Greater Reading Chamber Commerce Quarterly Fall 2017 - 54

in your community

M a i n

S t r e e t

P r o g r a m s

Kutztown:

Where There is Truly
Something for Everyone
Sandy Green, Mayor - Kutztown, and VP - Kutztown Community Partnership

n July, the Kutztown Kruizz transforms
downtown Kutztown into a car enthusiast's
dream. Classic automobiles parade down
Main Street, giving spectators a glimpse into
a bygone era. The following month, 'Dinner
on Main' gives gourmands something to
celebrate, as local vendors, restaurants and
wineries serve their most popular fare. At
Christmas, downtown Kutztown becomes
a winter wonderland, complete with horsedrawn carriages and hot cocoa. The architect
of these events is the Kutztown Community
Partnership (KCP), a nonprofit organization
which unites community members, students,
local business owners and Kutztown University
(KU) in their mission to highlight Kutztown's
hidden gems. In short, KCP is where the
magic happens.
"We have incredible volunteers who
absolutely love this community and are so
passionate about it," said Sandy Green, mayor
of Kutztown and KCP vice president. "You
can see their enthusiasm in the process of revitalizing and restoring
our downtown. They care about Kutztown."

bar, and Lisa Oswald's Sorrelli jewelry store.
In Kutztown, many of the small business owners live in the community, and
take advantage of its close proximity to
Reading, Allentown, Harrisburg and New
York City. Trade shows, conferences and
entrepreneurship seminars are nearby, and
at 'home' the KCP takes an active role in
promoting local businesses, both through
events and via their website's blog, which
highlights yearly festivities and the borough's
commerce and eateries. The KCP is vital
in marketing the neighborhood and its
amenities to people of all ages and with
diverse pursuits. Wine connoisseurs have
approximately five local wineries to choose
from; train-spotters [and their children]
can experience scenic excursions on the
Allentown and Auburn Railroad; and spelunkers can visit the historic Crystal Cave
Park from March through November.
With something to appeal to everyone,
Kutztown is rapidly becoming a destination, and the KCP is working
on accelerating the town's rising trajectory. Current initiatives include
applying for a grant to repurpose selected student housing into
single-family homes; focusing on economic development and retail
recruitment; developing a strategic plan; and increasing sponsorship.

Mayor Green credits the KCP for fostering one of the best town
and gown relationships in the commonwealth. It's the liaison between
'town and gown', she says, and the partnership between the university
and the borough, which make Kutztown a wonderful place to live,
"I love this town - I wouldn't live anywhere else," Green confided.
work and play. The alliance fostered by KCP doesn't only bring KU "Our organization is growing stronger. In the future, we're hoping to
students into the borough - it keeps them coming back after gradu- introduce an incubator space for small businesses, studio space for
ation - both for annual events and career opportunities. Kutztown's an art gallery, and maybe even a gift shop showcasing products made
downtown features at least two KU-owned specialty shops, including in Pennsylvania. We have focus, which is vital."
Joanne Lapic's Paisley & Company, a bath boutique and fragrance

54 COMMERCE QUARTERLY FALL 2017

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Greater Reading Chamber Commerce Quarterly Fall 2017