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Bobby Waite
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Bobby Waite
by Bob Waite
We’ve adopted Frenchtown. Sure, it’s in New Jersey but it should be in Bucks County. There are several reasons for this conclusion. First, if it wasn’t for that river, it would be. Another reason is that like Bucks County towns, it has that special small town vibe, while being cosmopolitan and up-to-date. The main reason, however, is that it’s colorful boutiques, beautiful homes, restaurants and art galleries make me feel the same way I feel when going to our towns along the Delaware. And the friendly people, the locals, fit right in with our own townspeople.
Now there are some differences between towns in our county and Frenchtown, to be sure. Historically Bucks County towns were founded by Quakers seeking religious freedom and Frenchtown was founded by French speaking Swiss families escaping the French Revolution and the guillotine. Both groups were seeking a place to live freely. Besides, in an adoption natural descent is kind of thrown by the wayside anyway.
Rick Epstein, Frenchtown’s official historian and infamous tour guide has lived in Frenchtown since 1977 when he became the editor of the Delaware Valley News. Frenchtown’s history became his passion when he would do stories for the newspaper that highlighted people whose lives spoke to an earlier era in Frenchtown. He talks about interviewing a man who worked on canal boats, another who rode horses in the cavalry and a woman who played the piano at silent movies. These kind of encounters led him to a lifelong interest in Frenchtown’s history, one that is coming to full fruition in a book he is in the process of writing about the history of Frenchtown.
Talking to Rick I found out things about the people of Frenchtown, that would make anyone proud to live there. Their commitment to their community is exemplified in their willingness to encourage each other, cultivate long term friendships and be fiercely protective of those whose lives were challenged with financial hardships and mental or physical handicaps. Who wouldn’t want to adopt this town?
The ride to Frenchtown is by itself worth the trip. River Road on the Pennsylvania side is one of America’s most scenic roads. It is by itself a destination. Riding north are picturesque views of the canal and towpath, the Delaware River, small towns, hills on the west side of the road, homes of all sizes, wildflowers growing freely along the road and even scenic views across the river.
The Jersey side is scenic too. In fact the drive from Trenton to Frenchtown is a scenic byway, a designation given to it by both the State of New Jersey and the Federal Highway Administration. Along that route is Washington Crossing State Park, Prallsville Mills, and again a canal, the river, beautiful homes, and scenic views.
Frenchtown with its Greek Revival-Italianate, Federal, Romanesque Revival, Victorian and Second Empire styled homes and its very colorful storefronts is a pleasant town to walk. All kinds of walkers populate Bridge Street on a summer day. People are walking their dogs, mothers are walking with infants in strollers, young people walking and chatting with their friends and shoppers are walking in and out of stores.
Rick Epstein said in a sort of tongue and cheek manner that there are three things to do in Frenchtown— eat, shop and go on one of his historic tours.
Frenchtown has restaurants, cafes, bakeries, a juicebar, and a chocolate store. Dinning is mainly casual, but there are places that can definitely be considered fine dining establishments. Two that range from casual dining to fine are the Frenchtown Inn and the restaurant at the National Hotel. Both are high quality and creative in the food they offer. Vegan food is served at Frenchtown Fresh, offerings such meatless treats as the Vitamin D Mushroom Burger and The Best Vegan Reuben. Cocina del Sol, a Mexican restaurant, get five star reviews on social media.
There is a food store that sources from sustainable producers across the globe, The Gourmand Epicerie has a wonderful selection of antipasto, sweets and honey, cocktail mixers, cookies, crackers, chips, olive oils, balsamic vinegars, jams and preserves, pastas, sauces and pesto.
Libby Beans is what used to be known as a confectionery or candy store, and it sells delicious coffee, lots of chocolate candy, ice cream and other treats. It is said that their macarons are the best in the area.
Frenchtown is a town that promotes art. There are several galleries and the recently transplanted Art Yard is now in a 16,000 square-foot former electronics warehouse. A gallery known for the high quality local art is the SFA, Schmidtberger Fine Art Gallery. A recently opened art gallery, Rock Art Revival, offers posters, apparel, jewelry, vinyl records, patches, clothing, books and all kinds of things that rock, including collectibles that belonged to rock legends and limited edition prints.
Shoppers can find clothing, home décor, paper flowers, gifts, bath and body products, and stationery. Dalla Terra, which means “from the earth” in Italian, is inspired by two passions, nature and design. Found there is a unique selection of house goods, for the kitchen and entertaining, furniture, home accents, wall décor, lighting and jewelry. In Modern Love there are eclectic collections of home décor, stationery, hats, lamps, gifts, home accents, plants and other interesting finds.
Although there are too many intriguing boutiques, shops, galleries and home stores to describe here, the best way to explore Frenchtown is to come visit. And, if you want to spend more time, there is plenty of lodging in Frenchtown and surrounding areas. The National Hotel has an interesting history and maintains its historical flavor yet is updated and thoroughly suited to modern life.
B&Bs are found throughout the area on both sides of the Delaware. In Frenchtown is the Widow McCrea House Bed & Breakfast. Widow McCrea is described on its website as “a charming 1878 Italianate Victorian Inn with luxurious lodging accommodations.” The Bed & Breakfast is furnished and decorated with fine period antiques, has Jacuzzis, fireplaces and private baths and children and dogs are welcome.
So, since Frenchtown only has a river separating us, there is no reason not to adopt this town. It belongs in Bucks County and that’s why we are featuring it in Bucks County Magazine.
Bob Waite is the editor of Bucks County Magazine.