Council approves lease agreement for Stone Cottage at Falls Park

Historic Cottage to Become Restaurant and Event Space

Greenville City Council approved a lease agreement with Michael Minelli, owner of Passerelle Bistro. Minelli said the new eatery will be named Stone Cottage, in honor of W.E. Touchstone, superintendent of Camperdown Mill, who constructed the building as his family home in 1894.

Minelli has operated Passerelle Bistro since 2017. With the cottage just a “stones’ throw” away he says he’s had his eye on the property for years.

“I want it to be a place where it’s not just a birthday or special event location,” said Minelli, owner/operator of Passerelle and Stone Cottage. “My hope is that families who are going to Falls Park for a picnic day will fill up at the cottage, get what they need for a picnic basket and create a memory.’”

Stone Cottage will offer daytime “grab-and-go” fare, including artisanal sandwiches, local produce, soup, salads and daily specials. The event space will cater to parties of 20 to 30 people.

Falls Cottage has housed many businesses and organizations. In the 1920s, it was converted into a filling station operated by K.S. Conrad, who added the stucco still present on the front and sides of the structure. Falls Cottage later became home to the Metropolitan Arts Council, Greenville Artists Guild Gallery, Tours Around Greenville and the Peace Center’s fundraising office.

In 1975, the Carolina Foothills Garden Club with the support of the City of Greenville, restored the cottage that had fallen into disrepair.