WASHINGTON TWP., Pa. – A popular Lehigh Valley shopping and dining destination continues to blossom with tasty events and fresh vendors offering baked goods, coffee, ice cream, custom wood furniture and more.
Slatington Farmers Market, at 8281 Route 873 in Washington Township, has welcomed several new small vendors in recent months and is also gearing up for its second annual PickleFest, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, April 25.
For PickleFest, the market will welcome approximately 40 vendors, all offering something pickle-themed.
Guests will be able to browse and taste handmade pickles from various tri-state area pickle makers and many other handmade pickle creations such as pickle lemonade and pickle-flavored popcorn.
The event also will feature pickle-themed T-shirts, jewelry and other merchandise.
“There will be something for everyone!” a new release states.
While attending PickleFest, guests also can visit the market’s resident vendors.
Dozens of tenants offer fresh farm products, fast-casual cuisine and handmade goods from local growers, artisans and specialty food producers, among other items.
In recent months, the Slatington Farmers Market also welcomed several new small businesses.
In the fall, Blue Ridge Farm Bakery joined the market, and owner and operator Kaitlin Muthard also recently opened a new ice cream shop, Blue Ridge Creamery.
Muthard, a busy mother of four, was always looking for ways to prepare foods without the “store bought” taste.
“That’s where her love of all things dough started!” the news release states. “Kaitlin was finding ways to feed her family healthier options, on a budget, and with little time, which seemed impossible. But, it was very possible.”
Slatington Farmers Market
After sharing some of her freshly baked bread and bagels with family and friends, news of her tasty treats spread in the community and orders began pouring in.
Muthard quickly found herself receiving lots of requests, even from local coffee shops and restaurants.
Her family jumped in to help, but she was limited without having a licensed kitchen space. That’s when Muthard decided to explore the Slatington Farmers Market, which was advertising available space and hosting a vendor event that she thought would be perfect for her business concept to launch.
“After speaking with [market manager Amanda Ahlers], looking over spaces and finances, a quick yes from all parties involved, I landed into my spot as Blue Ridge Farm Bakery!’ Muthard said.
“A dream I never thought would be a reality, surrounded by ‘vendors’ who are truly more like family, a welcoming environment for my family and children, and hundreds of smiling new faces each week.”
Muthard’s success and motivation continues at the market as she has now opened her second stand, Blue Ridge Farm Creamery.
The creamery offers traditional hard ice cream served in cones and bowls and available with a variety of optional toppings.
Additionally, acai bowls are prepared with your choice of fruit, granola and other complimentary toppings.
Last summer, the market also welcomed Market Brew, offering a variety of coffee and espresso drinks.
Market Brew owner Kevin Ahlers retired from his 45-year career as a senior, specialized industrial mechanical contractor last August and decided to spend his retirement learning and doing something completely new and different.
Slatington Farmers Market
Market Brew recently introduced Lotus Energy Spritzers and a variety of protein infused coffee drinks.
“Kevin has quickly embraced being part of the farmers market family and is often seen smiling and enjoying doing something so totally different from his long industrial career,” the news release states. “Although, occasionally he is spotted taking something apart or fixing something around the market!”
Additionally, the market has welcomed the Blank family from Lancaster County.
The multi-generational Blank family bakes and sells handmade Amish baked goods and gourmet soft pretzels at their stand every Friday and Saturday.
Customers that get to the market early will find funny cakes and shoofly pies freshly baked and ready for enjoyment. Family Sweet Treats also offers freshly made cheeses, farm fresh eggs and various canned goods.
“Daniel Blank and his family bake gourmet hot pretzels and the infamous smokies fresh daily, offering several variations and delicious handmade beverages to compliment the taste,” the news release states. “John Blank and his family always make sure that a variety of whoopie pies, fresh chocolate chip cookies and various fruit pies are ready to grab!”
Lastly, the market has most recently welcomed South Mountain Woodworking Company, owned by James Phillips.
Slatington Farmers Market
Phillips creates custom wood furniture and home decor that exemplifies quality while ensuring practical use.
Phillips started building furniture after buying his house in 2020, and once his friends and family learned of his skills, requests for unique pieces of their own began to pile up.
As more and more orders came in, Phillips transitioned to building furniture full-time, and he’s never looked back.
The market did not have an ideal space available for Phillips, and so he embraced the idea of building his own space, erecting a wooden pergola right near the main doors of the farmers market.
“South Mountain Woodworking Company was built on the foundation of building beautiful, functional furniture that looks amazing, solves problems, and is built to suit the people who will be enjoying it for years,” the release states.
The Slatington Farmers Market is open every Friday, Saturday and Sunday.
Slatington Farmers Market, which opened in June in the former Keystone Lamp Factory at 8281 Route 873 in Washington Township, Lehigh County, over the past couple of months welcomed six new vendors.
Slatington Farmers Market
Additionally, some vendors also operate on Wednesdays and Thursdays. Individuals should visit individual vendors for detailed hours of operation.
For more information, including a monthly calendar of events, visit theslatingtonfarmersmarket.com.