Visitors to downtown Palmerton recently got a real taste of unique offerings from local restaurants, retailers and service providers.

Sponsored by the Carbon Chamber and Economic Development Corporation, the inaugural Taste Trail event was held on Saturday amid plenty of fanfare.

Local businesses The One Ten Tavern, My Store, Spillane’s Gym, The Palmerton Pub, Bert’s Steakhouse, Mana and Mocha Coffee Shop, River Rock Bean and Brew, Papa Al’s Pizza and Restaurant, Tranquillity Spa and Palmerton Memorial Pool took part in the event.

The Taste Trail was fun for the whole family, as groups made a day out of the event, enjoying delicious treats as well as meet and greets along the way.

“Our whole family is enjoying it,” said father and trailgoer Ryan Smith. “There’s a little bit of everything. Some of our family members are here from Texas, and it’s great to show them some of the town.”

Business owners and managers agreed that the Taste Trail offers much support for local commerce.

“This was a great event to showcase some of what our town has to offer,” said Jeff Minnich, owner of Bert’s Steakhouse. “We greatly appreciate the efforts of the chamber to put the Taste Trail together.”

Melissa Heard, owner of Tranquillity Spa, said she believes the event was “definitely beneficial” as it made people aware of her business, which will celebrate 10 years this November.

“I thought it was a great opportunity for people to come see what we offer in products, services,” said Heard, who added some even made appointments. “I love that they did that here in downtown Palmerton to get the word out about our great businesses down here.”

Alex Lakitsky, manager of Spillane’s Fit Gym, was also complimentary of the event.

“It’s a great way to support and promote each other in a very communal way,” Lakitsky said.

Dana Massey, owner of My Store, shared much the same sentiment.

“It was helpful,” Massey said. “It brought many new faces into town.”

Kylie Adams-Weiss, senior vice president, Carbon Chamber & Economic Development Corporation, said they were pleased with the event.

“We were really happy with it,” Adams-Weiss said. “It’s hard to know what to expect when you are planning a brand-new event.”

Adams-Weiss said this particular model of event is something chamber has done many times in the Lehigh Valley.

“This was the first time we were able to try it here in Carbon County,” she said. “I would definitely call it a success.”

Adams-Weiss noted that 10 businesses participated, with close to 60 passports sold.

“Being out on the trail, people out trying different things, the retailers and restaurants, a lot of it was positive feedback,” she said. “It was a cool thing; we totally hope to do this again next year.”