SPRINGFIELD TWP., Pa. - Fans of wine, art, music and scenic countryside views will soon have a new destination to frequent in upper Bucks County.
Unwine with Art, a venue offering locally made wine, beer and cocktails along with local artisan goods such as paintings, candles and herbal remedies, is expected to open sometime in June at 570 W. Cherry Road in Springfield Township, winemaker and co-owner Joel Ritter said.
The enterprise is a comeback of sorts as Ritter and his fiancé, Mary Reshetar, previously operated their original iteration of Unwine with Art from 2019 to 2020 on North Second Street in downtown Easton.
Reshetar, a seasoned artist who enjoys working with paint, resins and other mediums, teamed up with Ritter to create a unique venue offering studio space for art instruction; a retail section for locally made works such as jewelry, pottery and paintings; and a wine bar serving Unwine Vineyards wines – made with grapes from Ritter’s 50-acre vineyard in the Finger Lakes region of central New York.
The pandemic led to the closure of Unwine’s original establishment, but Reshetar and Ritter have regrouped and are preparing to open their newly constructed venue later this spring.
“We’re so excited to create a new space to gather with old and new friends,” Reshetar said. “It’s going to be the same concept that we had in Easton, with wine, food, music, art and art workshops.”
Reshetar, who holds a bachelor’s degree in art education from Mansfield University, has held a variety of creative roles over the years, including working as a production artist for clothier Blue Fish in Frenchtown, N.J., teaching art classes at YMCA of Bucks County’s Quakertown branch and running an art gallery in the Mananyunk section of Philadelphia.
For the past several years, she’s also worked as a coordinator for Bucks County Community College’s In-School Youth Program, assisting high school students with paid work experiences, college and workforce readiness and the opportunity to earn industry-recognized credentials.
“I absolutely love my job, helping students in Bucks County get jobs and keep jobs,” Reshetar said. “Art is definitely my side passion, though, and I can’t wait to share my artwork with the community and bring people together over food, drinks and music.”
Ritter, who has been making wine for about 20 years, is a retired Bedminster Township Police Department officer who has been teaching law enforcement classes at Upper Bucks County Technical School for the past several years.
Unwine with Art is owned and operated by Joel Ritter and Mary Reshetar.
When he’s not in the classroom, he enjoys harvesting his vineyard’s grapes and creating a wide array of wines that include Cayuga, Niagara, Catawba, Marquette, Riesling, Frotenac and La Crescent.
He also sources some grape varieties, including Chardonnay, Merlot and Pinot Grigio, from prominent winemaking regions in California and Washington.
His vineyard, outside Marathon and about 30 miles east of Ithaca, has about 8,000 vines, and he intends to plant about 2,000 more on the Springfield Township property.
He also built a new facility on the property that he plans to utilize for production and bottling.
“I’m excited to bring the community together again over great wine," Ritter said. "In Easton, some of our big hits were Cayuga, Catawba and a blush blend.”
In addition to offering wine by the glass and bottle, the new tasting room will offer a variety of locally produced beers and spirits.
Ritter is partnering with his friend, Mike McCallister, founder and head brewer of McAllister Brewing Company in Montgomery County, to produce Unwine’s beer.
“We’re going to be contract brewing with McCallister down at ther place in North Wales,” Ritter said. “They make really fantastic beers and actually have two locations now. In New York, I also grow my own hops, which we plan to use in the beers.”
The newly constructed tasting room and arts and crafts emporium will feature a bar for serving drinks along with retail displays featuring local jewelry, candles, apothecary items and other handmade goods.
There also will be studio space for paint-and-sip nights and a variety of other art workshops, including painting, resin, mosaic and home apothecary, that Reshetar will lead.
The venue could also be reserved for bachelorette parties, children’s art classes and other events, Reshetar said.
“We want this to be a community gathering place that is family friendly and also dog friendly,” said Reshetar, whose labradoodle, Stella, will be a regular visitor.
The building will offer seating for about 20 individuals indoors, and there will be dozens more seats available outdoors.
A food truck will supply barbecue, including pulled pork, chicken and brisket, and sides such as baked beans and coleslaw.
“The outside is going to be the main attraction,” Ritter said.
“We’re going to be laying stones and bringing in really nice furniture. There also will be a big patio along with fire pits, yard games and a music stage.”
To follow the new venue’s progress, follow Unwine with Art on Facebook.
Bethlehem buzz
New Bethlehem shop serving up protein-packed doughnuts, waffles, shakes and more
BETHLEHEM, Pa. - A new Lehigh Valley eatery is helping people make healthful decisions without sacrificing tasty food and drinks.
Mega Nutrition, offering clean-energy drinks and protein-rich items such as crepes, doughnuts, waffles and shakes, held a soft opening about a month ago at 746 Main St. in Bethlehem.
The shop will hold a grand opening celebration, with raffles, prizes and free samples, at 9:30 a.m. Saturday, May 4. Full story here.
The newly opened Mega Nutrition, offering clean-energy drinks and protein-rich items such as doughnuts, waffles, shakes and coffee, operates at 746 Main St. in Bethlehem. Pictured is the "fruit party" clean-energy drink.
Sheetz holds grand opening in Bethlehem
BETHLEHEM, Pa. -- Sheetz fans in the Lehigh Valley have a new spot for fueling up.
The company held a grand opening Thursday for its new location on E. Fourth Street in Bethlehem.
Staff brought customers together for a ribbon-cutting and a few festivities, including a grand prize giveaway of free Sheetz for a Year. Read more here.
Wishful Thinking Brewing Company operates at 702 Broadway on Bethlehem's South Side.
Couple serving up specialty beers, pizzas and smiles at new Lehigh Valley brewery
BETHLEHEM, Pa. — A new brewery in Northampton County is creating a buzz with unique craft beers, cocktails, wines and other drinks, while also satisfying food cravings with made-on-site soft pretzels, pizzas, sausage plates and other eats.
Wishful Thinking Brewing Company, a brewery and taproom serving craft beers such as IPAs and pale lagers along with other local beverages and hand-crafted food such as Detroit-style pizza, opened Saturday, April 27, at 702 Broadway on Bethlehem's South Side, co-owner Brendan Breslin said.
Wishful Thinking occupies a renovated space that was previously home to the Bavarian Tavern, a former longstanding neighborhood bar that closed about six years ago. Read more.
Easton updates
‘Fun, new spot’: Lehigh Valley’s new cafe and lounge serving up fresh eats, drinks and vibes
EASTON, Pa. - A stylish new establishment is serving up coffee, craft beer and a cool atmosphere in Northampton County.
Tapestry, a lounge and cafe offering a variety of fresh food and drinks, held a soft opening last week at 101 Northampton St. in downtown Easton.
The ground floor space, at the corner of Northampton Street and Larry Holmes Drive near the Easton-Phillipsburg “free bridge,” previously housed Separatist Beer Project’s Bar + Bottle, which closed last year. Full story here.
Tapestry, a lounge and cafe offering a variety of fresh food and drinks, held a soft opening last week at 101 Northampton St. in downtown Easton.
'Come together to love': Lehigh Valley brewery to host Bereaved Mother’s Day Celebration
EASTON, Pa. - Mother’s Day is quickly approaching, and a popular Lehigh Valley brewery is teaming up with a local restaurant to present a free meal for bereaved mothers to pay tribute to their children.
The Blendery, Seven Sirens Brewing Co.’s location at the Simon Silk Mill in Easton, will host a Bereaved Mother’s Day Celebration, 5-8 p.m. Sunday, May 5.
Earlier this spring, Seven Sirens owners Jordan Serulneck and Josh Divers were approached by a mother looking to host an event at The Blendery. Read more here.
The Blendery, Seven Sirens Brewing Co.’s location at the Simon Silk Mill in Easton, will host a Bereaved Mother’s Day Celebration, 5-8 p.m. Sunday.
Easton Farmers' Market returns Saturday for 272nd season
EASTON, Pa. — The Easton Farmers' Market will reopen this weekend for its 272nd season.
According to a press release, the market's Opening Day will be from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, May 4, at Scott Park.
Opening Day festivities will start at 10 a.m. and feature notable speakers such as Easton Mayor Sal Panto and state Rep. Robert Freeman. There will also be a prize drawing to win $50 in "Market Bucks," the press release said.
This season will feature 43 regular vendors and 20 rotating vendors, the press release said. Read more.
Foodie finds
‘Super stoked!’: Popular pub’s 2nd Lehigh Valley location almost ready to welcome customers
UPPER NAZARETH TWP., Pa. - A Lehigh County pub – serving up pizzas, pints of beer and plenty of entertainment – is looking to replicate its success in Northampton County.
The Catty Corner Neighborhood Pub & Pie, at 301 Mulberry St. in Catasauqua, is aiming to open its second regional location in mid- to late May at 398 N. Broad St. Ext. in Upper Nazareth Township, co-owner Jay Cimerol said.
The new location is undergoing its final inspections, and its exact opening date will be announced in the coming weeks, Cimerol said. Full story here.
2 popular Lehigh Valley church festivals returning with Greek food, music, dancing
BETHLEHEM, Pa. - Opa! Two local church festivals will be serving up gyros, souvlaki and other Greek favorites later this month.
First, St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Cathedral, at 1607 W. Union Blvd. in Bethlehem, will host its biannual Greek Food Festival Thursday, May 16, through Sunday, May 19.
The event features several handmade Greek specialties for sale, including pastitsio (alternate layers of penne pasta and Greek-style chopped beef, topped with bechamel sauce), moussaka (layers of Greek-style chopped beef, thinly sliced potatoes and eggplant topped with a rich cream sauce and baked) and Athenian chicken (boneless and skinless chicken, filled with spinach, feta and other Greek cheeses, baked and topped with light gravy). Read more here.
American Lobster, a full-service restaurant serving seafood, steaks, cocktails and more, opened in 2020 at 1420 Jacobsburg Road in Plainfield Township.
Lehigh Valley restaurant closed until further notice ‘due to staffing and the rising cost of food’
PLAINFIELD TWP., Pa. - A destination for filet mignon, Maine lobster tails and other steak and seafood and dishes is closed indefinitely in Northampton County.
American Lobster, a full-service restaurant serving seafood, steaks, cocktails and more at 1420 Jacobsburg Road in Plainfield Township, is closed until further notice “due to staffing and the rising cost of food,” according to an announcement on the business’ Facebook page.
Customers are advised to “stay tuned for more updates." Read more.
Lehigh County news
‘Demand is huge!’: Popular retailer expanding with larger storefront at South Mall
SALISBURY TWP., Pa. - A popular spot for toys, clothing, home decor and more is making moves at the South Mall in Salisbury Township, Lehigh County.
Attic Mice 2, a multi-merchant retailer carrying a wide array of collectibles, household items, crafts and more, will open in its new, larger space – between Oriental Therapy and Signature Day Spa – at 11 a.m. Monday at the south end of the 3300 Lehigh St. mall.
For the past year, the business was operating out of another space, which offered room for about a dozen vendors to sell their items, at the other end of the mall. Full story here.
'Very exciting!': Shankweiler’s vying for best drive-in theater title in USA Today contest
N. WHITEHALL TWP., Pa. - The country’s oldest drive-in theater, located in Lehigh County, is in the running for another top national distinction, and you can help it win.
Shankweiler’s Drive-In Theatre, at 4540 Shankweiler Road in North Whitehall Township, is among 20 drive-in theaters across the United States nominated in USA Today's 10Best Readers' Choice competition for best drive-in theater.
An expert panel announced their top 20 spots to enjoy a drive-in movie a couple of weeks ago, and now it's the readers turn to decide the winner. Read more here.
Lower Macungie Library hosts spring book sale
L. MACUNGIE TWP., Pa. - If you're looking to pump up your spring reading numbers, a Lehigh County library has you covered.
Right now, the Friends of Lower Macungie Library is holding its annual spring book sale. Organizers say they have a great selection of books at low prices.
Children's books are just $0.50. Books for adults, DVDs and puzzles will cost up to $3. Read more.
Berks, Schuylkill counties
New Berks County eatery to serve mochi doughnuts, Korean hot dogs, boba tea and more
WEST READING, Pa. - A new shop offering sweet and savory Asian specialties is almost ready to welcome customers in Berks County.
Winnie Mochie, offering Taiwanese mochi doughnuts, Korean hot dogs, Vietnamese coffee and more, is set to hold a soft opening on May 10 at 400 Penn Ave. in West Reading, co-owner Uyen Nguyen said.
A ribbon-cutting celebration with local dignitaries will be held on May 17. Full story here.
Royal Farms sets job fairs for its first Berks location
AMITY TWP., Pa. — Royal Farms is getting closer to making its Berks County debut, with final work being done on its new store on Route 422 in Amity Township.
The Baltimore-based convenience store chain announced another round of job interviews will take place at the Fairfield Inn on Robinson Street in Pottstown, Montgomery County.
Those interviews are set for next Wednesday, May 8, from 3 p.m. until 7 p.m.; and next Thursday, May 9, from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m. Read more here.
Downtown Reading to host inaugural Taco Fest
READING, Pa. - Downtown Reading is gearing up for a fiesta-filled weekend with its inaugural Taco Fest.
The event is scheduled for Saturday, May 4th, in the 500 - 600 blocks of Penn Street from noon to 6:00 p.m.
Officials say the gathering promises to be a celebration of food, fun, fitness and fiesta, and will honor Mexican culture and traditions just in time for Cinco de Mayo. Read more.
'Good quality food is the heart of every community': Farmers market coming to downtown Pottsville
POTTSVILLE, Pa. - Josiah and Angela Meck, owners of Honey Brook Farm, set on 100 acres in South Manheim Township, are gearing up to bring a proper food market back to downtown Pottsville, at the former First Federal Savings & Loan building, just off of Centre Street.
"Good quality food is the heart of every community. If you don't have good quality food, the community is going to dwindle," Josiah said.
"It's something that we're really passionate about in getting good food to the community, and it's even more special to be able to take it somewhere where they don't have a lot of other options," Angela said. Full story here.
