By Jacquelyn Pillsbury
Bruno’s Bicycles: One Sweet Ride located on Main Street in Allentown is more than a bicycle shop and more than a candy shop, it is a father-daughter locally-owned business.
James Bruno runs the bicycle side of the business, while his daughter, Heather Saracen, is in charge of the candy side of the store. Hence the name “Bruno’s Bicycles: One Sweet Ride.”
Prior to this business, Saracen owned a candy store for eight years. Once her daughter was born, she took her to work with her for about a year and a half before deciding she wanted to stay home with her child. At the same time, her father, James, had a bicycle shop around the corner in the Globus Plaza, right off Main Street.
Now, with her daughter older and in school full-time, Saracen decided the time was right to own a business again.
“We found out this spot was open and decided to make the move,” Saracen said.
Last September, the bicycle business moved to 19 South Main Street. A month later, Saracen opened her candy shop in the same location. It makes it easier, she said, having her father’s business in the same space. Each side is self-sufficient, though. Candy-side employees do not sell bicycles, and vice versa.
On the bike end, Bruno’s sells a lot of mountain bikes, dual sport bikes and Electra beach cruisers. It is a Trek authorized seller. Bruno’s Bicycles: One Sweet Ride hosts weekly bike rides for all levels of riders.
Bruno’s has a full-time mechanic on hand to help with bicycle repairs, and all repairs and tune-ups are handled in-house. Bruno’s offers customized bikes to meet customer’s specific needs.
“We are a destination area for bicyclists,” Saracen said. “A lot of cyclists stop here for a snack, coffee, smoothie or an energy bar.” Pedestrians have their dogs stop by their outdoor “dog bar” for a sip of water on their journey.
For humans, Bruno’s Bicycles: One Sweet Ride has quite an assortment of sweets, including 20 different types of truffles, 25 different types of chocolate covered pretzels, homemade fudge, old-fashioned bulk and novelty candies, smoothies and coffee. Local delivery and shipping are available.
“All of our chocolate is handmade,” Saracen said. “I make it myself. Everything we sell is hand-made, except for the truffles. We even make chocolate baskets out of chocolate.
“We have party trays. Our gift trays are popular corporate gifts. We have a shoe made out of chocolate, filled with chocolates, gift baskets with different types of chocolates, as well as homemade jams. We have all kinds of stuff. We have gifts for anything, including chocolate infused with wine.”
As Allentown residents, Saracen and Bruno have strong ties to the community. Saracen is the events coordinator for the Allentown Business Community Association.
“It is a great little town,” she said. “We have suffered some hardships and are starting to rebuild. That’s what’s good.”
Bruno’s Bicycles: One Sweet Ride also hosts Artists on the Avenue from 7-9 on the first Friday of every month. It is a free event meant to introduce people to the stores in Allentown. Each month, they have live entertainment. In the summer, the event moves to behind the shop.
On Dec. 6 and 7, Bruno’s Bicycles: One Sweet Ride will host events in conjunction with Allentown’s Tree Lighting Ceremony. On Dec. 6 from 1-4, they will be hosting free photos with Santa Claus. The pictures will be taken by Jill Lynn Photography and will be printed as you wait. Dec. 7’s event is a workshop to decorate your own gingerbread house. Bruno’s Bicycles: One Sweet Ride will supply homemade houses, icing, decorations, as well as milk and cookies. Santa will pay a special visit during this event.
Bruno’s Bicycles: One Sweet Ride is located at 19 South Main Street in Allentown. Phone: (609) 208-0544. Web: brunosbicycles.com. Open Monday-Wednesday noon-6 p.m., Thursday and Friday noon-7 p.m., Saturday 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. The candy shop hours will be extended during the holidays from 9:30 a.m. until at least 7 p.m.
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