If you grew up in or near Allentown, chances are that you been to the Farmers Market. The market has been in operation since 1953, all year except during Fair Week.
While those visiting downtown Allentown will recognize very little from the past, the Farmers Market is frozen in time. Some of the purveyors have been there for near 60 years.
When I was a boy, my father operated a meat concession at the market for a year or so. He gave it up because he recognized so many of the customers from his market on Union Street, and realized that he had doubled his overhead to serve the same clients.
For those of us who find change not always for the best, the Market remains a comfort.
reprinted from August of 2023
Your sentence towards the end of your post, “He gave it up because he recognized so many of his customers from his Market on Union Street…”, reminded me of something.
ReplyDeleteDoesn’t the city subsidize a downtown “Farmer’s Market” for residents who supposedly can’t get to the real Farmer’s Market on their own?
I don’t know that it’s still in operation, but always find it odd when the city tries to undercut one of its successful (and in this case unique) businesses.
The Farmers Market is a jewel, and the new floors are a good improvement there. Similarly, the black fence that was put around the entire Fairgrounds property was a huge upgrade from the chain-link fence that was there previously.
ReplyDeleteSome other improvements (in no particular order) that I’d like to see in the future:
1). Flags on the parking lot side of the Farmers Market year round. I think they have them out drying the Fair, but the building is worth making it look festive all the time.
2). Repaving the parking lot, hopefully with some kind of accommodation for the electrical wires during Fair week that become trip hazards.
3). Sprucing up the facade of Ag Hall, and some updates inside as well. The newer portion seems light years ahead of the original portion.
4). Summer concerts at times other than just during Fair week. It’s a cool venue with lots of good memories, that seems underused.
I mention those things not as complaints but rather investments or improvements that would make the Farmers Market and Fairgrounds more attractive and more likely to continue successfully into the future.
They are a treasure that Allentown cannot afford to lose.
They are doing food trucks on Wednesday evenings for the summer near the Main Gate entrance. Check it out!
DeleteGood suggestions. I would only add that a really aggressive marketing campaign for The Ritz would be welcome. Tap into the nostalgia of Old Allentown. Working with a local radio station, perhaps with a few summer remotes might be considered....perhaps with one of its vintage car get-togethers.
DeleteThe Allentown Farmer's Market is in fact a "jewel". Out-of-town friends and family always insist on going there when they visit.
ReplyDeleteAs for longevity, I'm over 70 and I well remember hanging onto my mother's skirt as we traversed the many vendors--from likely near its inception. A trip there was never complete without a slice at Charlie-K's!
I do miss some of those that are gone, such as the large fruit and vegetable stand at the top of the ramp, but the new vendors offer a taste of other cultures and who can not welcome the return of the Brass Rail.
May it live long and prosper!
Thousands of out-of-town people come to Allentown every year for the band events at the stadium. The nearby Farmer’s Market is frequently mentioned on the internet as an annual side visit by people from all over this nation and others.
ReplyDeleteAs delightful an Allentown jewel as the parks! A treat to share with out of town guests!
ReplyDeleteThe latest shootout on 18th was a half block from the Fairgrounds, the High School, a Daycare Center and the Hospital.
ReplyDeleteAre you really so naive that you think that area was targeted for a "shoot-out?" You may feel safer staying home.
Delete@6:01 PM
DeleteNo one here suggested that the area where the shootings occurred was “targeted”. That it occurred where it did was clearly an indication of a wanton disregard for the welfare of innocent bystanders or public institutions.
Speaking for myself, I spent a significant part of one 18 year career devoted to the prevention and intervention in the reduction of gun/gang violence at the local, state and federal level. I served as Chair of the local DEA Drug Reduction Task Force, one of three on the East Coast. My professional commitment was to always run to the sound of the gunfire.
Full disclosure: My project was instrumental in the development of School Resource Officers in the Lehigh Valley and across the Commonwealth and I worked under contract for OCCOPS, USDOJ, as a trainer of trainers in the Prevention of Domestic Terrorism.
Additionally I was co-chair of The Concerned Officers Association on Gang Activity.
I’m retired. I don’t hear much in the way of gunfire and, yes, I stay close to home.
Apologies for forgetting to sign my name.
Deletemj adams
@6:01pm
DeleteMy daughter graduated from William Allen, my son went to the adjacent Day Care School, I worked at the 17th. and Chew St. Hospital, our entire family shops at the Fairgrounds every week.
Spare the gaslighting.
6:01 - Perhaps the point that 3:54 was making is that there are fewer and fewer areas in the city that are safe from this sort of incident.
DeleteAt one time, a shooting in that area would have been unheard of and shocking. But as City Hall abandons more and more of our best neighborhoods, the shooting there is not all that surprising.
Unfortunately, City Hall is hellbent on implementing policies that have already failed in major cities throughout the country. In their misguided view, “equity” seems to be about pulling good neighborhoods down instead of raising the quality of life for all.
3:54 - I don’t think that was the latest.
ReplyDeleteIt’s more like one or two shootings ago, since I think that at least the Hamilton Street nightclub shooting was after it. I also think the Airport Road shooting was after the one on 18th, but I’m not 100% on that one.
It’s getting really tough to keep them all straight.
Luckily, Promise Neighborhoods is keeping the city safe.
No one participating in this discussion can deny the amount of “disorderly” people in Allentown is growing rapidly. The image of this city is declining rapidly.
ReplyDeleteThe entity most responsible for bringing about this negative perception and failing to lead a reversal of this misfortune is City Administration officials and those hired by them to manage the situation out in the field.
Government policy and procedures are failing the residents. I suggest residents vote in different people to possibly serve them better.
I encourage the "actors" to visit their bullcrap on/in Bethlehem or South Whitehall and let us know how that works out. The demarcation line in Allentown WAS between 10th and 12th, but NOW it goes clear out to Ott and beyond. Whitehall is failing fast and appears to be the next "Allentown".
ReplyDeleteI have 2 friends that live in Rockland county New York on opposite sides of the "line"... one side of the street is sane while the other side of the SAME street is a free for all... just like crossing the line into Bethlehem. If they can do it, WHY can't we???