EASTON, Pa. — Easton Public Market,which in 2023 won USA Today 10BEST Readers' Choice Awards' Best Public Market, is looking to bring the top spot back home in 2025.
The market, which beat out Reading Terminal Market in Philadelphia and Seattle’s famed Pike Place Market in 2023, again is up for the award.
And the nomination comes as it announced new vendors and expanded offerings.
Supporters can vote for the market once per day through April 14.USA Today's 10Best Readers' Choice Awards
Heading into the spring, the market is ushering in a fresh era for food fanatics with the openings of Houseplanted, Crêpes at Casa, Centre Square Cheese and Mangia Carne.
Voters can cast their ballots for public markets in the contest that were nominated by a panel of experts that included USA Today editors as well as editors from 10Best.com.
Supporters can vote for the market once per day through April 14.
New entries
While many customers are familiar with staple spots such as Chocodiem, with its indulgent confections; Highmark Farmstand and its fresh, local produce; and More Than Q Barbecue’s classic brisket, the new entries may bring in more curious palates.
Andrea Rincon, known for her Queso at Casa and Casa 401 restaurants, will offer her newest venture in Crêpes at Casa.
It will offer the French staple with creative new takes both sweet and savory. The new flavors will include Latin American influence.
“Easton Public Market and GEDP are excited to welcome an incredible mix of new vendors who will enhance the market’s already dynamic offerings."Greater Easton Development Partnership Executive Director Jared Mast
Centre Square Cheese, a husband-and-wife specialty shop run by Ron and Jennifer Rittenhouse, will open in early May.
The duo intend to offer up a specially curated selection of artisanal cheeses, premium olive oils and gourmet cheese charcuterie.
Perhaps the most anticipated opening at the market is Mangia Carne, led by master butcher Mark Citera of Citera Family Meat Market and MasterChef winner Luca Manfé.
The team plans to bring a collection of premium Italian meats, sandwiches and prepared foods for connoisseurs, along with old-world butchery and modern cuisine.
Greater Easton Development Partnership Executive Director Jared Mast said, “Easton Public Market and GEDP are excited to welcome an incredible mix of new vendors who will enhance the market’s already dynamic offerings.
“From gourmet cheese to expertly crafted crepes, top-tier Italian meats, and lush greenery, EPM continues to be a destination for both food lovers and shoppers."
Old favorites
Chocodiem front-of-house worker Xavier Gatto said the gourmet dessert shop is a treasure that exemplifies the market.
“We’re the only designer chocolate shop around here," Gatto said: "Nobody else has these designer truffles we have. We hand make it all, hand paint everything, and we make our own models as well.
“All of our stuff is super, super unique to us.”
“Easton is a really small town... Now, we’re getting more open, more out into the rest of the Lehigh Valley, and that’s really, really cool."Chocodiem front-of-house worker Xavier Gatto
Gatto said the nomination for the USA Today award was “overwhelming, in a way,” but an honor nonetheless.
“Easton is a really small town," he said. "I mean, it’s popular, but we have a tight-knit community. Now, we’re getting more open, more out into the rest of the Lehigh Valley, and that’s really, really cool."
And the offerings at Easton Public Market aren’t limited to food.
Not only food
Houseplanted, a favorite spot for plant lovers throughout the Lehigh Valley, is relocating to the market, bringing with it a lush selection of greenery and plan-care essentials.
Houseplanted owner Alyssa Higgins just recently moved into the market, and said she already loves the vibe.
Higgins hand-selects her plants from the middle of the state, carefully cultivating the atmosphere for the foliage.
"And this is kind of like a full circle moment for me in the best way — some people here have been here the whole time, some are new, just like me."Houseplanted owner Alyssa Higgins
She even goes the extra mile to create custom care tags, telling the customer of the plant’s safety for pets, and instructions to let it thrive.
On top of that, Higgins has pots and soil to create your own craft garden.
“I couldn't be happier," Higgins said. "It was a scary move, as anything is when you do it. But I've never really felt more supported during a scary time than I do here.
"So I really do feel like I found my spot when I first moved to Easton upwards of 10 years ago.
“This was my first job, in the market. I didn't know anybody, and I kind of just dove into the community.
"And this is kind of like a full circle moment for me in the best way — some people here have been here the whole time, some are new, just like me.
"So having that mix, I think, is pretty unique and very special to me.”
Best of the best
On a recent visit, market patrons and customers seemed to indicate the market has a strong chance.
Lafayette University student Matteo Fong, who was enjoying brisket and Cajun wings with a side of collard greens with bacon and garlic, said the market is a go-to spot for him.
“The brisket is great at the barbecue spot, and the food is the freshest of anywhere in downtown Easton," Fong said. "There’s no reason not to go."
Houseplanted's Higgins said the keystone element for Easton Public Market comes from the community feel.
"It really is unique and something that you don't find anywhere else.”Houseplanted owner Alyssa Higgins
“It’s so community-supported — whether that’s through artists, whether that’s through music during brunch or the weekends, whether that’s people putting their heart into things that go into other businesses in our area,” she said.
“And I think it's really driven by love and passion in individual ways which all come together, which is so cool.
"The amount of vendors that were excited for me to be in here because it's someone else in here that helps them as well, it’s so special. I know I'm saying that a lot, but it really is.
"It really is unique and something that you don't find anywhere else.”
