Two tasty additions (and free parking!) in City Center Allentown

In the fall, we introduced you to the Downtown Allentown Market, a 12,ooo-square-foot food and drink hall with nine local, regional, and national merchants offering creative, fast-casual concepts.

The Market has been one of many exciting developments in downtown Allentown’s continuing revitalization from City Center Investment Corp., the real estate development company behind five office towers, the Renaissance Allentown Hotel, seven residential communities, and many unique restaurants and shops, such as The Hamilton Kitchen and Sorrelli Jewelry.

Now, City Center has introduced two new vendors, Hop Daddy’s Brewing Co. and Radish Republic. And to top it all off, the Allentown Parking Authority and City Center have announced a Free Parking program for the streets, lots, and decks around the PPL Center on weekdays from 5 p.m. to midnight, and on weekends from 8 a.m. until midnight, except during events.

The Free Parking program includes a total of approximately 6,000 parking spots on Hamilton, Linden, and Walnut streets between 4th and 12th streets; in the Farr, North, and Northeast lots; and in the following decks: Spiral, Transportation, Community, Arena Deck North, Government, 8th & Walnut, 9th & Walnut, and ArtsWalk.

The free parking came just in time for a long-awaited neighborhood grocery store on the ArtsWalk: Radish Republic, operated by Nicole and Steve Shelly, owners of Local Food Market LV. The new store is located across the ArtsWalk from the Downtown Allentown Market, and offers everyday essentials like produce, meat, dairy products, frozen foods, and by-the-pound bulk items, such as flour, grains, and beans. The store also sells drinks, soups and grab-and-go options like salads, sandwiches, and fruit, and is open daily from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Customers can order their groceries online and pick them up later. Radish Republic also accepts EBT SNAP benefits.

And, finally, Hop Daddy’s Brewing Co., owned by Rich Ryan and son Kevin Ryan, opened in the former Roar Social House location on 732 W. Hamilton Street. The Ryans opened the Lehigh Valley’s first Menchie’s Frozen Yogurt shop in 2012 at the Shops at Cedar Point in west Allentown. The following year, they opened a second shop at the Airport Center shopping plaza in Hanover Township, Lehigh County.

Hop Daddy’s features a 2,500-square-foot beer garden and a food menu with artisan pizza and other shareables as focal points. In addition to serving its own beer, Hop Daddy’s offers revolving guest taps from other local breweries—and its beer garden features games and entertainment.

So come park for free and see why downtown Allentown has become a regional center of excellence for business, culture and metropolitan living!