Despite gorgeous autumn weather, Thursday is a sad day for many Saucon Valley residents who’ve become accustomed to eating breakfast, buying milk and other sundries, and socializing at the historic general store/restaurant known as Bergy’s in Lower Saucon Township’s rural Wassergass section.
The historic general store and eatery known as Bergy’s in Wassergass, Lower Saucon Township, was crowded on the morning of Thursday, Oct. 15, 2015, as store lessee Charlotte O’Donnell prepared to close her doors Friday after four-and-a-half years in business.
Charlotte O’Donnell, who has operated the business for the past four-and-a-half years under a rental agreement with the building’s owners–the Bergstresser family–announced earlier this week that Friday, Oct. 16 will be her last day frying up eggs, brewing coffee and sharing a laugh with patrons inside the landmark building, which has been a fixture at the crossroads of Lower Saucon and Wassergass roads for well over a century.
Loyal customers are greeting the news of the impending closure with both disbelief and heartbreak in many posts on social media, including on Saucon Source’s
Bergy’s was a convenient place for Wassergass, Lower Saucon Township residents to pick up milk, bread, eggs and other groceries since there are no other nearby stores.
Facebook page, where dozens of comments have been posted since Wednesday.
“Charlotte’s food is delicious homemade comfort food. I would pop in for lunch, whenever I needed a pick me up,” commented Colleen Fitzgerald. “I am so very sad. I would stop for milk in a pinch. It’s such a wonderful community celebration of fellowship. The place is always packed with locals and you could find out about local happenings. This is a real loss for the community!”
Linda Bettler agreed, commenting that the closing of Bergy’s “is a sad day for the ‘Gass.”
The sense of loss was evident in the faces of customers who passed through the doors of Bergy’s Thursday morning, some simply to visit one last time and pay their respects.
One woman began to cry as she walked in and embraced O’Donnell, and others said they didn’t know where they will go now for the delicious food and entertaining conversation they’ve enjoyed on a daily basis.
O’Donnell said she has no plans beyond Friday, and tears welled up in her eyes when she was asked if she had read the many supportive comments posted on Facebook.
The exterior of Bergy’s Mall in Wassergass has essentially remained unchanged since the late 19th century.
A classic breakfast at Bergy’s: Toast, eggs over easy, home fries and pork roll.
Cars were parked along Lower Saucon Road Thursday morning across from Bergy’s, which closes on Friday, Oct. 16.
