Much heart at Q-Mart

Before the Lehigh Valley Mall gathered dozens of retailers into one convenient shopping locale, before Walmart opened its first discount department store and before Craigslist became the online equivalent of a yard sale, there was Quakertown Farmers Market.

Founded as a produce market in 1932 by farmer Stanley Rottenberger, the Richland Township retail hub attracts 30,000 to 40,000 shoppers each week, thanks in large part to its eclectic blend of vendors — from delis and produce places to craft shops and furniture stores.

As a lifelong resident of the Lehigh Valley, I’ve made countless trips to the 170,000-square-foot market, known to locals as “Q-Mart,” and each time it’s an adventure — in a good way. Let me explain.

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Although I can expect longtime staples such as Fleck’s Bakery, Frederick’s Meats, Record Revival and my childhood favorite, Race Place (featuring a slot-car race track), I’m also usually greeted by a handful of new vendors.

To me, Q-Mart, showcasing more than 100 shops, is like a box of chocolates — I never know what I’m gonna get.

If this scenario sounds familiar, allow me to eliminate the suspense and fill you in on the latest offerings.

On a recent trip, I checked out 11 businesses — from tea and wine retailers to clothing and lingerie shops — that have debuted within the past year. I also have the scoop on a new biker shop opening Friday.

The newest stores, which opened in August, include KK Home Basics and B’s Pickles.

KK, owned by Shahnaz and Lutful Alam of Lansdale, sells an assortment of home goods — from towels and tableware to appliances and kitchen utensils.

B’s Pickles, owned by Bernice Lisiecki of Green Lane, is technically a new business, although the space previously housed a similar shop called The Pickle Man.

Lisiecki worked at The Pickle Man for five years and took the reigns this past year when her boss retired.

The business sells everything from jumbo and horseradish dills to sweet gherkins and bread-and-butter chips. There’s also homemade kettle corn and a wide array of barbecue and hot sauces.

If pickles don’t tickle your taste buds, the market also welcomed Zangari Seafood Market in May and Cool Dog Ice Cream Shop in November.

Zangari, owned by Marc Zangari of Allentown, sells an assortment of seafood — from wild ahi tuna, swordfish and mako shark to live blue crabs, lobster tail and littleneck clams. There’s also tasty creations such as crab-stuffed tilapia, bacon-wrapped scallops and Old Bay shrimp salad.

Customers can find weekly specials on the business’ Facebook page and call ahead to reserve their orders at 484-633-6073.

Cool Dog, co-owned by brother and sister Jim and Gina Dimare, serves more than 30 hard ice cream flavors, three soft-serve flavors and a wide array of other cool treats, including root beer floats and chocolate-covered bananas.

“We saw a good opportunity here with high foot traffic and no other ice cream shops,” Gina Dimare said.

The market also offers fresh ways to save on fashions, as evidenced by new and used clothing store Name Brands 4 Less, which opened in May, and The Lingerie Shop, which opened in March.

The Lingerie Shop sells, you guessed it, lingerie — from $10 bras and three-for-$10 underwear to corsets and bustiers. There’s also a back section, separated by a curtain, offering adult items such as lotions, games and bachelorette party favors.

Owner Sherry Sawhney, who also operates the Erogenous Zone and Lady Love shops on South Street in Philadelphia, plans to bring in sexy costumes in time for Halloween.

“I didn’t know what to expect here, but business has been good,” Sawhney said. “The people in Quakertown are freaky.”

Another shop, JessWear Collection, opened June 13 and offers custom embroidery and screen printing.

“Customers can bring us any photo they like and we can put it on T-shirts, jackets, a blanket, even a rug,” co-owner Tracy Williams said.

Other service businesses that have recently taken root at the market include Master’s Gutter Shield Systems, handling installation of new gutters and gutter guards, as well as Spring Hill Chimney Service, a full-service chimney company specializing in stainless steel chimney liners.

The remaining new vendors, Boyd’s Cardinal Hollow Winery and Let’s Steep tea shop, both aim to quench your thirst with a bevy of unique beverages.

Boyd’s, which opened in November, is a Montgomery County-based winery offering more than 25 different wines for tasting and purchase ($11-$50 per bottle).

Selections range from reds and whites to its award-winning jalapeno variety and seasonal selections such as peach and pumpkin.

Let’s Steep, which opened in December, offers more than 100 varieties of loose leaf teas — from black, green and white to chai, rooibos and yerba mate.

According to owner Rebekkah Morasco, many of the herbal blends have medicinal purposes, including Big Lou’s Elixir, named after her father-in-law. The concoction helps with sleep, migraines, restless leg and fibromyalgia, she said.

Customers can purchase their favorite selections in single-serve packets or small ($8) and large ($13) jars. For every $5 you spend in tea, a complimentary single-serve packet of your choosing is offered.

Morasco, a wood shop teacher in the Central Bucks School District, also sells many of her and other artisans’ handmade creations, including cutting boards and shelves, as well as local raw honey.

Let’s Steep appears at other area farmers markets, including Saucon Valley and Hometown, as well Rice’s Flea Market in Solebury Township.

Finally, Biker Apparel Accessories, Etc. plans to open Friday, selling exactly what its name implies, including leather jackets, chaps, patches and gloves.

The shop, which also will do alterations and custom fittings, is the second location owned by Nina Owens of Collegeville. Her original shop is housed inside Nina’s Cleaners, Tailors Custom Drapery in Collegeville.

Fundraising for military organizations, including the Wounded Warrior Project and American Gold Star Mothers, will be a large focus of the business with Owens donating proceeds from a shoe shine station and pictures taken on an in-house Suzuki motorcycle. Info: 610-564-2129.

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