have enough energy to type all the products they carry.
The Power of Knowing Your Maker
The true magic of the space, however, is the origin of these goods. Each item was created by someone within a short distance. I recognized many of the names on these products at local farmers’ markets in the area, which makes them special, as far as I’m concerned.
This shop is a charming, highly successful example of locals producing products for locals. During my visit, the place had steady traffic, and I had the pleasure of meeting the owner, Melinda Copp. She isn’t just an entrepreneur; she is a visionary and a well-known community leader who recognized a distinct need for local goods in downtown.
“We bought this building about eight years ago and thought this would be just the perfect fit for the location,” Melinda told me, explaining that they currently help about 85 regional artists sell their goods. And by local, she means local. Most of the makers are based within the Tri-Cities region—roughly a 20-mile radius—with a few stretching toward Knoxville or Western North Carolina. Everyone is within about an hour’s drive.
From Mid-Century Firehouse to Modern Community Hub
The building itself holds a fascinating piece of Jonesborough’s history. Built in the mid-1940s, it formerly housed the town hall, as well as the police and fire departments.
“Where we’re standing right now was actually the fire bay,” Melinda laughed, pointing out where the garage doors used to roll up for the fire trucks. “In the back area, where it kind of gets bigger, and the ceiling gets taller, that was the actual city garage. And then we have an apartment upstairs… There used to be a fire pole, actually, right behind me!”
Melinda was adamant from the start that the Mill Spring Makers Market wouldn’t just be a high-end art gallery, but a place with a price point for everyone. It’s a store where you can buy everyday necessities—like artisan soaps, candles, and children’s clothing—while simultaneously supporting your neighbors.
Beyond retail, the shop serves as an active community space. A separate maker room hosts regular, hands-on workshops welcoming all experience levels. Whether it’s pottery building, oil painting, or sewing, the classes are almost always bustling. For instance, this March, they are hosting intricate workshops, such as making water-filled pocket planters and heart-shaped cake trinket boxes. They have grown so quickly that they now shut down the adjacent street twice a year for the biannual Mill Spring Makers Faire, bringing in over 70 additional makers.
A Shift in the Historic Air
The market’s success mirrors a shifting demographic in Jonesborough. While the town is a beloved haven for retirees, Melinda notes a distinct post-COVID shift. There is a noticeable uptick in younger professionals and families laying down roots in this tight-knit community of about 6,750 residents.
If you have a choice to buy something from a big box store that sources its products from who knows where, or from someone whose name you know, you are always better off choosing the latter. It stabilizes the supply chain, reduces environmental damage, and keeps dollars in the local economy.
Mill Spring Makers Market proves that this model works beautifully. It’s a great town, a fantastic store, and a brilliant vision brought to life. If you find yourself in Tennessee’s oldest town, this shop is an absolute must-visit.
Artisan Workshops
Mill Spring Makers Market Click to open side panel for more information offers a wide variety of hands-on classes in their dedicated maker space, catering to all experience levels (including beginners). Here is a look at their current and recurring workshop schedule:
- Water Font Pocket Planter Workshop: (Recently held/Upcoming in March) A two-hour class where participants learn to build and decorate a wall planter in the style of an old church water font using templates, balloons, and moulds.
- Sewing Workshops with Lexi Kate Makes: Frequent, ongoing classes ranging from basic introductions to intermediate series (like a 4-hour workshop on drafting and sewing your own summer skirt).
- Lace Pottery Workshops: Regular classes where makers can craft specialized items like Lace Pottery Pitchers and Lace Pottery Platters.
- Couples Pottery Heart Dish Workshop: A specialty class often held around February/Valentine’s Day.
- Fiber Arts & Macrame: Classes pop up throughout the year, including Quilt Square Workshops, Macrame Hoops with Dried Florals, and seasonal Macrame Ornament Workshops.
- Painting & Paper Crafting: The market regularly features watercolor classes, such as its Holiday Watercolor Workshop, as well as oil painting and paper-crafting sessions.
Upcoming Special Event:
- Mill Spring Makers Faire: Saturday, May 16, 2026 (10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.). They will close down Spring Street to host over 70 regional makers for a massive outdoor juried market featuring demonstrations, food, and music.
Because their classes tend to sell out quickly and the schedule updates frequently, they manage all of their specific dates, times, and ticket sales directly through their official Eventbrite page.
