New Hope business scene: more new players gear up for the high season

Angel Hearts in New Hope, PA (Photo: Charlie Sahner)

By Charlie Sahner

Commercial occupancy rates seem to be creeping up in New Hope, and even accounting for seasonal factors, it seems that cautious optimism at least partially rooted in the Bucks County Playhouse renovation has taken hold in local business circles. Three cases in point:

Newtown women’s clothing and accessory boutique Angel Hearts apparently had a change of heart about their retail location and switched to 12 W. Bridge St. in New Hope last month. Specializing in high-end jewelry, handbags, scarves, shoes and imported women's couture, what's also interesting about Angel Hearts is that owner Sherri Daugherty and her husband Kevin are the locally famous couple who funded the purchase and refurbishment of the Bucks County Playhouse re-opening next month.

Grabbing the empty storefront at 48 W. Ferry St. is the Stephen Clark Design Group, which intends to use the space "as an office for design projects as well as a retail store with furniture and doodads," according to the company. Ferry Street has been under some pressure in recent years as New Hope's commercial district has contracted, and the avenue once known as "antiques row" is also home to an important local bridge currently under construction. Nonetheless, an interior design business seems a logical choice for this particular location, especially given the borough's tendency toward business category redundancy.

And speaking of redundancy, another intriguing newcomer is a yet unnamed frozen yogurt store opening soon at 88 S. Main St. While New Hope has never experienced a dearth of frozen confection outlets, don't bet against this one. It's owned by Han Pan, and if you don't know who he is, you soon will. Currently executive director at the Asian Chamber of Commerce of Greater Philadelphia and board member at the National Council of Chinese Americans, Han has also served as an officer at the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development and been deputy executive director of the Pennsylvania Governor's Advisory Commission on Asian American Affairs.

Bottom line: Don't expect this former community organizer and Main Street Manager to stick with the status quo when it comes to fulfilling his goal of making New Hope an international tourist destination.

New Hope PA train station (Photo: Charlie Sahner)

Soap Opera Company of Lahaska expands into New Hope

The Soap Opera Company in New Hope, PA (Photo: Charlie Sahner)

By Charlie Sahner

Betting on a retail rebound inspired by renovation of the landmark Bucks County Playhouse, the Soap Opera Company of Peddler’s Village in Lahaska has opened a second location in the heart of New Hope, steps away from the theater in the former Strawberry Jam space.

Owner Kristen Maldonado purchased the original Soap Opera Company in 2010 so that “as a single parent I could reinvent my professional life,” she said. “I wanted to be able to work at home with my daughter Bella after school, and that was the driving force behind the decision to buy the business and overhaul it.”

During the last two years, the Peddler’s Village retail location has undergone a merchandising facelift. Known for handcrafted soaps, bath salts, and bath bombs, the Soap Opera now features a broader variety of bath, body and linen products, including bubble baths, liquid soaps, organic lines, seasonal soaps, linens, and a kids’ section.

Speaking of her newly opened New Hope location, Maldonado said, “We are humbled and honored to be in the spot formerly occupied by Strawberry Jam, and we’re grateful for the welcome shown to us by the community.
“We've already started customizing our inventory to reflect New Hope customer preferences versus those of Peddler’s Village,” she added.

Two standouts in the new store were the “Morning Mint” line by Archipelago Botanicals, and the large olive-based block soap from Marseilles (also great for cleaning artists’ brushes).

There will certainly be enough local competition but, says Maldonado, “Don't let the big rubber ducks in the window fool you. The Soap Opera staff is serious about soaps, showers, all things bath.”

The Soap Opera Company is located at 44 S. Main St.; (215) 693-1774.

Bucks County Gallery of Fine Art in New Hope explores the art of booze

By Charlie Sahner

Oil painter Steve Messenger is best known for his realistic depictions of horses, but the works comprising his latest exhibit "represent a painted pub crawl through the bars, taverns, and dives I frequent in Philadelphia, Bucks County, and New Jersey," according to the artist.

"After long work hours at my Philadelphia studio and elsewhere, I spend many late nights in bars to unwind and catch up with my artist friends," explained Messenger. The painting style in this latest work is engaging and well executed, reflecting an expressiveness and use of light not seen in his earlier work.

Said gallery owner Howard Cooperman, "Steve's subject matter has changed drastically from equestrian portraiture to interior bar and tavern scenes sometimes referred to 'Ash Can Art'. The style emerged at the start of the last century, and is similar to that of Bob Beck."

Establishments depicted include the Logan Inn, Jack's Firehouse, and the Inn at Lambertville Station. There will be a cocktail-infused opening reception on Saturday June 2, from 2 to 5 p.m., and the exhibit runs through June.
Bucks County Gallery is located at 77 W. Bridge St. Phone 215-862-5272 with questions or for directions.

Sunset over New Hope, PA

New Hope sunset (Photo: Charlie Sahner)

"The Deco Guys" of New Hope, PA (Photo: Charlie Sahner)

By Charlie Sahner

The retail sector has been among the hardest hit, as many of us are all too aware. But despite the intensifying pressure to survive brought about by the financial crisis, rise of the Internet and higher gas prices, some local businesses are sensing a turn and betting on a rebound.

Cockamamie's is one of them. A New Hope retail landmark for nearly 16 years, the Art Deco furniture, lighting and collectibles emporium located at 15 N. Main St. has rented 13 N. Main St. next door, virtually doubling the size of their selling space starting Memorial Day weekend.

Said Co-Owner John Dwyer of the addition, "We love the window space offered by the store. We've got a ton of great pieces that are sitting in storage, and this is a chance to showcase some of the more grand and eye-catching examples."

Dwyer and partner Herb Millman, sometimes referred to as the "Deco Guys", are authors of two books, "Art Deco Lighting" and "Popular Art Deco Lighting, Shades of the Past", and have appeared as lighting experts for QVC.

Said Millman of the expansion amid an uncertain economic backdrop, "We couldn't make it without the support of our long-time customers. It's their loyalty and the 'word-of-mouth' advertising they create that support our business.

"We're also betting on a New Hope renaissance centered around the restoration of the Bucks County Playhouse," he continued. And he's not the only one.

Of course, none of us have a crystal ball, but a retail expansion by an established name on what was once the premier shopping block in New Hope is a sign of renewal, optimism, and just plain chutzpah.

PA department leading New Hope canal repair may be botching job -- again

Workers for the state conservation department say they want the largest shade tree on historic Ney Alley to go (Photo: Charlie Sahner)

 By Charlie Sahner

The Pennsylvania State body charged with protecting its natural resources and parks has been busy in New Hope this past week trying to convince residents that tearing down healthy trees, bulldozing field stone canal walls, and arbitrarily closing off roadways and sidewalks are needed activities in repairing the section of Delaware Canal that they originally helped destroy.

Among their seemingly disjointed, ill-planned efforts, workers for the PA Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR) have been asking residents and businesses bordering the historic canal this week if ripping out the largest shade tree on Ney Alley would be okay ("it would make it easier for the dump trucks") according to multiple sources who asked not to be identified. Some of the contractors for the DCNR have behaved in a rude and threatening manner, according to sources and the personal experience of this author. At least one high ranking Borough Hall official is fully aware of the tree situation, according to one merchant.

Another badly impacted group of residents appear to be those with homes in the Canal Street luxury town home community built by George Michael on the banks of the canal. According to one state worker who asked not to be identified in order to avoid retaliation, there is concern in various quarters about potential foundation damage to those structures due to heavy machinery usage and mudslides, especially to the home closest to the West Mechanic Street canal bridge.

The entire wall to the right of the backhoe will be removed, says state worker. House on left may already have suffered foundation damage, speculate some (Photo: Charlie Sahner)

More astounding. according to this worker, is the State's plan to remove the remaining western wall of the Canal (both cinder block and older field stone below) all the way from West Mechanic Street to the viaduct near Ferry Street. In lieu of a retaining wall, the ground west of the canal will be graded into a slope -- potentially bringing flowing canal water within a few feet of nearby back porches.

Meanwhile, workers for the DCNR seem to be opening and closing streets and sidewalks at will, without coordination, prior notice, or permission, harming new and old businesses alike on West Mechanic Street and forcing pedestrians into oncoming traffic during the busy weekend tourist days when construction activity is actually halted.


To be fair, many construction workers laboring on behalf of the DCNR are amazingly skilled and dedicated individuals. Others, particularly in leadership, planning and communication functions, appear to be unqualified, confused and incompetent, based on the continuing canal calamity.

Message to PA DCNR: get your act together or go back to Harrisburg. And don't even think you're gonna be able to touch that tree. Over and out.

Nina's Waffles of New Hope teams up with oWowCow Ice Cream to create irresistible treat

"Cakes" from Nina's Waffles (Photo:Charlie Sahner)

By Charlie Sahner

I've never liked waffles. I know everyone seems to love them, especially piled high with berries and whipped cream, but not me. That is until I tried one made by Shawn "Cakes" Lawson from a family recipe belonging to Louis Zanias, whom everyone thinks is French but is really Belgian, and who owns half of West Mechanic Street, and was reputedly in the running to buy yet another Main Street eatery aside from his existing Karla's and Zoubi restauants.

But back to Cakes' waffles, the ones that he and Louis wholesale from New Hope to the Jersey Shore: They are nothing short of miraculous. Dense and multi-layered, they make every other waffle seem an air-puffed, frozen imitation. The pearlized sugar running throughout pushes them over the top. Morning, noon, or night, they reign supreme.

Of course, that wasn't enough for the maniacs at Zoubi Cakes and Catering, who have now decided to team up with oWowCow Creamery. For those uninitiated, oWowCow is completely over-the-top ice cream from beautiful Ottsville, where Route 413 is called '412' or Durham Road. The frozen confection is creamy and gooey, using local milk and eggs, with intense natural flavorings. I tried the Madagascar Vanilla, Garden Berries and Chai Tea ice cream varieties and, quite frankly, they were sick. I'm in trouble; I'm arranging direct deposit. I haven't tried the waffles and ice cream together yet, but I'm steeling myself for the moment.

For right now, Nina's Waffles & Cream will open at around noon from Thursday to Sunday, and will stay open late on Friday and Saturday, according to Lawson. The official grand opening is scheduled for May 20.

Zoubi Cakes and Nina's are at 29 W. Mechanic St. near New Street; 215-862-1660.

Is New Hope home to the world's creepiest shop?

by Charlie Sahner

"Creepy" really doesn't do the place justice.

Teardrop Memories, which has just moved into even larger, creepier quarters, houses what may be the world's largest collection of Victorian-era bird cages and mourning items, along with an array of eerie objects ranging from the merely disturbing and macabre all the way to grotesque and gruesome.

"It scares even me," says owner Greg Cristiano.

Popular store items include Victorian mourning jewelry, antique veterinary cures and pet supplies, and vintage funeral collectibles.
"We put the 'fun' back in 'funeral'," commented Cristiano.

Teardrop Memories, located at 12 W. Mechanic St., can now be seen from the bridge by the Bucks County Playhouse; 215-862-3401.

Stolen sculpture returned to New Hope gallery

By Charlie Sahner

A valuable sculpture missing from the New Hope Sidetracks Art Gallery was returned anonymously on February 23, almost two years ago to the day it was apparently stolen. The steatite stone artwork embedded with semi-precious gems is named “Dream World”, and was created by outsider artist André Gomes of Hillside, New Jersey.

"It arrived back home appropriately wrapped in penitential purple," according to the gallery owners.

“It seems someone gave up theft for Lent,” added co-owner Ricky Godinez, noting that the sculpture was returned on the day after Ash Wednesday. "Being one of Andre Gomés' strongest and most significant stone carvings to date, we were very pleased and relieved this intricate artwork was returned intact and in perfect condition," he continued.

New Hope Sidetracks Art Gallery is located next to the New Hope Arts Center at 2A Stockton Avenue; (215) 862-4586.