MILLERTON — Like many Millerton residents, Katja and James Schultz were all-too-familiar with the community’s need for a thriving market. Teaming up with longtime friend Raquel Madar, the couple took it upon themselves to fulfill that need by opening The Dig this summer and stocking the market with carefully curated local products.
Given how integral a grocery market is to life in the local region, Katja said they were excited when the Millerton Mercantile opened for business last summer, only to find themselves without the market by the following year. Eager to fill the gap at 3 Main St. where the Millerton Mercantile was previously located, the couple launched The Dig, opening for business on Sunday, Aug. 2. Sharing co-ownership with Katja and James is Madar, the market’s supervisor and a friend of Katja’s since studying speech language pathology together at grad school at SUNY New Paltz.
Passing through the main door, customers are enveloped by the market space and its awe-inspiring inventory of local products, including meat sourced from Pine Plains; tea from Harney & Sons; fresh baked goods from Freund’s Farm Market in East Canaan, Conn.; coffee from Omar Coffee Company in Newington, Conn., and Lucy Jo’s Coffee Roastery in Salem, N.Y.; and much more. A stalwart believer in the importance of working with other community businesses, Katja said they’ve been trying to integrate other local markets into their store. The Dig also has a selection of dairy-free, gluten-free and peanut-free options for their customers to choose from.
Traveling to the back of the business, customers will find a relaxing outdoor space where they can lay their picnic blankets or settle into the space’s comfy lounge chairs.
At its heart, Katja said The Dig aims to create a welcoming atmosphere for people to socialize and have a good time while fulfilling their basic food needs.
“Honestly, I think the goal of it is to essentially bring everybody together using food,” James said. “I mean, if you think about it, if I sell somebody’s local food, we are sponsoring that person… We’re not in this to be millionaires — we’re in this to bring people together and have a great time.”
“It’s really amazing to share a dream with your family and to me, it’s about a shared future, something we can contribute to and be a part of,” said Natalie Pere, Katja’s mother and the chef responsible for the sweet and savory crepes sold at The Dig and at the Millerton Farmers Market.
As they continue nurturing The Dig’s roots on Main Street, the owners anticipate hosting community events and specials to draw customers of all ages, such as wine and cheese nights, Friday Wing Nights, snow cones on Saturdays and crepes on Sundays. Always looking to expand their inventory, Katja said people can email The Dig directly at thedigonmain@gmail.com or visit the market with their ideas for what they’d like to see on display, adding, “The more we can offer, the better.”
Open seven days a week, The Dig’s hours run from 6 to 11 a.m. Along with offering delivery to Millerton residents and curbside pickup, The Dig provides bundles that include essential goods (such as bread, eggs and fresh produce) at a reasonable price. To place an order, call 518-592-1142 or go to www.thedigonmain.com.
Meg Sher, executive director of the David M. Hunt Library in Falls Village.L. Tomaino 
