Throwing a net around town...

Allentown Village Hardware is full of new surprises this year. For one thing, a fresh produce stand graced the front of the store this summer, where customers could stop by and select fresh, ripe, Jersey tomatoes and bell peppers among other vegetable offerings. Owner Brian Swal said that the Farm Stand did so well this summer he plans to offer it again next year. In the rear of the building, two large tents were chock full of flowers and plants in the new garden center. In fact, if you’ve noticed the large garden containers at businesses throughout Allentown borough, they were created by our friends at Allentown Hardware. And you can stop in and have one made especially for you.

Swal, has been running the store for two and a half years now, and has lots of plans for the future. “There has been a hardware store here for the last 100 years,” Swal proudly told me during my recent visit. “The previous owner was here for 24 years and the one before him more than 70 years.” Swal seems eager to continue this legacy.

One of the things he is most excited about is his complete line of Benjamin Moore paints. “When I first entered the store I noticed the whole right wall has a new display with paint chips containing every color under the sun,” commented customer Lisa Herrera who is planning to re-paint her bathroom. “I especially like the idea of the new eco friendly paints from Benjamin Moore. And I like that you can ask questions here and get good answers from knowledgeable people,” Herrera said about Allentown Village Hardware. She also likes that they sell small sample jars of many colors so she can try out a few before making her final choice.

Allentown Village Hardware opens at 7:30am for early risers and folks who want to get an early start on their home projects. They plan to be open this weekend during the Harvest Festival and welcome anyone to stop in to check out the new Benjamin Moore paints.