Non-profit organizationBoyertown

Building A Better Boyertown

4.8(13)
Unclaimed

Building A Better Boyertown is a Boyertown nonprofit and business association supporting local merchants, downtown improvements, and community events like the annual Street Fair. Members cite valuable membership pricing, while visitors stop by the headquarters for local recommendations.

Building A Better Boyertown Logo
Members of Building A Better Boyertown

What people love about Building A Better Boyertown

Membership Pricing Program

This program not only lowers costs for participants but has fueled measurable business growth for long-standing members.

we joined & utilized the member price to participate in every event.
That was almost 10 years ago and now sell over $2m in vacations yearly.

B.A.B.B. Headquarters Visitor Guidance

Visitors repeatedly highlight the headquarters as a go-to for personalized, valuable local tips.

If your looking for helpful recommendations on how to spend your valuable & available time in Boyertown it couldn't hurt to stop in The B.A.B.B. Headquarters!

Services & Products from Building A Better Boyertown

Services

Boyertown Farmer's Market
Held every 1st and 3rd Thursday from June through September in the Boyertown Museum of Historic Vehicles parking lot at 129 South Reading Avenue, with a featured food truck, live entertainment and a rotating variety of fresh vendors.
Boyertown Oktoberfest
Annual fall festival now in its 19th year, held Friday September 11 and Saturday September 12, with sponsorship opportunities available through Eventeny.
Chillin' on Main
Winter community celebration on Saturday December 5, 2026 starting at 11:00 AM at 3 East Philadelphia Avenue, featuring food, festivities and family activities.
Coming out of Hibernation
Springtime downtown event scheduled for Saturday April 18, 2026, supported by sponsors including Boyd & Karver, Diamond Credit Union, Boyertown Area YMCA and LCBC Church.
Facade Improvement Funding
Matching funds for exterior restoration of downtown storefronts and facades, paired with the owner's own investment, run through the organization's design and revitalization work.
Anchor Building Revitalization Grant Loan and Revolving Loan Fund
Financing for the purchase and restoration of significant downtown buildings, through an anchor building grant-loan and a revolving loan fund administered by Building a Better Boyertown.

This may not be a complete list. Contact the business directly to learn about all services and products they offer.

About Building A Better Boyertown

Building a Better Boyertown (BaBB) is a nonprofit main street organization based at 3 East Philadelphia Avenue in Boyertown, Pennsylvania. The group works on downtown revitalization, historic preservation, small business support and community programming within the Boyertown main street district in northern Berks County. It was founded in 2002 by local residents and business owners who wanted a coordinated approach to filling storefronts, maintaining historic buildings and drawing visitors into the borough's commercial core.

The organization draws on the framework of the National Main Street Program and technical support from the Pennsylvania Downtown Center, a model that organizes revitalization work into four areas: organization, design, promotion and economic vitality. BaBB has structured its volunteer committees along those lines, adding committees for events and for the Arts and Activities Alliance. Day to day operations are handled by Main Street Manager Ellen Martignetti and Event Planner Krista Gross, with Theresa Heist serving as board president. The office phone number is 610-369-3054.

Physical Improvements Downtown

Much of the organization's long term work has focused on the built environment of Boyertown's downtown.

On the financing side, the organization administers an Anchor Building Revitalization Grant Loan and a revolving loan fund. Because loan repayments cycle back into the fund, the money is reinvested in additional downtown projects rather than spent once.

Parks, Trails and Green Space

Several current projects address the fact that Boyertown, unlike many older Pennsylvania boroughs, does not have a traditional town square. The Volunteer Community Fountain is a pocket park off Philadelphia Avenue at the entrance to the Colebrookdale Railroad, built around a restored Victorian fountain. It is dedicated to Boyertown volunteers past, present and future, as well as to benefactors Charles and Mary-Lou Haddad.

It is intended to provide green space and an informal gathering place in the heart of the business district, and is named for the former mayor and BaBB founder Marianne Deery.

The Iron Valley Trail and Nature Preserve is the organization's largest ongoing land project. The long range goal is a trail network linking downtown Boyertown to the Schuylkill River Trail. Phase 1 consists of a roughly one mile loop passing through the Borough of Boyertown and Colebrookdale Township.

Events and Seasonal Programming

BaBB produces four major annual events that together drew about 15,000 attendees in 2025. Sponsorship packages for all four are managed through the Eventeny platform.

  • Boyertown Farmer's Market: held on the first and third Thursday of each month from June through September in the parking lot of the Boyertown Museum of Historic Vehicles at 129 South Reading Avenue. Each market features a rotating mix of vendors, a featured food truck and live entertainment.
  • Boyertown Oktoberfest: a fall festival now in its nineteenth year, scheduled for Friday, September 11 and Saturday, September 12.
  • Chillin' on Main: a winter celebration set for Saturday, December 5, 2026, beginning at 11:00 AM at 3 East Philadelphia Avenue, with food, family activities and seasonal festivities.
  • Coming out of Hibernation: a spring downtown event scheduled for Saturday, April 18, 2026. Supporting sponsors have included Boyd and Karver, Diamond Credit Union, the Boyertown Area YMCA and LCBC Church.

Public Art and the Bear Fever Project

Public art has become one of the more visible markers of Boyertown's identity, and BaBB supports several pieces and programs. Murals in the district include "A Special Kind of Place" and the State Theatre mural, both by Robert L. Williams, and "A Better Bear" by Philadelphia artist Chris B Murray.

The Bear Fever Project, launched in 2003, has placed more than 80 life sized decorated fiberglass bear sculptures throughout the Boyertown area. Each bear is individually designed, and collectively they function as an informal walking tour of the borough and surrounding communities. The project is among the longest running community art initiatives of its type in the region.

Business Support and Partnership Tiers

The organization maintains an online local business directory covering Boyertown area merchants, dining, shopping, lodging and attractions. Businesses can claim and manage their own listings through a free Locable account, and partners receive badges on their listings corresponding to their level of support.

Annual partnership tiers are structured as follows:

All tiers include a badged listing in the business directory and recognition in the organization's newsletter. BaBB also publishes a bi-weekly e-newsletter and hosts a community events calendar where local businesses and organizations can post their own events at no charge through Locable.

Volunteers and Recognition Programs

Volunteers carry a significant share of the organization's workload through its six committees: Organization, Design, Promotions, Economic Vitality, Arts and Activities Alliance, and Events.

The Tree Committee administers the annual Heritage Tree Award, which recognizes a notable specimen tree in Boyertown. Entries are judged on health, mature size, aesthetic appeal, rarity and contribution to a property's visual value. The 2026 award went to a Northern Red Oak at 144 Schaeffer Street.

For those who want to support the organization while representing the town, BaBB offers a line of Boyertown branded apparel sold exclusively online through BleacherYeti.

Established

2002

Unique Details About Building A Better Boyertown

Crowd

  • LGBTQ+ friendly

Other

  • LGBTQ+ friendly

Amenities

  • Gender-neutral restroom

Service options

  • Onsite services

Contact Building A Better Boyertown

3 E Philadelphia Ave
Boyertown, PA 19512
United States of America

County: Berks County

Website: Visit Website

Claim This Business

Customer Reviews

4.8 out of 5 stars

Based on 13 reviews

Review data

5 star reviews

85%

4 star reviews

15%

3 star reviews

0%

2 star reviews

0%

1 star reviews

0%

Working Hours / Hours of Operation

Monday:
9AM-5PM
Tuesday:
9AM-5PM
Wednesday:
9AM-5PM
Thursday:
9AM-5PM
Friday:
9AM-5PM
Saturday:
Closed
Sunday:
Closed

Follow Building A Better Boyertown on Social

Similar Non-Profits Near Boyertown, PA

Friend, Inc.

Social services organization

Friend, Inc.

4.8(47)Kutztown

Friend, Inc. in Kutztown is a social services organization offering a food bank, financial counseling, and a welcoming support network. Clients commend their kindness and the comprehensive assistance, from fresh produce…

Humane Pennsylvania Freedom Center for Animal Life-Saving

Animal shelter

Humane Pennsylvania Freedom Center for Animal Life-Saving

4.5(607)Reading

Humane Pennsylvania Freedom Center for Animal Life-Saving in Reading offers affordable veterinary services and a caring adoption experience. Visitors appreciate the clean, welcoming environment and the convenience of…

Berks Encore

Non-profit organization

Berks Encore

4.5(78)Reading

Berks Encore in Reading, PA, is a non-profit organization that enriches senior lives with free tax services, supportive Medicare guidance, and engaging social activities. Renowned for friendly staff and inclusive…

Dominican Association Of Pennsylvania

Non-profit organization

Dominican Association Of Pennsylvania

4.6(9)Reading

The Dominican Association of Pennsylvania in Reading is a non-profit dedicated to community support, known for its warm and welcoming events fueled by committed volunteers.

Berks Community Health Center

Non-profit organization

Berks Community Health Center

1.8(73)Reading

Berks Community Health Center in Reading provides comprehensive health services as a non-profit, recognized for its standout chiropractic care and dedicated staff like Dr. Delgado and Dr. Alyssa.

Humane Pennsylvania Community Resource Center of Reading

Non-profit organization

Humane Pennsylvania Community Resource Center of Reading

4.8(38)Reading

The Humane Pennsylvania Community Resource Center of Reading provides compassionate, donation-based pet care, including vaccinations and microchipping. Known for empathetic staff and accessible community resources, it…

Make The Road PA - Reading Organizing Center

Community center

Make The Road PA - Reading Organizing Center

4.9(19)Reading

Make The Road PA - Reading Organizing Center in Reading, PA, is a vital community hub known for advocating workers' and immigrants' rights and fostering volunteer engagement. The center is celebrated for its inclusive…

Berks Nature/The Nature Place

Non-profit organization

Berks Nature/The Nature Place

4.7(91)Reading

Berks Nature/The Nature Place in Reading, PA, offers beautiful trails, engaging educational programs, and a welcoming atmosphere. Visitors appreciate the hands-on play areas, knowledgeable guides, and pet-friendly…