Westgate Mall Indoor Outdoor Farmer's Market in Bethlehem

The Westgate Mall (2285 Schoenersville Rd. Bethlehem) is probably best known for the time presidential candidate John McCain visited a few years ago, pushing a shopping cart through Weis Market with the common folk.

Westgate is not as glamorous as the Promenade Shops is - no Starbucks or fountains here - but the Bon-Ton department store is just fine, and Westgate Pizza is one of our favorites. It also has a store that repairs vacuum cleaners and sewing machines, and a drive through coffee trailer in the parking lot(Mocha Mike's - beloved by soccer and baseball moms taking their kids to the Bethlehem Municipal fields for games as well as commuters).

Now it's the first Lehigh Valley mall to open a year-round farmers' market! Westgate Mall Indoor Outdoor Farmer's Market opened today with much fanfare - including a visit from US Congressman Charlie Dent. It will be open every Wednesday from noon until 7 p.m.

Here's a partial list of vendors:

• Valley View Farms products
• Hereford Country Store - Gourmet Quiches, Veggie Tarts and Old Fashion Baked Goods
• The Popcorn Pit - freshly made Gourmet Popcorn
• Jett Produce -  year-long chemical free greens, holiday wreaths, fresh grain fed turkeys
• Y Knot Alpacas  Alpaca gloves, socks and soaps
• Verba Farms - Fruit baskets, eggs, produce
• The Phillips Company - specialty and holiday flags
• Hair Accessories plus Uniques -  Uniques hair clips and accessories
• Apple Ridge Farms - Featuring Brick Oven Bread & Produce
• Easton Salsa Company - Salski/Salsa
• Christine's Secret Garden - fine teas and tea pots
• Blondies  - designer cupcakes, haluski, tomatoe mac & cheese and pierogie casserole
• Hum-Dinger Alpacas - yes, more alpacas! - alpaca fiber products, both handspun/handknit, and commercially processed

For more information, "like" the Westgate Mall on Facebook.