At the center of B-Side Bottle and Larder, open since November, is a large table. There, amid the wide variety of chilled wines and beers, the individually portioned baked goods, the kitchen provisions and the unique art and décor available for purchase, patrons can create community and gather to enjoy the many events and experiences that B-Side has to offer. Manager Stephen Pekarik, also the beverage director of Bolete and Mister Lee’s Noodles, and owner Erin Chizmar tell us more about the bottle shop and what customers can find there, whether they’re buying a bottle of wine to go or pulling up a chair to enjoy time with friends.
Tell us about the journey to opening B-Side!
SP: B-Side was a long time coming, complete with stress, butterflies and anticipation! The bottle shop had lain dormant for a few years because the success and demand of our other restaurants [Bolete, Mister Lee’s Noodles and the former Silvershell Counter + Kitchen] took the lion’s share of our time and labor. We ended up taking a deep breath, finding a strong focus and capable staff to fill in where needed so we could finally open B-Side’s doors.
What was the genesis of the idea of opening a bottle shop?
SP: After Erin moved here from Massachusetts, she noticed the way the Pennsylvania wine system worked and was excited about giving people a chance to discover a different type of bottle shop.
What kinds of beverages are available at B-Side?
SP: B-Side offers organic and biodynamic wines, including orange (skin contact) wines and chillable conversational reds. We also stock amazing beer, unique sake, nonalcoholic canned cocktails, local kombucha and local cider.
EC: For sure, we seek out options that you cannot find anywhere else and definitely not what you find at the
state store.
What goes into sourcing the beverages at B-Side?
SP: I have numerous skilled and talented professionals that bring me beautiful product. We taste and discuss the product, then the wine that “fits” best is stocked in shop.
Besides alcohol, what else can customers find in-store?
SP: B-Side offers fresh pastries and desserts made by Amy Palmer, the pastry chef at Bolete. We also have sourdough bread from Bolete as well as bagels, pretzels, rillettes, kimchi, dumplings and seasonal soups. The shop is decorated by antiques dealer and visionary local artist Chaz Hampton. Everything in B-Side is for sale, from vases to oil on canvas! We’ve already sold multiple decorative items in the few months we’ve been open.
How often do your selections rotate?
SP: B-Side rotates all product very regularly. Seasonal inspirations fuel the cycle.
What items have been customer favorites?
SP: Guests really seem to gravitate towards the orange wine selections! They also love the funky and off-the-beaten-path bottles that are in stock, and they dig the rotating Human Robot beer selection. The rotating fresh desserts, breads and snacks from Bolete are a hit as well.
What kinds of events do you host?
SP: We have cookie decoration workshops; wine, sake and beer tastings; private events; cocktail classes; flower pressing events; live music events; local community events and personalized dinners.
Tell us more about B-Side’s table.
EC: This is where it gets very flexible. You can rent the space for anything from a sit-down dinner event to a cocktail party. Really, we design anything you can imagine based on your needs. The sky's the limit.
How has the community responded to B-Side so far?
SP: The response has been amazing so far in the time we’ve been open! They love the space, vibe and selections. Guests are very excited to see what’s in store.
What do you love about your location?
EC: I love the unique ability of the space to be so many different versions of itself. We love Southside Bethlehem and are obviously invested in it. It’s such a great community and there’s so much exciting stuff happening down here.
Anything else you’d like to note?
EC: Chaz Hampton staged the space and his curated vintage items are all for sale. This feeds into the space always changing and evolving, even in its physical appearance. We love what he did with the space and he has so many amazing little nuggets of interest. That alone is worth popping in for.
514 E. Third St., Bethlehem | bsidebottle.com
Published as “Get the Goods” in the May 2025 edition of Lehigh Valley Style magazine.
