The Shillington Farmers' Market operates at 10 S Summit Ave in Shillington, Pennsylvania, a borough just southwest of Reading in Berks County. The market houses more than 25 independent merchants under one roof and runs year round, which distinguishes it from seasonal outdoor markets that close for the winter. Shoppers can find fresh produce, meat and seafood counters, bakeries, delis, imported groceries, prepared meals from several area restaurants, candy and chocolate, gift and toy vendors, and a handful of specialty services that would be unusual in a typical grocery setting.
The market is open three days a week: Thursday and Friday from 7 am to 7 pm, and Saturday from 7 am to 4 pm. The market can be reached by phone at +1 610-777-7675.
Produce, Meat and Seafood
Fresh produce is available throughout the year rather than only during the Pennsylvania growing season. Sue & Cho's Fresh Produce is among the stands carrying seasonal vegetables and fruit.
Two butcher operations serve the market. Lancaster Custom Meats sells family raised beef, pork, veal and lamb, along with prepared items intended to go straight into the oven or slow cooker, including meatloaf, hamloaf, meatballs and pulled pork barbecue. Meat Me At Floren's carries USDA Certified Angus Beef as well as antibiotic free poultry and pork, and also features Fisherman's Finest Seafood at its counter.
Hartranft Poultry & Seafood supplies turkey, chicken and eggs brought in from the company's Lancaster County farm, giving shoppers a direct line from a regional producer to the counter.
Bakery, Coffee and Beverages
Kate's Bread Basket handles the bakery side of the market with pastries and European style breads. Rolls and rye bread are also sold at The Country Market Deli.
Coffee drinkers have two distinct options. Hoffman's Coffee & Deli stocks more than 50 whole bean coffees and over 30 loose leaf teas, with four coffees brewed fresh each market day. Max Crema's roasts its artisan coffee on site in nearby Mohnton and also pours RIJUICE, a cold pressed juice produced in Lancaster County.
For everyday household needs, H2O to GO offers self serve purified drinking water refills. The dispensers run water through a six stage filtration system designed to remove impurities and unwanted chemicals, and refilling containers on site reduces both cost per gallon and plastic waste.
Deli Counters and Prepared Foods
Betty's Classic Deli Salads is known for potato filling, a Pennsylvania Dutch staple, along with Pilsudski mustards and pickles. The Butler's Pantry focuses on prepared dinners, wings, wraps, desserts and Oley Ravioli, and the stand accepts preorders, which is helpful for holidays, family gatherings or weeknight pickups.
So Good Homemade Soups & Salads rotates a menu that mixes traditional grandmother style recipes with newer creations, and also sells fresh salads and quiche.
Shillington Salinos Importing brings an Italian grocery to the market. The family run stand carries imported and domestic cheeses, sausages, deli meats, olive oils and prepared Italian dishes.
Restaurants Inside the Market
Several of the market's tenants are full restaurant operations, and the food court style setup means meals can be eaten on site or taken home. The range of cuisines is broader than many shoppers expect from a county farmers market:
- Eve's Thai Kitchen, serving authentic Thai cooking
- Mission Washoku, offering Japanese bento boxes and soups
- Mama Cho's, specializing in gourmet sushi and Korean dishes
- Southern Side Kitchen, a soul food stand run by a caterer with two decades of experience
Between these stands and the deli counters, the market functions as a lunch destination as much as a grocery stop, particularly on weekday mornings and Saturday.
Sweets and Desserts
Sweet Things Candies stocks chocolates sourced from more than 16 chocolatiers, plus fudge and cotton candy made on the premises, bulk candy and organic options. Next door, Simple Delights by DJ scoops sorbet and ice cream and makes milkshakes and popcorn.
Lally's Cakes & Sweets handles custom cakes and desserts for birthdays, showers and other occasions. Custom orders are placed by phone at 484-219-0445 rather than at the counter alone, so customers planning an event should call ahead.
Gifts, Toys and Collectibles
The market's non food vendors cover a range of interests. JB's Toys & Collectibles carries Pokemon cards, video games, board games, action figures, Hot Wheels and trading card supplies, making it a regular stop for collectors and families with children. KERFUFFLE! specializes in K-pop merchandise. The Dog Stops Here sells gifts featuring more than 120 dog breeds along with locally made pet treats.
Carolyn's Place carries Real Time Pain Relief products, formulated without parabens, artificial dyes, NSAIDs or acetaminophen. This stand keeps a slightly shorter schedule and is open Thursdays and Fridays.
Monument and Memorial Services
One of the more unusual tenants is Imperial Monuments of Berks County, which designs monuments and bronze memorials. The company has worked with hundreds of local families over more than 10 years and serves cemeteries throughout the area. In addition to regular market hours, appointments can be scheduled Monday through Wednesday, which allows families to meet privately outside of the busier retail days.
Visiting and Practical Information
The market sits in the borough of Shillington, convenient to Reading, Mohnton, Wyomissing, Sinking Spring and the surrounding Berks County communities. Because merchants operate independently, hours and product availability can vary slightly by stand, and calling a specific vendor ahead of a visit is worthwhile for custom orders, large quantities or catering needs.
The layout is indoor and walkable. Many customers combine a produce and meat run with a meal, a coffee and a stop at one of the gift vendors in a single trip.
Becoming a Vendor
The vendor mix has long favored family run operations and regional producers, including farms and roasters based in Lancaster and Berks counties, which shapes much of the market's character and keeps shoppers in regular contact with the people who grow, cook and make what they are buying.