A marketplace is set to open up at a former hardware and sporting goods store in Palmerton.

The Palmerton Public Market is coming soon to 266 Delaware Ave., the site of the former Shea’s Hardware Inc.

Karen Smith said that she and her husband, Allen, of Northampton, purchased the property.

Smith said they have owned AK Farms in Northampton for the past 12 years and are planning to move the butcher shop to The Palmerton Public Market.

“It was something that we wanted to expand on with our butcher shop and other vendors trying to help support other small local businesses,” Smith said. “It’s about providing the local community with good food products.”

Smith said they are aiming to have The Palmerton Public Market open by mid-October, and noted that several vendors have verbally committed to joining them.

She said the market will feature AK Farms LLC, Sleepy Cat Urban Winery, River Rock Bean Brew, JW Farms & Homestead, KupKake Kandi and products from the Bath Soap Company, with more vendors being added.

“Right now, the focus is on the upstairs to start getting us going,” Smith said. “We are also working with other local vendors, and still looking for other food vendors.”

Smith said the couple’s business, AK Farms, has been featured prominently throughout the area in recent years.

“We’ve done so many events in so many different communities, including Lehighton over the years, and we’re hoping that it will attract people from the neighboring communities,” she said. “This will be utilized for the public and in support of small businesses.”

Smith said The Palmerton Public Market will likely be open Wednesday through Sunday, with hours to be determined at a later date.

She added they are looking to hire several part-time customer service workers.

Smith also thanked the Slatington Farmers Market.

“We’ll be leaving the Slatington Farmers Market at the end of this month, and we just want to thank the leaders at the farmers market for all their assistance through the time we’ve been there,” she said.

Smith said any food vendors who would be interested in joining them at The Palmerton Public Market may contact her at 610-248-0396.

A sale had been pending for the former Shea’s Hardware store for the second time in less than two years.

In June, Jim Christman, of The Jim Christman Team — Keller Williams Real Estate, said the property was under contract.

Christman said at that time the asking price for the property was $310,000.

After nearly 70 years in operation, Shea’s Hardware shut its doors on Oct. 14, 2023.

Bernie Shea, former owner/president, said at the time that real estate and all the buildings had been sold to local businessman Mark Stemler.

Shea said the time had come for he and his wife, Debbie, to retire.

Shea’s father, Donald Shea Jr., bought the business from Bert Shipe in 1954.

Shea said both buildings burned in a fire in May 1962, and his father rebuilt in 1965 to the original footprint of the store.

Within eight years, Shea said, his father put on two large additions.

From there, he said the business expanded in the early 1980s after it purchased the former Segal’s by the Bridge Department Store.

Throughout its illustrious run, Shea’s was more than just about nuts and bolts — it was also a go-to stop for things like paint, hardware, plumbing and electrical items, snow shovels and Christmas decorations.

Additionally, it was a top seller of school sports shirts and uniforms, as well as shoes and sneakers, and other sporting goods.