People shopping at an outdoor marketplace in front of a red barn-style building with a sign that reads 'Mill Valley Lumber Company,' surrounded by trees and mountains. 
Craftsmanship & Community Since 1892

A village IN the
heart of Mill Valley

Situated at the entrance to downtown Mill Valley, the Lumber Yard is home to a bakery, a restaurant, a crêperie, and thirteen independently owned shops and studios. The grounds include seating areas, fire pits, hidden gardens, and a creek that runs throughout the property.

With views of Mount Tamalpais and a layout that encourages wandering, it draws visitors from across the Bay Area — and neighbors who stop in regularly.

Black background with a white line drawing of mountain peaks with snow caps.
Black background with a white line drawing of mountain peaks with snow caps.

our history

Over 130 years on
Miller Avenue

The history of the Mill Valley Lumber Yard is closely tied to the history of Mill Valley itself. The property's origins go back to the town's early days as a center of the Marin lumber industry. Arroyo Corte Madera del Presidio Creek winds through the property, connecting the site to its natural setting; the route of the historic Northwestern Pacific Railroad shaped the original form of the buildings; and the views of Mount Tamalpais frame it all — making this one of Marin's most scenic destinations.

Street sign for Miller Avenue on a pole with a decorative top, surrounded by foliage.
Street sign for Miller Avenue on a pole with a decorative top, surrounded by foliage.

One Location, Eight Owners

Today it is one of Marin County's oldest active commercial properties, with a history spanning more than 130 years. In that time, it has had only eight owners — a testament to the care each steward has brought to this place. The current owners, Matt and Jan Mathews, have continued that tradition since 2012, focused on preserving what makes the property meaningful to the community.

1892–1898

Robert Dollar - Dollar Lumber Co.

1898–1908

J.H. McInnes

1908–1912

R.C. Doherty - Doherty Lumber Co.

1912–1956

N.P. Yost - Renamed Mill Valley Lumber Co.

1956–1988

J.L. Castleman

1988–1996

J.L. Castleman with J. Merchant

1996–2004

J. Merchant

2004-2012

T. Cerri

2012–Present

The Mathews Family

Source: M. Hulbert, Preservation Architecture

A close-up image of a brick wall with a red background and small black square openings.
Group of four people smiling and standing outdoors in front of a red wooden building with a sign reading Bakery, Flour, Craft, Café. Two women and one man, with one woman holding a dog and a dog on a leash. Trees and parked cars in the background.

the owners

The Mathews Family

Matt and Jan Mathews have lived in Mill Valley for over 25 years. When they purchased the Lumber Yard in 2012, their intention was straightforward: preserve the historic buildings and create a space that would serve the community through local retail, food, and creative businesses that reflect the character of the town.

“For over 25 years, we have lived in Mill Valley, treasuring the town's natural beauty and its community character. We purchased the Lumber Yard to keep the buildings from being bulldozed and turned into residential units — and to revitalize it into something that would encourage community interaction and retain the history and character of its past.”

— MATT & JAN MATHEWS, CURRENT OWNERS

Part of the
community fabric

The Lumber Yard was designed with the surrounding neighborhood in mind — supporting the Mill Valley 2040 General Plan while creating spaces that serve residents, not just visitors.

  • Local Business First

    Spaces are scaled for independent retailers, food operators, and creative studios — intentionally sized to support local and entrepreneurial businesses.

  • Community Programming

    The open spaces on the property are available for art shows, school events, and Chamber of Commerce gatherings — supporting the organizations that make Mill Valley what it is.

Three women are shopping at a craft fair table with decorative stones and other handicrafts, inside a store with a glass door and clothing racks in the background.
A man smiling and pointing at a red directional signpost outside a building with red siding and large windows. The signpost lists various businesses including 'Makeshop', 'Once Around', 'Lulu Designs', 'Flood Craft Bakery', and others. The surroundin
A woman with blonde hair and glasses painting on an easel in an art gallery, wearing a colorful floral shirt, with paintings of birds hanging on the white wall behind her, and art supplies on a table nearby.
A man leaning on a wooden railing in a red barn with a shingled roof and a skylight, smiling and looking out
A man and woman standing in front of an open door with glass panels, smiling at the camera. The man has gray hair and is wearing a black jacket and jeans; the woman has long brown hair, glasses, and is dressed in a dark sweater and a long skirt. The
A smiling woman with shoulder-length brown hair and a man with glasses and a shaved head, both standing close together outside near a wooden wall and greenery, with their arms around each other.
A man singing and playing guitar at an outdoor performance under a large umbrella, with a woman in a purple hat watching.
A woman inside a rustic wooden shop displaying fabrics with floral and botanical patterns.
Children crafting with paint and supplies outdoors on a sunny day.
A group of women standing outdoors at a social event, looking at a smartphone together and smiling.
Three people, two men and a woman, sitting on a wooden bench outside a shop named 'Normandie', with one man wearing cycling gear including a helmet, and a woman in casual clothes. A man in a cap and glasses stands nearby holding a coffee cup, engagin
A young girl dressed in a lavender princess costume with a large white bow and veil, eating ice cream outside a cafe, sitting next to an adult woman holding a bowl of dessert.
A woman and a young girl shopping outside a store called Makers Market, with a group of people and a dog nearby.
A young woman sitting on a wooden step outside a clothing store, wearing sunglasses, a white t-shirt, ripped black jeans, and pink sneakers, with a small white dog lying beside her, in front of a glass storefront with hanging clothes.
Two women shopping outdoors look at pink and white checkered clothing on a rack, smiling and laughing.
Woman shopping for jewelry at an outdoor market, examining necklaces displayed on a wooden stand.
Young woman in white dress and sunglasses relaxing and reading a book outdoors at a cafe with wooden Adirondack chairs and umbrellas.
A woman with glasses, wearing an olive green jacket, is sitting at an outdoor bar talking to a man in a blue patterned shirt. A glass of water is on the table. Another person in black is partially visible on the left.
A woman with glasses and red hair smiling and high-fiving another woman with curly brown hair at an outdoor market stall. The stall displays jewelry and accessories, with a sign that reads 'Daisy Chains.' They are near a large tree, and a red buildin
A group of six people standing outside in front of a red wooden building with a sign that reads 'Mill Valley Lumber Co. Inc.' and another sign that says 'Flour Craft Bakery & Cafe,' with trees and greenery around them.
A man with glasses, a beard, and a cap sitting at a wooden table with a brindle and white dog lying on the floor in front of him. The dog is wearing a collar and seems happy. The background includes windows with greenery outside and warm lighting ins
A woman with curly dark hair, glasses, and a bright smile stands outside a shop, holding a shopping bag. She wears a yellow cardigan over a dress with a heart pattern, maroon shoes, and has a crossbody bag. There is a black dog on a leash standing ne

our environment

Caring for the
land and the creek

The natural features of the property — Arroyo Corte Madera del Presidio Creek, the heritage trees, and the open views of Mt. Tamalpais — are central to what makes this site significant. The Lumber Yard is committed to being a responsible steward of all of them.

A small creek surrounded by dense trees and green bushes, with rocks along the water's edge and some parked cars visible in the background. 
CREEK STEWARDSHIP

Partnering with Streamkeepers on creek education and community clean-up days.

WATER-WISE GARDENING

Hosting classes with Master Gardeners on native and drought-tolerant plants.

NON-DISPOSABLE LIFESTYLE

Encouraging tenants and visitors to reduce single-use consumption — every day.

GREEN BUILDING

Following sustainable standards while preserving the character of every structure.

ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION

Opening our doors to Mill Valley classrooms as a living environmental classroom.

A close-up of a mannequin head with a fierce facial expression, wearing a tall, colorful headdress with multiple feathers.