Over the River and Down Main Street ...

Over the river and down Main Street.

Well, that’s not exactly how the song goes, but it’s how you go to New Hope! 

Just a quick 35-minute jaunt across the state line from Hillsborough lies the little town I drove to on 11/11/11 to do something different. I ventured to New Hope, Pennsylvania. OK, so it’s not that different for me to go there; I’ve been there countless times before. However, every time I go it seems I discover a new store or restaurant and, even since the last time I was there a few months ago, it seems as if some storefronts have mysteriously evaporated, while some new and very interesting ones have taken their places. And then there are the long time tried and true landmarks that I hope remain forever.

New Hope is a great historic town for some sightseeing, antiquing, kayaking or viewing a play at the Bucks County Playhouse. But on this trip, I was on a mission. I wanted to get a head start on my Christmas shopping. Every year I’m at a loss what to get those people on my list where no gift seems quite right, yet gift cards or money don’t exactly express the sentiment I want to convey either. This is where I felt in New Hope I would find the treasures I sought. 

New Hope is known for being very eclectic.  It’s a mix of the old and antique, with the new and trendy.  It melds the biker bars with the hookah shops, Wiccan stores with the tattoo and piercing places, there’s a year-round Christmas shop, and some of the best restaurants are nestled in the nooks and crannies of the old riverside town. I mean, where else can you get an authentic Indian henna tattoo painted on, and then take mere steps down the street to taste some of the most decadent chocolate-covered bacon, potato chips, and Twinkies in town?

My friend Jennifer Eichenbaum joined me in a day of decadence across the state line, and our first stop was the Shop of India on Main Street.  On trips past I have gotten those henna tattoos painted on my body here, but it was a bit too cold outside this time for me to get one and let it dry in the chilly air without putting my coat back on first—which would smear the design. Among the Indian garb we found what appeared to be a belly-dancing outfit, some wool hats with ear flaps in an assortment of animal designs, some fragrant incense, and a few tattoos to take home and try.

As we meandered down the main street we stopped in Bow Wow, where they feature everything canine and a few things feline. We were glad to see that a few dogs were shopping in the store as well. If you need anything in any breed, come here. They have everything from sports teams’ jerseys for your pooch, to breed-specific matching salt and pepper shakers, and what appears to be a dog cookie buffet lining almost the entire length of one wall.

No trip to New Hope is complete without stopping in Gypsy Heaven. This is primarily a Wiccan store, but don’t let that scare you off. Everyone can use a little more prosperity, protection, or magical influence in their lives from time to time, so if you need to pick up a few spell candles or herbal ingredients, this is your place. They are also well-stocked in all things fairy, carry books on the subject of spell crafting, have a wide selection of tarot cards, and sell aromatic oils for either your altar or conveying a pleasantly scented atmosphere in your home.

At this point we were getting hungry so when we saw the sign outside of Country Fair Chocolates, which said they have chocolate-covered bacon, we charged through the door. I have had chocolate-covered bacon in the past, but Jen was new to this experience. Needless to say she loved it.  That Depeche Mode lyric “I Just Can’t Get Enough” goes through your head as you eat it. 

We also learned what “Hedgehogs” are. This is Country Fair Chocolates’ trademark confection. They are marshmallows half-dipped in caramel, coated with toasted coconut, and have tiny chocolate faces painted on them. They look just like hedgehogs.

After speaking to the woman behind the counter, we learned that Hedgehogs were created by accident. I’m beginning to think that some of the best things in life are! Her mother wanted caramel-dipped marshmallows, but they were not conducive to packaging. The caramel would stick to the plastic wrappers. So to offset the stickiness, the toasted coconut was used to cover the caramel; and Hedgehogs were born.  They are sold two to a package and are very cute as you can see in one of my photos.  Oh, and they are scrumptious to boot!

In my pursuit of presents, we went into  A Mano Galleries and were greeted by tropical tunes playing which instantly took the chill off our minds from the cold outside. The music also complemented the bright island colors of the lacquered artwork, plaques, and furniture upon entering the gallery/store. They sell everything from artistic clocks, to one-of-a-kind colored wine glasses, to hand-carved cherry wood utensils, to wind chimes, to jewelry, and hand stamped cards here. My list could go on. Everything is handmade with a unique quality where whatever you buy can not be found elsewhere in mass-produced quantities. For me, this was a shopping paradise. I always like to get people things that you can’t find in a mainstream mall; this is also why I am seen at street and craft fairs in search of items that are not “Made in Taiwan”.

We made one more stop at the Heart of the Home before downing some dinner.  This is a place where you can find locally made scented soaps and candles, all things Zen-rific, humorous books, hand stitched scarves, gloves, and sweaters, a few toys for tots, wooden hand-carved bookmarks, herb gardens that grow from re-used colorful wine bottles, and fancy marble cheeseboards—just to name a very few of the many American-made items that they carry. Without divulging exactly what I purchased here for fear of spoiling the surprise for some of my recipient readers, let’s just say I scored, and crossed many what-to-get-for-who’s off my Christmas list at this store.

Jen and I decided we required wine with our dinner and we had patroned Marcella’s Restaurant once before, a few seasons ago.  We decided to go back there again, partly for the ambiance, and partly for the food. It was chilly outside as the sun was setting, so the idea of sitting in front of a wood-burning fire, and warming up while we enjoyed some cabernet and conversation sounded like a perfect way to end our day of shopping.  Each of us had an armload of bags as we were seated right in front of the blazing fireplace, and the waitress offered us a choice of wines by the glass. Marcella’s reminded us of an old-time tavern. The lights were dim but created a cozy feeling, which was inviting to people like us who wanted to come on in out of the cold.

We shared beef carpaccio, sliced razor-blade thin, topped with a dusting of pistachios, which paired amazingly with our first sips of a very good cabernet.  Although it was not quite officially dinnertime yet, I inquired if I could have the scallops with the truffled potatoes for my entrée from the dinner menu. The chef was walking past our table at the time and graciously accommodated my request!

I was thrilled as I wanted something a little more substantial than the late lunch menu offerings—those those were also very good! Jen had the Lobster Cobb Stacked Salad which was anything but a plate full of lettuce.  As a matter of fact, the bacon, eggs, avocado, lobster chunks, gorgonzola cheese, and tomatoes did not include a bit of lettuce in their towering structure.  The food is served classically elegant and the portions are human-size.  Presentation is palette-enticing.  You will feel fed but not stuffed.  The food speaks for itself here and the service is attentive and friendly.

So if you’re looking to get some shopping done, want to try a new place for dinner,  have an inkling for some inking, or even a passion for some piercing, New Hope may just be your place for a quick day trip escape.