It's like an Old Fashioned Amish Barn Raising

Born and raised in the rural outskirts of Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, I never knew what our Downtown life was like until I made the bold move to live in the city after deciding not to finish college. With a county population of just under 500,000 (1), and only 50,000 (2) of them living in the downtown district, it's hard to understand why a city such as ours has become such a thriving center of the arts, music and everything we love about the Amish. Whatever the reason, it is booming and I hope you'll join us for the celebration!

Central Market is just one of the venues that has and will continue to be the staple of Amish and hometown culture that defines Lancaster as a hospitable home to newcomers and Lancastrians alike. Working downtown, it is always a joy to walk a short block to the center square where the Central Market is located. Gourmet coffee, pastries, fresh cut meats, homegrown vegetables and wonderful variety of lunchtime goodies will suit everyone's palette.

My personal favorites at Central Market are the fresh made burritos from Omar and Maritza's, the roasted turkey from The Turkey Lady, and any pastry from Wendy Jo's Homemade. You can enjoy any of this amazing fare every Tuesday, Friday and Saturday. Central Market invites everyone to experience the homegrown attitude of Lancaster as well as a taste of the Amish and Mennonite community that is so prevalent throughout our beautiful county.

Just cattycorner to Central Market heavy construction is happening daily to complete the long awaited convention center. The sketches look amazing, and the talk is hot, so we hope this will be a huge success to our downtown area. Completion of this large project is expected to be in spring of 2009. Log onto http://www.lancasterconventioncenter.com/ to look into making reservations today. I am sure this new setting will just add to the boom in our downtown area.

Just 2 blocks shy of the center square is a great café called Prince St. Café, which is also home to the Julia Swartz art gallery. They have a great atmosphere, wonderful food, and not to mention free WIFI. I have been there many times, and don't be surprised if you have to wait to find an open table in the evenings, however, once you do, settle in and relax while live entertainment serenades you senses.

New to our town is the Starving Artist Café just a block away from the Prince St. Café that I am anxiously awaiting to try. So far, I have no tips on this brand new café and art gallery, however, I watched as they worked tirelessly to put this café together working from an old Subway restaurant. It is an amazing renovation and I hope you will take a peak and help this new business succeed.

One of our most famous music outlets is the Chameleon Club. You may have heard of it...it has been said around town that our club is the reason that bands such as Live and Fuel became such a huge success. I can say personally that I have seen some amazing bands perform and it is just a great place to go to see an intimate performance. The Chameleon Club is currently undergoing renovations and expanding. They plan to open in March, and all of my friends are anxious to see the newly renovated music mecca succeed.

The pub scene in Lancaster is tops. For cheap beers and food, you have to visit The Fulton Bar, Brendee's, and the American Bar & Grill just to name a few. For a more upscale setting, Character's Pub, The Pressroom and the Lancaster Arts Hotel offer a luxurious setting for your brews as well as wonderful local food.

There are tons of galleries and shops to fill your shopping addiction and empty your wallets. From beautiful local artistry, to unique gifts from around the world, shops along Prince Street, along center square, as well as the vibrant 300 block of N. Queen Street. All the shops offer service that compares to no other, exceptional taste, and variety.

The scenery in forever changing in downtown Lancaster. With the recent addition of Binn's Park to the N. Prince Street Area, the new Red Rose Transit bus terminal, and great restaurants and cafes popping up everywhere, all of your senses can be tantalized in downtown Lancaster, Pennsylvania. We hope you will join us as we expand our horizons into a new year.

1. U.S. Census Bureau
Lancaster County Quickfacts
http://quickfacts.census.gov/qfd/states/42/42071.html

2. U.S. Census Bureau
Lancaster City Quickfacts
http://quickfacts.census.gov/qfd/states/42/4241216.html