Growth in Harrisburg: Why I’m Excited for Harrisburg’s Future

I don’t know about you, but I have seen a crazy amount of growth, new beginnings, and prospect in our city lately. From Stash & Midtown Dandy’s collab store in Strawberry Square to hearing the Broad Street Market hit capacity for the first time in many decades, I truly think we’ve found our groove.

I also think more people recognize the potential we all saw a little while ago, but maybe I’m biased. If anything, I’m stoked they’re seeing it at all.

A Bit of Harrisburg’s Recent History

To provide some background – back in 2011 the City Council of Harrisburg filed a petition for Bankruptcy, which was dismissed, but the city felt the rippling effects. Only a few years ago, the Broad Street Market’s main building was nearly locked and closed for business. 

Financial issues continue to starve our city of its potential, but with a steadfast community of support, I’m excited to see where we’re headed. 

2017 revealed the first uptick in population since 2012, and while 2018 may not have shown an increase, you can’t have growth without growing pains. Population growth isn’t the only thing we have to keep an eye on though, businesses are sprouting up throughout Harrisburg. 

Business Growth in Harrisburg

While many, if not all, view the Broad Street Market as the heartbeat of Harrisburg, it’s wildly exciting to hear it hit capacity. This means many things – current businesses have garnered enough business to renew leases and stay, while new businesses see enough prospect to set a foundation for a dream. Plus, as consumers we can now experience so much under one roof. 

I love seeing market vendors exceed their dreams beyond that roof though. In 2018 I spoke with the owners of Bon Appetit Creperie, who opened a storefront in Harrisburg only a few months after their market stand. This to me showed potential for other market vendors as well.

With four current vendors slated to open Harrisburg storefronts in 2019, it’s exciting to see this hope become a reality. I’ve compiled a list of the four storefronts opening in Harrisburg this year.

1. Radish & Rye Food Hub

Started and run by a husband and wife team, Radish & Rye prides itself on delivering local and quality food each week at its market stand. Currently found directly inside the brick building, to the right-hand side, you can find an assortment of locally grown produce, along with fresh dairy, meat, breads, eggs, and other items. They’re well-versed in providing just the basics, at the highest quality value. 

Thanks to the help of a federal grant, the duo will open their storefront on N. Third street in Midtown, a couple doors down from Midtown Scholar. They will keep their market stand, but look forward to offering 7-day a week availability at their storefront – making them a practical grocery option for the community.

If all goes according to plan, you can expect to pick up groceries here starting in the summer of this year.

2. Elementary Coffee Co.

A beloved Broad Street Market staple, Elementary Coffee Co. began over four years ago by Andrea Grove. You can find their original market stand just past Radish & Rye inside the brick building, and usually with a line on any given market day. 

Recently, she decided to officially expand its footprint on Harrisburg by opening a store front in Downtown Harrisburg, in-between Home 231 and Rubicon. It feels like we’ve waited for this news since the coffee stand opened. You can look forward to sipping your coffee on this shops rooftop deck come Spring of 2019.

Urban Churn

What started as a small ice cream operation behind Midtown Cinema in 2013, Adam Brackbill has created and expanded Urban Churn into a household Harrisburg name. You can find their market stand inside the stone building and directly to the right, where they have about eight flavors available on any given market day.  

But thanks to a need, they’re expanding to a storefront in Midtown, a few doors down from St@rtup, where they’ll make and sell their ice cream. They’ll have 12 flavors – two will rotate – and offer a wider menu option in general. You can expect to stop in for a treat in March of 2019.

Knead Pizza

Beginning as a pizza stand in the Broad Street Market, the owners of Knead Pizza have expanded their vision to not one, but three spots. You can find their first spot in the middle of the stone building, off to the left, but uniquely enough, you can find their second location inside of Zeroday Brewing Co. Who doesn’t love a good bar pie and beer combo?

Their third location, though, is slated as a storefront where Mercado’s Pizza once stood, on third street directly across from St@rtup. They plan to continue serving pies typically found at Mercado’s, and staying open for those late night cravings. An open date hasn’t been set, but you might get a taste of these new pizzas sometime in the next few months.

A Bright Future

These four shops are only a taste of what’s to come in Harrisburg, I’m sure of it. To say I’m excited to see what the next few years will unravel for Harrisburg’s growth moving forward would be an understatement. If we keep rallying together and supporting our local shops when we can, we’re supporting a recipe for success. 

Cheers to you, Harrisburg! And cheers to the community!