On March 24, 2025 the Millstone in downtown Merton celebrated its Grand Opening. Doors opened at 11 a.m. for guests to come into the newly transformed restaurant and bar. For several weeks, locals had been anxiously awaiting the reveal of the interior. Millstone employees commented that many residents of the area had been curious about the place, asking for sneak peaks inside. As of its opening, all of Lake Country is being encouraged to stop in and experience all that the Millstone has to offer.
The Millstone is owned by the same group that’s in charge of The Stillery in Grafton, The Stillery in Richfield, and Relish Supper Club in Germantown. Although they are connected by the same standards of quality, this newest addition has a unique identity. The Millstone is slightly smaller, seating around seventy-two people in a layout that makes use of the cozy space without ever feeling cramped. There is plenty of larger, high-top tables which work well for families and big groups of friends.
The owners of the Millstone wanted to incorporate the history of the building into the new restaurant’s atmosphere. The building is over a hundred years old, and has housed numerous taverns and saloons through the course of its lifetime. When the owners took possession of the space, they worked hard to pay homage to that identity. The turnaround time from purchase the grand opening was only around sixty days. This meant that the group worked diligently to make updates without removing any of the place’s charm.
One of the Millstone’s most noteworthy attributes is its historic bar. According to an employee, “It’s the same classic bar thats been here for generations. All we had to redo was the bar top, but everything else is original.” Lined upon its shelves is a great selection of hard-to-find bourbons, something that both locations of The Stillery are well known for. However, the Millstone is bringing a brand new specialty cocktail lineup to the restaurant group. Featuring seasonally themed drinks, the first two available for guests to try include the “Peachy Keen” and “Hibiscus Breeze”.
The star of the show is the Millstone’s distinctive food menu, offering favorites such as smash burgers, pizza, and protein packed salads. It takes traditional bar food to the next level, with its high quality ingredients and expansive selection. Within the next few months, the Millstone hopes to introduce rotating specials, with one employee teasing the possibility of a special taco night. Foodies and families alike will have no trouble finding something to enjoy.
The Millstone hopes to be a place where everyone can come together and enjoy good food, drinks, and company. The restaurant has worked hard to create meaningful relationships within Merton. They’ve focused heavily on sponsorships and fundraisers that aim to help the community, such as supporting a local little league baseball team. The Millstone has also thoughtfully worked to build a strong relationship with other local businesses, such as KJ’s Watering Hole. It’s a testament to the passion that the Millstone has for downtown Merton, as it seeks to create something different that will still feel right at home in the area.
As two of the first customers walked in for their first lunch at the Millstone, they exclaimed “We’re so excited you’re open!” Indeed, the Millstone’s opening is an exciting expansion to a beloved part of Lake Country.
