Walkable West End

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Our Wonderfully Walkable West End

Long-time readers of West End Living will probably recognize a common theme threading through the years: we live in a very walkable neighborhood. Pharmacies, restaurants, jewelry stores, theatres, corner bars, the Farmers Market…all that and much more are just short hikes away. And the tree-lined streets and nearby grassy parks are perfect settings for relaxing strolls.

We talked to several Theatre District residents about the ways they take advantage of this enviable resource.

Damien Brown, a former member of the West End Alliance board, is a lunchtime walker. “I usually spend 4 days a week working from home. Being inside so much can get uncomfortable, so I feel fortunate to live in the West End. At lunchtime, I take advantage of the neighborhood and really stretch my legs after sitting behind a computer for hours.

“Sometimes, I’ll have a specific goal; I might walk to O’Brien’s Really Good Food Company and order lunch, walk some more, and return to pick up my order. Thursdays and Fridays, I’ll go to the Farmers market to pick up some weekend groceries, grab some coffee at Heffelfinger’s, and enjoy running into old friends or new acquaintances,” he said.

“At other times, I’ll simply check out the residential areas and observe investments that homeowners have made – new porch furniture, or new sidewalks, for example. The Muhlenberg campus offers a lot of natural beauty, and I can also stop at Jay’s Local or the Liberty Tavern. There are so many things I can do without using a car.”

Kate Christein

PHOTO COURTESY OF KATE CHRISTEIN

IN THIS ISSUE 1 Walkable West End 2 Bonnie’s Flower Boutique 3 Adult Education 4 Little Libraries 5 QNB Banking News

Kate Christein has lived in the West End for 15 years and has been walking “forever.” She sees the Theater District as a growing neighborhood, because “Every time we go out, we run into someone pushing a stroller. That’s a sign that a lot of kids are coming up,” she said.

Favored paths are through the alleys, especially when the family dog – a mix of golden retriever and Pyrenean Mountain dog – is along with their three-year-old boy and infant girl.

“Our son is very social,” she adds. “He recognizes where this adult friend lives, where that young pal lives. He knows people in all parts of our neighborhood.”

Christein often livens up their walks by playing on her son’s curiosity. “I’ll ask him to see how many flags he can find, or how many holiday decorations. Allen St. is wonderful for doing that,” she said.

And she agrees that the Theatre District is loaded with convenient amenities. “We can walk, jog or bike-ride to a coffee shop, grocery store, café, restaurants and the Farmers Market. In fact, I sometimes challenge myself to going a whole day, or even several days, without using a car. And I can do it!”

There are plenty of adventures in the West End, and they can begin as soon as you walk out your front door.

PHOTO COURTESY OF DEBBIE KUNKLE

Debbie & Cherie in West Park

Debbie Kunkle, who works in the Phoebe Home’s occupational health/employee health department, is another noon walker. For years, she and a colleague spent their lunch breaks walking along Chew St. toward Muhlenberg College – an easy 10 minutes out and 10 minutes back. But since they signed up for Allentown’s “Million Clicks for Million Hearts” fitness program, they’ve regularly headed to West Park.

“It’s the perfect place to go,” she says. “It’s so pretty there, and we usually find people reading on (continued on page 2)

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SUMMER 2022 WEST END LIVING 1