Shopping -- Knife Maker "Little John" Featured at Medieval Gallery in New Hope PA

Expert custom knife maker Little John will be on site at Medieval Gallery in New Hope PA on weekends throughout the holiday season to present and demonstrate his handiwork.

Little John is fairly well known throughout the region and RenFair community for the quality of his work. The blades are beautifully crafted in stainless and carbon steel, but what really stands out are the custom-designed stag horn handles that are one-of-a-kind works of art in and of themselves.

Also impressive are the bowie style blades, but his work features blade shapes of every style and for every purpose. These are not "fantasy" knives either, but handmade heirlooms that are practical, historical and beautiful.

Little John is the real deal. Stop by and chat with him weekends through the New Year at Medieval Gallery, 86 South Main Street in New Hope PA, 215-862-4800.

Captain Bob Keeps on Truckin' This Holiday Season at His Famous New Hope PA Ice Cream Parlor

You'd think that losing a bid for New Hope PA Borough Council (again) and owning an ice cream parlor with winter approaching would be enough to give anyone pause, but not New Hope's very own Bob Gerenser, owner of New Hope landmark Gerenser's Exotic Ice Cream, and plyer of the Delaware's currents, George Washington impersonator and Havana karaoke legend.

I stopped by on Thanksgiving day during my downtown "who's open" tour. Of course a lot of local inns and bars were open to offer cool weather warmth, but not as many shops and smaller businesses. Gerenser's, however, was open and Captain Bob was running his river tour boat out back on the Delaware. He's promoting winter fare like warm beverages and wieners, but the hottest dish in the joint was easily his girlfriend (forgive the Dashiell Hammett), keeping busy behind the counter.

Gerenser's Exotic Ice Cream. A New Hope PA original.

22 S Main St
New Hope, PA 18938
215-862-2050

Shopping -- Randolph & Main Opens in New Hope PA

New Hope PA shop Randolph & Main has opened at 42 North Main Street, and describes itself as "an eclectic blend of specialty foods, unique gifts and convenience items."

It's located on the ground floor of an old house, and the lighting, wall treatments and merchandising are generally top-notch and the owners charming, which offsets the not unusual New Hope identity crisis characterized by say, waiting to pay for your chocolate rugelach while the customer in front of you picks his Lotto number.

In fact, the store lists as its primary offerings "lottery, cigarettes, cold drinks, ice cream, snacks, greeting cards, unique gift items, specialty foods and custom baskets." Mostly what stood out were t-shirts, beverage coolers, several gifts and cards, some interesting gourmet items, ready-made specialty food baskets, and lots of coca-cola signs. The wraparound porch is a nice touch, the outdoor displays tasteful.

Where the store seems heading is toward a greater emphasis on specialty foods, a niche ill served in New Hope PA since the departure of Variete, but one also under pressure from grocery chains and large discounters like Trader Joe's and Costco.

Where the store excels is in its overall aesthetic and the engaging personalities of its owners David Diaz-Stuart and Paul Weinstein. When I visited last weekend, the shop was crowded, and the mood lively and interactive.

Randolph & Main is located at the corner of Randolph and Main Streets, one block North of the Bridge from Lambertville.; 215-693-1010 or at their website.

Worth a visit.

Edgy New Hope PA Clothing Store Thirteen Celebrates Fifth Anniversary

By Molly Sahner

Owners Dave and Kevin provide a unique boutique experience in their tiny bohemian shop, located at 11A West Mechanic Street in downtown New Hope PA.

I walked in to find them serving hot cider to customers on a dreary Saturday afternoon. They were busy finding the most flattering size for a customer in the dressing room, followed by an alternate style. It's much like getting dressed to hit the town in your best friend's closet, with that invaluable second opinion -- honest, but kind. Their eyes light up when the right outfit has been found and the approval is contagious among other customers in the shop. "Oh yes! That's it" everyone agrees.

But the pair offer not only fashion advice, but also an eclectic, moderately priced collection of 70s and 80s inspired hats, sunglasses, rock n' roll tees, belts and earrings hanging from every conceivable spot. Vintage toys, lunchboxes, action figures, and kitschy gifts fill every other available cranny. Co-owner Kevin handcrafts a line of headbands and hair fasteners combining colorful flowers and feathers with miniature skulls -- a la the Mexican Day Of the Dead.

Small wonder Thirteen has survived and thrived these past five years. It has a trendy but friendly boutique feel with an eclectic fashion mix -- fabulous dresses and accessories for an evening out, funky knit hats in every color of the rainbow, cute animal-inspired knit head wear and gloves, and usually an Alf or Pee Wee Herman doll peering out from the depths of the store.

Thirteen is located at 11A West Mechanic Street, New Hope PA; phone 267-266-9737 or visit www.thirteenvintage.com.

Thirteen. Another New Hope original.

Now & Then You See It, Now & Then You Don't

Sure looks like recently resurrected Dead shop Now & Then is dead again, in the fastest store shuttering in New Hope PA since the engraved soap debacle at the Historical Society's floody barn near the Playhouse.

Although store lifespans in New Hope often approach that of the average fruit fly, this one may wind up being attributed to a difference among partners.

History tells us, however, this may well not be the last we see of Now & Again...it's a Dead store that just won't die.

Ramble on Rose.

Shopping: Scents of the Season at New Hope PA Favorite Strawberry Jam

Strawberry Jam opened in New Hope PA in August, 1973 according to the company website, "the store name having been chosen over a bottle of wine. New Hope at that time had two doctor's offices on Main Street, a pharmacy, one grocery run by the mayor and his family, and a photo shop. The post office on Bridge Street was an easy walk and where local gossip was exchanged. The local bank was at the intersection of Bridge and Main. It was there that we got our business loan of $10,00 on a handshake."

Since that time, the store has become a stalwart of the area gift shop scene, featuring top name brands in paper products, specialty foods, jewelry, candles, home accessories, CDs, bath products, and an excellent selection of unisex scents, including those by L'Artisan, Jean Laporte, Santa Maria Novella and many others.

One unique line rarely seen outside of New York City or Milan is the Etro stable of beautifully crafted fragrances. Etro's Messe de Minut eau de cologne, a reputed favorite of Sandra Bernhard, has core frankincense aroma reminiscent of ancient cathedral interiors that's perfect for fall. Etro's Lemon Sorbet is one of the best citrus blends available anywhere, a clean, light scent perfect for warmer months with a lemon base and hint of basil.

L'Artisan has many gorgeous olfactory blends as well, a favorite for fall being Premier Figuier, a fig-based delight, and Voleur de Roses, a blend of patchouli and roses that remains a cold weather favorite and one of the sexiest scents on Earth.

Another Strawberry Jam standard are the large bath soaps and other products by Claus Porto of Portugal. These are large, creamy sublime bath soaps that last so long the season will change before one is half-finished. All the aromas are excellent; of special interest are Vetyver and Tobacco Flower for the fall, Red Poppy to brighten the winter months, and Honeysuckle and Citron Verbena for late spring into summer.

There's much to like at Stawberry Jam, but for the true scent hound, the place is a goldmine.

They're open all week long, 'til about 6 or 7:00 most nights, at 44 South Main Street, New Hope PA, 215-862-9251.

Shopping -- Jake's Playhouse Opens in New Hope PA

Jake's Playhouse has taken the former Hot Plates retail space and opened its doors to the public.

I'd passed the storefront a few times, trying to discern what a picture of a dog named "Jake" and "fun for the whole family" adds up to, but the windows and signage aren't clear. So I decided to wander in.

It's an attractive, well-organized space filled with children's puzzles and board games, dog treats, and t-shirts and baseball caps with stick figures saying things like "life is good."

The owners already operate two stores in Lake Placid, NY; one called Jake Placid Doghouse and the other A Placid Life, which says it's "what's called a Life is good® Genuine Neighborhood Shoppe."

Never mind that New Hope PA already has a dog store called "Jake's" (Jake and Elwood's House of Chews is located at 122 S. Main Street), lots of t-shirts, and a "playhouse". Apparently, for this new "neighborhood shoppe", what's good in Lake Placid must be good for New Hope.

The store itself is spacious, well-lit, flows well, and the products appear to be of high-quality. Sales help was excellent, as it was at its predecessor.

I bought a yard-long beef chew stick for my dog for $3.00 (the dog was thrilled, BTW).

I hope the store resolves its identity crisis and does well. It's located on Main Street near Ferry Street in New Hope PA; my efforts online to find an exact address, phone number or contact proved fruitless.

Maybe they will fit in New Hope after all...

Blue Raccoon Home Furnishings Store Returns to Original Lambertville NJ Location

After five years in New Hope PA's struggling Union Square development, the Blue Raccoon home furnishings store has returned to its original location at 6 Coryell Street in Lambertville NJ, next to Hamilton’s Grill and across the street from Finkles Hardware.

Say the owners: "We’re coming home to Lambertville. We still believe in defining comfort by style and value, still believe in creating a worthwhile and pleasurable shopping experience and are mindful to go above and beyond in providing personalized service and superior customer support. These are the qualities that have defined us since we first opened in Lambertville back in the summer of 1993."

Cute house gifts, cute doggy; check it out.

Peddler's Village Celebrates 38th Annual Apple Festival This Weekend

New Hope PA will be getting even more crowded this weekend as Peddler's Village in nearby Lahaska PA puts on its 38th Annual Apple Festival.

It all takes place Saturday, November 7, and Sunday, November 8, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m, rain or shine. Free admission and parking.

Love fall fruit? Dig into favorite apple dishes from crisp apple fritters and warm apple pie to savory apple dumplings and freshly pressed apple cider. Peddler’s Village restaurants will feature delicious apple specialties all weekend.

One can also take home a bushel of green, golden or red delicious apples from local orchards, or watch authentic demonstrations of cider production in an antique cider press and cooking old-fashioned apple butter in a huge cauldron stirred by hand over an open fire.

Also enjoy the live musical entertainment, jugglers and stilt walkers on the Main Green, shop the handcrafted items at the 40 artisan booths on the Street Road Green, and cheer on the brave contestants in the traditional pie eating contests. (Competitions are held at 3:00 p.m. each day by age category, contestants are chosen by lottery and must sign up from 10 a.m.-2: 45 p.m. at the Hospitality Booth on the Main Green.)

Peddler’s Village is located just off Route 202 in Lahaska PA...about a five minute drive west of New Hope PA.

Tip: If you're visiting New Hope PA this weekend, make reservations and park early, the town gets packed with festival goers, revelers and those enjoying the last foliage of autumn.

For more information, please visit www.peddlersvillage.com or call 215-794-4000.

Now and Then Shop Returns to New Hope PA

New Hope PA cultural icon Now and Then Shop is back and getting ready to celebrate its 40th year! It's just re-opened on Ney Alley steps up from the New Hope Candle Shop on South Main Street.

The place is crammed with posters, stickers, t-shirts and jewelry that reflect the Grateful Dead lifestyle. Owner Lynne Greene was in charge of the old place, too, and is a great source of local history and insight. She also still works at the Starbucks; feels those folks are treating her pretty good, too.

Partner Jessica adds dog toys, hippie artifacts and shishas to the mix, and is also a local celebrity in her own right.

The Now and Then Shop is back! Visit them on Facebook at "Now and Then Shop", New Hope Funky Stuff or 215-205-0966.

Now and Then: Another New Hope original.