EASTON, Pa. — The Easton Public Market is blossoming with a plant business and two new tasty food concepts that are set to join the market's lineup this spring.
Crepes at Casa, offering sweet and savory crepes crafted with high-quality ingredients, and Houseplanted, a business offering houseplants, plant care and plant-related design services, are set to open in early April at the downtown Easton market.
The new vendors will open alongside Mangia Carne, a premium Italian eatery and butcher shop offering high-quality meats, artisan sandwiches, freshly prepared foods and imported Italian groceries, which was announced last month.
Crepes at Casa is replacing Taylor Taco Shop at the Easton Public Market.
Crepes at Casa
Crepes at Casa, bringing a "fresh, creative take on the beloved French classic," is taking over the space previously occupied by Taylor Taco with the Taylor Taco space being handed over to Crepes at Casa this week, according to a news release.
Crepes at Casa is a concept from local entrepreneur Andrea Rincon, owner of Queso at Casa and Casa 401 in downtown Easton.
“I’m thrilled to join the vibrant Easton Public Market community and bring some of our customers' favorite crêpes while introducing new and exciting options," Rincon said.
"I look forward to sharing my love of crêpes with market visitors and showcasing Latin American flavors and unique recipes on our menu. My vision for Crêpes at Casa is to create a warm, inviting space where people of all ages can enjoy something delicious — whether they’re grabbing a quick bite or indulging in a sweet treat, any time of day, from breakfast to dinner.”
Matt Martin, owner of Taylor Taco, expressed his support for Rincon’s new venture while affirming his continued presence at Easton Public Market.
“Stepping away from Taylor Taco was a tough decision, but as I focus more on More Than Q and streamline my business ventures, I’m happy to see Andrea taking over the space,” Martin said. “I know she’ll bring something really special to the market, and I look forward to seeing her thrive here.”
The addition of Crepes at Casa is part of a mix of vendor updates coming to Easton Public Market this season, reflecting the market’s ongoing commitment to offering diverse, high-quality food experiences.
“We are excited to welcome Andrea and Crepes at Casa into the market this spring, and hope that folks will come visit us and our new vendors as we move back towards a full house of great vendors and great programming,” said Jared Mast, executive director of the Greater Easton Development Partnership, the non-profit landlord to the Easton Public Market vendors.
Houseplanted
Houseplanted is owned and operated by Alyssa Higgins, who has been running her business primarily as a mobile operation - bringing her plants and plant services to local farmers markets, colleges and other small businesses - for more than four years.
In September, she opened Houseplanted's first brick-and-mortar location alongside Angel’s House of Design - a business offering custom clothing, costume design, alterations and more - at 430 Northampton St. in downtown Easton.
Houseplanted owner Alyssa Higgins poses inside her business' former location at 430 Northampton St. in downtown Easton. She is moving operations to the Easton Public Market in early April.
Higgins is moving operations to the Easton Public Market as she saw the venue to be "a better fit" for Houseplanted.
To help spread the word about the move, she's been hosting pop-up events at the market over the past few weeks.
"I love the Easton Public Market, and I feel like it attracts like-minded individuals - people who enjoy supporting small, local businesses," Higgins told 69 News.
"Being in the farmers market community already, it just felt like a natural spot for me to operate. So, I'm really looking forward to setting up my new spot and seeing a lot of familiar faces. It should be a really seamless transition."
At Houseplanted’s new Easton Public Market location, customers will be able to shop more than 50 varieties of plants, including popular selections like pothos, snake plants, ZZ plants, trailing philodendrons and alocasia polly, also known as African mask plants.
Houseplanted expects to be a vendor once again at the Phillipsburg Farmers Market (pictured) and Easton Farmers Market starting in the spring.
Higgins plans to continue to being a vendor at the Easton and Phillipsburg farmers markets, and she also will continue offering her plant design services for homeowners and businesses.
"I'm so excited to have a new homebase and continue doing what I love," Higgins said about Houseplanted's forthcoming Easton Public Market location. "I'm also planning to host terrarium building workshops and other events."
Mangie Carne
Houseplanted and Crepes at Casa are opening alongside Mangia Carne, a premium Italian eatery and butcher shop offering high-quality meats, artisan sandwiches, freshly prepared foods and imported Italian groceries, which was announced last month.
Mangia Carne is led by master butcher Mark Citera, owner of Stroudsburg’s renowned Citera Family Meat Market, in collaboration with Luca Manfé, winner of MasterChef Season 4 and celebrated Italian chef.
The shop will be an extension of Citera Family Meat Market, paying homage to its long-standing tradition of quality butchery.
“We’re excited to bring our passion for fine meats and authentic Italian cuisine to Easton,” Citera said. “With Luca’s culinary expertise and our deep-rooted knowledge of butchery, we’re creating something truly special for the community.”
"I’ve been buying meat from Mark Citera for years for my catering company, and the quality has always been outstanding—there’s no question about that,” Manfé added.
“But what truly sets him apart is his dedication to customer service and his attention to detail, which is why I knew he was the right partner for this venture. I’m excited to bring incredible food to the Easton Public Market, with a menu that ranges from the classic sandwiches you’d expect to more modern, sophisticated flavors. We’re delivering authentic Italian flavors, crafted with the best ingredients, right here in Easton!"
Manfé, known for his dedication to Italian flavors and innovative cooking, will help craft an inspired menu of made-to-order paninis, signature sandwiches, and prepared Italian specialties like lasagna, meatballs, and seasonal salads.
Joining Citera and Manfé in this venture is Jessica Plante, Citera’s daughter and an experienced food and beverage professional, who will serve as general manager.
Mangia Carne will feature a curated selection of premium cuts of beef, pork, lamb, and poultry, along with house-made sausages and specialty meats.
The market will also carry a variety of high-end imported Italian grocery items.
Guests can expect rotating weekly specials and behind-the-scenes culinary content, showcasing the art of Italian cooking and butchery.
Mangia Carne will occupy the Easton Public Market space that Saylors & Co., a butcher shop offering high-quality meats such as hand-cut prime beef, local heritage Duroc pork and air-chilled and antibiotic- and hormone-free chicken, vacated on Jan. 26, according to Jessica Ferrara, media and communications director for the Greater Easton Development Partnership.
Saylors’ primary location on Main Street in Hellertown continues to operate.
“While the decision to close was a difficult one, it marks the beginning of an exciting new chapter for our family-owned business,” Saylors announced in January.
“The closure is part of a thoughtful transition as the owners prepare for retirement and pass the torch to their daughter, Eleni, who will continue the family legacy at the flagship store in Hellertown.”
Other market changes
In addition to welcoming new vendors, the Easton Public Market has been undergoing other changes, including recently bidding farewell to a longtime tenant.
Silvershell Counter + Kitchen, a New England-style clam shack and seafood market, held its last day of service on Feb. 9.
Husband and wife Lee Chizmar and Erin Shea opened Silvershell in 2019 in the market space that previously housed 3rd & Ferry Fresh Fish.
The duo also operates the renowned Bolete restaurant in Salisbury Township, Mister Lee’s Noodles in Easton and Bethlehem and B-side Bottle + Larder in Bethlehem.
Chizmar and Shea have “some tricks” up their sleeves and plan to continue occupying the soon-to-be-former Silvershell space, they announced on Silvershell’s social media pages.
The pair hinted at a new concept, involving “oysters and alysha,” coming soon.
"It's a little like a renaissance is happening at the Easton Public Market," Ferrara said. "We're very excited."
