BETHLEHEM, Pa. — There will be even more places to shop downtown each weekend leading to Christmas.
With wares as diverse as jewelry, Turkish towels, fresh-baked focaccia and Christmas berry hot sauce, Main Street and the nearby Sun Inn courtyard will feature dozens of green, wooden huts for a variety of vendors to set up shop.
Christmas City Village, organized by the Downtown Bethlehem Association, will run from Nov. 14 through Dec. 21, operating from noon to 8 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays, and noon to 6 p.m. Sundays.
Here's a map of what's offered.
The event also is featuring a drop-off point for a toy drive benefitting Boys & Girls Club of Bethlehem. Toys will be accepted from Nov. 14-Dec. 23.
'Shop small and local'
A small cottage bakery from Easton, Mona’s Bakery, is offering its fresh-baked sourdough, sourdough focaccia, sweet breads, stuffed cookies and macarons for the first time this year at Christmas City Village.
The Finegans — Lisa, aka “Mona,” and Chris — had some recommendations.
“If you want a killer grilled cheese, the jalapeño cheddar [sourdough] is awesome,” Chris said.
“Amazing French toast with the cinnamon sourdough,” Lisa said.
The craft takes patience, they said. The daily maintenance behind a thriving sourdough starter is “like caring for a child,” and each sourdough loaf takes about two days each to make.
“I’m hoping people decide to shop small and local, and support the local economy."Melis Carroll, owner of Kaleidoscope Collective in Bethlehem
You may recognize the couple from their usual pop-ups at farmers markets in Easton, the West Ward and Phillipsburg.
Melis Carroll, owner of Kaleidoscope Collective in Bethlehem, said T-shirts, necklaces and Turkish towels are big hits for her business.
“I’m hoping people decide to shop small and local, and support the local economy,” Carroll said.
'Such a community spirit'
James and Sandra McLaine, of Easton, were doing just that, with the couple celebrating his birthday, at least in part, with a trip to Main Street Bethlehem for some new sneakers.
The two made their way over to the courtyard to peruse the handful of huts set up Friday afternoon.
“It’s wonderful,” Sandra McLaine said. “We love it here.”
“It starts to get you in the spirit,” her husband said. “It’s always nice.”
Pepper jelly, hot honey and pumpkin butter, chocolate mole, Christmas berry hot sauce and hot hibiscus tea: For Rubena Kalli, owner of Ruby’s Hottie Hot Sauce of Stroudsburg, heat is big.
But flavor takes priority, Kalli said.
She said it’s a pleasure being back for her second year at Christmas City Village.
“It’s such a community spirit,” Kalli said.
