The Dwelling Place brings coffee, conversation and faith to downtown Milford

New Christian coffeehouse and bookstore was created as a place where customers are encouraged to stay, connect and feel seen

MILFORD — April and Jesse Spence did not open The Dwelling Place simply to give downtown Milford another place to grab a cup of coffee.

She wants people to stay. “A place to dwell,” Spence said when asked to describe the new Christian coffeehouse and bookstore on South Walnut Street.

For April, that means creating a space where someone can meet a friend, read, have a Bible study, talk with someone new or sit for a while.

“Just basically sit with the Lord, sit with friends, sit with the person that you love, sit with other people, meet other people,” she said. “Just a place to stay a little while.”

“Not just to rush in and rush out,” she added. “A place to literally stay for a little bit.”

The Dwelling Place, at 27 S. Walnut St., Suite 104, celebrated its grand opening in September. Owned by the April and Jesse Spence family, the business combines a specialty coffee shop with a Christian bookstore, gift shop, and gathering space.

Customers can find coffee, lattes, cappuccinos, matcha, and teas along with baked goods. The retail side features Christian books, devotionals, gifts and apparel.

But less than a month after the official opening, Spence said it is the interaction among customers that is beginning to fulfill the vision she had for the business.

“You see people sitting there together, and they’re not on their phones,” she said. “They’re literally having Bible studies or they’re talking over coffee.”

A faith-centered gathering place

Spence said The Dwelling Place is intentionally Christian but is not associated with a particular denomination.

“When we started this place, we knew that it was all for Jesus,” she said. “There are no denominations. It’s more of just people who love Jesus who are on the same mission for Jesus.”

The concept has roots going back much further than the store’s opening.

Spence has said the idea was influenced by her own family history and by Christian coffeehouses and bookstores she encountered over the years. She envisioned combining coffee, books and fellowship in a setting where people would have a reason to linger.

Some customers bring their own Bibles and hold Bible studies in the shop. Others come simply for coffee and conversation.

Because The Dwelling Place offers pastries rather than a full food menu, Spence also welcomes customers to bring food purchased at other downtown businesses.

That becomes particularly useful during Milford events, when restaurants and food trucks can be busy and seating becomes scarce.

“There’s a lot of food trucks and there’s never anywhere to sit, so we also welcome them to get food at the food truck and come sit in here and stay,” Spence said.

Saturdays and downtown events such as First Fridays have quickly become some of the shop’s busiest times.

The approach places The Dwelling Place alongside Milford’s other downtown businesses rather than trying to provide everything itself.

Learning names

Opening a small business has also brought the challenges that come with learning a new industry.

Spence acknowledged that operating the shop can be stressful. She said her husband helps remind her of the reason the family started the business when those pressures begin to build.

“Jesus keeps me going, because I’m doing it all for Him,” Spence said. “This is His place. It’s not our place. This is all His place.”

“We’re just stewards of it.”

One of the most important parts of that mission, she said, has little to do with coffee or books.

Spence became emotional when she described something she felt called to do when opening the business: learn the names of the people walking through the door.

“I want you to learn names,” she said, describing that calling. “I want you to call people by name, and I want you to make them feel seen and heard because I see and hear them.”

It is that personal connection that Spence hopes will ultimately define The Dwelling Place.

Events extend the mission

The shop is also beginning to work with other Milford businesses on community activities.

Spence said The Dwelling Place is collaborating with Sherry and Bryan Shupe and the owners of Farmacy Market, on a Christian-themed community event planned for Oct. 31.

Preliminary plans include several praise-and-worship groups performing over approximately three hours along with activities for children and a possible Bible-character costume component. Final event details are still being developed.

For Spence, those collaborations are another sign that the shop is becoming what she envisioned — not simply a place selling coffee and books, but a place where relationships can develop.

People who did not know one another are meeting, conversations are beginning and organizations and businesses are finding opportunities to work together.

That, she said, is the point. A place to get coffee, certainly. But also a place to dwell.

To Go Box: The Dwelling Place

Where: 27 S. Walnut St., Suite 104, Milford
What: A family-owned Christian coffeehouse, bookstore, gift shop and community gathering space.
Coffee and refreshments: Coffee, lattes, cappuccinos, matcha, tea, baked goods and other refreshments.
Shopping: New and used Christian books, devotionals, gifts and faith-based apparel.
Gatherings: Customers are welcome to meet with friends, read, hold Bible studies or stay and talk. Outside food is welcome because the shop does not offer a full food menu.
Upcoming: The Dwelling Place is working with Farmacy Market on an Oct. 31 Christian community event expected to include praise-and-worship music and children’s activities. Additional details are being finalized.
Learn more: Visit The Dwelling Place in downtown Milford or follow the business’s social media for event and shop updates.