Get ready for a heartwarming morning of stories and self-expression as beloved drag artists Morgan Kennedy and Summer Clearance bring stories to life in this family-friendly PrideFest tradition and the joy of being yourself — in collaboration with the Lambertville Library and hosted at the ACME Screening Room newhopecelebrates.com/events/drag-queen-story-hour-3 Out In Jersey magazine covers the interests of the lesbian transgender and questioning community of New Jersey Every Bucks County resident knows that it's easy to spend a day winding along the river towns along the Delaware where one can find a plethora of quaint towns one of its most popular destinations is just across the river from New Hope The lifestyle channel named Lambertville, N.J., set along the Delaware River, as no. 30 in its recent list of the 50 most charming small towns in America HGTV noted Lambertville's mix of Zagat-rated restaurants award-winning hotels and bed and breakfasts and storied history as reasons behind its ranking Lambertville day trippers are surrounded by historic digs on their visits as the city − which dates back to 1705 − is full of federal townhouses Victorian homes and a restored 19th-century train depot Firing up grill in Point Pleasant: This new brewery, barbecue joint in Point Pleasant gives a nod to its firefighting past Lambertville is the antique capital of New Jersey It's home to The People’s Store Antiques and Design Center as well as other antique shops plus artisan-owned stores and art galleries Contact: JIntersimone@MyCentralJersey.com DRBC staff excitedly returned to the historic Lambertville Shad Fest to celebrate its 42nd year music and environmental festival has been held along the Delaware River each spring to time with the return of the American shad an anadromous fish that returns "home" each year to reproduce in the river in which it was born Our team was graciously hosted on the river's edge by the Lewis Fishery commercial shad fishery on the non-tidal river William Lewis established the fishery in 1888; his son Fred Lewis took over the family business grandson Steve Meserve took the helm and carries on the tradition with a dedicated team of family and friends to this day.   DRBC staff led an educational demonstration that taught about the importance of macroinvertebrates ("macros" or aquatic insects) as indicators of water quality Visitors of all ages had the opportunity to examine living macros that were collected right from the Delaware River off Lewis Island The hands-on lesson explained that the type and amount of bugs found in a waterway can help tell how healthy the river is Finding more pollution-sensitive species and a wide variety of species - which we did at Shad Fest - are positive indicators of a waterway's health Staff happily shared their tabling space with SPLASH SPLASH stands for Student Participation in Learning Aquatic Science & History and is a Lambertville-based nonprofit whose mission is to provide unique educational adventures that inspire both children and adults to learn about the Delaware Watershed The organization has also been a longstanding partner of DRBC through the Our Shared Waters initiative which seeks to build public awareness of the far-reaching natural resource value of the Delaware River Basin.  photos and articles spanning over a century and they also demonstrated how they fish for shad with a net the Fishery is out nearly daily fishing for shad While their Shad Fest demos did not yield any shad (they caught catfish and quillback) The only fish that are kept are sold on-demand to the local community the data they collect on shad and other fish in the river are shared with state fisheries biologists century-long dataset on overall shad numbers   • One Family's Relentless Pursuit of the Bony, Oily, Elusive Shad (New York Times Community outreach is an important way for DRBC staff to engage with the public and also talk about they too can do to help keep our shared waters healthy and sustainable. DRBC has been participating in Shad Fest for roughly 30 years and we look forward to next year's celebration in the bottom left of this tray,there's a large insect; this is a stonefly Seeing them is an indicator of clean water Home » Closed Toll Plaza To Be Removed From New Hope-Lambertville Bridge The bridge has been cashless since last year The New Hope-Lambertville (Route 202) Toll Bridge will remove its toll collection station after moving to cashless the Delaware River Joint Toll Bridge Commission announced this week The project involves the removal of the bridge’s former cash-collection toll plaza and the construction of an overhead gantry equipped with E-ZPass readers and cameras to capture license plates of vehicles without E-ZPass The commission said the New Hope-Lambertville Toll Bridge project will serve as a prototype for converting six other toll bridges with former cash toll plazas to open-road tolling The agency noted that it has already ceased accepting cash tolls at these locations moving to an all-electronic system that utilizes E-ZPass Cashless toll collection is considered safer The construction contract for the project was awarded to PFK-MARK III Inc. received a construction management and inspection services contract for a maximum of $2,476,202.84 and testing of the tolling equipment under a pre-existing agreement Construction is expected to begin this summer and last for slightly over a year The bridge will remain open in both directions throughout the construction period though lane closures and traffic shifts will be necessary Details on specific travel restrictions will be announced later including roadway realignment and abutment repairs is anticipated to be complete by late winter or early spring of 2027 Cash toll collection ended in June 2024 at the New Hope-Lambertville The Scudder Falls (I-295) Toll Bridge opened in 2019 with all-electronic tolling already in place The New Hope-Lambertville Toll Bridge opened in 1971 It initially collected tolls in both directions but switched to one-way southbound collection in December 2002 the bridge carried an average of 13,800 vehicles daily with an exceptionally high E-ZPass usage rate of 92.65 percent and website in this browser for the next time I comment It seems that you are using some ad blocking software which is preventing the page from fully loading Please whitelist this website or disable ad blocking software Please enable JS and disable any ad blocker The James Wilson Marshall House Museum in Lambertville The James Wilson Marshall House Museum has reopened for the season and will be open Saturdays and Sundays between 1 and 4 p.m Lambertville Historical Society (LHS) will also offer walking tours of the central district on the first Sunday of each month through November The guided tours are approximately one hour long LHS has created new exhibits about James Marshall and Alice Narducci were created by longtime LHS members Mary and Rich Freedman and installed the new “Then and Now” exhibit on the second floor of the museum Rich Freedman designed and installed video player systems on both floors which will show new video documentaries produced by Gary Cohen and Michael Menche which is on the National and New Jersey Registers of Historic Places was the boyhood home of James Wilson Marshall The Federal style brick structure was built in 1816 by his father He was a member of one of the oldest families in New Jersey and related by marriage to John Hart a signer of the Declaration of Independence Call 609-397-0770 or visit www.lambertvillehistoricalsociety.org for more information Join our readers whose generous donations are making it possible for you to read our news coverage. Help keep local journalism alive and our community strong. Donate today The Bucks County Chapter of the Pennsylvania Sports Hall of Fame welcomed the Class of 2025 on Thursday at Brookside Manor in Feasterville The Langhorne-Middletown Fire Company’s Super 21 Truck will be returning for the very special 25th anniversary Kiwanis-Herald Sesame Place Classic on Sunday Central Bucks South posted a 4-0 lead in the first inning en route to a 7-0 shutout of visiting Central Bucks East in Tuesday’s Suburban One League Colonial Division game the Doylestown Rugby Academy high school girls team traveled to Downingtown to play the Downingtown girls team Doylestown was victorious by a score of 43-26 The Archbishop Wood baseball team guaranteed itself a winning Philadelphia Catholic League season with Monday’s 7-0 victory over Cardinal O’Hara Your browser is out of date and potentially vulnerable to security risks.We recommend switching to one of the following browsers: Account processing issue - the email address may already exist Our guide features topics that range from home buying to home maintenance and repair delivered Friday afternoons Have the latest local news delivered every afternoon so you don't miss out on updates A weekly guide to Arts & Entertainment delivered Wednesday evenings Delivered Saturday mornings with a recap of the best stories from each week Have a notification delivered on Thursdays to your inbox Invalid password or account does not exist Submitting this form below will send a message to your email with a link to change your password An email message containing instructions on how to reset your password has been sent to the email address listed on your account I have some exciting news for pizza lovers Nomad Pizza — with two popular locations in Mercer County — is about to have a third location The newest location will be in Hunterdon County but it won't be too far from the other two restaurants READ MORE:  Lambertville Named Most Charming Small Town in America Nomad Pizza of Princeton gave a clue as to where the new location would be Can you figure it out based on the picture below The new Nomad Pizza is going to be in Lambertville. It will be on the canal where the Local Greek restaurant used to be brick building behind Greene Street on Bridge Street (across from Lambertville Station) I put a little arrow pointing to the building for you below the perfect time to stroll around the quaint town and have some amazing pizza My friends and I love having GNO at Nomad Pizza (Girls Night Out) Nomad Pizza's Arugula Pizza is a favorite of ours If you haven't had Nomad Pizza yet (gasp) you need to visit after the grand opening in early summer READ MORE: New Light Display Stuns on New Hope-Lambertville Bridge You can also visit one of the other two locations in the meantime: Princeton Shopping Center on Harrison Street in Princeton and on East Broad Street in Hopewell Gallery Credit: Joe Votruba This will be the third location.\nRead More Nomad Pizza — with two popular locations in Mercer County — is about to have a third location The newest location will be in Hunterdon County READ MORE:  Lambertville Named Most Charming Small Town in America The new Nomad Pizza is going to be in Lambertville. My friends and I love having GNO at Nomad Pizza (Girls Night Out) READ MORE: New Light Display Stuns on New Hope-Lambertville Bridge had grown into a dining destination inside its humble location at Rice’s Market the restaurant will be trading in its flea market digs for a more permanent spot across the river in Lambertville where it will reopen in the former Manon building on North Main Street “Lambertville is where we got our start, and both Meg and I have a lot of history in the town, so it feels like it’s a homecoming to us,” said Tony Artur, who owns The Speckled Egg Cafe with Chef Megan Loos New Hope Celebrates proposes landmark: Pride flag landmark proposal presented to New Hope council. What happens next? The opportunity to relocate came at just the right time for the café owners had resourcefully worked within the time constraints of the market while supplementing those hours with pop-ups at other local spots like Manoff Market Gardens “We are very grateful to have had the opportunity to grow our business there we really felt like we had outgrown the space The demand we’ve received from our regulars and our new guests was starting to outpace our ability to serve them,” he said as the couple gets the new Lambertville space ready even once Rice’s Market begins the 2025 season next month they plan to continue offering their eclectic breakfast and lunch fare — including a rotation of favorites like their housemade kimchi veggie egg and cheese sandwich and lamb smash burgers — while introducing some unique dinner offerings “I think we blew up the notion in what you might expect out of a ramshackle dining car on the edge of a flea market And now we’re ready to fully inhabit our potential as a restaurant,” Artur said and we’ve tested a lot of recipes in our downtime and we are chomping at the bit to execute these ideas.” And while the move provides them a chance to showcase the full range of their abilities Loos said they also plan to carry over the same “super chill vibe” they created at Rice’s I just want people to chill and enjoy their wine and have a good time with really good food,” she said New cafe opens in New Hope: Poppa Frank's to open this weekend in New Hope in the former Duck Soup Cafe location art and culture for The Intelligencer and Bucks County Courier Times at PhillyBurbs.com Please consider supporting local journalism with a subscription Makers Alley – the art and design collective that supports artists and makers creating works across all artistic disciplines and skill sets has announced its “Makers Alley Spring Art and Design Show” that will be open May 9 through June 8 The public is invited to step inside Lambertville Hall and discover the diverse range of artistic expression by artists and makers at work in the the Delaware River Valley region and beyond Art and design enthusiasts will have the opportunity to meet the artists at the opening night reception on Friday This year’s exhibition features an expanded collective focus on art and design showcasing painters “It’s always an exciting and wondrous moment to see the new works that are submitted by the artists artisans and designers that we present in our Makers Alley Exhibitions and new directions from these talented artists working in a myriad of artistic expressions and to share these contemporary visitors with other artists and the cultural community in our region is the pleasure of our art and design collective.” This will be the second year that a Makers Alley exhibition is being held at Lambertville Hall the historic building on Lambertville’s main thoroughfare is used for educational and community programming by the Buck County Playhouse The Makers Alley exhibition will benefit the Bucks County Playhouse For information, go to https://makersalley.org The New Hope-Lambertville Bridge is set to reopen for travel in both directions on Friday with restrictions while work on the project continues into spring The bridge over the Delaware River that links the two sister towns will once again be open for two-way travel starting Friday afternoon, after more than a year of being closed to New Jersey-bound traffic as the 120-year-old structure underwent comprehensive rehabilitation, the Delaware River Joint Toll Bridge Commission announced this week For two weeks in January, the New Hope-Lambertville Bridge was completely shutdown to all vehicular and pedestrian traffic to allow for a critical repair a deteriorated pin that had “rusted and worn to the point where it poses a potential risk for failure under heavy load.” Pride landmark proposed in New Hope: Pride flag landmark proposal presented to New Hope council. What happens next? The bridge since reopened to pedestrians on Jan and to Pennsylvania-bound vehicular traffic the following day Although the bridge will be open to two-way traffic the commission said the rehabilitation project is not yet complete and the following travel restrictions will be in place: A punch-list of work — including further testing and programming of the bridge’s architectural lighting system — will follow with the project expected to wrap up by spring New Hope area dining: Kerouac-inspired Point Pleasant restaurant named one of best in U.S. Every Hunterdon County resident knows that it's easy to spend a day winding through the Delaware Valley's plethora of quaint small towns from Norman Rockwell-esque Clinton to summer-bustling Frenchtown one of its most popular destinations is one of the best in the U.S The lifestyle channel named Lambertville, set along the Delaware River, as no. 30 in its recent list of the 50 most charming small towns in America More: Hunterdon drive named among the best winter road trips in America LAMBERTVILLE – The "new" bridge over the Delaware River between downtown Lambertville and New Hope was rededicated April 1 with the launch of the new lighting system and Mummers marching across the span's new walkway The rededication ceremony also included an April's Fools Day joke After students in the South Hunterdon Regional Elementary School’s Crazy 8s Math Club counted down to the color-programable LED architectural lighting system being switched on It was an April Fools’ Day joke when the 1,800 lights did not come on Following gasps and then laughter from the crowd the students' second countdown officially activated the lights The system’s pier lights were kept off due to the annual shad run in the river that is expected to continue into mid-May The 42nd annual Lambertville Shad Festival will be held 11 a.m The $25 million project was a comprehensive rehabilitation of the 120-year-old bridge The last previous rehabilitation was in 2004 More: Lambertville named one of the best in the US by HGTV “Today we celebrate the end of all this work,” Delaware River Joint Toll Bridge Commission Executive Director Joe Resta said at the rededication ceremony “This bridge once again is in good repair and its service life is extended for new generations of residents The ceremony culminated with members of the South Philadelphia String Band – an award-winning Mummers band – leading along the bridge’s new walkway and was scheduled to be completed during the fall But during the painting of the bridge in the summer a severely deteriorated steel structural pin was discovered which necessitated a 10-day shutdown of the bridge in January The bridge reopened to traffic in both directions on Feb A total of 4,519,653 vehicular crossings were recorded at the bridge in 2022 for an average of 12,400 vehicles per day The 1,053-foot bridge was built in 1904 by the New Hope Delaware Bridge Company replacing a wooden covered bridge that was destroyed in the “Pumpkin Flood” of October 1903 The crossing was originally operated as a privately owned toll bridge before becoming a publicly owned The first New Hope and Lambertville Restaurant Week is set to begin Monday the two riverfront towns will be showcasing their diverse array of dining experiences and cuisines with more than two dozen restaurants offering specially priced prix fixe three-course menus The two-week celebration is sponsored by Union Chill Cannabis Company The Greater Lambertville Chamber of Commerce and The Greater New Hope Chamber of Commerce to provide guest a unique opportunity to enjoy signature dishes "The first-ever New Hope and Lambertville Restaurant Week is the best of both worlds It is a win-win for foodies and culinary enthusiasts from both Pennsylvania and New Jersey," said New Hope Chamber President Michael Sklar in a press release Sklar is also the co-owner of two participating New Hope restaurants "We are thrilled to bring together some of the most celebrated and most beautiful restaurants on both sides of the river for this grand 15-day event that will feature some of our culinary community's best chefs There's something for every taste and type of cuisine — to every setting and vibe Come as you are for a casual weeknight out with friends and neighbors or get dressed up and make it a special date night on the town." Restaurants participating in New Hope and Lambertville Restaurant Week include: Anzu Social: 9 S. Main St., New Hope, PA; 267-396-7700; mansioninn.com Black Bass Hotel: 3774 River Road, Lumberville, PA; 215-297-9260; blackbasshotel.com Ferry + Main Restaurant at the Logan Inn: 10 W Ferry St., New Hope, PA; 215-862-2300; loganinn.com GreenHouse New Hope: 90 S Main St., New Hope, PA; 215-693-1657; greenhousenewhope.comHavana: 105 S Main St., New Hope, PA; 215-862-9897; havananewhope.com Italian Cucina: 6 Stockton Ave., New Hope, PA; 215-862-3818; facebook.com/ItalianCucinaNewHopeKarla’s: 5 W Mechanic St., New Hope, PA; 215-862-2612; karlasnewhope.comMartine’s Riverhouse: 14 E. Ferry St., New Hope, PA; 215-862-2966; martinesriverhouse.com Nektar Wine Bar: 8 W Mechanic St., New Hope, PA; 267-743-2109; nektarnewhope.com V Spot: 18 N. Main St., New Hope PA; 877-778-3426; vspotfood.com Perkasie kid competes on Food Network: From Perkasie to Food Network: Carter Siporin,11, hopes to bake his way to the top Lambertville Restaurants:Chive Café: 74 N. Main St., Lambertville, NJ; 609-397-3737; chivecafe.comDe Floret: 18 S. Main St., Lambertville, NJ; 609-397-7400; defloret.com El Tule: 49 N. Main St., Lambertville, NJ; 609-773-0007; eltulerestaurant.com Lambertville Station Restaurant and Inn: 11 Bridge St., Lambertville, NJ; 609-397-8300; lambertvillestation.comLocal Greek: 2 Canal St., Lambertville, NJ; 609-460-4021; localgreeklambertville.com Revolution Woodfire Dining: 8 Coryell St., Lambertville, NJ; 856-315-1300; refinedhospitality.com/revolution-woodfire-dining Pru Thai: 24 Bridge St., Lambertville, NJ; 609-942-4040; PruThai.comThe Starving Artists Café: 18 Bridge St., Stockton, NJ; 609-483-2219; facebook.com/todthemod Under The Moon: 23 N. Union St., Lambertville, NJ; 609-397-1710; underthemooncafe.comWoolverton Inn: 6 Woolverton Rd, Stockton, NJ; 609-397-0802; woolvertoninn.com Pedestrians are once again able to walk across the New Hope-Lambertville Bridge after the walkway reopened ahead of schedule this week The pedestrian crossing reopened on Wednesday evening, with the roadway expected to partially reopen for Pennsylvania-bound traffic at some point on Thursday, according to the Delaware River Joint Toll Bridge Commission. The bridge was originally scheduled to remain completely closed until Jan The entire bridge has been closed to all vehicular and pedestrian traffic since Jan namely replacing a deteriorated steel pin on the bridge The 120-year-old pin had rusted and worn to the point where it posed a potential risk for failure under heavy load The New Hope-Lambertville Toll-Supported Bridge is on track to reopen to two-way traffic sometime in mid-February (This story was updated to add new information.) Lacey Latch is the development reporter for the Bucks County Courier Times and The Intelligencer. She can be reached at LLatch@gannett.com The bridge over the Delaware River between Lambertville and New Hope will be closed for two weeks The bridge will be shut down to all vehicular traffic and pedestrian crossings until Jan New Jersey-bound motorists will be detoured a mile north to the New Hope-Lambertville (Route 202) Toll Bridge which does not have a toll in the New Jersey-bound direction Pennsylvania-bound motorists have three options: New Hope-Lambertville Restaurant Week: New Hope and Lambertville Restaurant Week to feature more than two dozen eateries The timing of the project's first week coincides with the debut of New Hope-Lambertville Restaurant Week would have served as a quick and convenient pathway for patrons to sample restaurants in both towns Pride flag art proposed: New landmark featuring pride flag proposed in New Hope to celebrate LGBTQ+ community The Delaware River Joint Toll Bridge Commission has contracted an outside vendor to provide a shuttle service between Lambertville and New Hope at no cost to its riders while the bridge is closed The service is intended only for bridge walkway patrons The shuttle will operate with two vehicles in service 7 a.m daily and extended service with a single vehicle 11 p.m A one-way trip between the towns is approximately 12 to 15 minutes Stops in downtown New Hope and Lambertville are: Tension test for aging New Hope bridge: New Hope-Lambertville Bridge closure set for Monday Jan. 6 as repairs continue The shuttles will end once the bridge’s walkway can be put back into service 18-inch-long steel pin that supports a critical joint of 11 structural steel members on the bridge’s second truss span from the Pennsylvania side The 120-year-old pin has rusted and worn to the point where it poses a potential risk for failure under heavy load This would mark the first time that a such pin replacement has been performed on the steel Pratt-truss bridge linking the two towns It also would be the first time such a repair has been done at any of the Commission’s bridges LAMBERTVILLE − Plans are being made for the anticipated two-week closure next month of the bridge over the Delaware River between downtown Lambertville and New Hope.The bridge closure will allow a contractor to permanently repair a deteriorated structural connection that was discovered in the bridge’s second span from the Pennsylvania side during the summer The closure is scheduled for what are often the two coldest weeks of the year when crossings by motor vehicles and pedestrians are at their lowest volumes after the winter holiday season If all goes according to plan and there are no winter storm delays the bridge should reopen to vehicular crossings in both directions on or about Jan Pedestrian crossings would also resume at that time The bridge has been undergoing a comprehensive rehabilitation since late January 2024 when an uninterrupted New Jersey-bound traffic detour went into effect It originally was anticipated that the structure could be reopened this fall with a return of two-way traffic on the bridge’s roadway deck and pedestrians using a soon-to-be-completed new walkway facility the discovery of a deteriorated structural connection derailed the bridge’s rehabilitation schedule More: The Italian restaurant at the Stockton Inn is finally opening. Here's when the bridge is open to Pennsylvania-bound vehicular traffic and pedestrians A detour of New Jersey-bound vehicles is expected to remain in place until work crews can fix the structural issue During the closure New Jersey-bound motorists will be detoured a mile north to the New Hope-Lambertville (Route 202) Toll Bridge which does not have a toll in the New Jersey direction Pennsylvania-bound motorists will have three options: there will be a free shuttle service operating 19 hours each day the bridge is closed The service will utilize the same two designated drop-off/pick-up locations used earlier in the bridge rehabilitation project Both stops are close to the bridge in the commercial centers of the two riverfront communities the stop is on the northbound side of North Main Street by the park benches near the building that houses the PNC Bank and Starbucks the stop is on Bridge Street in the general area of the former Black River and Western Railroad crossing and the Princeton Bank building A one-way trip between the two stops is approximately 12 to 15 minutes the shuttle must use the toll bridge north of New Hope and Lambertville The New Hope-Lambertville Toll Supported Bridge reopened to westbound foot and vehicle traffic on Jan the New Hope-Lambertville Toll-Supported Bridge reopened Thursday to vehicles heading into Pennsylvania The bridge remains closed to New Jersey-bound traffic a detour north to the Route 202 toll bridge remains in effect The Delaware River Joint Toll Bridge Commission's Jan 13 closure of the 120-year-old span to both foot and vehicle traffi was needed to repair "a deteriorated structural connection" in the bridge's second span from the Pennsylvania side The commission credited September's sandblasting activities on the bridge with uncovering a rusted and worn down 18-inch steel pin that was determined to pose a risk of failure under a heavy load The sandblasting was part of a larger project to repair and repaint the bridge replace the pedestrian walkway and install an LED lighting system The commission currently anticipates that the bridge will once again carry two-way traffic sometime in mid-February The bridge rehabilitation began in late January 2024 but aspects of that work were stymied by the discovery of a severely deteriorated structural connection in late summer "With the repair of the structural joint completed the rehabilitation project’s uncompleted tasks are now expected to be completed by the spring," the commission reported in a statement it issued Thursday The Delaware River Joint Toll Bridge Commission today announced that the New Hope-Lambertville Toll-Supported Bridge Rehabilitation Project’s … Get the best things to do in NJ sent right to your inbox with our Weekend Buzz newsletter pedestrian-friendly bridges spanning the Delaware [MORE: Weekend Getaways to Take Right Now] Lambertville lives up to its nickname of the Antiques Capital of New Jersey In addition to standalone shops throughout town multiple dealers are conveniently located at the People’s Store on four floors of a large building on North Union Street Another treasure trove is the Golden Nugget Flea Market Wander into any of the many galleries downtown or go straight to the Artists’ Gallery on Bridge Street which features continuous exhibits of 16 artists theater and artist residency in nearby Frenchtown is currently showing the works of artist and New York Times best-selling author Suleika Jaouad and her mother At the the historic Prallsville Mills just outside Lambertville you can visit the gallery of eight artists in an old linseed mill (by appointment only in January) subterranean Wine Cellar at Lambertville Station Start your day at one of Lambertville’s many coffee shops—standouts are Union Coffee and Luminary Coffee For a special dinner, try the Lambertville Station Restaurant; come early and visit the Wine Cellar for vino and cheese in front of the 19th-century building’s stone fireplace. D’Floret is an intimate, farm-to-table spot where the menu changes based on what’s in season consider the Latinx-fusion menu at El Tule For excellent pre- or post-dinner cocktails, head to the fun and quirky Boat House bar or the Hawke If you don’t mind the short drive up the river to charming Frenchtown, and you can score a reservation, another special-occasion dinner spot is Finnbar, helmed by Cal Peternell former head chef at Alice Waters’s legendary Chez Panisse Photo: Courtesy of Woolverton Inn/Mario Passalacqua Lambertville Station and the Lambertville House Want to cozy up in front of your own fireplace For a more bucolic setting, stay at the Woolverton Inn seven miles away, in Stockton. Built in 1792, it sits on 10 acres with a sheep farm and includes a three-course breakfast. You now can stay on site for dinner, too: Just opened is the Inn’s Northridge Restaurant in an historic 1830’s stone barn on the property take a trip back in time to the Rosemont-Ringoes Road in Sergeantsville where you can drive over one of New Jersey’s last covered bridges Read more Shore & Travel, Things to Do articles 2025 at 4:46 am ET.css-79elbk{position:relative;}(Jeff Werner/Patch)LAMBERTVILLE Lambertville's springtime celebration of fish the Greater Lambertville Chamber of Commerce stages the festival to welcome the shad back home to its spawning grounds and to bring people together to celebrate the region the shad make the harrowing journey northward from their home in the Atlantic Ocean to lay their eggs in the fresh waters of the Delaware River the chamber has organized the festival for the past four decades visits to the Lewis Island Fishery and plenty of food and family-oriented fun “Shad Fest is an opportunity to experience something unique something that’s held on tradition and something to honor the Delaware River which surrounds us all," said event organizers The rain or shine festival takes place on Saturday and Sunday Shad Fest will bring 75 vendors into town along North Union Street from York to Ferry Street And don't miss the Home & Garden area at the North Union parking lot the Food Court at the Wells Fargo parking lot and Locals Lane on Church Street between George Street and Union “Shad Fest features the area’s finest artists and crafters music and family entertainment,” said organizers You can spend a couple of hours or you can spend the whole day Delicious eats of all kinds will be available at the Shad Fest Food Court at the Wells Fargo Bank parking lot On the menu will be everything from fried Oreos to taco salads Hawaiian BBQ to fried calamari and from gyros to fresh lemonade And don't miss the Beer Garden in the Lambertville Station Parking Lot Shad Fest posters created by local artists will be on display at the First Presbyterian Church They will be sold during a live and silent auction on Sunday with proceeds benefiting scholarships for local students pursuing degrees in art Among the festival highlights are the public shad-hauling demonstrations taking place on Lewis Island The public is invited to stop at the Lewis Fishery at Lambert Lane and Coryell Street to learn more about the shad from the Lewis family and to watch the shad hauling demonstrations at 1 p.m Steve Meserve talks Shad at a fish-hauling demonstration at the Lewis Fishery The Lewis family has been fishing these waters since 1888 and holds the only remaining commercial license to catch shad with nets Steve Meserve and his family have run the Lewis Fishery the last commercial shad operation on the Delaware River He is the fourth generation to lead the Lambertville Like his great-grandfather Captain Bill Lewis who turned the former American Shad Fishery into the Lewis Fishery in 1888 local businesses will be joining in the fun by paying homage to the shad in their own fun and unique ways “You might find a Shadtini at some of the local bars or Shad Fest discounts at the shops and store,” said event organizers It’s also a great opportunity to explore Lambertville’s many shops and restaurants It’s a great place to explore and experience.” For complete details on Shad Fest, visit LambertvilleChamber.org Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts. Bucks County drivers may need to plan ahead for alternate routes as the New Hope-Lambertville Toll-Supported Bridge is scheduled to be closed to all traffic for four hours next week The planned closure from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Jan. 6 is to give engineers time to fully deploy a "friction collar," a custom-made stabilization device installed around a structurally compromised connection point on the 120-year-old steel truss bridge, according to the Delaware River Joint Toll Bridge Commission. The device is to be incrementally tensioned during the temporary closure while being monitored by engineers The bridge’s roadway must be closed to all vehicular traffic for the tensioning process but they will be subjected to stoppages and controlled escorts The scheduled closure is weather dependent and subject to change A firm decision is expected to be made by Friday More: New Hope bridge closure pushed into 2025 after critical deterioration found If the tensioning process is successfully completed as expected the bridge could then be completely shut down to both vehicles and pedestrians for two weeks starting Jan The full bridge closure would enable repairs to a deteriorated critical structural connection in the bridge’s second span from the Pennsylvania side The unforeseen structural issue was discovered this summer during the bridge’s planned rehabilitation The two-way bridge has been closed to New Jersey-bound traffic since last January and was originally scheduled to reopen this fall The commission now expects this traffic restriction to continue until mid-February 2025 with the entire project scheduled to be complete by next spring 2025 at 3:12 am ET.css-79elbk{position:relative;}(Shutterstock)LAMBERTVILLE NJ — Visitors to this year's Shad Fest will have a chance to taste the future The owners of Invertase Brewing Company will be offering several of its brews during the weekend festival as a preview of its new taproom coming soon to the city “We’ll be pouring several of our brews both days during Shad Fest on Saturday and Sunday, April 26 and 27, from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. in the backyard beer garden at Kelly’s On Bridge Hair Salon!” which operates a 5,000-square-foot taproom and production company at 51 N will be opening a tasting room at 80 Lambert Street in the near future The future site of the Invertase Brewing Company in Lambertville Invertase Brewing Company was launched in October 2019 with four taps they have rapidly expanded their offerings built the largest beer garden in the state (including a bandstand) and added a private event space have been integral in the development and execution of everything Invertase Brewing Company is today Stephen is the company’s brewmaster and holds a degree in mechanical engineering from Lafayette College Karen and Steve cover the day-to-day activities at the brewery as well as off-site Karen is a microbiologist; Steve is a biochemist They have a small herd of dairy goats and the farm is also home to Brew Dog Blaze we take pride in our distinctive approach to brewing setting ourselves apart from the competition with a relentless commitment to innovation and quality through meticulous attention to detail and mechanical engineers who bring a wealth of expertise to the brewing process This diverse background and scientific approach allow us to redefine what craft beer can be “Each brew is a testament to our passion for creativity and precision incorporating both traditional and unconventional ingredients and cutting-edge brewing methods that elevate the drinking experience every sip invites customers on a flavorful journey showcasing our edication to artistry and exploration in brewing.” where they use nets to capture this large member of the herring family This weekend’s Shad Fest celebrates the fish’s return each spring When we think of shad we think of the festival set for this weekend in Lambertville The arrival of shad in the Delaware River each springtime is no longer eagerly awaited by hungry riverside residents who are longing for the first fresh food they have tasted in months Today when we think of shad we think of the festival set for this weekend in Lambertville Some folks will head for the festival in search of the elusive shad; some local restaurants prepare recipes for the bony member of the herring family using either the fish itself or its sought-after roe But most visitors will be looking for traditional fair food such as burgers There still are Lambertville residents who remember their mothers walking down to the river to buy freshly caught shad from fishermen during the springtime shad run Today we can easily get a variety of fish at the supermarket year round but in the past shad was valued more highly than salmon Called the “world’s greatest herring,” its Latin name You can buy deboned shad filets this time of year to cook at home; in long-ago days moms would wrap the fish in an oiled browned paper bag then roast it at a low heat This would allow the fish’s many small bones to melt away so they didn’t have to be removed Be aware if you go shopping for shad that this is a deeply flavored, oily fish that is full of nutrients including omega-3s. If you find shad filets to cook at home, the flavorful fish can be simply sautéed with melted butter and a squeeze of lemon. It can be used fresh, smoked, poached or deep-fried in batter. Here is a quick and easy allrecipes.com fish recipe that would work for shad or any other white fish And if you want to see how the fish are caught the shad festival includes demonstrations of shad fishing using nets and some visitors make their way to the riverside to see shad fishermen at work 1 pound fish (flounder recommended) fillets Place fish filets in a baking dish; season with salt and pepper Bake in the preheated oven until fish is opaque and flakes easily with a fork ShadFest has become a cherished Delaware River tradition drawing thousands of visitors each year for a weekend filled with live music A woman wearing a Harvard University t-shirt and a Temple University hat holds up a sign reading "Hands Off Our Universities" at Saturday's demonstration in Lambertville and New Hope shows a sign reading "Hands Off my social security" during Saturday morning's protest Organizing "to uphold the Constitution and end executive overreach," demonstrators gathered Saturday morning in Lambertville Lambertville resident Jeff Apoian takes part in Saturday's rally coordinated by Indivisible Lambertville / New Hope Hundreds of protestors took part in Saturday's rally which began at Bridge and Union streets in Lambertville The Nguyen family from Lambertville — parents Samantha and Nam with their daughters Molly and Charlie — walks along Bridge Street during Saturday's protest in Lambertville and New Hope Sandy Hanna takes issue with the Trump administration where the rubber meets the road in Lambertville Calling it the 'Hands Off Our River Towns' rally Indivisible Lambertville / New Hope and the New Hope & Solebury Democrats committee coordinated a Saturday rally against the actions of the Trump administration Demonstrators against the actions of the Trump administration rallied Saturday morning at Bridge and Union streets in Lambertville crossed the New Hope-Lambertville Toll-Supported Bridge and continued along Bridge Street in New Hope Calling it the "Hands Off Our River Towns" rally the Indivisible Lambertville / New Hope coordinated the event with New Hope & Solebury Democrats to according to the event's promotional materials Medicaid and Social Security" and "protect our schools Bridge Street Chamber Players will be joined by Graeme Burgan on piano and Noelle Casella Grand on cello when they perform at St The Bridge Street Chamber Players will present the group’s fifth concert the historic church building (1892) at Saint Andrew’s Episcopal Church Works by late 18th century composers Gabriele Leone and C.P.E Bach (second surviving son of Johann Sebastian Bach) late 18th-early 19th century composer Ludwig von Beethoven and 20th century composer Dmitri Shostakovich will be presented Leone is probably the least well known; an Italian he worked in Paris and was a virtuoso on violin and mandolin was in the forefront of changing and evolving musical styles The ensemble’s personnel – Michael and Melissa Locati on violin and cello and Ekaterina Skliar on mandolin and domra – will be joined by Graeme Burgan on piano and Noelle Casella Grand on cello information about composers and instruments will be presented The Bridge Street Chamber Ensemble has been organized by Gabriel Locati a violinist who has studied with members of the famed Guarneri String Quartet Tickets for the concert are donations ($20 per ticket per person is suggested); these enable Saint Andrew’s and the Bridge Street Chamber Ensemble to continue their mission of presenting diverting and often seldom-heard music performed by area musicians For information on the Bridge Street Chamber Ensemble, call 215-500-4760 or go to www.bridgestreetchambermusic.com. For information about the church’s ongoing concert series, call 609-397-2425, or visit www.standrewslambertville.org watches as Rachel Finkle cuts the last of a spool of wire needed for a renovation he is working on Occupying the same building on Coryell Street in Lambertville Finkle’s will be closing its doors at the end of 2024 One of the many long aisles in Finkle’s hardware store is shown Finkle’s is selling its inventory at clearance prices until the doors close forever on Dec An old pricing book at Finkle’s contains well-worn pages some with handwritten inventory information Joseph Finkle grew his business in the early part of the 20th century by advertising scrap-buying events throughout Hunterdon County pose in front of family portraits of hardware store founder Joseph Finkle popped into Rachel Finkle’s head while out on a bike ride earlier this month Longtime Finkle’s employee Eric Horsnall assists customer Michael Quinlan From humblest beginnings to peak performance to quiet realization and lasting impact will close its doors at the end of 2024 after more than a century of operation The Finkle's narrative began three generations ago with (then) Russian immigrant Joseph Finkle As Lambertville’s longtime hardware store and “world’s most unusual supply house” website tells it Joseph’s family had operated a general store When he crossed the Atlantic at the age of 25 a business penchant and acumen came along for the ride five years after arriving in the United States Joseph moved to Lambertville with his wife and infant family they established residence in the cloak of night so onlookers could not witness their modest furnishings This reputation quickly translated into a horse-and-buggy operation buying and selling from New Hope to Stockton then escalated to serving farmers throughout Hunterdon County Joseph had a way of identifying business opportunities and creating clear paths to success From advertising junk-purchasing events at county rail stations to establishing a scrapyard on Coryell Street in 1917 Joseph’s son and patriarch of the current generation grew and ran the family business through the peak industry years until his death in 1994 Nephew Richard Finkle worked alongside Abe for 25 years and ran it with Richard until his retirement in 2001 she has been “the only Finkle in Finkle’s.” Rachel is quick to acknowledge the support of her husband Sven Helmer Rachel spent many hours at the bustling shop by the canal clean the carbon smears off the counters,” she said Rachel shared how back then the sales slips were thick inky triplicate carbon forms “We had to price the credit purchases by looking up items in big old price books which we still have to this day,” she said of the well-worn binders It was not Rachel’s initial plan to run the company She had a career in New York City after graduating from Columbia University Rachel became disillusioned with corporate and city life She and Sven were ready to return to this community and the business she knew so well “It was nice that I got to spend three years working with him,” she said of her father Affection enveloped her pragmatic tone and discourse Rachel and her father would frequent either a “regular” restaurant Rachel also learned firsthand about gaining respect and finding her way in the male-dominated world of contractors and hardware supply “When I first came from New York they put me in the business office upstairs Customers would say they would wait for a man if I called their number,” she recalled she grew in knowledge and gained experience An accomplishment for which she is proud was bringing Finkle’s into the computer age During the pre-internet days of floppy disks Rachel worked tirelessly after hours mapping inventory prices “It was a long process of loading the system Being able to set her own timeline helped the business owner get the task accomplished on her terms “I had to sacrifice things during the years was that their children grew up learning how to help around the house “I did speak to my cousin (Richard) recently and he said 'You are the only Finkle that captained the ship but was also a wife and mother'.” Navigating this role was not the only challenge handed to Rachel An entire other story could be written on how her business weathered — or at least survived — economic fluctuations and the changing retail landscape Rachel taking a significant pay cut then lending the business money were some strategies that kept the doors open When she was approached by a qualified buyer for the property a few years ago The company is selling its inventory at clearance until it closes on Dec “It has made me focus on how I appreciate the business At least we are getting out on our own terms The worst fear was shuttering the business and not being able to make payroll or pay vendors,” she said “I want to emphasize how much I appreciate the customers who were so fundamental to our business and the employees who made up the secret sauce.” has spent his entire professional career at Finkle’s hired after college by Abe Finkle 36 years ago I just sort of landed in the lighting department,” he said modestly In a Finkle’s building across the street from the hardware store Horsnall assisted local customers who popped in for his expertise He is quick to credit Abe Finkle with teaching him the importance of “seeing a job through” with a client until successful completion Finkle’s could not be in any more appropriate town than Lambertville once home to several family-owned companies and Jeff Kline’s playing guitar on the bench in front of a local coffee shop His new and vintage instrument store is located just above on the second floor well known and regarded for his musical talent “My parents would send me over to Finkle’s to get something “and Richie (Finkle) was a few years older than me We'd play hide-and-seek in the aisles of the store I remember hiding in a big box of nails and being amazed at how many different nails they had,” he chuckled and how family businesses of yesteryear succumb to the changing times you lose that small-town feeling,” he added local contractor Fred Nanni pulls up in his pickup truck and Nanni quickly shares an experience he had with Richard Finkle was just starting out (as an electrical contractor) and Richie looked at me and said Nanni was able to establish an account with the store enabling him to grow his fledgling business As the trio shares tales of the store’s former employees characters with names like Woody and Tucker are featured and an occasional good-natured impression is added Laced among fond remembrances was true amazement at the store’s vast and unique inventory From historically accurate door locks to a stash of avocado green sinks and toilets to a box of theater light bulbs in the basement “I was looking for this tiny little screw to fix a guitar and they had this very specific thing even the guitar stores didn't have.” Though the work boot and van crowd are what you’ll likely find on a trip to the store it’s also an interior designer’s destination “Finkle’s is an incredible resource for design,” said Linda Carbutt Lambertville resident and owner of Alba Interiors since 2000 Carbutt has worked with Finkle's for the entirety of her company’s existence purchasing everything from lighting to door hardware to sinks and toilets “They had so much inventory that is so diverse and applies to so many different vocations When they close it’s going to be hard on electricians it's been an invaluable resource,” she said Flyer promotes the events surrounding the Lambertville/New Hope Winter Festival The highly anticipated Lambertville/New Hope Winter Festival which happens yearly in late January/early February has been a staple in the community for more than 20 years has been a staple in the community for well over 20 years What began as an event to give back to the community has grown into a massive and popular gathering with about a dozen different events scheduled the festival takes place over the course of a weekend The most popular events have traditionally been the Chili Cook-Off and the Winter Festival Concert Planned conveniently during the NFL off-week between the conference championships and the Super Bowl the festival continues in the spirit of bringing the community together and giving back All proceeds from the festival are donated back into the community to Fisherman’s Mark in Lambertville and the Bucks County Emergency Family Shelter Last year's sold-out concert featured Mickey Dolenz “The One Hit Wonderers” are scheduled to perform at New Hope Winery at 8 p.m Described as a “Human Jukebox,” the band performs one-hit wonders from the '60s “promises to be a fantastic gathering for families It’s the perfect cozy retreat from those chilly winter days and simply relish the good times together.” about 10 local restaurants are expected to compete for the best chili starting at noon on Feb The judges are a mix of food professionals all-you-can-eat chili and “memories that last a lifetime,” said Green “My favorite aspect of the Chili Cook-Off is how it allows us to give back to our community,” he added “There's nothing more fulfilling than helping those in need." which are courtesy of Union Chill Dispensary in Lambertville will be handed out in the Judges' Choice and People’s Choice categories John Danaher is excited to bring the festival back to its former glory “We have received nothing but positive support both in media and in person,” said Danaher An all-volunteer event board runs the festival each year and Danaher said more volunteers are always welcome to lend a hand everyone is great at what they do,” said Danaher who also prised the venues for getting involved calling them "super supportive and just wonderful to work with." Home » Proposed Hotel Development Sparks Concern From Residents In Lambertville Residents are sharing concerns about a proposed 40-room hotel development on Coryell Street that would include a banquet hall and parking facilities prompted discussions about maintaining the City of Lambertville’s residential character while supporting economic growth who lives adjacent to the proposed development site addressed the City Council during their recent meeting to share his concerns three stories … It’d be three stories right next to our home from the beginning of our house from the curve to the backyard and past that,” Brandt said “It’s also a residential area as well as a business district The development would be located at the former Finkels property. The longtime staple of the city closed at the end of last year the developer owns several other properties in the area Mayor Andrew Nowick confirmed he met briefly with the developer and viewed preliminary sketches of the project they were really just sort of elevations and sketches more than anything,” Nowick said “He offered that to me as courtesy and so I was appreciative of that certainly.” Brandt expresses concern about how the development would affect his property And there’s always the intrinsic value of your home and the extrinsic value of your home,” Brandt said All our windows are on that side of the house and we have porch on the side of the house and so facing three stores of wall.” Council President Benedetta Lambert said she understands the importance of balancing development with community needs The council president said she “would be concerned about an overwhelming presence in such a small space.” “I think what everyone is concerned with is that we protect our neighbors and we are good stewards of the community,” Councilmember Karen Kominsky said “I’m all for people coming to Lambertville living here … But there is a balance of someone’s boutique experience infringing upon our community experience and our community life.” Councilmember Steven Stegman said that any development would need to go through proper channels “They have full access to the zoning but should it proceed to the Planning Board,” Stegman said “I would be surprised if they could do what they want to do without variances and a bunch of other steps.” Nowick stresses the importance of communication between the developer and neighbors expresses concerns about the project and the developer’s communication with residents I do know that there were surveyors in our driveway that put a survey stake about 5 foot off of my front door,” Boyle said “I echo what the mayor is saying that I do think the developer needs to be a little bit more forthcoming with the residents that live adjacent to the property.” noting that the property “used to be Massey’s coal yard” before it was developed as Finkels told council that the proposed development is in a broader context of changes facing Lambertville “This is probably one of the most critical days this council in this community has faced as long as I’ve been here because the future of our community is at stake,” Tittle said “What happens there will also affect the town forever.” Tom Sofield has covered news in Bucks County for 12 years for both newspaper and online publications and internationally across several mediums He is proud to report on news in the county where he lives and to have created a reliable publication that the community deserves The Speckled Egg Cafe is moving the beloved cafe you enjoyed while browsing the treasures at Rice's Market isn't going far It's getting a permanent home nearby in Lambertville according to the Bucks County Courier Times The new location won't be ready until early spring You'll be able to find Speckled Egg Cafe at 19 North Union Street who co-owns the restaurant along with Chef Megan Loos "Lambertville is where we got our start and both Meg and I have a lot of history in the town so it feels like a homecoming to us." the growing cafe has been forced to operate only during the hours of Rice's Market They combated the shorter hours by doing pop-ups at area places like Free Will Brewing Breakfast and lunch will still be served including your favorites like the housemade kimchi and smash burgers as well as some new dinner options Artur and Loos have been busy in the off-season testing all kinds of new recipes to add to the menu and they're excited to debut them in the new spot READ MORE:  Is it illegal to flash your headlights at another driver in PA? Oh, and the restaurant will still have that chill vibe you loved at Rice's Market They want their customers to have a relaxed I'll let you know when the grand opening will be Gallery Credit: Rob Carroll It was in Rice's Market.\nRead More The Speckled Egg Cafe is moving It's getting a permanent home nearby in Lambertville, according to the Bucks County Courier Times. View this post on Instagram A post shared by The Speckled Egg Cafe (@thespeckledeggcafe) You'll be able to find Speckled Egg Cafe at 19 North Union Street They combated the shorter hours by doing pop-ups at area places like Free Will Brewing Breakfast and lunch will still be served, including your favorites like the housemade kimchi, veggie egg & cheese sandwich, and smash burgers as well as some new dinner options. View this post on Instagram A post shared by The Speckled Egg Cafe (@thespeckledeggcafe) Artur and Loos have been busy in the off-season testing all kinds of new recipes to add to the menu READ MORE:  Is it illegal to flash your headlights at another driver in PA? Oh, and the restaurant will still have that chill vibe you loved at Rice's Market It got a lot easier to keep food fresh at home in the 1920s, when the refrigerator started to become an essential appliance for every kitchen. Manufacturers produced about 5,000 refrigerators in the U.S according to History Magazine (via The Packer) another 1 million refrigerators were manufactured in the country [Pictured: Men stand beside the first Frigidaire Chef Megan Loos renovates The Speckled Egg Cafe's new space at the site of the old Manon Restaurant will move into the old Manon Restaurant space in Lambertville has signed a long-term lease in Lambertville The Speckled Egg Cafe will move into the old Manon Restaurant space at 19 N “We’re beyond excited for what’s next,” chef Megan Loos said we feel like we’re carrying something on as well Named by USA Today as one of the top 50 restaurants in the United States in 2024 The Speckled Egg Cafe began in March 2021 at The Golden Nugget Flea Market before moving to Rice’s Market “Both those places were great for us,” co-owner Tony Artur said “Of course we’ll still do our breakfasts and lunch but we’ll be able to expand offerings “It’s where we’ve wanted to head for a long time work renovating the space has already begun Save for a few local contractors helping on things they can’t do Loos and Artur are doing everything themselves “There’s a lot to be done but we’re loving doing it How many people get to build their dream themselves?” Loos said In order to help with the costs of getting started The Speckled Egg has a Kickstarter campaign that runs until the end of March “We’ve been saving and working hard to do this,” Artur said We’re not a hospitality group or investment firm just a couple of local kids trying to build something special from the ground up.” “The excitement of bringing what we have in store for everyone is driving us An honor to carry on the tradition of the building and to keep cooking for everyone that’s supported us since day one Contributions to their Kickstarter can be made at: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/speckledegg/the-speckled-egg-cafe-2025-re-launch.  The bridge that connects Pennsylvania and New Jersey — between Lambertville, NJ and New Hope, PA — has another exciting upgrade The Delaware Joint Toll Bridge Commission (DRJTBC) has installed a new light display on the New Hope-Lambertville bridge The lights are programmable for the first time ever meaning they can change colors READ MORE: New Restaurant Coming to Former Site of New Hope Star Diner And tonight they turned on those lights for the first time It was a big celebration tonight as residents watched from both sides of the river to celebrate the occasion The South Philadelphia String Band led procession across the bridge as well The celebration tonight marked the end of a pretty long construction project for rehabilitation along the bridge So if you've been through the area you since then you've certainly noticed As part of the upgrades to the 120-year-old bridge structural repairs and more to the bridge that has connected the two communities READ MORE: I Love The New Hope Celebrates Annual High Heel Race "We are very, very fortunate the progress of the renovation was pretty much as scheduled," New Hope's Mayor, Laurence Keller, said during Tuesday night's celebration. The bridge itself reopened to vehicular and pedestrian traffic back in February Last night's celebration marked a culmination of sorts of the entire project We can't wait to see the bridge light up in pride colors in June Gallery Credit: Joe, 94.5 PST The New Hope-Lambertville Bridge renovations started in January 2024 before finally wrapping this week.\nRead More The bridge that connects Pennsylvania and New Jersey — between Lambertville, NJ and New Hope, PA — has another exciting upgrade The Delaware Joint Toll Bridge Commission (DRJTBC) has installed a new light display on the New Hope-Lambertville bridge READ MORE: New Restaurant Coming to Former Site of New Hope Star Diner READ MORE: I Love The New Hope Celebrates Annual High Heel Race "We are very, very fortunate the progress of the renovation was pretty much as scheduled," New Hope's Mayor, Laurence Keller, said during Tuesday night's celebration. Pru Thai has brought authentic Thai flavors across oceans — and the South Branch of the Raritan River — to Clinton with its restaurant at 6 E Now the neighborhood favorite headed by husband-and-wife team and French Culinary Institute-trained chefs Korn and Chayanee Wongsarochana is open near the Delaware River Pru Thai opened its third location at 24 Bridge St. following the success of its second restaurant at 9 Route 31 Autumn eats: 5 Central Jersey restaurants to see fall leaf colors and eat good food The intimate 30-seat Lambertville restaurant features a modern French bistro-like atmosphere with the same Thai dishes that diners have long loved — such as the Crying Tiger which is grilled beef tenderloin with roasted chili sauce; and pla rad pik fried whole fish topped with sweet chili garlic sauce A few specials are also on the menu to commemorate the brand's 20th anniversary and it will also offer giveaways and promotions a noodle dish incorporating the umami-forward flavors of shrimp heads pays homage to Korn's mother and her hometown of Chantaburi Food news: NJ brewery to close in December, citing rising costs, flooded market and 'the spectacle' It was her cooking that inspired Korn's culinary journey as he started cooking with her guidance when he was just 8 years old "Cooking has always been about family for me," Korn said in a release and now being able to share our story and food with even more communities as we grow is incredibly special We’re excited to bring the same dedication and love to Lambertville." Go: 6 E. Main St., Clinton, 908-735-0703; 24 Bridge St., Lambertville, 609-942-4040; 9 Route 31, Pennington, 609-737-2111, pruthai.com 2025 at 3:55 am ET.css-79elbk{position:relative;}Rachel Finkle “the world’s most unusual supply house” is closing its doors Following an extended clearance sale that began in November and ends on January 4 Finkles will be shutting its doors forever on Coryell Street city residents have come here for decades for their hardware needs from loose nails and screws to their major electrical After one last clearance sale on Saturday and a bagpipe sendoff its iconic neon sign that has welcomed customers for decades above Coryell Street will go dark one last time incredible place that’s so unique and so valuable is coming to an end,” said Rachel Finkle who has owned and operated the store for the last 34 years Finkles has been in continuous operation for more than a century then as a supply house and eventually as a community hardware store where customers could purchase anything they needed from paint to power tools without going out of town to the “big boxes.” Rachel took the reins of the business 34 years ago from her father who started it as a scrap business 107 years ago the business has changed with the times to meet the community’s needs morphing from that initial scrap yard to a business fixture on Coryell Street He started in Trenton as a peddler with a pack on his back going door to door selling what he could He later moved to Lambertville where he bought property and established a scrap yard Under his ownership the scrap yard expanded to include a supply house took over the supply business from his father was the only one of five kids who stayed with the family business He oversaw the expansion of the business to include hardware joined the business in 1990 working with her father at the store until his death in 1994 when she became the third generation to own and operate the store She took over operations at a challenging time for the local hardware store business with increased competition from big box retailers Rachel Finkle next to portraits of her father “Initially pressure came from the big boxes in the early 90s Then there was a plumbing supply chain that moved into Flemington and that took a lot of our plumbers People buy everything on line whether it’s Wayfair or Amazon,” said Rachel who struggled at times through her ownership to keep the business a float “There were definite traumatic periods when cash flow was tight And I will not be sad to ever have that experience again,” she said “The fact that we owned our own property meant that during tough times we didn’t pay ourselves a fair market value rent And that’s the story of a lot of family businesses,” said Rachel “That’s how they stayed in business against big corporate competition.” Saturday’s closing for Rachel will be “bittersweet “I’m happy that I’m not going bankrupt and it wasn’t forced upon me,” she said “People came to me out of the blue interested in buying the property So instead of fulfilling my worst nightmare that I couldn’t pay bills close the business and be stuck with property taxes that’s not the way it’s ending and I’m relieved that the business wasn’t strong enough to continue for the next generation.” When she was approached four years ago by a buyer who was interested in acquiring all three properties - the main store the warehouse and parking lot - she thought long and hard before making a decision ‘When am I ever going to see this opportunity again We closed the deal and I leased it back to continue doing business for a few more years,” she said After a lifetime of living and breathing the business Rachel now finds herself in a unique position of pondering life beyond Finkles and reinventing herself “I’m finally going to take care of me instead of the business I can’t remember the last time I got on a bike or took care of my fitness or traveled I think I’m going to write my family story about the business and stimulate parts of my brain that haven’t been stimulated in years what’s her message to her longtime customers and employees our employees - brought their special personalities and character to the business It was like a living breathing organism that was created by everybody who worked here and the customers who were regulars “What made Finkles extra special were its employees if not decades with the store,” she continued “Consequently they had extensive product knowledge and really took the time to help the customers I used to joke that the one thing we didn’t specialize in was the blank stare,” a subtle reference to the puzzled looks customers sometimes get from the big box employees." "Thirty-four years is a long time to know the same customers and to know everything they are going through whether it’s a joy or sorrow It’s been a window into the community for me that I’m going to miss,” she said “Come in for one final goodbye - a nostalgic trip down memory lane - and take home a piece of Finkles to remember,” said Rachel Home » New Hope-Lambertville Bridge Lights Up After Renovations the historic New Hope-Lambertville Toll-Supported Bridge connecting Pennsylvania and New Jersey shimmered with its new LED lights during its rededication last Tuesday evening Roughly 200 guests gathered at the Lambertville Station Inn for the ceremony that began with the National Anthem which was sung by the New Hope-Solebury High School Chamber Choir Mayors Larry Keller of New Hope Borough and Andrew Nowick of the City of Lambertville were among the many officials from both sides of the river who celebrated and the discovery and repair of a severely deteriorated structural connection that forced an extension of the rehabilitation project “Today we celebrate the end of all this work,” he said “This bridge once again is in good repair and its service life is extended for new generations of residents acknowledged the burden of the traffic and pedestrian impacts “Capital projects are never easy,” said Komjathy “That’s especially true when the structure needing attention is a weight-restricted two-lane truss bridge like we have here between New Hope and Lambertville We thank all of you for your patience and understanding You are all individually and collectively the real shining lights of this newly rehabilitated bridge.” came the moment everyone awaited: the inaugural lighting of new LED lights on the span A playful April Fools’ Day prank by the South Hunterdon Regional Elementary School’s Crazy 8s Math Club brought a collective gasp when the lights didn’t turn on before the bridge’s new LED architectural lighting system illuminated the night The bridge’s architectural lighting is a colorful The festivities culminated with the lively sounds of the South Philadelphia String Band their Mummers’ music leading a joyful procession across the bridge’s newly renovated walkway Home » ShadFest Returns To Lambertville This Weekend Road closures for vehicles will be in effect from 7 a.m The popular ShadFest is back in the City of Lambertville ShadFest has marked the arrival of spring in Lambertville the streets will come alive with live music Local restaurants and bars are expected to have specials the free festival offers something for everyone A cornerstone of ShadFest is the annual Art Auction held at the First Presbyterian Church on Union Street This year’s auction boasts over 200 original pieces crafted by talented area artists Attendees can participate in a silent auction throughout the weekend The auction supports the Jim Hamilton Memorial Shad Festival Scholarship Fund A reminder from city officials: be mindful of temporary no-parking signs Cars parked in these zones may be towed to ensure smooth festival operations the Greater Lambertville Chamber of Commerce’s ShadFest not only celebrates the local arts scene but also honors the natural wonder of the shad migration For a complete rundown of the ShadFest schedule and more details, head to lambertvillechamber.com/shad-fest The Delaware River Joint Toll Bridge Commission today announced that the New Hope-Lambertville Toll-Supported Bridge Rehabilitation Project’s contractor is planning to reopen the bridge to two-way traffic sometime on Friday afternoon – has had the bridge closed to New Jersey-bound traffic for slightly over a year The uninterrupted around-the-clock detour allowed for a comprehensive rehabilitation of the 120-year-old bridge The travel restriction had to be extended into 2025 due to an unanticipated discovery of a deteriorated structural connection last August That structural connection was replaced in mid-January during a 10-day-long full-bridge shutdown work crews have completed various project tasks directly or indirectly delayed by the structural connection issue The project contractor and its subcontractors subsequently have begun demobilizing equipment and materials around the bridge putting it in position for a reopening in time for Valentine’s Day evening dinners and the three-day President’s Day holiday weekend does not mean the rehabilitation project is completed Nor does it mean that all travel restrictions are over off-peak alternating single-lane travel restrictions will be utilized from 9 a.m on weekdays so work crews can complete remaining project tasks The alternating single-lane restriction is to be restricted to one bridge span at a time – the bridge has six truss spans – and controlled by flaggers posted by a subcontracted traffic-control service Alternating single-travel lane restrictions are expected to continue for up to three weeks project personnel will remove temporary construction platform/debris containment from beneath the bridge complete architectural lighting installation “Punch-list” work is then expected to follow and programming of the bridge’s architectural lighting system All project work is on track to be completed in the spring More information on the bridge lighting system – including the establishment of a specific information webpage – will be announced in coming weeks The commission also plans to hold a ceremony in the spring to formally rededicate the rehabilitated bridge The Uhlerstown-Frenchtown Toll-Supported Bridge will be closed to Pennsylvania-bound vehicle traffic for about nine months this year 2025 at 4:40 pm ET.css-79elbk{position:relative;}File photo of the New Hope-Lambertville Bridge — The New Hope-Lambertville Toll-Supported Bridge reopened to two-way traffic shortly before 12:30 p.m The bridge will remain fully open through the Presidents’ Day holiday weekend only off-peak alternating single-lane travel restrictions are anticipated to be needed to complete the remaining project tasks Travel delays and traffic backups are possible when they are in effect Motorists should allow additional time to reach destinations when using the bridge on weekdays The alternating travel restrictions will enable the project contractor – Anselmi & DeCicco – and its subcontractors to complete an assortment of remaining rehabilitation project tasks The work will involve removal of temporary construction platform/debris containment from beneath the bridge completion of architectural lighting installation One other detail will be the state line designation along the bridge’s walkway Due to the composition of the bridge’s new slip-resistant foam-core fiber-reinforced polymer (FRP) walkway panels the walkway’s railing will be utilized to connote the state line’s location Two railing sections and one support post are colored differently for this purpose Signs will be installed at the location to mark the respective states Dividend: the new state-line designation will be more conducive for taking family and group photographs Testing and adjusting of the bridge’s new color-programmable LED lighting system will take place on various nights in the coming weeks More information on the bridge lighting system – including the establishment of a specific information webpage – should become available sometime in March Final completion of the project is expected to be reached in the spring the Delaware River Joint Toll Bridge Commission – the bridge’s owner – plans to hold a ceremony to formally rededicate the completed bridge at some point after the onset of warmer weather The bridge is illuminated in red during a test of its new LED lighting system A crew member shows a shad to the crowd during the 2023 iteration of ShadFest The Greater Lambertville Chamber of Commerce invites residents of Bucks County and beyond to celebrate the arrival of spring at ShadFest 2025 taking place April 26 and April 27 in downtown Lambertville ShadFest has become a Delaware River tradition drawing thousands of visitors each year for a weekend of live music What began as a celebration of the annual shad run in the Delaware has grown into a multi-faceted festival Admission is free and the event is rain or shine Among the weekend's signature events is the annual ShadFest Art Auction at the First Presbyterian Church on Union Street in Lambertville Featuring more than 200 original works by local artists a silent auction will be open throughout the weekend Proceeds benefit the Jim Hamilton Memorial Shad Festival Scholarship Fund which this year will award two $25,000 scholarships to graduating high school seniors living in either the New Hope-Solebury School District or the South Hunterdon Regional High School sending district Three current college students will receive $5,000 Hamilton was one of the festival's founders “We had an amazing group of students last year,” said Shad Festival scholarship cochairs Jane Wesby and Amy Coss “The selection process was highly competitive We were deeply inspired by the ten students we interviewed The community works hard to earn this money and we look forward to helping to fund the next generation of artists through this year’s auction.” Parking is available in and around Lambertville, but guests are encouraged to walk or bike into town if possible. For more information, visit www.lambertvillechamber.com/shad-fest The Greater Lambertville Chamber of Commerce supports the economic and civic vitality of Lambertville and surrounding communities through advocacy SOUTHEAST MICHIGAN  — A Goodwill Art Works workshop and retail art store is opening this month in Lambertville March 24 is the grand opening of the local Goodwill’s newest endeavor. It’s the first Goodwill Art Works center in Monroe County, but there are two art centers in Lenawee County Learn about the new center and Goodwill Industries of Southeast Michigan’s other local offerings training centers and Michigan’s first Goodwill Bookstore Housed in a former Goodwill retail store at 7300 Secor Road Art Works is an art studio and also a retail shop Art Works aims to provide "life-changing opportunities for individuals facing barriers," the organization said “Most of the items for sale in the studio are made by Goodwill participants 85 percent commission for most of the sales goes to the Art Works participants,” said Rebecca Molina Goodwill Industries of Southeast Michigan's mission engagement manager “The grand opening plan is to provide tours of the Art Works and Mission Services spaces provide light refreshments and shop,” Molina said four communal artist areas and 'Dip a Brush Fundraising Art Installation' that the public can participate in We also feature a dry-erase coloring wall and some pretty fun art installations," Molina said There's also a make-and-take bar inside the center “Customers can create their own sand wax candles for purchase," Molina said Lambertville Art Works participants also will sell their creations at Adrian Center for the Arts Goodwill participants also can take part in hands-on workshops and learn business and employment skills at the art center “We see this program as a fun and engaging way for participants to interact with the community build self-confidence and express themselves," Molina said "This is a referral-based work program for entrepreneurs If someone is interested in joining Art Works they need to reach out to a Community Mental Health or Michigan Rehabilitation Services caseworker." Lambertville's Art Works is based on similar programs in Michigan we partnered with MRC Art Works in Kalamazoo for guidance and inspiration Goodwill of North East Texas visited our Art Works in Adrian and Tecumseh to observe and learn from our program to start a Goodwill Art Works program there," Molina said The Lambertville Training Center in the same building as Art Works The training center works closely with the Monroe Community Mental Health Authority Michigan Rehabilitation Services and the Monroe County Intermediate School District External employers provide employment through Goodwill Beth McCary is the local workforce development director Goodwill Industries of Southeast Michigan opened a bookstore at 8167 Lewis Ave Previous Coverage: Goodwill's first Michigan bookstore opening March 3 in Temperance Molina believes it’s still the only Goodwill Bookstore in the state with the hope of opening their own bookstore in their region," Molina said "We get people from all over the country to visit We partner with Great Start Monroe and the Monroe County Intermediate School District for their Read Across America events every March We put on Book-A-Palooza in August; this is a fun entertainment and back-to-school readiness.” Youth books and fiction are the store's best-sellers “We have thousands in our inventory and update daily Many popular authors can be found on the shelves regularly,” Molina said "There is an area for Art Works artists to showcase and sell their work in the bookstore we began incorporating some items that are related to books and the spaces we enjoy reading: For example We have a donation center located at the bookstore that accepts all items went from 4,000 square feet to 24,000 square feet "We are happy to say that the store continues to grow We are grateful for the community that supports our mission: to provide exceptional opportunities to people facing barriers," Molina said "We still rotate the shelves daily and do our best to be good stewards with what has been given to us “Our Monroe Training Center had a renovation last year and is just an incredible space where our participants can gather learn various soft and hard skills that enrich their lives," Molina said "We have a calendar providing options for activities We partner with many businesses in Monroe for job skills training and support Habitat Re-Store and more." The Monroe Training Center currently serves 75 participants Support local news: Subscribe for all the latest local developments, breaking news and high school sports content. Goodwill services in Lenawee County and beyondGoodwill Headquarters and Donation Center cardboard recycling and salvage servicesAdrian Art Works AdrianTecumseh Art Works and Donation Center SalineGoodwill services offered in Lenawee County are: For more information about Goodwill Industries of Southeast Michigan, visit goodwillsemi.org or email Rebecca Molina at rmolina@goodwillsemi.org For more information about the Lambertville Training Center email Tracy Setzler at tsetzler@goodwillsemi.org — Contact reporter Suzanne Nolan Wisler at swisler@monroenews.com 2025 at 12:12 am ET.css-79elbk{position:relative;}(Patch Graphics)LAMBERTVILLE April 14 between George Street and North Union Street for a fire hydrant repair Earle Construction will be doing the repair for Veolia Water Home » Lambertville Won’t Extend Agreement With Developer For Old High School Site The mayor announced the development on Wednesday The City of Lambertville has decided not to renew the the “conditional redeveloper designation” with K effectively canceling the developer’s plans for the redevelopment of the former Lambertville High School property Mayor Andrew Nowick announced the decision Wednesday afternoon The “conditional redeveloper designation” was set to expire on Thursday The decision comes after significant public outcry over the proposed development, which included 124 townhomes, 32 stack townhomes, and 40 affordable apartments. Residents raised concerns about the number of housing units, potential stormwater runoff issues, and environmental concerns discovered at the site The redevelopment plan is subject to court oversight as part of a settlement agreement involving the city’s power of eminent domain The court has been notified of the city’s decision Lambertville is under a court order to build 32 affordable housing units by June 2025 Failure to meet this deadline could result in the New Jersey Courts taking control of affordable housing development in the city and potentially building the units in locations of their choosing The redevelopment and court order has caused friction among council and residents since it came into focus earlier this year While the mayor acknowledged that a new potential project to meet the court’s requirement is being considered The old high school was demolished in autumn 2012 after damage from a 1992 arson and 20 years of exposure to the elements and vandalism The school gained a reputation as a “haunted” destination drawing teens from around the region and causing headaches for police and neighbors Lambertville High School became a high school in the late 1800s and added a large addition in 1926 after a fire forced renovations The school closed in 1959 ahead of the opening of South Hunterdon Regional High School operated an electronics manufacturing facility on the property Below is the mayor’s full statement: Hovnanian Homes (KHH) informing them that the City will not extend their conditional redeveloper designation The decision follows two and a half years of multiple proposals and discussions regarding the possible redevelopment of the Lambertville High School Redevelopment Area (LHSRA) In the months following the introduction of the Ordinance to amend the Redevelopment Plan the City has heard the concerns of residents related to the potential impact of stormwater runoff to downhill neighborhoods and traffic circulation on Connaught Hill There has also been significant concern that the former landfill area located on the property will not be closed even if the proposed project were to proceed the City is now aware of contamination in groundwater wells that service certain residential properties near or adjacent to the property which has raised additional concerns about the impact of the proposed development the City has decided to step away from the project the LHSRA is a required element of the City’s 2020 Third Round Housing Element and Fair Share Plan I have also sent a letter to the Court advising them of the City’s decision The Council Members and I want to acknowledge how difficult this process has been for the community Some of this may have been about different points of view or a feeling of frustration in not knowing the specifics of confidential and continued negotiations or other feelings related to the possibility of large-scale change I think it’s a good moment to reiterate that the Council Members and I have a deeply held appreciation for the trust we’ve been given to make the right decisions on behalf of the community A few of you have expressed concern about the end of the Third Round and the City’s ability to fully meet its present obligation The Council Members and I have begun to consider a potential project though it’s too soon to share any information about it When I’m confident we’re in a place to discuss it in public I will bring it forward—probably early in the new year Owing to the possible implications of this decision the City will refrain from further public comment And I respectfully ask the community to honor the process and the decision with care and thoughtfulness.Yours in service,Mayor Nowick 2025 at 10:52 pm ET.css-79elbk{position:relative;}New Hope-Lambertville Bridge PA — Monday’s scheduled four-hour closure of the New Hope-Lambertville Toll-Supported Bridge to all vehicular traffic remains on track according to the Delaware River Joint Toll Bridge Commission Commission engineers and consultants are monitoring weather resources that currently predict snowfall totals of 1 to 3 inches occurring while the bridge’s road deck is taken out of service for tensioning of a temporary ‘friction collar” stabilization device on a compromised bridge span between 10 a.m The custom-made device was installed on the bridge in late November allowing the bridge’s new walkway to open and the bridge’s road deck to handle Pennsylvania-bound traffic shifts engineers are expected to incrementally tension the friction collar and monitor electronic sensors called strain gauges attached to various bridge structural components engineers will monitor the strain gauges for another week to ensure the structure’s stability Motorists should plan ahead to use alternate river crossings while the bridge’s road deck is closed to traffic on Monday As has been the case for the past 10 months Pedestrian crossings will be allowed on Monday but pedestrians will be subjected to stoppages and controlled escorts If all goes according to plan the fully tensioned and monitored friction collar will enable work crews to permanently repair the bridge during a previously announced uninterrupted full bridge shutdown to vehicles and pedestrians between January 13 and 27 18-inch-long steel pin that supports a critical joint of 11 structural steel members This would mark the first time that a such pin replacement has been performed on the steel truss bridge between New Hope and Lambertville It also would mark the first time that such a repair procedure has been executed at any of the Commission’s bridges has always been a place where people flock on the weekend Known as “the antique capital of New Jersey” with its quaint outstanding Zagat-rated restaurants and highly rated B&B’s Lambertville continues to draw in not only New Jersey residents but patrons from surrounding states HGTV’s contributing writer Lynn Coulter studied towns and produced the top 50 most charming small towns in America. It is great to see that Lambertville made the list I have noticed so many of the small towns that I have been to across the country and I agree with her assessment about those that I am familiar with and that are on her list What I enjoy about small towns and Lambertville is the decompressing feeling that happens when you experience the town Lambertville welcomes you with open arms and receives kudus for maintaining that small-town charm I can feel the stress leave and the enjoyment overtake my mind Lambertville makes you feel like you are on a vacation I enjoy going during the week in September after Labor Day Because of the success of its “charm,” people flock to Lambertville during the summer and especially the weekend plan a wonderful day trip and you will not be disappointed Nestled across the Delaware River in Hunterdon County Lambertville was incorporated as a town in 1849 Glance at the history of this town when you decide to go it is another great reason to enjoy Lambertville The post above reflects the thoughts and observations of New Jersey 101.5 weekend host Big Joe Henry Any opinions expressed are Big Joe’s own Report a correction 👈 If you haven't been to Lambertville, you're missing out on one of the most charming small towns in America!\nRead More HGTV’s contributing writer Lynn Coulter studied towns and produced the top 50 most charming small towns in America. - Location: Town in Michigan\r\n- Population: 65,870 Property values and median incomes have increased over the past year largely thanks to the city's manufacturing industry The Twelve Oaks Mall and Suburban Collection Showplace offer a lot of opportunities for shopping and entertainment Report a correction 👈