Tag Archives: Strawberry Square

The Week that Was: News and features around Harrisburg

December 9, 2022 | by Lawrance Binda and Maddie Gittens

State and local officials cut the ribbon on the new federal courthouse in Harrisburg.

Burg fans, we finally have merch! Pick up one of our new T-shirts or sweatshirts and rep your favorite community publication. They also make great Christmas gifts! Before you head to our website for some great new gear, catch up on this week’s news, linked below.

TheBurg Podcast for December features stories of reflection and perspective. Tune in to hear about Harrisburg as one of the top places to retire, a recently retired city pastor who advocated for inclusivity and a retired lawyer who writes children’s books.

December’s concerts in the Harrisburg area are sure to get you in the holiday spirit. Find our music columnist’s top picks for the month, here.

Harrisburg’s many boards, committees and commissions only function because of the work of dedicated community volunteers. In our magazine story, find out what makes them so invested in serving the city.

The Harrisburg School Board elected its first and second in command for the coming year, our reporting found. Brian Carter will serve as board president and Roslyn Copeland as vice president.

Joy to the Burg is a local group that uses Christmas music and art to raise money to support Christian Churches United (CCU), which offers services to Harrisburg’s unhoused population. This year’s album includes 33 songs by local artists, perfect for getting in the holiday spirit, our magazine story reported.

MulDer Square road construction is coming to a close as Harrisburg plans to reopen the corridor near Mulberry and Derry streets this month, our online story reported. The project included creating a roundabout and adding new safety and green features to the area.

New Cumberland has a new identity and energy as community members begin revitalization projects. In our magazine story, read about the festivals, park improvements and economic development that volunteers have planned.

New Year’s Eve will be celebrated in Harrisburg with a strawberry drop and fireworks show, our online story reported. There will also be music and activities for kids.

Open Stage is performing its classic, “A Christmas Carol,” this month, a show that the theater has featured for years. In our magazine story, hear from actor Nicholas Hughes, who has played Ebeneezer Scrooge for over two decades.

The PA Dairymen’s Association announced a new milkshake flavor for this year’s Farm Show, our online story reported. To celebrate their 70^th anniversary, they’re serving up orange cream milkshakes.

Park Harrisburg will offer free parking during the Christmas weekend, our online story reported. The city’s trash and recycling collection schedule will also shift during the week of Christmas.

A ribbon cutting took place at the new federal courthouse on N. 6^th Street in Harrisburg, our online story reported. The construction project is finally nearing completion after a years-long planning process.

Sara Bozich’s Weekend Roundup is full of holiday-themed events. If you’re ready for some Christmas cheer, click here.

Strawberry Square will soon have a new food option, our online story reported. Fresca Burger & Chicken Shack will open in the food court during the first quarter of 2023.

“Who’s Holiday” is back for the Christmas season at Open Stage theater in Harrisburg, our magazine story reported. This will be the third year that the theater presents the hilarious, raunchy story of grown-up Cindy Lou Who.

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New lunch, breakfast eatery slated for Strawberry Square food court

December 2, 2022 | by Lawrance Binda

The future home of Fresca Burger & Chicken Shack in Strawberry Square

Here’s something tasty to look forward to in the new year—a new burger and chicken place inside Strawberry Square.

Owner Mina Gabriel plans to open Fresca Burger & Chicken Shack in the food court during the first quarter of 2023, according to Harristown Enterprises, which owns Strawberry Square.

“We are excited to become part of the fabric of downtown Harrisburg with this new venture,” Gabriel said. “We look forward to providing delicious fresh breakfasts and lunches to Strawberry Square’s customers.”

The menu will include made-to-order burgers, chicken sandwiches, gyros and falafel wraps, plus a variety of side dishes, including loaded fries and onion rings. Fresca also will offer all-day breakfast, serving items like bagel breakfast sandwiches and avocado toast.

“The downtown community has long expressed interest in a burger joint in the Square,” said Brad Jones, president & CEO of Harristown Enterprises. “Fresca answers that call with fresh, made-to-order burgers as well as other sandwiches, salads and sides. They will also provide customers with another breakfast option here in the Square.”

For more information on Strawberry Square, visit their website.

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The Week that Was: News and features around Harrisburg

September 30, 2022 | by Lawrance Binda and Maddie Gittens

A past “Family Fishing Day” at Italian Lake

The October issue of our magazine came out this week! We hope you love our spooky cover and fall-themed stories as much as we do. Grab a copy and then catch up on this week’s local news, below.

The Ecumenical Food Pantry has served more than 1.2 million people in the Harrisburg region, our magazine story reported. The outreach recently celebrated its 50^th anniversary of combating food insecurity in the community.

Our editor talks about all that TheBurg offers in addition to the magazine, including our online news, podcast and 3^rd in the Burg, in his October Editor’s Note.

Family Fishing Day at Italian Lake will offer residents a chance to try their hand at a new sport, our online story reported. A course will teach participants the basics of fishing and provide the supplies to cast a line.

Firefighters from Harrisburg’s Bureau of Fire are stationed in Charleston, S.C., to assist during Hurricane Ian, our online story reported. The firefighters, members of the Pennsylvania Task Force 1, will help with search and rescue efforts.

Harrisburg City Council presented its “Unsung Hero” awards to local community activists and volunteers, our reporting found. Four city residents were recognized at a council meeting on Tuesday.

The Harrisburg School District is moving closer toward reopening the long-vacant Steele Elementary School, our online story reported. At a school board meeting, Receiver Dr. Lori Suski approved a $21.6 million plan for its renovation.

Harrisburg High School-John Harris Campus will receive increased police presence after a fight involving a large group of students took place earlier this week, our online story reported. Officers will conduct wellness checks and help train security officers on responding to situations like these.

M. Camille Erice, a community activist, dancer and founder of Dazante passed away. In our online story, read more about her life and how to honor her memory.

Phil Guarneschelli, the former president of UPMC of Central Pa., retired in September as Lou Baverso assumes the reins. In our magazine story, we share a Q&A with Guarneschelli, who reflects back on his long career in healthcare.

Sara Bozich has a full lineup of fall fun activities for you weekend. Find the festivities happening in and around Harrisburg, here.

Strawberry Square’s Chockablock Clock will move to Shippensburg University in October, our online story reported. Harristown Enterprises will replace the over 30-year-old clock with a new stage and office space.

The “Thin Blue Line” football game will take place on Oct. 7 to honor first responders who were killed in the line of duty, our online story reported. Bishop McDevitt High School, playing on its home field, will face Hershey High School.

Urban Churn, a Harrisburg-based creamery, announced that it will open a third scoop shop in Carlisle, our online story reported. Customers can also now purchase the company’s ice cream in select local grocery stores.

The West Shore Theatre in New Cumberland recently reopened after an extensive renovation and modernization project. In our magazine story, read about what the historic theater now offers to the community through its updated programming.

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Strawberry Square Chockablock Clock to move to Shippensburg University in October

September 30, 2022 | by Maddie Gittens

Chockablock Clock in Strawberry Square

It may be time for a change in Strawberry Square’s atrium, but its iconic clock will keep on ticking as it’s handed off to a new home.

Harristown Enterprises announced on Friday that the over 30-year-old Chockablock Clock will move to Shippensburg University as Strawberry Square begins a new construction project in its place.

“We’re excited for the Chockablock Clock to find new life in such a prominent location as Shippensburg University and look forward to seeing it revitalized there,” Harristown Enterprises CEO Brad Jones said.

In July, the company shared that it would remove the clock from its atrium and replace it with a first-floor stage and second-floor cantilevered meeting room, to be used for a variety of events and functions.

Arizona-based Creative Machines, which builds and maintains these types of machines, will come to Harrisburg on Oct. 11 through 14 to disassemble, catalog and package the clock for moving.

According to Harristown, the clock will then be delivered to Shippensburg who will refurbish, reinstall and maintain the machine in the Ceddia Student Union Building with the support of students in the Milton and Doreen Morgan School of Engineering.

The clock, an audio-kinetic ball machine, was designed by George Rhoads and installed in Strawberry Square in 1988. The 40-foot tower has numerous balls that run through a maze and activate a series of sound and motion devices.

“Thousands of prospective students, current students, families and friends visit the Shippensburg University campus every year,” said Dr. Charles E. Patterson, president of the university. “The Chockablock Clock has been a historic piece of kinetic art in Strawberry Square and South Central Pennsylvania for generations, and we look forward to showcasing it on the Shippensburg campus for all to enjoy.”

For more information on Strawberry Square, visit their website.

If you like what we do, please support our work. Become a Friend of TheBurg!

The Week that Was: News and features around Harrisburg

September 2, 2022 | by Lawrance Binda and Maddie Gittens

Harristown Enterprises, local officials and community members cut the ribbon on The Menaker apartment building on Market Square.

The September issue of our magazine hit the stands this week! Make sure to grab a copy while you’re out and about. First, catch up on this week’s local news, below.

The Ahmadiyya Muslim Community, Central PA Branch will host an event called “Stop WW3,” to foster peace, our online story reported. The event will be held at the Hadee Mosque on Saturday, Sept. 10—the eve of the 9/11 anniversary.

Art is the focus of our September issue of the magazine, and our editor highlights that in his Editor’s Note.

Capital Rebirth and Friends of Midtown will host “Star City Coffee and Arts Festival” to showcase local coffee shops, artists and yoga studios on Sept. 3 in Midtown Harrisburg, our online story reported. Organizers hope the event will support local businesses while bringing the community together.

Dauphin County and Strawberry Square will partner next month for “After the Disaster,” an event to help educate residents on emergency resources available in the county, our online story reported. The event will be held on Sept. 8, and governmental and nonprofit organizations will attend to showcase their services.

Dionn Reneé, a Harrisburg artist, won a global competition to have her work featured as part of the movie marketing for Sony’s “The Woman King,” our reporting found. See Reneé’s art and read more about the competition, here.

The East Shore Diner celebrated 38 years of business with family and loyal customers on Thursday before closing its doors, our online story reported. The diner had to move to make space for PennDOT’s Capital Beltway expansion project, but plans to reopen in the spring in Mechanicsburg.

Evolve Youth Trades Academy educates young people about productive career paths that involve using their hands and their minds, our magazine story reported. They provide students in the Harrisburg area with training and hands-on experience in the disciplines of carpentry, plumbing, HVAC, electrical and graphic design.

“The Good Boss” perfects the genre of cringe humor and leaves you unsure which characters to root for in the end, our movie reviewer says in her column. The film plays at Midtown Cinema in Harrisburg this month.

Good Brotha’s Book Café announced that it would move its operations from its current Midtown location to inside the McCormick Riverfront Library, our online story reported. Owner Stefan Hawkins said that he will close the N. 3rd Street shop to focus resources on the library café.

Kipona Festival will return to Harrisburg this Labor Day weekend, our online story reported. The festival will include food trucks, live music and a laser light show.

The Menaker apartment building is officially complete in downtown Harrisburg, our reporting found. Developer Harristown Enterprises cut the ribbon on the historic property, sharing stories from its past.

Sara Bozich has lots of ways to spend the weekend in the Harrisburg area. From the Kipona Festival to music and theater events, there’s something for everyone.

September brings plenty of fun fall events. Find our listing of this month’s happenings, here. For even more things to do, check out our Community Corner.

September’s News Digest will catch you up on important, recent local news around Harrisburg. Click here to find it.

Our writer Stephanie Kalina-Metzger traces her family roots on a trip to coal country in her magazine story. Read about what she discovered while on the Lackawanna Coal Mine tour, here.

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Dauphin County residents can learn about emergency services at “After the Disaster” showcase

August 30, 2022 | by Lawrance Binda

A Harrisburg Fire Bureau informational table at a past event in Strawberry Square

If the unexpected happens, would you know what to do?

Dauphin County and Strawberry Square are partnering next month for “After the Disaster,” an event designed to help educate residents on emergency resources available in the county.

On Sept. 8, 10 governmental and nonprofit organizations will participate in a showcase of emergency services in Strawberry Square in downtown Harrisburg.

“Harrisburg is fortunate to have a multitude of service agencies that stand ready to serve our community during and after events,” said Brad Jones, president and CEO of Harristown Enterprises, which owns Strawberry Square. “Having them share information to proactively help individuals and families is invaluable.”

The following organizations plan to participate to help the public learn, ask questions and receive information:

American Red Cross, Central PA Chapter
Baptist Resource Network
Dauphin County Department of Human Services
Dauphin County Department of Public Safety
Harrisburg Bureau of Fire
NOAA and the National Weather Service
PEMA
Salvation Army
Susquehanna Disaster Response Ministry
Team Rubicon Disaster Response

“We are proud of our emergency responders and their commitment to public service,” said Mike Pries, chair of the Dauphin County commissioners. “Twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week, residents can count on our emergency response teams to answer the call.”

“In many ways, we hope no one ever needs these services,” Jones said. “But, realistically, we know the need is very real.”

“After the Disaster” showcase will take place on Sept. 8, 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., at Strawberry Square in downtown Harrisburg.

If you like what we do, please support our work. Become a Friend of TheBurg!

About Time: TheBurg Podcast, August 2022

August 11, 2022 | by Karen Hendricks

From a famous Harrisburg clock, to a longtime YMCA professional who’s new to Harrisburg, plus a mentorship program that improves relationships between youth and police during these current times, even a little “island time” in the middle of the Susquehanna River:

Our August podcast is chockful of fascinating conversations about time.

We introduce you to:

David Ozmore, new president and CEO, Harrisburg Area YMCA
Adam Reed of the Pennsylvania State Police, also a “Bigs in Blue” mentor with Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Capital Region
Brad Jones, president and CEO of Harristown
Lawrance Binda, editor of TheBurg, with “The Most Harrisburg Thing”

Every month, TheBurg Podcast expands stories from the pages of TheBurg magazine because “there’s always more to the story.” TheBurg Podcast is hosted and produced by award-winning Harrisburg-area journalist Karen Hendricks.

Backstories that coordinate with this episode include:

So Noted, TheBurg, August 2022 including David Ozmore and Chockablock Clock news | True Blue | Own an Island

DYK? TheBurg Podcast has received three prestigious podcast journalism awards over the past two years, including First place, Excellence in Journalism, Society of Professional Journalists, Keystone Chapter, in 2021.

Interested in sharing your advertising message with TheBurg Podcast’s dedicated audience? Research shows that podcast sponsorships are one of the most effective forms of advertising! Contact Lauren ([email protected]).

Visit Karen Hendricks’ website for more of her writing, journalism and PR work. TheBurg is a monthly community magazine based in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania; Lawrance Binda, co-publisher/editor.

If you like what we do, please support our work. Become a Friend of TheBurg!

Change of Address: Harrisburg’s downtown post office plans move into Strawberry Square

July 14, 2022 | by Lawrance Binda

The U.S. post office in downtown Harrisburg is slated to relocate into this space in Strawberry Square.

By the end of the year, Harrisburg’s downtown post office will have a new address.

On Thursday, Harristown Enterprises announced that the Federal Station Post Office will relocate about one block away, inside of Strawberry Square.

Specifically, the post office will occupy about 2,000 square feet of space on the 300-block of Market Street, in the long-vacant storefront location last occupied by the restaurant, the Gingerbread Man, which closed in 2014, according to Harristown, which owns Strawberry Square.

“We are delighted to announce this news to the public, and we believe Strawberry Square is an excellent location for the new U.S. Post Office,” said Brad Jones, Harristown’s president and CEO. “We know our customers, tenants, and visitors will be thrilled to have a full service, brand new post office so conveniently available to them for all their postal needs.”

The space will be built out and the move completed by the end of 2022, Jones said.

Earlier this year, the federal government sold the Ronald Reagan Federal Building, located at N. 3^rd and Walnut streets, to Seychelles-based Global Ocean Investments for $10 million. Owner Justin Etzin has said that he plans to redevelop the 56-year-old, 251,000-square-foot building as a 200-unit apartment building with several restaurants and bars.

The building sale was prompted by the construction of a new federal courthouse at N. 6^th and Reily streets in Harrisburg. The $201 million courthouse project, which includes 243,000 square feet of space, is nearing completion, according to the U.S. General Services Administration.

As a result, all offices located in the former federal building must move, including the post office. The building is expected to be vacated entirely by early 2023.

For more information on Strawberry Square, visit their website.

If you like what we do, please support our work. Become a Friend of TheBurg!

The Week that Was: News and features around Harrisburg

July 8, 2022 | by Lawrance Binda and Maddie Gittens

The”Carpets and Draperies” building in Midtown Harrisburg is nearing the end of construction.

After a long last weekend, this week has flown by! In case you missed any of this week’s news from the Harrisburg area, we’ve got you covered.

Bicyclist Leyla Monroy, who died after colliding with a car in Harrisburg, will be honored at a memorial on Saturday, our online story reported. Organizers hope also to bring awareness to the issue of bike and pedestrian safety.

Bridges spanning the Susquehanna River in Harrisburg may be in for upgrades as the Harrisburg Area Transportation Study (HATS) seeks to use millions of dollars in federal infrastructure funds. In his column, our editor weighs in on the proposals and what each bridge may be best used for.

TheBurg Podcast for July is spotlighting all things cute and fluffy. Tune in to hear from the Humane Society of Harrisburg Area and the Harrisburg Great Dog Program, among other segments.

The Catherine Hershey School for Early Learning, which has proposed a childcare facility in Uptown Harrisburg, will move forward after receiving City Council approval, our reporting found. Council also voted in favor of an affordable housing development in South Harrisburg.

The “Carpets and Draperies” building in Midtown Harrisburg is nearly complete after an extensive renovation, our online story reported. The building will feature five apartments and a first-floor bakery.

Harrisburg’s Great Dog Program trains pups and parents through a relationship-based method, our magazine story reported. The program can assist dogs with issues like aggression and separation anxiety.

Harrisburg officials addressed an incident that occurred at the city’s Fourth of July festival when a fight broke out, causing hundreds of attendees to flee Riverfront Park, our online story reported. They also announced that attendees who lost personal items in the chaos could pick them up at the Reservoir Park mansion.

Harrisburg Young Professionals opened its nominations for “20 In Their 20s,” our online story reported. The organization will choose 20 young professionals who live and work in Harrisburg to honor.

Hydration is especially important during the hot summer months, according to Capital Blue Cross. Click here to find tips on how to stay healthy and hydrated.

Mecum Auctions will return to Harrisburg with hundreds of collector cars up for bid, our online story reported. The auction will take place at the Pennsylvania Farm Show Complex and Expo Center from July 27 to 30.

N. 2^nd Street in Harrisburg is slated to transition from one-way to two-way traffic a little later than expected, our reporting found. N. 2^nd Street from Maclay to Division streets will go two-way by the end of the month, with the entire corridor likely transitioning in late September.

Rosemary has been searching for the perfect calamari recipe, and she finally found a good one. Find her recipe for barbecued calamari, here.

Sara Bozich’s Weekend Roundup will give you plenty of ideas for how to spend your weekend. To find out what’s happening in the Harrisburg area, click here.

Strawberry Square’s “Chockablock Clock” will soon be replaced with a new meeting and entertainment space, our online story reported. According to Harristown Enterprises, the large clock has been difficult to maintain and repair.

Do you receive TheBurg Daily, our daily digest of news and events delivered right to your email inbox? If not, sign up here!

Support quality local journalism. Join Friends of TheBurg today!

Harristown to swap out atrium clock for larger stage, new meeting space in Strawberry Square

July 6, 2022 | by Lawrance Binda

A rendering of the new stage and meeting space in Strawberry Square (image courtesy Chris Dawson Architect [CDA])

Strawberry Square soon will have a different look and sound, with a plan to ring out its elaborate clock and usher in new meeting and entertainment space.

Harristown Enterprises on Wednesday said that it plans to remove the multi-story “Chockablock Clock” and replace it with a first-floor stage and second-floor cantilevered meeting room.

“We will miss the ball machine clock as a long-time feature of Strawberry Square, but our ability to repair and maintain it has become more challenging over the years,” said Brad Jones, president of Harristown, which owns the large, mixed-used building in downtown Harrisburg.

The clock, an audio-kinetic ball machine, was designed by George Rhoads and installed in the Strawberry Square atrium in 1988. Within the 40-foot tower, numerous balls run through a maze and activate a series of sound and motion devices.

In its place, Harristown will construct a larger stage, which will allow the atrium to be used for a wider variety of events.

“As our tenants have changed over time, we expect the enhanced stage area will be much more welcoming to performers and events of all types,” Jones said.

The clock’s removal also will allow Harristown to construct new, second-floor meeting space, which will jut out over the central portion of the enclosed atrium.

“We will be creating a unique, open-air conference and meeting room on the second floor, which will enhance our ability to attract professionals and allow our existing tenants—and others needing conference space—to use a very special and exciting new place which will showcase this wonderful downtown hub of education and innovation,” Jones said.

According to Harristown, the project will begin this fall and should be completed by the end of the year. It is being designed by Chris Dawson of Harrisburg-based CDA and built by Pyramid Construction.

For more information on Strawberry Square, visit their website.

If you like what we do, please support our work. Become a Friend of TheBurg!

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