Shamokin restaurants: We’re open – eat local

Shamokin restaurants and breweries want the public to know that even with the pandemic’s restrictions, they are open with outdoor and indoor dining options.

SEDA-Council of Governments (SEDA-COG), a community and economic development agency, has an office in Shamokin to coordinate revitalization efforts. SEDA-COG Revitalization Coordinator Betsy Kramer reviewed some restaurants’ outdoor seating expansion plans for the city to help ensure the aesthetics meet a revitalization plan that is being finalized.

HERITAGE RESTAURANT

Heritage Restaurant’s outdoor expansion fits with the revitalization plan and adds 13 outdoor tables at 52 N. Market St. and live music every Saturday night.

They offer “great food” like Bangin’ Shrimp, scallops, poutine, steaks, seafood, and more, said owner Kathy Vetovich.

“It’s a really cool vibe outside with plenty of atmosphere on our patio including signs from old Shamokin businesses,” Vetovich said. “It’s a destination.”

On display inside are vintage artifacts of days gone by of Shamokin like posters of a theater and a faux brick wall of the Fun Shop, a building that burned down several years ago.

She’s “born and bred” in Shamokin and a mural of her grandfather and her husband’s grandfather – both miners – is painted on her restaurant.

Vetovich started “rebuilding Shamokin one ugly building at a time” in 2014. She’s rejuvenated six buildings so far. The Heritage Restaurant was dilapidated, but she saw its potential in its tin ceilings and size. “It was an eyesore, but it had to be a gorgeous restaurant,” she said.

“I saw the demise of my hometown and I really couldn’t stand it,” she said. She wanted to stay and reinvest in the area where she knew people and people knew her.

One of the buildings she bought was the former Trinity Episcopal Church at 150 E. Liberty St. One of several offerings it will house is BAMSE Coffee and Roasters, a dog-friendly coffee shop. Its grand opening is 6:30 a.m. to 7 p.m. this weekend, Aug. 15 and 16. Regular hours will be 6 a.m. to 7 p.m. daily.

“This dog-friendly coffee shop is another opportunity for Shamokin to be a little distinct,” she said.

MAURER’S DAIRY AND ICE CREAM SHOPPE

Maurer’s Dairy and Ice Cream Shoppe at 34 S. Market St. offers daily outdoor barbeques of smoked chicken wings with picnic table seating.

“We put the wings on the grill, and they taste like no one else’s,” said owner Ken Bethge.

Besides the bar inside, they offer a pared down menu of freshly made sandwiches, burgers, soups, baked beans, coleslaw, and more.

Their ice cream features unique flavors like Bittersweet, their version of chocolate chip. They top it with a decadent 14% butter fat.

“We melt chocolates together and dump them into the hopper. When it splatters into the hopper, it gets into little pieces and you get a lot of chocolate in every bite. It’s a unique chocolate with a unique taste and it’s delicious and rich,” Bethge said.

Their ice cream cake sales have increased because of people celebrating more at home, he said.

From March to June, he offered free breakfast to serve the people of Shamokin. He started by delivering milk to schools, then expanded it to serving food to anyone in need thanks to donations.

“I always knew there was good people in this town, but it really hit home when we did the free breakfast here when people came out of the woodwork and dropped food and cash off – including other businesses,” Bethge said. “I’m totally shocked what the Coal region and people out of the area did.

“I want to keep thanking everybody who has kept helping us throughout this. They keep coming here – we’ll deliver curbside or outside. People are still supporting us and I’m thankful and without people, we wouldn’t be in business,” Bethge said.

Love drew Bethge to the area. Originally from the Bronx, he met a Shamokin woman and moved to Trevorton. He bought Maurer’s in 1993.

LOST MINED BREWING COMPANY & RESTAURANT

Dennis Kaleta has poured himself and his family’s mining heritage into his business, the Lost Mined Brewing Company & Restaurant at 100 S. Market St.

His grandfather worked in the Shamokin mines and was a bootlegger. Some artifacts in the restaurant are from his family with many others from the area.

“Nothing is fake; it’s all actual items that were used in the area,” Kaleta said. “Some are from ruins; others were given by customers.”

His outdoor dining seating has a planter made with an old tin roof he found in the area. They offer live music every Sunday night, supporting local artists.

They have a 30-tap system they made themselves and plan on putting 20 of their own beers on tap starting before year’s end. They have freshly cut French fries and homemade sauces and dressings to complement their full restaurant menu.

He started out in the home-brewing business 18 years ago and wanted to add variety to the local market. Now, he wants to add to the city.

“I believe in rebuilding this city,” Kaleta said.

COVERED BRIDGE BREWHAUS & TAPROOM

Covered Bridge Brewhaus & Taproom at 506 N. 8th St. also has outdoor and indoor dining. They offer about 25 new original beers a year like strubarb, a strawberry rhubarb beer; bragot made with local honey; cherry triple; and their flagship beer, coconut porter. They have 12 beers on tap along with wine from Kulpmont Winery, local spirits, and mixed drinks. Customers can take out beer in growlers, cans, and bottles.

“It’s my passion for beer and to try to create a European setting,” said owner Eric Kuijpers, who is originally from Holland. “My favorite beer is the next one; I always like to experiment.”

The Brewhaus has about 10 rotating food trucks that come and offer a variety of food like burgers, grilled cheese, BBQ, Mexican, and more.

It has three connected storefronts made into a taproom, a Speak Easy, and a parlor.

Originally from Neeritter in southern Holland, coming to Shamokin was “just a little adventure that turned into a longer stay,” Kuijpers said. “I started with some friends in the PA-Alers, a local homebrew club, maybe 15 years ago. I enjoy making different beers and sharing it with people.”

Plan Go Shamokin & Rebuilding Our Community Public Workshop on Feb. 11th

The Shamokin Area Partnership for Revitalization, a joint effort between SEDA-COG and the City of Shamokin, is pursuing various revitalization efforts within the City of Shamokin including the development of an Implementation Plan for Economic Revitalization called “Plan Go Shamokin.” It is an initiative especially focused on spurring greater economic activity in the city’s downtown.

The outcome of the 6-month planning process will be a 5-year action plan with a targeted set of implementation strategies and projects. The plan is focusing on identifying truly tangible and transformation recommendations.

The Plan Go Shamokin project is being led by the firm Stromberg/Garrigan & Associates, who was retained by the Partnership to facilitate the planning process, including public engagement and plan preparation. In addition, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Office of Environmental Justice is undertaking a coordinated effort focused on Rebuilding Our Community. A meeting will be held the evening of Tuesday, February 11th from 4:00PM to 6:30PM at Mother Cabrini Church Basement, 201 N. Shamokin Street, Shamokin, PA 17872. The community is strongly encouraged to attend. RSVPs should be submitted to saberevents@goshamokin.com.

Project updates and notifications of future meetings are available at GoShamokin.com and the GoShamokin Facebook page.

For more information please contact: Betsy Kramer at: bkramer@seda-cog.org or (570) 524-4491 ext. 7203

Go Shamokin!

Shamokin residents may receive no-cost home repairs

The City of Shamokin anticipates applying for a 2020 $500,000 housing rehabilitation grant next year, and city residents are encouraged to apply now to get on the waiting list to receive no-cost home repairs.

Homeowners within the city limits may be eligible to receive up to $65,000 in home improvements from the HOME Existing Owner-Occupied Housing Program.

Interested residents may call SEDA-COG’s Danielle King at 800-326-9310.

Eligible repairs include structural, roofing, plumbing, electrical, heating/furnace, window replacement, radon and lead-based paint mitigation, and energy-related improvements. Also included are modifications for mobility-impaired residents. There is no cost to homeowners who maintain home residency over a five-year period from the date of signing.

Homeowners can go through the process hassle-free with SEDA-Council of Governments (SEDA-COG) managing it from start to finish, said Teri Provost, director of the agency’s Housing Rehabilitation program.

“We make the process easy for the homeowner and manage it from start to finish,” Provost said.

Qualifications:

  • Own the home or have Life Rights to live in it;
  • Meet income qualifications based on household size;
  • Be current on local taxes and municipal utility bills;
  • Provide proof of homeowner’s insurance;
  • Live in the home an additional five years.

Additional requirements may apply.

Annual Gross Income Limits:
Family size: 1 – $35,400; 2 – $40,450; 3 – $45,500; 4 – $50,550; 5 – $54,600; 6 – $58,650; 7 – $62,700; 8 – $66,750.