"Creamery On Main" to Open Memorial Day Weekend

With May upon us, many residents are wondering about the progress of the highly anticipated opening of Emmaus Triangle’s newest tenant – the “Creamery on Main.”

According to owner Bill Kao, the current goal is to open the doors on Memorial Day weekend, assuming all goes as planned.

Inside the "Creamery" things look a little different than they did when the prior tenant, Perk on Main, occupied the space at 332 Main St.

The dining area has been given a complete color transformation. Visitors will be surprised to walk into a room brightened by walls painted in shades of mint chocolate chip, orange sherbet, raspberry and chocolate. Even the ceiling has been painted a fresh white.

Kao said it’s pretty much the same set-up as when the Perk was there – “it just looks a lot brighter now.”

Kao, who also owns the , plans to decorate the walls with black and white photos of local children eating digitally enhanced ice cream cones. These images will change with the seasons to capture a mix of customers.

Hours of operation are another hot topic.

Initially, Kao was planning on opening the restaurant from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. However, in response to feedback from local residents, Kao decided to open earlier – 7 a.m. – to accommodate those interested in having a breakfast “hangout.”

“We have the space,” Kao explained. “We might as well open and utilize it as much as we can since the demand seems to be there.”

The Creamery will be open seven days a week. Weekday hours will be 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. On Friday and Saturday the Creamery will be 7 a.m. to 10 p.m., which should accommodate moviegoers.

On Sundays, Kao plans to offer bottled and canned beverages and possibly ice cream on the sidewalk in front of the Creamery. He believes visitors of the (EFM) will take advantage of the cool offerings. Pending borough approval, Kao added that he’s hoping to sell hot dogs and hamburgers as well.

Sunday hours will be 8 a.m. to 10 p.m.

“We want to do as much as we can to support the local farmers,” Kao said, adding that seasonal items will be offered while he’s able to get supplies from the EFM.

The breakfast menu will consist of a up to 10 different kinds of bagels (supplied from Three Men and A Bagel in Trexlertown), a variety of cream cheeses, English muffins, fruit and yogurt parfaits and warm bagel sandwiches.

Pre-made “Grab ‘n Go” bagel sandwiches will also be available at the counter for those who want to make a speedy purchase on their way to work or school.

Presently, a hood system is not in place, so Kao clarified that they’ll have to use a microwave to make eggs, bacon and other hot items until they have the hood installed later this year. In the meantime, the Creamery will not be offering fried or grilled foods.

A variety of coffee and tea will be on the menu, however, Kao wants to emphasize the Creamery is not a coffee bar like the Perk.

Kao has partnered with One Village Coffee, an organic coffee business out of Souderton, Pa., as his primary supplier. Coffee flavoring will be offered for those who like a little something special.

The lunch and dinner menu will consist of traditional deli sandwiches, tuna, chicken and egg salads, homemade soups and green salads as well as the ever-popular taco salad, which Kao said would still be offered as Wednesday’s $1 deal.

Also on the menu will be Countryside's famous turkey, hamburger and pork BBQ with a new addition of chicken BBQ. Kao plans to continue to use the gourmet LeBus rolls, which have become a hit at his Countryside location.

Kao said one major addition to the Emmaus location is the offering of daily specials such as pork and sauerkraut, pierogies with onions and hamburger noodle soup.

There will be something hot available every day.

In response to Emmaus Patch’s on the Creamery, Kao said he received 180 applications for the open positions.

“We’ve already hired six and will need three more. We’ve hired all local residents,” Kao said.

The Creamery on Main is almost ready for business, but Kao said that he’s waiting to figure out exactly how he’ll use the "back room."

The current vision is to offer it as a private party room for children’s birthdays or other small functions. It will be decorated to suit a younger crowd, but Kao said they could replace the "kid furniture" with normal sized tables and chairs as necessary.