If you're looking for convenient, quality shopping experiences, you'll find what you're looking for in Greater Hazleton.

While many downtowns across the country are failing, the heart of Hazleton has remained alive.

Through planning, cooperation, and determination, Downtown Hazleton retained dozens of retail, professional, financial, and service providers. Visitors will not only find shops, but also a wide range of restaurants catering to different tastes and convenient parking (either on-street or in several city-run lots and a three-level garage).

You can enjoy a café latte at a sidewalk cafe, then walk down the block to buy fine jewelry at stores such as Fellin's or Chaskin's - shops that offer personal service and attention that is missing from many of today's stores.

And Downtown Hazleton is only getting better. New partnerships between the Greater Hazleton Chamber of Commerce, City of Hazleton officials, and private developers have produced exciting plans to expand the stores and services available in Downtown Hazleton.

The Pocono Market Fair on Poplar Street in Hazleton is a new and truly unique indoor/outdoor market place, developed to be a one-stop theme shopping entertainment destination for the entire family. With a 170,000 sq. ft. building on 15 acres, the market has space for up to 200 indoor and 1,000 outdoor vendors. With high cathedral ceilings and unique all natural window lighting, you can comfortably spend the day eating, shopping, and enjoying varied entertainment.

Much of the shopping in Greater Hazleton is done at the Laurel Mall and along the Airport Beltway. Three major retail chains (Kmart, JC Penney, and Boscov's) anchor the mall, which is filled with dozens of stores, including Howard's Jewelers, Bath & Body Works, The Wall, B. Moss Clothing, Fashion Bug, Waldenbooks, Foot Locker, Olympia Sports, The Heritage Shop, and Ben Franklin Crafts. The Airport Beltway is home to one of the largest Wal-Mart Supercenters in the country, with an entire Wal-Mart, full-sized supermarket, bank, florist, and more inside. Electronics stores, furniture stores, and car dealerships surround the Laurel Mall along the beltway and adjoining roads. In separate plazas are Lowe's, Staples The Office Superstore, video stores, The Toy Works, supermarkets, and smaller shops.

If you need a break from shopping, a number of restaurants, including The Ground Round, Applebees Neighborhood Grill & Bar, and Pizza Hut, and a 10-screen movie theater are moments away.

And it's no secret that the prices here can't be beat. Shopping in Northeastern Pennsylvania is a common excursion for people from New York and New Jersey who recognize the advantages of a zero-percent state sales tax on clothing.

After all of that shopping, you might be hungry and want to bring something home to prepare. When it comes to grocery shopping, Greater Hazleton won't leave you wanting, either.

From the big chains like Weis and Giant, to smaller ethnic and specialty shops, Greater Hazleton has it all. There are huge supermarkets or corner stores either a short walk or a short drive from virtually anywhere in the region. Whether it's Velveeta or provalone, Hatfield or prosciutto, it can be found in Greater Hazleton.

In the spring, summer, and fall, local roadside stands and farmers' markets open all over Greater Hazleton to provide residents with the freshest crops available. One such market is the Hometown Farmers Market, which features a tremendous selection of fresh corn on the cob, potatoes, tomatoes, beans, and many other fresh fruits and vegetables, most of which were picked that morning. With food stands and trade booths, the Hometown market, minutes from Hazleton, is a popular stop in the summer.

If it's fresh produce you're looking for, what can be fresher than food you pick yourself? Many farms around Greater Hazleton offer pick-your-own produce, like strawberries and blueberries. In the fall, families stroll through local pumpkin patches looking for the perfect jack-o'-lantern while enjoying Northeastern Pennsylvania's vibrant fall foliage.