AROUND TOWN

Visit Kutztown’s Oldest Bagel Shop

It all started with a dare. Twenty-four years ago, a local Kutztown business owner dared Christine Kreisher, who was already involved in bagel whole trading, to open her own bagel shop in the area. He offered her a spot in his shop to get started, and soon, lines began circling the building. It became clear that Christine needed her own location and she opened the Bagel Bar Café in downtown Kutztown. Serving breakfast and lunch, the shop offers a large menu featuring bagels, coffee, specialty drinks and unique bagel sandwiches. The Bagel Bar Cafe also creates weekly food and monthly drink specials unavailable anywhere else. For Christine, the shop gave her the opportunity to bring a light to the community. “My philosophy is that we want to be here and serve the community,” shares Christine. The shop works to give back and offers locals and visitors a place filled with kindness and good vibes to enjoy. Visit at 214 W. Main St. or order online at bagelbarcafe.com. – LAURA RAMSEY

PHOTO COURTESY FACEBOOK @GENERALSPAATZMUSEUM. PHOTO COURTESY DNORGANICS.COM.

Latina Sisters Launch Clean Haircare Product Line

Owned by sisters Nicol and Cory Varona of Reading, DN Organics empowers women to embrace their curls by offering clean and natural hair care products. All of DN Organics’ products are free of toxic chemicals and are vegan, cruelty-free and gluten-free. DN Organics offers a dual product leave-in cream labeled the “Ultra-Defined Curls Leave-In Conditioner” that not only nourishes hair, but can also be used as a heat protectant. It features ingredients including hibiscus flower, mango butter and sunflower seed oil. Many of the ingredients pay homage to the sisters’ home country of the Dominican Republic. “The goal of the company is to empower women with hair care products with health in mind,” explains Nicol. DN Organics recently released their second product, Ultra-Defined Styling Gel, and plans to release more products in the future. Stay tuned! To shop DN Organics products or to try a free sample (shipping at your expense) visit dnorganics.com. – LAURA RAMSEY

Experience Interactive History in Boyertown

Opened just last month, the General Carl Spaatz National USAAF Museum in downtown Boyertown gives those who visit the chance to immerse themselves in both Spaatz’s life and in WWII. Born in Boyertown, Spaatz was the first chief of staff of the U.S. Air Force, and his contributions to strategic power and capability helped lead to our freedom. For both children and adults, the museum is unlike any other in the U.S., with five interactive exhibits including a live debriefing room, a gear-up room, two escape rooms and a Boeing B-17 Flying Fortress simulator. Experience roleplaying as an officer in the debriefing room and try on historically accurate WWII Air Force gear in the gear-up room. “We really want people to become a part of history here,” shares Keith Seiwell, Chief Executive Officer. The museum also has a hall celebrating those serving in WWII from the different towns in the region. Visit at 28 Warwick St. Boyertown or find the Museum on Facebook @GeneralSpaatzMuseum. – LAURA RAMSEY

Gift an Experience

Berks County is certainly not lacking in things to do. If you have a friend or family member that would prefer to be gifted with an experience versus “more stuff,” we have three ideas to get you started.

1.

The Art Room.

The West Reading spot is a creative outlet offering pottery and canvas painting, crafting classes and much more. Grab a certificate or set up a class and share invitations with friends. 610.898.4369 theartroomwestreading.com

2.

The Culinary Classroom.

Know a foodie or someone wanting to spruce up their cooking skills? The Reading school is the perfect place. Classes see small groups of adults come together to cook, learn, eat and laugh. See what’s on the schedule by visiting online or giving a call. 610.374.2674 theculinaryclassroom.com

3.

The Anger House.

Who isn’t feeling a bit frazzled and overwhelmed of late? Get it all out at this spot in Birdsboro where your gift recipient can smash some stuff without getting in trouble or worrying about having to replace it. 610.698.0771 | theangerhouse.com

Find more gift ideas in our Annual Holiday Gift Guide starting on page 26.

Go Royals!

Head to Santander Arena in Reading this month to cheer on your Reading Royals. Home games are scheduled for Nov. 10-13 & 21 against the Norfolk Admirals and Nov. 19 & 20 versus the Newfoundland Growlers. For promotional and ticket info visit royalshockey.com.

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It's a Celebration!

Stereo Barn Celebrates 50 Years

BY KELLY TANGER | PHOTOS COURTESY STEREO BARN

From the early days of selling 8-track-tape decks and LP-record turntables to today’s home theaters and Wi-Fi networks, Stereo Barn in Sinking Spring has not only survived, but thrived. A family-owned business since 1971, it’s celebrating a 50th anniversary this year. Charles N. Bock, Sr., spent years working in the electronic manufacturing field until his retirement. It was then (in June of 1971) that he decided to open a stereo shop in Ephrata. The building and its showroom were small and carried products and brands that were more difficult for consumers to find locally. Today, President and Owner Charles N. Bock, Jr., says of his father, “His goals were to find products you couldn’t find elsewhere, to operate in a very fair and friendly manner, and always do the right thing.”

From Then To Now

When Stereo Barn opened its doors, products such as records, turntables, 8-tracks and tape decks were the hot commodity and could all be found at Charles’ store. Stereos and cameras began to hit the scene and grow in popularity as the baby boomer generation became of age. Companies noticed the trend and started to showcase such items in their stores. Stereo Barn continued to evolve and keep up with all the latest changes and new technologies, thus happily adding to their inventory to keep up with the demand.

In the 80s, Sony appointed 40 dealers in the U.S. to help introduce the CD player. Stereo Barn was one of those selected to participate. They were also in the limelight to feature the launching of the first Beta VCR and DVD players. Bock, Jr. says, “We were the specialty place that you went to. People would come here to find what was the newest, the latest. That was how we built our business.”

The younger Bock came into the business during his college years, working alongside his father and brother. As time went on, he took over and Stereo Barn expanded from its birthplace in Ephrata to locations in Lancaster and Wyomissing. With this growth came more employees, including installers and trained technicians. Today, customers can buy equipment off the showroom floor and Stereo Barn will build in-home theaters, surroundsound systems and Wi-Fi networks, to name a few. Bock Jr. says, “Basically anything that you can think of that has to do with music or video entertainment in your home, we can do it.” He continues, “We set up robust, secure Wi-Fi networks in homes, which came in very handy when quarantine started.” They also perform commercial work, updating and maintaining systems for local businesses.

Who They Are Today

The president-owner is proud to say, “We are a locally owned family business, and we support a lot of nonprofit organizations in the community. You don’t pay any more to buy anything from us; you get our expertise for free, and it’s what builds a healthier community when you shop at local businesses.”

Charles is happy to work alongside his daughter, Meredith, who is a third-generation family member employee. She heads the installation department and works heavily with technology. From their beginning in Ephrata to their current location in Sinking Spring, Stereo Barn celebrates its 50 years of growth and service to the community of Berks and beyond with friendly, personal service.

MORE FACTS

Important Ruling. In the 1980s, the Supreme Court ruled that VCRs could be sold for consumers’ personal use. Without this decision, innovative recording technology might look very different.

Faithful Patrol. Did you know? The very first customer to make a purchase when the Stereo Barn opened in 1971 is still a faithful customer today.

IN THE LIMELIGHT WITH Ron DiBenedetto

Owner of DEVOUR Catering & Event Design

BY CHRISTINA J. STEFFY | PHOTO BY JOHN A. SECOGES, SECOGES PHOTOGRAPHICS

Three and a half years ago, Ron DiBenedetto founded DEVOUR Catering & Event Design. The Oley-based company provides Berks and surrounding counties with customized catering to make any large or small event a truly personalized, memorable experience. You can also find DEVOUR at community events.

Why did you decide to start your own catering business? In my previous jobs, I was spending more and more time away from home and away from my daughter, and I wanted more balance. I had various roles in hospitality, catering and event management companies, and I became very knowledgeable about how to do different kinds of events in different kinds of environments. So, I thought, why not start my own business and run things how I would like to run them? Having my own business has been a lot of work, but it’s also given me the ability to control my time and have a greater work-life balance. Running this business has been a tremendous learning experience and it’s also made me fall back in love with the hospitality business.

How is your catering business different than other similar businesses? So many hospitality businesses want to create “cookie cutter” experiences — here is what they do for a wedding, for a holiday party, etc. We want our events to be more personal. We’re not telling you, “Here’s how we do it.” We want to know what you want. This is your event, not ours. We also want the planning process to be more personal. We start with a phone call for some initial details, but then we want to get in front of people and actually meet them and get to know them and develop trust so the first time they meet us in person isn’t at their event.

What exciting trends have you noticed in the industry in the last year? As a result of the pandemic, micro-events are pretty popular. For some in the industry, this could be disappointing because you’re putting all of this work into an event for 40 or so people as opposed to hundreds or more. But these events can be a much more personal experience than larger events.

We’re approaching the holiday season. What do you like best about events this time of year? Around Thanksgiving, it’s nice to cater private house parties and dinners. And holiday parties have a different vibe than other events — people are generally jollier than at other times of the year. We’re also in hockey season, so we have the “sport arena” adrenaline.

Are there any new developments on the horizon for DEVOUR? We’re getting ready to launch a stand at Santander Arena. In early 2022, we will launch our own food truck, and there will be other exciting new opportunities.

What do you like to do in your free time? I enjoy spending time with my daughter and going on trips with my girlfriend. I also like to play guitar and work out.

GET MORE.

Making Connections.

DEVOUR has a new partnership with Hillside Farm, a Civil War-era farm that’s now an event venue. Check out “Events at Hillside Farm" in Sinking Spring on Facebook for more info.

A Select Few.

DEVOUR is one of the preferred caterers of the Reading Public Museum. This select group of caterers was chosen by the Museum for their quality, hospitality, flexibility and affordability.

CHECK IT10 PLEASERS FOR PUMPKIN-LOVING PALATES AROUND TOWN

BY NIKKI M. MURRY

Fall and pumpkin spice are practically synonymous, right? To that end, we’ve found a few traditional, and not-so-traditional places you can visit to get your pumpkin fix before the season comes to a close.

1Muddy Creek Soap Company. Visit this Penn Avenue, West Reading business in person or online for their handcrafted pumpkin spice soap and you can wear a bit of the season. 610.816.7474 muddycreeksoapcompany.com

2Oasis Dog Spa & Shoppe. Pups love pumpkin, too. Head to this Muhlenberg Township shop for Bark Bistro’s Pooch Pancakes in Pumpkin Pup, $12.99, and pair with Bark Bistro Buddy Butter in the same flavor, $13.99, and the two of you can enjoy a seasonal brunch together. 610.816.5492 | oasisdogspa.com

3Rise Up Nutrition. Who said pumpkin spice can’t be healthy? Pop in to the West Reading location for a smoothie that’s just 200 calories with 20 grams of protein. 484.987.2842 | Facebook @riseup.nutrition.reading

4Le Petit Macaron Shoppe.Also located in West Reading, the sweet spot offers more than their famous Macaron. Stop in for a treat in the form of their specialty seasonal pumpkin spice cupcakes available in regular and mini sizes. 484.797.0525 | lepetitmacaronshoppe.com

5Paisley & Company. Head to Main Street in Kutztown and make your favorite products in a pumpkin spice scent with their fragrance bar. Among your options: body lotions, washes, mists, foaming soaps, soy candles and more. 484.646.9515 | paisleyandcompany.com 6Wild Sage Coffee & Kitchen. Visit the downtown Reading cafe for your pumpkin spice latte fix. Sometimes nothing beats a classic, and a hot, caffeinated drink can be the perfect start to your day. 484.755.5454 wildsagecoffeeandkitchen.com

7The Bridge Inn Pleasantville. Want to treat yourself to a decadent dinner? Visit The Bridge Inn Pleasantville for their seasonal special Pumpkin Risotto Scallop entree. Save room for dessert and order the pumpkin cheesecake. 610.689.5818 | bridgeinnpleasantville.com

8Weaver’s Orchard. If you’re in the market for pumpkin baked goods, visit for pumpkin pie, pumpkin muffins, pumpkin roll and pumpkin walnut cookies, too. Pick up something for yourself and to share with a friend! 610.856.7300 | weaversorchard.com

9Broken Chair Brewery. If you like a bit of pumpkin in your beer, head here for their seasonal Pimpin’ Pumpkin Ale brewed with spiced, pure pumpkin puree and toasted specialty malts for an added touch of sweetness. 12-ounce: $5, 16-ounce: $6, 32-ounce can: $10 or 64-ounce growler fill: $14. brokenchairbrewery.com

10Candy’s Homemade Ice Cream. From kiddie scoops to sundaes and more, patronize this Shoemakersville shop for pumpkin and pumpkin cheesecake flavored ice cream – soft serve and hard varieties. 610.562.1620 | Facebook @CandysHomemadeIceCream

The Benefits of Shopping Small

BY AARON GANTZ, Senior Director of Economic Development, Greater Reading Chamber Alliance

We are officially in the holiday season – it seems to sneak up faster every year! We are all making our lists and checking them twice for family and friends (and maybe yourself, too). I hope you will consider shopping small all year round, but especially during the holiday season. Throughout the pandemic, so many of our local small businesses have shown their resiliency, commitment to community, and have innovated in ways that have made it easier to shop small and local more than ever.

Shopping small and local has many benefits, including:

∙ Strengthening the economy – local businesses recirculate a greater share of every dollar in the local economy through taxes, jobs and supply chains than large, big-box stores. ∙ Sense of place – small businesses add to the vibrancy and character of our community. In addition to many small businesses throughout the community, Berks County boasts five

Main Street areas that boast public art, unique shops, restaurants and community events –

Boyertown, Downtown Reading, Hamburg,

Kutztown and West Reading. Our community is also rich in agricultural-based businesses, which means we can eat hyper-local, too! ∙ Connection – shopping small and local allows for greater connection with business owners and their employees, neighbors and the community at large. I cannot tell you how many times I have been in a small business and multiple people I know come in to shop.

It’s always a wonderful way to quickly catch up and reconnect. ∙ Thriving small businesses encourages entrepreneurship – when entrepreneurs see that other entrepreneurs are successful and supported, they are more likely to open their own business.

In addition to financially supporting our small business community, there are other ways you can show your support:

∙ Find the business on social media and like, comment and share their posts. ∙ Write a positive review on Google, Yelp and/ or social media. ∙ Join their email lists. ∙ Become a cheerleader; tell your family and friends and tag them in posts.

There is no downside to shopping locally. We have made it really easy to find unique gifts by paging through this gift guide. You can also check out rebuildberks.com/shop-local for numerous local shopping resources, including the Berks Agricultural Resource Network (B.A.R.N.) Gift Guide to create the ultimate farm-to-table experience this holiday season and beyond.

From corner diners and antique shops to farmers markets, Berks County is full of great, small businesses that deserve and need your patronage. These businesses are the lifeblood of our community. Keep business local; watch Berks thrive!

UPCOMING EVENT

Women2Women - Showing Up for Other Women Panel: Nov. 9, 10-11:30am. De Mujer a Mujer - Inclusive Workspaces Require BRAVE Leaders: Nov. 11, 10-11:30am. Family Business Alliance (FBA) Fall Forum: Nov. 17, 3-5pm. Register for any – or all – of these events at greaterreading.org.

GIVE THE GIFT OF UNIQUE SNACKS

THIS HOLIDAY.

1-888-477-5487 • uniquesnacks.com

MADE IN THE MADE IN THE USA USA

Customized Corporate Gifting Holiday Gifts for All Shop Local this Holiday Season

Visit Our Store Across From Fairgrounds Farmer’s Market at 215 E. Bellevue Avenue, Reading, PA 19605

to see our full selection of gift items.

Open M-F 8:30 a.m. - 5:30 p.m. Sat. 8:30 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. Closed Sundays. Extended Holiday hours will vary.