Shopping Safari to Jake's Playhouse in New Hope PA

Howard Kurs of Lazer Illusions in New Hope PA Talks About Holiday Gift Ideas

Topeo Craft Gallery in New Hope PA a Winter Wonderland for Holiday Shopping

Topeo Gallery opened in 1980 and has a reputation as one of the best craft galleries in the country. In 2001, the owners opened a second gallery just down the block, Topeo South, featuring even more American artists.

If you've already familiar with New Hope PA, Topeo is located across the street from Mother's Restaurant, and its brilliantly lit windows are filled with spectacular art glass sculptures, lamps and bowls .

It's the kind of place that grabs your eye, and you see the swirling mix of light and color, and you realize that some of those big beautiful pieces are worth more than your weekly salary, and think, "maybe I'll look in the window for a sec, and move on."

My advice: don't.

Not if you're looking for an affordable, yet classy holiday gift, a gorgeous ornament for your Christmas tree or table, or just want to see the beauty of hand crafted glass, much by local artists.

Prices started around $6-8 for small items, and many were in the $10-20 range, as well as $20-30, and up. The larger glass pieces are obviously to die for; the jewelry selection tasteful and extensive. Holiday decor was understated and fit well with the glimmering glass all about.


Walter Hazzard and Andre Marin run the place -- they're soft-spoken, friendly, wry and engaging. They've put together an award winning gallery that helps keep New Hope PA at the forefront of the American craft movement.

Topeo Gallery is located at 35 North Main Street in New Hope PA, 215-862-2750; open daily 10-6, Saturday 10-7.

Don't pass it by this Holiday season.

Here's Andre and Walter in my awful out of focus but spontaneous photo. Topeo -- a New Hope PA original.

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.

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.