EASTON, Pa. — An Aussie-owned general store and café is “emerging from its lengthy hibernation,” owners said Tuesday on social media.
The venture, dubbed Tucker Garage + Grocery, will have the same staples customers grew to love from Tucker Silk Mill, which was based at the Simon Silk Mill and closed on Christmas Eve 2021, owners Jason Hoy and Melanie Hansche said in a Facebook post.
"Yes, there will be scones and flat whites. There will be daily provisions and essentials. And there will be schnitzel and beer, as we bring our Aussie and Bavarian roots to bear across one exciting new business!"The owners of the upcoming Tucker Garage + Grocery
“Follow along here for updates as we gear up to reopen,” Hoy and Hansche said in the post. It said the space will be part general store, Aussie cafe and fine wine shop “with a huge outdoor patio to boot.”
The new venture will sit right next to Kabinett Wine Bar at 125 Northampton St., which also is owned by Hoy and Hansche.
“Yes, there will be scones and flat whites," the post said. "There will be daily provisions and essentials. And there will be schnitzel and beer, as we bring our Aussie and Bavarian roots to bear across one exciting new business!”
The announcement had 231 likes, 35 comments and 8 shares early Wednesday.
Not your typical cafe
Inside the sprawling campus of Easton’s old R & H Silk Mill (named for original founders and brothers Robert and Herman Simon), Tucker Silk Mill grew a massive following nestled among 15 buildings on the 14-acre site in Easton’s West Ward.
The mix of commercial and residential space — bordered by 13th Street, Bushkill Drive and Bushkill Creek — let renters leave their apartments and be at the front doors of dozens of businesses.
Tucker was among them, serving up breakfast and lunch fare that was a big departure from the norm. Items such as fig toast and turmeric lattes dotted the menu, and high tea and scones were served with Devonshire cream.
Other highlights included miso salted caramel milkshakes, custard slice, passion fruit ice cream sandwiches and chocolate ganache and chili treats.
Tucker also was more than a cafe. During the COVID-19 pandemic it became a full-fledged grocery store, with a vast selection of herbs, spices and pantry items.
Neighborhood grocery, restaurant
According to the old website at tuckersilkmill.com, the new Tucker Garage — which is years in the making and originally had a projected opening of 2022 — also will be a neighborhood grocery and restaurant with an expanded space, kitchen, menu seating and a bigger retail offering.
“A true bootstraps renovation means it took us a little longer to get here, we guarantee the wait will be worth it,” Tuesday’s Facebook post said.
Next door, Kabinett wine bar (named for where German winemakers keep select bottles to share with family and friends) will continue its successful operations.
According to the Kabinett website, Tucker Garage will cohesively blend in the space next door and is set to have an outdoor beer and wine garden.
