The last time I was in Frenchtown was almost ten years ago on a snow day in January of 2011. Earlier in the week, I mentioned to Bhavna that the local businesses and residents decorate the downtown area for the holidays and the feeling is quite festive. Bhavna woke up early and drove with me to Frenchtown.
We parked in the lot on Race Street. A biting cold wind blew on my face as we walked toward Bridge Street. Some of the colourful storefronts looked familiar, and some appeared brand new. We meandered down Race Street and stopped at the Uhlerstown-Frenchtown Bridge for a few quick snaps before heading inside the Bridge Street Cafe. The cold was too much. We were ahead of the schedule I set, but I was hungry. Bhavna agreed that we should order lunch and then drive to Readington Brewery and Hop Farm to eat and try the beer.
I ordered a grilled cheese with onions and bacon and Bermuda seafood chowder, and Bhavna ordered a hummus wrap. While we waited for food, I chatted with a resident who mentioned that some of the businesses, like the barbershop, had closed and some new ones, like the record store, were more recent additions.
I stopped at the record store on the walk back to the car. Compared to the quantity of the selection at the Princeton Record Exchange, it’s disappointing, but I enjoy the layout and the ambience here.
