An early gift for Christmas shoppers
Palmerton store opens with plenty of items for the upcoming season, or any time of year. In Bethlehem, more options for eating and drinking on North and South sides.
With Halloween in the rear view mirror, signs of the impending Yuletide season have already started to appear, from trees adorning roadside lamp posts to Santa arriving at the Lehigh Valley Mall.
If you’ve already ditched your jacko’-lantern and are switching holiday gears, a new store in Palmerton wants to help you make the most of the most wonderful time of the year.
Whether you’re looking for nutcrackers, tree ornaments and other Christmas decorations or unique gifts such as custom coast- ers, hand-crafted jewelry and terrariums, This N
That Finds U has you covered.
The store, which held a grand opening Sept. 22 at 380 Delaware Ave., offers “uniquities" including clocks, candles, hand-made furniture and home decor, owner Monica Newhard said.
Newhard sells antiques and other pieces that she acquires from out-ofstate auctions along with locally made items from about eight consignors.
“People really can’t find these items anywhere else,” said Newhard, who operates the store with her son, Matthew. “That’s why I named the store This N That Finds U because first they come to me and then they come to you.”
Locally made pieces include organic scrubs and other personal care products from Bee Silky Soap; spreads and other food from Damn Yankee Catering; stained glass creations from Robyn Reinsmith; cutting boards, shelves and other wooden creations from D&R Country Designs; serving stones from Serving Stone Creations; paintings by Paula Zelenka; and primitive and repurposed home decor from Unique Homespun Creations.
A rear tasting room, with a bar and handful of tables, offers wines from the Harrisburg-based 5 Schmucks Winery.
Guests can enjoy glasses and tastings of wine in the Harry Potter-themed room — complete with an owl and candles suspended from the ceiling. Wine slushies and to-go bottles also are available.
This N That is open Wednesday through Sunday. Info: 610-393-3177. completion of its distillery at 167 N. Commerce Way in Hanover Township, Northampton County, with plans to introduce its spirits in the first quarter of 2019 at downtown Bethlehem’s Tavern at the Sun Inn, co-owner Brett Biggs said.
The 564 Main St. tavern, which opened at the 18th-century landmark in December 2016, features a barroom and two dining rooms on the building’s second floor and another bar in the basement, known as the rathskellar.
Tastings will be available at multiple locations throughout the tavern.
Biggs and his partners plan to make colonial-inspired spirits, including apple brandy, rum, whiskey, vodka and gin. Grains from a Coplay farm will be utilized in some varieties.
Customers will be able to enjoy the spirits straight or as part of a cocktail. To-go bottles also will be available. Info: facebook.com/christmascityspiritsllc.
One last piece of Bethlehem news is the upcoming opening of Freedom Toys & Collectibles at 52 E. Union Blvd.
The store, scheduled to open Nov. 10, will offer a wide array of new and vintage toys, including Hot Wheels cars, Dragon Ball Z and Mighty Morphin Power Rangers figures, Pokemon trading cards and superhero and wrestling action figures, owner Eric DeVito said. There also will be comics.
DeVito lives in New York and will operate the store on weekends: noon to 9 p.m. Saturdays and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sundays. Info: facebook.com/freedomtoyscollectibles. salads, nachos and the company’s popular wood-fired pizzas, Horstman said.
News of the upcoming taproom follows September’s announcement that Johnny’s Bagels & Deli has plans to open its fifth Lehigh Valley eatery in mid-December in a space on the lower level of Lehigh Valley Mall near Boscov’s.. center also has been altered with Thursday’s grand opening of The Patio.
The outdoor area near the Bowl Fountain was recently overhauled to include a stage, lawn area, shade elements, accent lighting, soft seating, fire features and cellphone charging stations, according to a news release.