Emmaus may be small, but this little borough is a mighty one, from an active downtown to soul-sustaining natural assets to a thriving heart of community spirit. Passionate, committed citizens involved in countless organizations have made sure that there are tons of things to do and see as well as a quiet, comfortable quality of life.
Known For:
Rodale
In a town as cozy and idyllic as Emmaus, it's both surprising and natural to find the publisher of some of the best national magazines on health and wellness, Rodale, Inc.
Though Rodale is most famous for publishing lifestyle and health magazines like Men's Health, Women's Health, Prevention and Runner's World, it started with J.I. Rodale's publication of Organic Farming and Gardening in 1942. Since then, their mission has been to inform and inspire healthy living in a way that serves our environment, as with Organic Gardening's re-launch this year as Organic Life magazine.
He also founded the non-profit Rodale Institute, the 333-acre farm in Kutztown, where research is ongoing to develop the best organic methods of pest and livestock management, composting, cultivating healthy soil and many more agricultural avenues. If you've wanted to learn more about backyard gardening, keeping pigs and honeybees or a world of other skills, these green-thumbed gurus can help with hands-on classes. Regular plant sales, like their Mid-Summer Makeover Organic Plant Sale on July 10 and 11, gives you a chance to stock up on organic annuals, perennials, vegetable seedlings and herbs.
Not far from the publisher's campus, the Rodale General Store opened a few years ago on Pennsylvania Avenue in Emmaus, and this quaint little shop sells a library of the publisher's books at a discounted price along with plants, seeds, jewelry, gifts and home goods—basically, a wealth of wonderful goodies.
1002 Pennsylvania Ave. | 610.928.1050 | rodalesgeneralstore.com
Attraction:
Pool Wildlife Sanctuary
While there's a lot to be said for Emmaus's super walkable downtown, the area is also replete with great natural beauty, thanks to the work of the Wildlands Conservancy, a nonprofit land trust that has been protecting the Valley's priceless environmental treasures since 1973. Wildlands is also active in educating the community to ensure that knowledge and appreciation of nature's importance endures and intensifies in these precarious times.
The total area owned and managed by Wildlands exceeds 2,600 acres, including, within the borders of Emmaus, the South Mountain Preserve and Pool Wildlife Sanctuary. South Mountain was the organization's first land acquisition, a site of woodlands and wetlands that hosts a wealth of reptile, amphibian and bird diversity and offers an organic island of wooded trails in an area where development has fragmented the forest.
The Wildlands' main office and Air Products Environmental Education Center can be found at the Pool Wildlife Sanctuary on Orchid Lane. It's a great place to visit, learn and explore. A tree identification trail will acquaint you with varieties of deciduous and conifer trees, and a boardwalk follows the Little Lehigh Creek over fascinating and marshy areas bustling with life.
It's a beautiful, peaceful place to walk, rest, or recharge away from traffic, deadlines, homework—whatever—open from dawn to dusk.
3701 Orchid Pl. | 610.965.4397 | wildlandspa.org
History:
The Old and the New Museum
The Emmaus Historical Society has been active in preserving the history, artifacts and genealogies of the town for 13 years, and provides not only research materials but educational events for the community. Their collection has outgrown their original location on Chestnut Street, and this year they're renovating a brand new museum located at 218 Main Street. The new spot, listed on the original Moravian Village Map and built in 1824, is the former home of Judge Richard Iobst and will offer two and a half times more space, increased parking and room for expansion if it's needed down the road.
A grand re-opening weekend is planned for September, and in the meantime you can investigate Emmaus's past through other sites maintained through The Emmaus Heritage Alliance. The Shelter House on Fairview Street is a log cabin built way back in 1734 as a hiding place in case of Indian retribution, and considered the oldest continuously inhabited structure in the Valley. The Knauss Homestead and 1803 House are two other landmarks of Emmaus's long history that provide a window into the past.
610.966.6591 | emmaushistoric-pa.org
Quick Tip:
Find It Foray
For those not as fortunate non-residents, making a day trip here is almost as good. Whatever you're after, Emmaus's array of boutiques and small businesses make it a compact and convenient playground to explore.
For a cup of coffee to get you going, you'll want to stop into South Mountain Cycle & Café on Chestnut Street. Don't be intimidated by the forest of bikes and cycling accessories—you're in the right place, and if you prefer to get around on two wheels, you'll especially dig it. Along with the latest and greatest in biking technology and style, South Mountain Cycle serves up a killer latte.
The place to go for a homemade treat is right up the street at Baked. The pies, cupcakes, scones and more are fresh and satisfying, with vegan and gluten-free options aplenty.
If you're in the mood for a slice of pizza, Emmaus has some of the best in the Valley at Armetta's, only a stone's throw away. It's an Italian restaurant and pub, so the classic combo of pizza and beer can be yours at this local go-to for a fast and tasty slice.
Boutique bakery and eatery Sweet Memories not only serves breakfast, lunch and beautiful desserts made daily on the premises, they offer a gift shop upstairs, carefully stocked with only the most charming goodies, be it candles, cards, candy or homespun decor. If you need to pick up a present for anyone from your kids to a coworker, make a stop here. La Belle Cuisine is another great spot for gifts, especially for a wedding or anyone in your life who loves to cook. For kitchen wares and notions this place has the rest of the Valley beat, boasting classic and imported tools and cookware for the finest foodie.
Grab some fresh produce for your recipes grown by the hands of local farmers, make your trip to Emmaus on a Sunday and visit the Emmaus Farmers' Market. More than just veggies, this weekly event hosts live music and often community groups. Hanging around nibbling on your purchases is encouraged!
Working on some home improvements this summer and want to sidestep the big box stores that make you feel like a Lilliputian when you walk inside? Wentz Hardware on Main Street has been family-owned and operated since 1943. Free estimates and a great staff will get you what you need, when you need it.
All these wonderful businesses up and down Chestnut and Main Streets in Emmaus take you on a stroll of less than half a mile. It's no wonder people love shopping (and living!) here.
Fun Fact:
High Ranking
Emmaus has been getting recognition for being a great place to live for almost a decade. Money magazine listed it as one of the top 100 “Best Places to Live” in the entire US in both 2007 and 2009, and catalogs.com called it one of the 10 top places to live in Pennsylvania in 2008.
Emmaus also gets special credit for being a wonderful place to build a nest—6th Best Town in Pennsylvania for Young Families, according to nerdwallet.com.
Perhaps the most proud ranking is the latest: in 2014, the Borough of Emmaus was named the 5th safest community among those with over 10,000 residents in the state. Violent and property crimes are happily rare in this delightful town.
Spotlight Biz:
Shangy's
Emmaus is also home to the Lehigh Valley's celebrated craft beer distributer, Shangy's...The Beer Authority. A beer-topia of imported and hard-to-find varieties, family-owned Shangy's was passed from father to son as it grew from a retail business to a wholesaler serving 20 counties in Pennsylvania.
Shangy's supplies one million cases of craft beer to restaurants, pubs and hotels across the state and also makes its selection available to the multiplying throngs of beer enthusiasts swarming the Valley's new crop of festivals, breweries and homebrew supply stores devoted to this ubiquitous beverage. You're guaranteed to find something you've never heard of, be it an Italian, German or Belgian import, or something domestic from a small, independent US brewery.
With thousands of beers to choose from, this is the place to go to impress beer-lovers with an icy cooler full of the finest microbrew at your next barbecue, or pick up a keg from their wide selection. You can only buy beer by the case, the keg or the 12-pack, so be prepared to drink up.
40 E. Main St. | 610.967.6793 | facebook.com/shangysthebeerauthority
