EASTON, Pa. — Easton Public Market will celebrate its eighth anniversary on Friday, May 17, with dedication of the new Air Products Plaza and a birthday bash featuring festivities, free performances, vendor specials and a prize drawing.
The party will kick off with a ceremony to dedicate the recently constructed Air Products Plaza, which sits between the public market and the new Fourth Street garage.
The Greater Easton Development Partnership calls the new plaza a “community gathering space, and place for outdoor dining and outdoor celebrations hosted by GEDP and the Easton Public Market.”
After that, the birthday celebration will run from 5:30 p.m. to 8 p.m., with visitors are welcome to enjoy the tunes of A Few Good Men as they indulge in eats and special deals.
This year, the market will pay homage to its “pioneering vendors” who have been part of the team since day one.
“From the exquisite chocolates of Chocodiem to the tantalizing barbecue offerings of More Than Q, these stalwart vendors have been instrumental in shaping the market's identity," a statement from the GEDP reads.
Other inaugural vendors include the Highmark Farmstand, Mister Lee's Noodles, Scratch and Tolino Vineyards.
Building a food-focused history
It was eight years ago, April 15, 2016, when the GEDP opened the Easton Public Market, “marking a significant chapter in the city’s culinary landscape,” the GEDP said.
Born as an extension of the Easton Farmers’ Market, EPM has blossomed into its own being, established itself as a hallmark of the city’s community.
“The Easton Public Market holds a rich retail legacy, once home to H.L. Green’s five and dime store in the late 1800s," a GEDP release states.
"During its transformation, the restoration team unearthed the building's hidden treasures, including its historic wood floors, buried beneath 15,000 square feet of vinyl.”
Nowadays, the market sees about 6,000 visitors weekly. The property has seen countless arts shows, cooking classes, weekly entertainment via the Acoustic Kitchen series and more.
According to the GEDP, the growth of the market mirrors the city’s upward trajectory witnessed over the past few years, with its “remarkable expansion, a testament to Easton’s enduring spirit and allure.”
Since the EPM opened, 48 new businesses have opened up in the MS district, in addition to 195 new housing units, with $133 million in public and private investment in the district.
The market has welcomed sustainability effort with the installation of solar panels in 2021, in addition to catering to cyclists with bike friendly amenities and sprucing up the outdoor experience by adding the Air Products Plaza, which includes a public ping pong table, new dining and entertainment spaces, and a vibrant mural from Lisa Congdon.
Grand selection of vendors
As part of the celebration, there will be handcrafted Belgian chocolates and other sweet specialties made by Master Chocolatier J.P. Hepp and his team at Chocodiem, and fresh, local fruits, vegetables and other eats at the Highmark Farmstand.
Also, farm-to-table delights of Chef Lee and Erin Chizmar’s Miser Lee’s Noodles; smoky Texas-style brisket and other barbeque staples at More Than Q; beer, bread and wood-fired pizza featuring farm-fresh ingredients at Scratch; and local wines from Tolino Vineyards.
There are plenty of other options at the market.
Visitors can pick up cold-pressed juices, nut milks, smoothies and smoothie bowls, signature toasts and breakfast sandwiches at Green Vida Co. Downtown.
They can find kitchen, dining and pantry accessories in addition to fresh cut flowers from Mercantile Outpost; enjoy a northern Jersey-style “ripper” hot dog at Rod’s Dogs; and taste chef-driven Mexican-style dishes at Taylor Taco Shop.
Also, they can sample from a diverse blend of ground-to-order coffee at ThreeBirds Nest and dive into some fresh clams and chowda’ at Silvershell Counter + Kitchen.
'Celebrating this milestone'
Those searching for baked treats could explore the flaky croissants and Danish, brioche rolls and braids, muffins, sweets and custom-made desserts by Pastry Chef Katie Gaffney at Modern Crumb Bakeshop.
Looking for a family-run specialty food stand and butcher shop? Saylors & Co. has you covered with prime cuts of beef, lamb, veal, and bison, over 40 homemade sausage varieties, and homemade salads, made-to-order sandwiches and Italian grocery gems.
"The eighth anniversary of the Easton Public Market is a testament to the resilience of our community and the enduring spirit of culinary innovation," GEDP Executive Director Jared Mast said.
"We look forward to celebrating this milestone with our loyal patrons and partners and to dedicating the Air Products Plaza."
The market also will have a special fundraiser benefiting Lehigh Valley Reilly Children’s Hospital, honoring EPM’s anniversary celebration and the hospital’s birthday.
All donations to the Serving Up Smiles program will help to support the Inpatient Pediatrics Family Assistance Fund, which provides financial assistance to families with children who are admitted patients to the children’s hospital.
