Church Street Market, a  cafe where people can buy locally-sourced products and made-from-scratch meals, opened on Friday, Mar. 30, in downtown Bethlehem.

Church Street Market is owned by Genevieve Marcon, a resident of the historic Church Street neighborhood, who said she was inspired to open a local market because she wanted to “have a nice place to go to get freshly-made items like sandwiches, bread, prepared meals, and other farmers’ market fare.”

When the building, which was previously an antique shop and more recently, The Warren Salon, went up for sale, Marcon knew it was the right time and place to open her market.

“You can come all year round, and I just think we deserve to have a space where people can meet up with friends and enjoy a welcoming environment within the community,” said Marcon.

The market supports local business, as all of their products come from the Lehigh Valley and everything is made from scratch. Some of the businesses that supply their products include Klein Farms Dairy & Creamery (cream), Valley Milkhouse (cheese), Wild Fox Farm (produce), and Monocacy Coffee Co.

Other local contributors include La Colombe, the Granola Factory, Peaceful Nutrition (honey), Bethlehem’s Sweet Doe Bakery, as well as Perkasie’s Bread Box & Bakery, which produces an assortment of breads, croissants, and pastries , according to the Morning Call. In addition, their merchandise is screen-printed by Soul Surfer Screen Printing of  Bethlehem.

Inside, the atmosphere is bright, airy, and inviting. There are a few bar stools at the window counters, as well as a high top  in the middle of the store where customers can stand and enjoy their treats. The store offers daily breakfast, lunch, and dinner specials that are posted to the business’ Facebook and Instagram pages.

While the food was delicious (I ordered the ham, egg, and cheese sandwich on a Brioche bun) and the coffee was smooth and full-bodied, seating and meal options were limited. Because the space is small, there is not a great deal of room for additional “market fare,” such as free-range eggs, a variety of produce, or other items. Their freshly-baked bread looked fabulous, as did their homemade jams and condiments, but overall, the selection was not as large as I expected.

Additionally, I was surprised to see plastic cutlery, items packaged in plastic, and paper napkins that seemed to contradict the goal for sustainable and locally-sourced products.

However, given that they recently opened, I am confident that they will be able to increase their inventory or even expand in the near future. Bethlehem is in need of a good local market, and Church Street Market delivered!

Plus, the location on the corner across from the Bethlehem Area Public Library serves as a special bonus for students who live on South Campus, which no longer provides hot breakfast for residents. The menu items and made-to-go meals are reasonably priced, since the pre-made meals are meant to serve two people, and everything looked fresh and home-grown.

The merchandise includes reusable canvas totes and wine bags, T-shirts, coffee mugs, and other regalia. I definitely recommend a trip to this local cafe, as it encourages a sense of community and sustainability, and you can feel confident knowing the food is always fresh.

The Church Street Market address is 1 East Church St. Bethlehem, PA 18018. The Market is open Tuesday through Friday, 7:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., and Saturdays from 8:30 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. For more information, follow them on Facebook; and Instagram, or give them a call at 610-419-0446.