Main Street Programs

hamburg

Businesses are blooming in Hamburg

By Deena Kershner, Director of Our Town Foundation

Over the past few months, several new businesses opened their doors or expanded to a larger location in downtown Hamburg. This is an ongoing trend that Our Town Foundation, which is Hamburg’s non-profit community revitalization organization, hopes to see continue.

After several years of being vacant, the Wells Fargo bank building located at 555 State St. now houses two new business: Duran’s Express LLC and Body by You Boutique, both owned by Yeika and Stalin Duran.

Duran’s Express is a courier business offering delivery services for anything you need shipped which can be locally or even across the country, excluding certain items such as animals. Something that stands out about Duran’s Express is the ability to offer same day pick-up and delivery usually within an hour of requesting a quote from them. Duran’s can be reached at duransexpress@gmail.com or by calling 484-347-6983.

Before moving into a brick-and-mortar shop, Body by Yei started as an online women’s clothing boutique in March of 2021. After Yeika and Stalin opened Duran’s Express, they decided to use some of their extra space to open their boutique and expand it to include men’s clothing and accessories. They have even branched out into the custom print making world, making t-shirts, sweatshirts, pants, etc. If you can’t stop in at their boutique, you can visit their online store at bodybyyei.com or call 484-240-5808 for additional information.

Rita’s Italian Ice also recently opened its doors and welcomed the customers who flocked to its grand opening on Oct. 9. Owner Dennis Udicious purchased the property during the summer of 2021 and immediately began the process of converting the former attorney’s office into the Rita’s of Hamburg. After many months of renovations and setbacks the long-awaited franchise finally opened at the corner of Windsor and South 4th Streets.

According to Rita’s website, Rita’s Italian Ice & Frozen Custard is the largest Italian Ice concept in the nation, currently operating in 31 states with over 600 shops. They offer a variety of frozen treats including its famous Italian ice, frozen custard, milkshakes, sundaes, layered Gelati and signature Misto and Blendini creations. Visit ritasice.com for additional information.

Lucky Leprechaun Winery first opened its doors in downtown Hamburg during the fall of 2019. In addition to offering wine tastings, it offers several fun activities on a weekly basis to increase its presence within the community. After three years of being open, owners Than Wright and Teresa McCarthy-Wright moved their business to a larger property located at 335 State St. in the heart of downtown Hamburg. This new location is great for the business, because it makes it easier for them to process wine on-site. For additional information on the winery, visit luckyleprechaunwinery.com or call 610-554-9189.

Lastly, B’s Sip and Paint located at 332 State St. has expanded to include the adjoining property. Nancy Boyer, owner of B’s, offers public and private sessions of Sip and Paint Classes as well as art classes and camps for children. For additional information, call 484506-3188 or email bssipandpaintstudio@gmail.com.

Business entrepreneurs who are interested in learning more about downtown Hamburg and the surrounding area can contact Deena Kershner, Director of Our Town Foundation, by emailing otfmanager@ aol.com or by phone at 610-562-3106. You can also visit hamburgpa. org for additional information on the town.

West reading

West Reading welcomes new businesses

By Mark Ratcliffe, Main Street Manager, West Reading Community Revitalization Foundation

Fall in West Reading kicked off with the Annual Fall Fest on Saturday, Sept. 17. On this day the weather was perfect, and there were more vendors than ever this year. We also added a new stage in the 400 block which gave us three stages this year. Thank you to everyone who came out; it was great to see the community on this amazing day. It was also fun to see our new businesses out experiencing their first major event in West Reading.

Living their West Life.

Since May, we have welcomed seven new businesses to our Main Street, which includes Ezekiel 47 Cafe, Takkii Ramen, DeLune Boutique, Reiki Balance, The Nest Collaborative Yoga Studio, The Cheese Shop by Say Cheese and Little Lotus Children’s Shop. Be sure to check them out soon and say hello!

#ShopSmall Saturday will be our biggest event of the winter season. Come down to West Reading Saturday, Nov. 26 for music, giveaways and a free shopping bag that will include discount coupons. This is a great way to support your local community businesses, find some unique gifts and enjoy a day on the Avenue with your friends.

The holiday season will again be filled with carriage rides and Victorian carolers along with the Annual Tree Lighting Friday, Dec. 2. Follow us on Facebook or Instagram @VisitWestReading for daily events and updates from our merchants!