Parade for Auntie Anne's

Ever been to a mall and had an Auntie Anne's pretzel? Well, you and people all over the world. This week, operators of those pretzel stands came to the City of Lancaster. And Tuesday evening they paraded from the Lancaster County Convention Center to the Corporate Headquarters of Auntie Anne's at Chestnut and Prince Streets.

The parade was led by Mayor Rick gray, this time sporting his trademark bowtie. The Lancaster County Catholic High School Band followed him, trailed by three people on Segway scooters from Red Rose Seg Tours handing out flyers.

Then came the conventioneers; hundreds of them from a surprising array of countries. Kuwait, South Korea, Hong Kong, United Arab Emerits, and Northern Ireland, to name a few. And of course, the 50 States. It was really surprising to see the many places that people operate Auntie Anne's franchises. It's amazing to think of all of those places being touched by a little piece of Lancaster County. A butter-soaked piece.

The McCaskey High School Marching Band and a fire truck closed out the parade. Short, but I'm sure that the people who participated got a kick ot of it. Good for Corporate for putting on a celebration that those pretzel makers will remember fondly, and that brought a little life to a downtown Tuesday night.

Lancaster County Convention Center Opens

The Lancaster County Convention Center has opened. It is a beautiful facility with large exhibit halls and luxurious, high-tech meeting rooms. There are even some historic landmarks incorporated into the Center. I am curious which events will come to Lancaster to use the facility, and look forward to having access to some shows locally. Of course, I'm hoping for a motorcycle and scooter show. There was an open house today where I snapped some pictures, but photos don't really give a sense of the interior. Here is an attempt:

The luxury hotel includes a new restaurant and bar. The restaurant entrance is along East King Street.

The bar entrance is at the corner of King and Queen Streets:

Visitors are treated to some beautiful views of historic Lancaster.

The Fractured Prune

The Fractured Prune Donut Shop is open in downtown Lancaster. The name "Fractured Prune" comes from the original store in Ocean City, where the owner named it after an elderly women (Prunella) who often injured herself competing against men in athletic events.

What makes this place special is that the donuts are made to order, while you wait. They come to you hot and gooey. There are 4-6 flavors of coffee in air pots for you to choose from. There are cafe seats outside.

It is located at the intersection of Walnut and Queen, just before the 300 block of Queen. There is room enough on the sidewalk to pull your scooter up and park along the building. The curb on Walnut Street is low enough to mount, and there is a curb cut at the intersection.

Website. Facebook.

Eastern Market

I've mentioned Central Market a number of times, but if you are looking for a less touristy alternative, check out Eastern Market at 308 E. King Street. Eastern Market is part open-air, part roofed space. Have a seat at the provided tables and enjoy a cafe latte, some gelati, or Ethiopian food before taking home some great looking organic vegetables. The second Saturday of each month features local artists. Open every Saturday, 9-2, through October.

The Pizza Scooter

Looking to have a pizza delivered? Have it delivered by scooter! Slugger's Pizzeria of 701 N. Queen St. delivers their pizzas on The Pizza Scooter as often as possible.
They serve a New York style pizza, hand made. If you are in the neighborhood between 11 and 2, try the lunch special: 2 slices and a drink for under $4. Their slices are huge... 1/6 of what seems like a 16" pie.
The baseball-themed pizzeria opened right around the same time Clipper Magazine Stadium was constructed. Their walls are decorated with baseball photographs, including one of the Lancaster Barnstormer's own beloved mascot Cylo. The Pizza Scooter even features a souvenir bat from opening night as a decoration.
As a business inspired by Barnstormers' Baseball and using a scooter as a integral part of that business, Slugger's Pizza is everything Lancaster is looking for. Give them a try.

Saturday Morning Again

I got up this morning and rode the scooter downtown for coffee (today's flavor special: Caramel and Creme) and a donut (custard-filled with chocolate frosting) at Central Market. I took my new delectibles outside to a bench by my scooter. During a conversation with the other occupant of the bench, it turned out that she was the was the owner of the Art & Glassworks. That is one of my usual stops when I'm browsing the 300 block of North Queen. She said that her family had just been looking at scooters. One of them was considering a Honda Metropolitan. She said that the owner of a local burrito place (I can only assume she means Senorita Burrita) is also the owner of the green Met I've seen around town. So, you riders out there, here are two pro-scooter businesses for you to support!

As I was finishing up my coffee, a couple pulled up and parked next to me. The husband came right over to me and started asking about the scooter; what brand is it, what type of brakes it had, etc.. When I told him the gas mileage, he burst out laughing. It wasn't long before his wife told him it was time to go inside and get on with their shopping. But he thanked me for talking with him.

Scooters are conversation starters!