A blog with things to find and buy, crafts to discover, factories to explore, and history to uncover––all made in Pennsylvania. Hundreds of the state's top cottage industries––all places that you can shop and/or tour––are showcased. Organized by county you'll see what to see, eat and drink including: historical sites, ceramics/pottery, clothing/accessories, furnishings/furniture, glassware, home décor, jewelry, specialty foods, toys/games, and so much more. Together, with its history, these homegrown establishments help make up the identity and fabric of the Keystone State.
Now to the other side of PA -- its most northeastern county:
WAYNE
What's to see?
Can you say: FISH!
Lake Wallenpaupack -- the 3rd largest lake in Pennsylvania.
Thomas Fishing Lures, 316 Wayne Avenue, Hawley, 18428; (570) 226-4011 or (800) 724-6768; thomaslures.com.
In 1938, an apprentice tool and die maker from
Czechoslovakia, Richard Shubert, came to America with a dream of producing
fishing lures. Needing to communicate in the more than one language,
Richard’s American-born mother sent him to a relative in Montana to be tutored
in the English language. The rivers and lakes of Montana and the
surrounding Rocky Mountain region provided the perfect setting to test his
prototypes and market his innovative new lures to customers. During the
mid-1940’s he returned to family in New York City and the young entrepreneur
began producing Thomas Spinning Lures in a small shop on Manhattan’s lower east
side. As the popularity of spin-fishing growing
rapidly, so did the popularity of Thomas’ unique line of spoons and spinners. While vacationing at Lake Wallenpaupack in the late
1950’s, Richard discovered the tranquil beauty of the Pocono Mountains region
and decided to move his thriving business to northeastern Pennsylvania. In
1961, Thomas Lures began manufacturing fishing lures in Hawley, where it continues to operate to this day. In fact, they’re still working in
the same buildings for over 50 years.
What's to eat?
Calkins Creamery, 288 Calkins Rd., Honesdale, 18431; (570) 729-8103; calkinscreamery.com.
Seasonal hours, call ahead. Here’s the equation: Grass + cows
+ culture + cave = amazing cheese.The sum of ingredients and a touch of playful experimentation make the creamery
on the Highland Farm unique among creameries in Pennsylvania. And with names
like, Vampire Slayer, Old Man Highlander and Horsekick, you know it’s not going
to be ordinary cheese. Then again, Emily and Jay Montgomery aren’t your ordinary
farmers making a living off of all things cheesy. Sure, they love the land, but
they are also love keeping it local by using Pennsylvania beer to make curds
for their Gouda (rumor has it that they’re using Yuengling Porter). Although
Highland Farm was originally established by Burton and Elizabeth Bryant in
1841, it took some ingenuity and a lot of hard work to turn the farm (and a
cave) in to the successful cheese business it is today.
What's to drink?
Wallenpaupack Breweries, 73 Welwood Ave., Hawley, 18428 (570) 390-7933; wallenpaupackbrewingco.com/
Wallenpaupack Breweries, 73 Welwood Ave., Hawley, 18428 (570) 390-7933; wallenpaupackbrewingco.com/
This nearly new (opened in 2017) brewery has big plans. Owner Becky Ryman, hopes to put in 40 (or even 60) barrel fermenters in a facility that was once dubbed an eyesore by locals travelling on route 6. How much beer comes out of 40 barrel fermenters? Well, that's just over 1000 gallons of beer. A couple of their flagship beers include Paupack Cream Ale and Largemouth IPA.
Pennsylvania is a great place to visit...if you're looking for something unique you'll find it here. Before you go, check out: https://tinyurl.com/y2kp8d7u
