Easton Main Street Initiative Welcomes Back Visitors with New Sidewalk Sales & Tours for Foodies and History Buffs

Easton Main Street Initiative Welcomes Back Visitors with New Sidewalk Sales & Tours for Foodies and History Buffs

Easton Main Street Initiative (EMSI), a program of the nonprofit Greater Easton Development Partnership (GEDP), will kick off a number of new programs this month designed to welcome back visitors to Downtown Easton. EMSI, which was recognized earlier this month by Main Street America as one of the 28 Pennsylvania downtowns to earn a national accreditation, has focused these efforts to support locally-owned businesses.

An Insider’s Tour of the City

Themed walking tours will be offered on select Saturdays, departing from Easton Farmers’ Market (EFM) and taking visitors on a guided tour of Downtown Easton’s best restaurants, public art and history. 

“No matter what your interest, we have a guided tour for you,” says Easton Main Street Initiative Manager Kim Kmetz. “Experience Downtown Easton the way our guides do, and share in their love of the city’s food, history and art.”

The tours are free, and last about 45 minutes. Participants are encouraged to sign up in advance of that day’s tour at the EFM Info Tent below the West parking lot entrance (across from the Post Office). The tour will leave from that spot. Tours depart at 10:30 a.m. on the following Saturdays, and limited spots will be available:

  • June 19: International Foodie Tour with GEDP’s Kelly Huth (former features/food editor of The Express-Times) and Michael Drabenstott, host of WDIY-FM’s food show, The Inside Dish. Discover some of the best spots to try international flavors, enjoy light samples and get info on new menus to try.
  • July 3: Easton History Tour with State Rep. Bob Freeman. Get an early start to Independence Day by learning about Easton’s important role in American history.
  • July 17: ArtsPath Tour with Erin Grins and a guest artist. Haven’t explored EMSI’s new ArtsPaths that launched this spring? Now’s your chance! Grins, a member of the EMSI Design Committee, will lead visitors past the city’s murals, sculptures and more. ArtsPath offers four customized paths through the city to explore 30+ pieces of art. View the routes at Shopdowntowneaston.com/Explore.

Sidewalk Sales

EMSI will also launch a monthly Sidewalk Sales program on the last Saturday of the month, starting June 26. Shoppers can get their groceries at Easton Farmers’ Market or Easton Public Market, and then shop the sales throughout the city. 

The June edition will feature 10+ stores. A list of participants for each month can be found at: Shopdowntowneaston.com/Sidewalk-saturday. Hours vary by store. Sidewalk Sales will continue on July 31 and Aug. 28.

“This, along with our Market Rewards program, emphasizes the connection between the riverfront and our 40+ storefronts in Downtown Easton,” Kmetz says. “Support our local businesses and make Saturdays your new shopping days in Easton. Come in for breakfast, shop the market and then explore sidewalk sales throughout our downtown.”

Market Rewards, which launched this spring, is a combined effort between EMSI and Easton Farmers’ Market (EFM). Each week, EFM shoppers can stop by one of the market’s Info Tents to pick up their Market Rewards coupons — which entitle them to a freebie or discount at a participating Downtown Easton business. Each week a new business and a new deal will be offered. Supplies are limited; get ‘em while they last. Find out who this week’s business is by signing up for the Downtown Easton weekly e-update: tinyurl.com/EastonUpdate.