BETHLEHEM, Pa. — A beloved retailer is marking a major milestone on Main Street in historic Bethlehem.
Hand Cut Crystal and Bethlehem Christmas Shoppe, a downtown Bethlehem fixture offering handcrafted gifts, jewelry, crystal, artisan products, ornaments and holiday treasures, is celebrating its 40th anniversary at 452 Main St., according to a news release.
Hand Cut Crystal was founded in 1986, and Joanne Smida has guided the business for the past 20 years.
Joanne Smida (left) and Joanne Walters celebrate 40 years of small business at a recent chamber event.
Hand Cut Crystal
She purchased the retail shop in 2006 from her mother and stepfather, Joanne and Paul Walters.
In 2019, Smida created a Christmas shop – which grew into Bethlehem Christmas Shoppe, LLC – within the store.
An anniversary celebration kicks off on Sunday, July 12, during an America250 block party in historic Bethlehem, and an anniversary sale will continue through Saturday, July 25.
“Forty years is a remarkable milestone for any small business,” Smida said.
Hand Cut Crystal and Bethlehem Christmas Shoppe are located at 452 Main St. in downtown Bethlehem.
Hand Cut Crystal
“We are grateful to generations of customers, local artisans, visitors, and community members who have supported us through the years. It has been a privilege to share beautiful handcrafted work and to be part of Bethlehem’s vibrant downtown business community and, now, a World Heritage destination.”
To show appreciation for that support, the store will offer refreshments and an anniversary sale featuring discounts of 20% off and 40% off select merchandise, along with surprise offers throughout the July 12th celebration, in addition to other fun festivities through Christmas in July and the year.
Hand Cut Crystal remains a destination for collectors, holiday enthusiasts, and visitors seeking to experience the charm and Moravian traditions that have helped make Bethlehem known as Christmas City USA and, more recently, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
The retailer features handcrafted gifts, jewelry, crystal, artisan products, ornaments and holiday treasures imported from more than 30 countries.
American-made products are also prominently featured, along with locally crafted items that celebrate the traditions and heritage of Bethlehem and the Lehigh Valley.
The retailer also offers shipping services and online shopping at bethlehemchristmasshoppe.com. For more information, call 610-868-2427.