LIVE
Shanon Sabanos Lives in Wyomissing Have you always lived here? Did you grow up here, move away, and come back? Did you grow up somewhere else and move here? I moved here 22 years ago. I am originally from Jacksonville,…
Aaron Gantz Lives in Wyomissing Have you always lived here? Did you grow up here, move away, and come back? Did you grow up somewhere else and move here? I grew up in the City of Reading. After completing my…
Leah Fassnacht Lives in Wernersville Have you always lived here? Did you grow up here, move away, and come back? Did you grow up somewhere else and move here? I moved to Greater Reading in 2005 for an internship. I…
Audrey Krupiak Lives in MertztownHave you always lived here? Did you grow up here, move away, and come back? Did you grow up somewhere else and move here?I was born and raised in Mertztown. I went to college at Alvernia…
Melissa Hassler Lives in ShillingtonHave you always lived here? Did you grow up here, move away, and come back? Did you grow up somewhere else and move here?I was born and raised in Tunkhannock, Pa. I moved to Hamburg at…
Shawn & Tara Verzinskie Shawn Verzinskie, Consulting Engineer & Customer Service, Trinity Mission Critical Tara Verzinskie, Sales Support Lead, Prime Wellness of PA Lives in Mohnton What do you wish others knew about living in Greater Reading that you’ve discovered?…
Kevin Bowes Mechanical Engineering Manager, Reading Bakery SystemsLives in RobesoniaWhat do you wish others knew about living in Greater Reading that you’ve discovered?Living in the Greater Reading area offers a great mix between city and rural life. A 10-minute drive…
Katelyn Kline Owner, Homemade Bakers Co.Lives in Fleetwood What do you wish others knew about living in Greater Reading that you’ve discovered?I’ve discovered Greater Reading to be diverse in a multitude of extraordinary ways. From the people we have to…
By Brittney Baker Shurr, Association Executive, Reading-Berks Association of REALTORS® The Greater Reading area boasts a wide range of affordable urban, suburban and rural housing options and excellent regional connectivity. Recently, HomeArea.com named Reading as the number one city in…
Turf Technician, Newcastle Landscaping Lives in Reading What do wish others knew about living in Greater Reading that you’ve discovered? I wish people knew how willing to help other people are — from something small, like directions to something major…
The largest center for the arts in the country calls Greater Reading home By Levi Landis, Executive Director, GoggleWorks Center for the Art People who make beautiful things also make great cities. At GoggleWorks Center for the Arts (GoggleWorks), a…
Chancellor, Pennsylvania State University Berks Lives in Reading What do wish others knew about living in Greater Reading that you've discovered? I am always interested in regions where there is a commitment to community engagement. I found in Greater Reading people, businesses,…
WORK
If you’re ever seen a copy of Palo Magazine, you were likely caught by the impactful cover photo. If you’ve ever picked one up and paged through it, you might have been impressed by the artful juxaposition of both Spanish…
Norman Vincent Peale famously said “One person can make a difference. You don’t have to be a big shot. You don’t have to have a lot of influence. You just have to have faith in your power to change things.”…
If someone approached you and offered to buy your pet, what would you say? The vast majority would probably say, “Thanks, but no thanks. They are not for sale.” Infused with grit and determination, the Animal Rescue League of Berks…
Almost every Reading, Pa. native has a story about Sweet Street Desserts: a birthday cake that was the best gastronomic experience of their 10-year-old life or a baseball practice that ended with an exquisite tray of cookies brought by a…
Thanks to an emphasis on innovation, adaptation and collaboration, Reading Bakery Systems (RBS) has exploded from a small pretzel machine shop in Reading, PA to a trusted partner of global distributors found in grocery store snack aisles worldwide. read story
Occupation: Electrician – IBEW Local 743/NECA Apprenticeship; Employed by Hirneisen Electric, IncWhy Witkowski loves working in Greater Reading: Through Local 743, Witkowski is receiving an excellent classroom education and on the job training that meets his active lifestyle. While enduring…
From Ted and Lisa Lavender’s humble beginnings working out of their green and gold personal vehicles to their current 17,000-square-foot facility, Berks • Fire • Water Restorations, Inc. (BFW) is pushing the industrial cleaning and restoration industry forward in unexpected ways. read story
The 2022 top employers in Greater Reading, PA (Berks County) reflect the industry-diverse mix of both largest companies and industries in the community. And while transportation and warehousing grew in 2022, manufacturing and healthcare remain at the top.CompanyEmploymentEast Penn Manufacturing…
Occupation: Chiropractor – Keystone Specific Chiropractic Center Why Hellein loves working in Greater Reading: Born and raised in the Pittsburgh metropolitan of Latrobe, Penn., Hellein found her way to Reading, Penn., after a chiropractic trip to London. A fellow chiropractor…
Why the Maack’s love working for US Anodize.: US Anodize is a 3rd generation family business where both Greg and Jamey have worked and learned every position within the company. US Anodize is the single source for custom aluminum anodizing…
Why Skipper loves working for Reading Truck Body: Bruce Skipper was drawn to Reading Truck Body after high school graduation. After 50 year, Skipper calls Reading Truck Body home and considers his peers family. When asked what one fact someone…
Why Daubenspeck loves working for MCAM: Howie Daubenspeck found out about his current employer by accident. He was working for another company when a friend encouraged him to apply. He was hired, and the opportunities within the company have continued…
PLAY
Occupation: Founder – Gayatri Wellness; City Councilwoman – Reading PA District 1 Why Sihelnik loves playing in Greater Reading: Sihelnik loves to play in Greater Reading because she believes the area provides whatever your heart desires within a 15-minute car…
Greater Reading offers many unique places to perform yoga – warehouses, farms, rooftops, wineries, breweries, on top of Hawk Mountain or next to Blue Marsh Lake. BLDG. 7 Yoga, located in the heart of Wyomissing, offers multi-dimensional yoga classes for…
Rivertribe Outdoors opened in mid-2018 after its founding owner and local native, Jed Wright, purchased the former Schuylkill River Outdoors outfitter, based out of the Monocacy-Douglassville area. Wright began operations quickly after his acquisition, but had some false starts along…
Every year since 1991, an impressive array of jazz musicians, a dedicated staff of presenters from the nonprofit Berks Arts, thousands of fans and an army of volunteers gather to create Boscov’s Berks Jazz Fest. After the success of its…
Setter Ridge Vineyards was developed out of love for English Setters and winemaking. This family owned and operated winery specializes in dry European styled wines. Setter Ridge wine gets its distinctive palette from the farmlands and hillsides owned by the…
With repeating John Lennon faces on the ceiling and even more priceless memorabilia lining the walls, Long Trout Winery in Auburn, Penn. brings more than psychedelic fun ─ the wine selection is as groovy as the atmosphere. While most wineries…
In 2020, going out to eat feels like a vacation. If you want to feel like you have been transported to Santorini or Mykonos, Mazi is the place to go. Mazi is one of the newest restaurants in West Reading…
Greater Reading has a thriving wine scene. Whether you are looking for full bodied or light bodied red, white, rose, sparkling or dessert wine Greater Reading has it all. Deerfoot Vineyards and Winery is a small boutique winery located in…
The leaves are beginning to change colors, the air is becoming crisp, fall decorations are popping up and the smell of pumpkin spice is filling our senses indicating fall is on the horizon. Fall is a beautiful time in Greater…
Greater Reading is full of opportunities for outdoor sports such as biking, climbing and hiking making it a great place to play, but it also comes with unique opportunities for indoor sports as well. Berks County is home to not…
The days are getting cooler indicating that autumn is right around the corner. If you want to hold on to summer a little longer, you should try KOG Hill Winery’s best summer seller, Strawberry Lemon Sangria. KOG (King of Grapes)…
LEARN
Penn State Berks is preparing the students of today for the in-demand careers for tomorrow. With 20 baccalaureate degree programs, and the first two years of more than 275 degree programs that can be completed at other campuses, students have…
PA Dream Team Program The Manufacturers Resource Center (MRC) is working collaboratively with schools, industry, and area stakeholders to create innovative programs that feature technical careers, STEM and CTE education to students, parents, and educators. With the assistance of the…
Providing access to career awareness and exploration opportunities for the more than 70,000 students in Berks County continues to be a top priority for the Career Ready Berks Alliance. The Alliance is a coalition of the 18 Berks County school…
Alvernia’s brand new Reading CollegeTowne reconstruction at 401 North Penn Street in downtown Reading nears completion and awaits the arrival of students in August 2021. This exciting extension of Alvernia’s campus is designed as a strategic champion of economic redevelopment,…
As the oldest college in Berks County, Albright College is constantly evolving to meet the needs of the future. Today, key structural projects are being designed to connect all of the different ways that students learn in the 21st century. …
Fifty years ago, Reading Area Community College (RACC) was founded on October 1, 1971. Classes were held for the first time on October 13, 1971, with an enrollment of 265 students. The college operated from several buildings throughout Reading during…
Drexel University College of Medicine at Tower Health welcomed its inaugural class of 40 first-year medical students to its Wyomissing campus on August 2, 2021. The new, state-of-the-art academic building houses standardized patient exam rooms, an anatomy laboratory, small group…
To understand an entrepreneur’s journey, one must recognize their challenges and appreciate the many tools and services it requires to go from a business plan to opening. Despite the difficulties that can often serve as barriers to success, a recent…
With 5 colleges and universities in the Berks County footprint, it is easy to understand why Greater Reading has bragging rights to add LEARN to Live, Work, Play. Meet Greater RDG is always looking for the positivity in our community…
Community Stories
Duck Donuts, known for its Warm, Delicious and Made-to-Order! ® donuts, recently unveiled a new shop design as part of its promise to deliver an exceptional customer experience for guests. The new design will be rolled out in the new…
7 Brew, a rapidly growing drive-thru coffee chain, is expanding with its first Pennsylvania location in Greater Reading. 7 Brew serves custom, hand-crafted coffee, teas and other drinks. The new location is expected to open in October at 3582 Penn…
The Berks County Commissioners received an update on year one of the IMAGINE Berks Strategic Economic Development Action Plan. In its first year, over $28 million in funding was allocated to support projects and objectives that align with the plan's…
In this third annual Mid-Year State of the Economy, the Greater Reading Chamber Alliance (GRCA) presents a compiled economic snapshot of Berks County. Please note, throughout this report we refer to the area as Berks County which represents Greater Reading…
Berks Nature, The Nature Place, unveiled Berks County’s latest StoryWalk on Aug. 1. The grand reveal event recognized the partnership between Berks County public libraries and Berks Nature and celebrated the addition of another bilingual StoryWalk in the county. Read…
Greater Reading is well positioned to be a leader in the biobased economy. The bio-economy is commercial activity centered on agricultural raw materials for us in good, services or energy. With thriving manufacturing and agricultural industries the infrastructure is here…
Visions Federal Credit Union is excited to announce that work is underway for its newest branch. Located at 35 North 6th Street in downtown Reading, PA, the expansion highlights the credit union’s commitment to growing membership and fostering local partnerships…
Pennsylvanian Gov. Josh Shapiro and Secretary of Agriculture Russell Redding held a press conference at the Rodale Institute, a 386-acre organic education and research farm in Greater Reading, to offer support for the 75-year-old nonprofit’s work and to share their…
Reading Housing Authority celebrated the groundbreaking of the Oakbrook Homes Center for Community Services on July 18. The new project will address a nearly 20-year goal of increasing access for residents and neighbors of Oakbrook Homes to services that support…
FirstEnergy Stadium, home of the Reading Fightin Phils, had been ranked as the sixth-most affordable ballpark in all of Minor League Baseball. The ranking came as part of a recent Fan Survey conducted by Major League Baseball, that looked at…
Deerfoot Vineyards & Winery was awarded 8 medals in the distinguished Finger Lakes International Wine Competition in Mendon, New York. Top honors went to Country Rose which took “Best of Class”/ PLATINUM in the Rose category, and a prestigious DOUBLE…
Buck Mason, a California-based clothing company acquired the 116-year-old Mohnton Knitting Mills. Founders Erik Allen Ford and Sasha Koehn learned of the available spaced and jumped at the chance to build out the company using a site with a rich…
