Our Town Foundation Inc is a nonprofit community and economic development organization based at 320 State Street in Hamburg, Pennsylvania. Functioning in much the same way a chamber of commerce does, the group works on behalf of the borough's business district, its property owners and its residents, coordinating promotional efforts, downtown improvement projects and public events that draw visitors into Hamburg from across Berks County and the surrounding region. The organization can be reached by phone at +1 610-562-3106.
The foundation operates from a storefront on State Street, the main commercial corridor running through the center of town. That location is deliberate: rather than working out of an office park or an administrative building on the edge of the borough, the organization keeps a presence at street level among the shops, restaurants and service businesses it represents. People stopping in may be looking for information about an upcoming event, asking how to get involved as a volunteer, inquiring about membership for their own business, or simply browsing the retail space the foundation maintains.
Community and Economic Development Work
Much of what a small town revitalization organization does happens quietly and over long stretches of time. Our Town Foundation's work falls into several broad categories that overlap with one another:
- Business support and promotion, including helping connect prospective tenants with available commercial space downtown and promoting existing merchants to shoppers and visitors
- Event planning and execution, from large annual festivals to smaller seasonal gatherings held in and around the borough
- Streetscape and beautification efforts, such as plantings, banners, seasonal decorations and other projects that affect how the downtown looks and feels
- Marketing Hamburg as a destination for day trips, outdoor recreation and small town shopping
- Volunteer coordination, recruiting and organizing residents who contribute time to community projects
- Partnership work with the borough, local schools, service clubs, churches and neighboring organizations
Organizations of this type rely heavily on volunteer labor and on membership and sponsorship support from local businesses. That model shapes the character of the work. Projects tend to be practical, locally driven and responsive to what residents and merchants say they need, rather than imposed from outside the community.
Events and Programming
Public events are the most visible part of the foundation's calendar. Festivals and street gatherings bring foot traffic to State Street, give local vendors and food sellers a venue, and provide an occasion for people who have moved away to come back and for newcomers to meet their neighbors. Planning for an event of any size involves permitting, street closures, vendor recruitment, entertainment booking, sponsorship solicitation and the recruitment of volunteers for setup, staffing and cleanup. Much of that labor is invisible to attendees, which is part of why community organizations that handle it well tend to be valued by the towns they serve.
Beyond the headline events, the foundation is involved in seasonal activities tied to the holidays, to the outdoor recreation seasons and to the rhythms of a small Pennsylvania borough. Anyone planning a trip to Hamburg around a particular weekend can call the office to confirm dates, times and details, since schedules for outdoor events can shift with weather and with the availability of public space.
Retail Space for Local Makers
The foundation also operates a retail outlet on State Street featuring work by artisans and craftspeople from Hamburg and the broader region. For makers who produce in small quantities, a shared storefront solves a practical problem: it provides a physical place to sell without the cost and time commitment of running an independent shop. For shoppers, it concentrates handmade goods from many different producers in one place. Inventory in a space like this changes as makers rotate stock and as the seasons turn, so the selection on a given visit reflects who is producing at that moment. Visitors interested in a particular craft or a specific maker can call ahead to ask what is currently on the shelves.
Hamburg and the Surrounding Area
Hamburg sits in northern Berks County along the Schuylkill River, at the foot of Blue Mountain. The borough is near the junction of Interstate 78 and Route 61, which makes it an easy stop for travelers moving between the Lehigh Valley, Harrisburg and the Reading area. The location has shaped the town's economy for generations, first through the river and the railroad, and more recently through highway traffic and outdoor tourism.
The surrounding landscape is a significant draw. Hawk Mountain Sanctuary, the Appalachian Trail, the Pinnacle overlook and the Schuylkill River Trail all lie within a short drive, bringing hikers, birders and cyclists through the area, particularly during the autumn raptor migration. Promoting Hamburg's downtown to those visitors, and giving them reasons to park the car and walk State Street, is part of the foundation's ongoing work. The borough's walkable core, with its historic building stock and independently owned businesses, is the asset the organization is built around.
Accessibility and Visiting
The State Street location has a wheelchair accessible entrance and a wheelchair accessible parking lot, so visitors using mobility devices can reach the building and the retail space without difficulty. Street parking is generally available along State Street and on nearby side streets in the downtown area.
Hours for a volunteer supported organization can vary, especially around large events when staff and volunteers are working offsite. Calling +1 610-562-3106 before visiting is the most reliable way to confirm that the office and shop are open, to ask about event schedules, or to speak with someone about membership, sponsorship, vendor applications or volunteer opportunities.
Getting Involved
Businesses in and around Hamburg can join as members, which typically connects them to promotional efforts, event participation and the network of other local merchants and professionals. Residents who want to contribute can volunteer for event days, committee work or improvement projects. Individuals and companies outside the borough sometimes support the organization through sponsorship of specific events or initiatives. Inquiries about any of these options can be made by phone or in person at the State Street office.