Tag: wolfandwebb

Where Have You Bean?

Are you a coffee lover, or do you enjoy trying great pastries? Maybe you like getting out once a week to support a local business…whatever your motivation may be, look no further because I have some spaces you must add to your list of places to try! 

The first is Geneva Bakery Cafe located at 6030 Lemon Street in East Petersburg. The owner has been baking since they were a little girl, and oh can you tell. Their cookies, pastries, pies and desserts are magnificent! This is a great spot if you are looking to celebrate someone or something special to order a cake from. Their pies are made from homemade butter gram cracker or flaky crust your choice, they also have delicious dessert bars from brownies in different flavors to lemon bars, shortbread and more. Their scones are seasonally flavored and their muffins come in a variety of flavors as well. This is the spot for your Sunday morning bakery needs that is for sure! If you are going in to pick up one of their delicious cheesecakes or an assortment of cookies you must get one of their drinks for the road. They have a variety of hot and cold drinks from coffee, cold brew and lemonade. What is so great is that their drinks use house made syrups!! If you are a latte fan look no further and be sure to grab one of their incredible treats for the road or maybe a few! 

Are you looking for the perfect spot to get together with friends for a delcious cup of coffee? Look no further than 29 East King Street. There you will find New Holland Coffee Co. a light and bright space that is serving up mouth watering drinks, delicious meals, breath taking flowers and events to enjoy for the community. You will not be disappointed by your trip to New Holland Coffee, one thing that makes them unique is that their pastries are made in shop each meeting someone’s cravings for sweets. Did you just get back from your first New Holland experience and are now in love? Don’t worry take New Holland with you by buying their coffee in bulk or bring New Holland to your next event by food truck! You heard that right, are you having a brunch this spring or hosting a bridal shower, baby shower or birthday? What better way than having your favorite spot right in your backyard! Their mission to provide “a gathering place for all who want to experience high-quality coffee, delicious food, and excellent service” can not hold more true from the minute you walk in the door to the minute you finish your last sip!

Main Street Cafe is located 2384 New Holland Pike Mondays through Thursdays from 11:00am-3:00pm. They are the perfect spot to not only enjoy a coffee but a great lunch from picking one of their soups, sandwiches or salads. When you go to order a coffee or one of their crafted specials you are having locally sourced coffee, isn’t that great! If you are not a coffee drinker the Cafe offers organic teas, smoothies and frappuccinos if you are looking for some frozen options. They have a breakfast menu that is served all day, maybe you are treating yourself to lunch and a coffee midway through the work week, this is the perfect spot to get you that caffeine pick me up and a delicious breakfast sandwich for lunch…because you can enjoy breakfast at any point in the day! The atmosphere at the cafe is wonderful, it is inviting and peaceful, be sure to try it soon!

Located in four different locations across Lancaster County is Coffee Co. They have been around since 1983 one of the first shops in Lancaster! Coffee Co. has been providing Lancaster residents and visitors a wonderful atmosphere and experience for years! Their locations offer breakfast, sandwiches, salads, drinks and of course coffees. What is great about Coffee Co. is they also offer a seasonal menu for specials. This is a fun way to try something new both through an entree or drink. They have coffee, lattes, Americanos, iced and cold drinks to choose from. Three different sizes to pick and a variety of milks and flavors to add and make it your own.  A few creative flavors they have are irish cream, toasted marshmallow, english toffee and butter rum. If you are not a coffee drinker don’t worry they have an assortment of teas, smoothies, juice, lemonades and hot chocolates to enjoy. After trying out one of their locations be sure to pick up some of their beans and enjoy some coffee at home during the work week!

Cafe One Eight is located at 18 West Orange Street with a mission based on faith and bringing the community together. They focus on three values, hospitality, quality and community. These three values you can truly see and feel when you step into their space. The Cafe offers, breakfast, lunch, dinner and drinks. With a variety of options on the menu you can enjoy a charcuterie board, sandwich, wrap, salad, soup or burrito. Their food is delicious, using some local ingredients like yogurt! If you are enjoying a great book or a long visit with a friend you have the option for bottomless coffee, this is a fun way to enjoy all the coffee you want while being at the cafe. They also offer specialty drinks like cappuccinos, cold brew, lattes and espresso. If you are meeting a friend for a drink and coffee is not your thing you definitely have some wonderful options like hot chocolate, teas, smoothies and kombucha on tap! The cafe is a great spot to meet a friend or enjoy a quick lunch after a morning out. 

Located on King Street and Plum Street is Passenger Coffee. No matter the location you go to you will be walking into an inviting space that provides you with a variety of equitably sourced products to enjoy! They have been listed as one of  Pennsylvanias and America’s Best Coffee Shops in 2019, you won’t want to miss out on this one! Their coffee supply does change but at any time they have over 30 different coffees from across the world. They have three different flavor profiles that each coffee can fall under: lively, balanced and rich. You can also take a coffee quiz online to decide which might be right for you to try! When you visit one of the Roastery and Coffee Bars you will truly be able to enjoy each sip whether you get a latte, cappuccino or filtered coffee. Passenger also works with local cafes, restaurants, markets and groceries too so you may have already enjoyed their great coffee without even knowing it! Check out their partnerships who knows what you will find especially if you are not from Lancaster, Passenger is served across the country from places in Connecticut, California, Maryland and other great places within Pennsylvania.

Are you someone where if you could have coffee delivered to your house regularly you would? Look no further than 145 North Duke Street or 1132 Elizabeth Avenue. Square One Coffee is your answer! You can sign up for their subscription and receive coffee beans at your door twice a month! You have the option to pick how many bags you want or how often. While you can decide the blend you want to receive they also have an option for the roasters at square one to decide, this is a great way to enjoy a variety of blends regularly. If you aren’t wanting a subscription just yet go to their Duke Street location to enjoy a cup from drip coffee, lattes, cappuccinos, americanos, macchiatos and more each drink is handmade to order and a great way to enjoy a pick me up while enjoying downtown. 

The last spot I would like to share is Mean Cup located in the Lancaster Central Market as well as at 398 Harrisburg Avenue. Mean Cup offers coffee, teas, cold drinks, espresso, mochas and light grab and go options of sandwiches, salads and delicious baked goods. They partner with the Goodie Shoppe and Amaranth Bakery for their sweets. Mean Cup has options for you to substitute your milk to meet your needs from soy, almond and half/half. You can also enjoy a nice dollop of whipped cream on your drink! Their coffee is so good you may want to share it with your friends or coworkers so they offer a 160oz coffee box! Don’t forget to take it to work the next time you want to brighten everyone’s mornings or take a box home if you are having friends over for brunch. This is a wonderful way to give your guest some coffee from a local spot and who knows, it may be their first time having Mean Cup! 

The relaxing atmosphere that cafes, bakeries and coffee shops provide make them truly the best place for a work meeting, a catch up with some friends or a place to enjoy some time by yourself with a good book! A great way to support local is not only visiting these spaces but liking their social media accounts, leaving them great reviews and purchasing things like coffee beans to use at home. Local coffee shops sometimes offer loyalty or reward programs, so if you find one that is your new favorite be sure to be on the lookout for a punch card or app to download. Do you have a favorite spot to grab a quick cup that is not listed? Let me know I would love to go and try it! There are so many incredible places across Lancaster County it is one of the fun parts of living here you always find somewhere new doing something great! 

Thanks for checking out this week’s Lancaster Local Secret, did you know in Pennsylvania a fan favorite is a whoopie pie which is 2 cake like pieces with cream filling in the middle? There are SO many different flavors! Have a great week! 

 Contact Mary Sue Wolf to look at homes and properties that could bring you to try caffeine gems whenever you please. You will love it here!


For more information on wonderful homes in Lancaster County call Mary Sue at 717-333-9653 or visit her website at www.WolfandWebb.com

New Year New Home Cheer

Happy New Year to all our Lancaster Locals! May this year bring you joy, happiness and exciting times! If you have been debating buying a new home or have been wanting to move for some time now but do not know where to start? Look no further, I have compiled a helpful chart of must do’s and tips for starting the moving process. 

  1. Let’s make a plan– you are ready to list your house and move first things first is making a plan with your family. 
  2. Find a realtor agent you mesh well with– it is important to find a realtor that you can relate to, one that knows the area better than anyone else

Before continuing through the moving list I want to be sure to touch on the benefits of using a realtor when you are looking to sell or buy a home. There are many ways you can benefit from hiring a realtor and specifically it is their expertise. Expertise in finances, area, location, community, regulations, rules and more. A realtor is a licensed professional that can help guide individuals purchase, sell or rent a property. They advise their clients on the market, give guidance on how to sell their house and assist in many other ways. If you have been considering using a realtor contact me today I would be happy to talk more about my role and how I can help you! Back to our moving list…

  1. Create a timeline– it is important to create a timeline and stick to it, especially if your house has sold and you need to move out by a certain date.
  2. Set up a moving budget– by setting a moving budget you will be sure to not waste money or spend money you were not expecting to spend.
  3. I suggest you check out our declutter blog-this blog will give you some ideas for going through everything in your home, moving can be daunting but with time and focus you can really make a dent in your project of going through your things. Make separations of what is going to the new house, what is garbage and what you will donate. 
  4. Schedule-schedule times to go through your stuff, to pack, to move your things, and to donate your things. Setting up a schedule that sets aside days or times is key!
  5. Gather– start collecting supplies you will need to help you move. This can be boxes, string, tape, bubble wrap or newspapers. Knowing you will be or are planning moving you can start to collect materials or ask those you know to start saving their boxes. This is a great way to be sustainable and save time when it comes time to pack and you don’t have to worry about scrambling to get the materials.
  6. Stress less– look at and remind yourself of the bigger picture. Moving can be very stressful and daunting. It is a lot at once and at times can be a lot in a short amount of time. It is important to remind yourself of what the outcome is, your forever home! I suggest listening to music, or asking for your friends or family to come over and help pack while ordering take out! It is a great way to catch up, get some extra hands and enjoy each other’s company at times you’ll feel like it is more of a hang out and not stressing over the work.
  7. Change- Be sure you take time to change your address with all your subscriptions, bills, credit cards, jobs are aware & family is aware. Share your new address with everyone who needs it and make changes so you don’t miss bills. Take time to change your cable, wifi, license, doctors, school and phones to the new address too.
  8. Organize- Keep your boxes and bags organized during the move. It is important everything is labeled and you know where everything is going or who is taking what. You do not want to misplace any important medical documents or other personal and financial information that you need no matter where you live!

It is the day officially it is your moving day…what do you need to do?

  • Arrange for help if you have children, pets or need extra hands for the move
  • If you hired movers be sure you have cash to tip all those who helped
  • If you have friends and family helping be sure to place a takeout order to the new home so you all can eat after a hards day of work
  • Be sure to do a final clean of your old property
  • Get rid of all trash
  • Do one last walk through of the house (connect with your realtor of all last minute things you need to get done)
  • Set the thermostat to the correct temperature
  • Lower the shades or blinds
  • Lock all doors and windows
  • Leave a nice note or treat for the new homeowners 🙂 

It is time to settle in, how do you get started?

  1. First and foremost do a first go around of cleaning and a walk through of the house (with any questions that could come up reach out to your realtor for advice)
  2. Unpack the essentials first all things that are necessary for the first few days of being in your new home
  3. Plan each room-walk through the house to see what each room will be for you. Where is the den or your dining room, who gets what bedroom? 
  4. Go room by room starting with the kitchen first, setting up all your appliances and cupboards
  5. The second room or rooms to tackle are the bedrooms setting up your closets, your furniture and organizing your closets- each person should unpack their own room to truly make it their own space
  6. After the bedrooms are done the bathrooms should be the next room you start to unpack and fully stock with all necessities
  7. Do not feel pressured to rush-take time ordering new appliances or furniture should you need and enjoy the space you now get to be in every day. Take time to truly make it your space a place that meets your needs-an office, outdoor dining, cozy rooms whatever it may be! 

As we enter 2021 the year is ours with endless possibilities and opportunities. Have you been debating moving, selling your home or finding a new piece of property? Why not take that chance in 2021 and start the process…New Year New Home…Let’s Cheer! Mary Sue and Derek are both available to be the realtor to get you to the spot where you will enjoy the rest of your 2021 and wonderful years to come! 

 Contact Mary Sue Wolf to look at homes and properties within wonderful Lancaster County, as a realtor she can provide you with tips and tricks to moving and finding your forever home.  You will love it here!

For more information on wonderful homes like 679 Goose Neck Drive call Mary Sue at 717-333-9653 or visit her website at www.WolfandWebb.com

Support Local

As the days get colder and we are looking for ways to help others it is important to stay informed on what is open in our area. With restrictions and guidelines changing local businesses may have to close or change the way they are doing things. This list of businesses can help you find places to support during these uncertain times. It is important to note this list does not have all the restaurants and businesses that are open so be sure to check in with your favorite spots to see if and how you can help them!

http://palockdown.com

Walking in Lancaster Wonderland

Sleigh bells ring, are you listening? In the lane snow is glistening! A beautiful sight, we’re happy tonight walking in a Lancaster Wonderland! As we continue through the month of December and the holiday season it may be hard to get into the spirit. The weather is getting colder and amidst the pandemic it can be hard to find fun things to do. While Lancaster County has always gone above and beyond during the holidays that has not changed during the pandemic. Our favorite holiday activities, events and traditions are continuing in new, unique and safe ways! I would like to share three of my holiday favorites within Lancaster that you can enjoy with your family! 

Elizabeth Farms is a year round establishment located at 262 Hopeland Road Lititz, PA 17543. This 8th generation family owned farm is a beautiful location to buy your Christmas tree  and home to many animals including Mangalitsa pigs! These pigs are 100% natural, free range and GMO free treated. With the pandemic the farm has moved to 3 ways of distributing their products, you can pick from pick up, have it delivered or have it shipped! A great way to support local and enjoy your favorites! What makes Elizabeth special is their annual Christmas celebrations at the farm and this year is no different! Following safety procedures and protocols the farm has been able to create their wonderful holiday ambiance for so many to enjoy! This year they are pre-cutting their Christmas trees for purchase. While at the farm you can enjoy their delicious free hot chocolate stations. Their gift shop is open and full of wonderful gift ideas for those on your list! While this year they are not hosting their horse drawn wagon ride to cut your own tree it is important to note that is an annual opportunity they offer for families, be sure to check back next Christmas for hopeful rides! A family favorite of ours is their Christmas Fantasy Barn that holds their model trains, holiday window display and Santa’s workshop where you can get your photo taken with Santa! Photos are offered 10:00am-4:00pm each weekend! The farm now has transformed into a farm to table experience where their food and drinks are unlike any other! This is a great way to enjoy local draft beer, season cider and other wonderful cocktails with friends! This family owned farm is truly bringing the Christmas cheer this year! 

Another Lancaster favorite of my family’s is Hershey Park’s annual Christmas Candylane! Every year Hershey creates a light show like no other! With millions of lights this walking lane brings you to Santa his reindeer, rides and tasty treats! To maintain social distance tickets are needed to be purchased ahead of time. If you are not comfortable with walking through their Candylane Hersey is offering a drive through opportunity for families to enjoy over 600 light displays. Get your favorite cozy clothes on, stock up on your favorite chocolate treats and enjoy cruising through this winter wonderland! Not from the area or unable to do a day trip and enjoy these holiday events? Hershey is offering cookies from the Santa room package that includes free milk and cookies to enjoy as a family before, after or during your park exploration! Before heading home a must in our family is stopping at their gift shop to stock up on all our favorite sweets-these are wonderful stocking stuffers, or little extras to add to holiday gifts! 

The last holiday attraction I would like to share with you is at Stone Gables Estates. The Estates offer a variety of Christmas attractions, there is something everyone in your family will enjoy! Every Friday and Saturday from 5:00pm-9:00pm you can drive through their Christmas Lights, a beautiful trail full of bright lights! This is a 2.6 mile drive decked out in over 600,000 LED lights. On Saturdays and a few weekdays you can hop on the Santa Express and enjoy a Christmas experience through a narrated train ride, this includes holiday sing alongs, meeting Santa and enjoying delicious hot chocolate! The Estate also offers Christmas dinner at the Star Barn. This event gives you the chance to relax in a Christmas wonderland while enjoying hors d’oeuvres, and a delicious dinner. You can enjoy their gift shop, live christmas music and their village. Each of these Christmas attractions require tickets, I suggest booking in advance to ensure you and your loved ones can enjoy all that the Stone Gables Estates have to offer! 

While these are three of my favorite holiday attractions in Lancaster they are not the only ones. Be sure to check out downtown Lancaster, Lititz and other towns to enjoy their holiday season with gift shopping, enjoying their holiday decorations and local delicacies (always a great gift idea for someone you love). The holidays are always a wonderful way to get the family together, enjoy each other’s company and reflect on the year behind while looking forward to the year ahead. Get in the holiday spirit this year by trying one of the many wonderful attractions Lancaster has to offer or get creative with your family to create a new holiday tradition! Whether you and your family hop in the car to see the christmas lights, support a local business by buying one of their cookie kits or find a group of friends to host a virtual secret santa with Lancaster County is here to make this holiday season one that is unforgettable full of laughter, joy and love! 

 Contact Mary Sue Wolf to look at homes and properties that could bring you to live in our winter wonderland every year.  You will love it here!

For more information on wonderful homes call Mary Sue at 717-333-9653 or visit her website at www.WolfandWebb.com

Exploring Amish Markets & Roadstands

One of the reasons Lancaster County is a unique, vibrant place to live is because of the history of the County. One piece of history are the groups of people who live within Lancaster, the Pennsylvania Amish have been a community since the 16th century. The Amish are a religious community that live amongst one another within a simple way of living. The blend between communities amongs Lancaster County is a reason why we all love to live here. Through food, produce and materials there is a wonderful community within Lancaster County where the Pennsylvania Amish and other members in the community work together to use the local land to create and provide for one another. This week’s article I am going to dive into the Pennsylvania Amish and the wonderful items they provide for so many! A great day in Lancaster is experiencing the Pennsylvania Amish markets full of food and wonderful gift ideas! 

Pennsylvania Amish is the largest and oldest Amish community within the United States. Their religious beliefs come from within the Mennonite beliefs, though different. Their traditions focus on farming, worship within homes and not moving with modern ways of being such as use of technology or electricity. They arrived within Pennsylvania in the early 1700’s settling creating their community. The Amish community can be spotted within Lancaster County by many distinctions such as driving a horse and buggy on the streets!

One of the ways our communities flourish is through the Amish Markets, there are no better places to pick up fresh produce or delicious baked goods. Stopping over to a market on your way home from an early morning walk or to stock up for a weekend family gathering is your best bet to ensure everyone is eating with a smile on their face! With so much to choose from you are sure everyone will be satisfied. A few of my favorite market finds are 

  • Fresh Flowers
  • Homemade Jellies
  • Fruits
  • Homemade Root Beer
  • Seasonal Vegetables 
  • Whoopie Pies
  • Chicken Pot Pie
  • Baked Breads and Sweets

What is wonderful about the Amish markets are that we can buy fresh and local produce that is truly tasty! Being able to buy the local and fresh produce also gives us the advantage of consuming healthier produce since the food we are buying are not traveling to us. A few markets to check out for some Amish delicacies are:

  • Darrenkamp’s Market
  • Bird-In-Hand
  • Green Dragon Farmers Market & Auction
  • Kissel Hill Fruit Farm Orchard & Market
  • Lancaster Central Market (a historic farmer’s market in downtown Lancaster City)

While going to a market is a great way to get an array of items at one stop be sure to stop at a Roadside stand next time you pass one! Roadside stands are stands on the side of the road where you can pick up produce – literally farm to table shopping. Most roadstands are on the backroads a few of my favorite stands are:

  • Sheep Lane Produce Stand 
  • Fisher’s Festivals
  • The Corn Wagon

One way to enjoy the Amish markets or Roadstands is take your family there and pick out your produce to then create a meal together, this makes it a family affair and also a great learning opportunity for young children to cook while also learning about seasonal produce and the nutrients that come from the foods you choose to cook with. Consider trying this out, a great way to get the family together, learn a new recipe and enjoy one another’s company! 

While the markets and roadstands meet your needs for food and beautiful floral arrangements it is important to learn about the Amish delicacies and craftsmanship that you can also enjoy when in Lancaster County or take home! Let me share a few of my favorite handcrafts for you to check out:

  • Peaceful Valley Furniture offers wooden handmade furniture such as tables, chairs, bookshelves, bed frames and more! If you are new to the neighborhood or wanting to mix up your house decor look no further! Wellmade and long lasting furniture your whole family can enjoy~
  • Family Farm Quilts & Handcrafts put aside your blankets and grab an Amish quilt they are beautifully made with colors and patterns galore as well as incredibly warm. As the winter days get colder these quilts are a great gift for your holiday shopping~

While these two stores have wonderful items there are more homegoods you won’t want to miss as you explore Lancaster’s Amish shops and markets. A few of my favorite buys are:

  • Brooms
  • Baskets
  • Soaps
  • Linens
  • Pottery
  • Potholders
  • Birdhouses

A few things to know when shopping at Amish markets or Roadstands is that the shops are closed on Sundays as well as certain holidays due to their religious faith. Be sure to bring cash when shopping because credit cards are typically not accepted (when stopping at a roadstand look for where to put your money, if someone is not there you will typically find a jar, container or box for you to pay for your items). 

Whether it is a day in Lancaster County or you are looking to move into the area Pennsylvania Amish provide wonderful fresh and local food as well as incredible craftsmanship. Their markets and learning about their community is a must see and do! Head to Lancaster County to experience it for yourself, the perfect way to spend the day as a family or to get out with your friends for some holiday shopping, a wonderful way to support locally and experience Lancaster flavor!   

 Contact Mary Sue Wolf to look at homes and properties that could bring you to experience the farm to table food and locally created home goods of Lancaster County’s Pennsylvania Amish whenever you hope.  You will love it here!

For more information on wonderful homes call Mary Sue at 717-333-9653 or visit her website at www.WolfandWebb.com