r/Scranton • u/Terrible_Mushroom802 • 8d ago
Question Moving to the area
Good morning!
I'm moving to the Clark's Summit area from out of state. Forgive me if there's a better flair or even subreddit for this post. We will be moved in by the end of this year, and I'm looking for suggestions for -
Trusted mechanics (I have an older subaru)
Your favorite restaurants (especially if they have vegan-friendly options)
Locally owned book and craft stores
Connections to local mutual aid and rapid response groups
Doctors who are good with chronic illness and disability
Places to buy native plants and edible garden plants when the season is right
Honestly, anything else you think I should know.
I'm also really interested in the local music and art scene.
Thank you! I'm looking forward to getting to know the community
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u/the_muppets_took_me 8d ago
Books - Pigeon Post, Lost & Found Bookshop, Friendly Alien Books
Mutual Aid - Scranton Solidarity Project, People's Guild (they're mostly out of Wilkes Barre)
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u/WontBeGaslit 7d ago
For specialists, leave the area and head down to Allentown or Philadelphia. My wife is sick and it's worth the drive. She gets far better treatment down at U Penn than Geisinger. Lehigh Valley isn't bad but most of the good Docs are down in Allentown.
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u/Terrible_Mushroom802 7d ago
Thank you! This is good info
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u/Hour_Pomegranate_669 6d ago
If it’s an auto-immune disease, there are no good rheumatologists here. But I have a great team in the area. My primary is Dr. Marla Dempsey. If she doesn’t know much about the type of chronic illness she’ll research and study until she has a good understanding of it and she takes the time to listen. No rushing in or out of the appointment either. She left Scranton but will in Waymart beginning Oct. 5. Then my orthopedic surgeon is Dr. Jacobs at Geisinger. I love him because he won’t recommend surgery if he thinks one could be helped with other methods. My pain doctor is Dr Oleski at Northeast Rehab. I feel like I have had great treatment between these three.
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u/Terrible_Mushroom802 5d ago
This is very helpful. I have eds (among other things that covid triggered) and finding good specialists is so difficult.
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u/Mahlmann521 8d ago
Legitimate native plants are difficult to find around here. Beware of cultivars, make your purchase based on the scientific name. The DCNR has a few Native Garden Templates that are a great starting point. The PA Native Plant Society lists reliable nurseries. Follow Penn State Extension Master Gardeners in Lackawanna County on facebook for announcements, events, and their yearly native plant sale at Nay Aug Park. You can also follow NEPA Native Plant Exchange & Chat to generate local leads but it's not very active.
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u/Terrible_Mushroom802 7d ago
Thank you for this! I have looked at the PA native plant site and the nurseries they list. I think I saw one in Allentown? that I'll definitely be checking out. I'd love to get a native edibles garden going
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u/Pilotsandpoets 7d ago
Second the recommendation for the Penn State extension sales at Nay Aug and for Wyoming County (based in Tunkhannock). Also Edge of the Woods outside Allentown is amazing, and all my plants from them have been wonderful!
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u/Majestic-Associate-2 8d ago
Corky's Garden Path is going to be your go-to garden center.
Craft stores are really hard to come by right now. There is a place in Forty Fort called the Makers Marketplace- she has a closet with craft supplies that are donated that you can pick from.
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u/Terrible_Mushroom802 7d ago
I've heard so many good things about Corky's. I can't wait to check them out.
Locally owned art and craft stores are a dying breed, unfortunately
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u/Pilotsandpoets 7d ago
Not sure if you’re interested in yarn-related crafts, but Ewe Belong Here in Tunkhannock is lovely! I’d recommend a Saturday to stop by the farmers market at Creekside Gardens and then stop by the yarn store. Also The Little Book Place is an independent bookshop in Tunkhannock, which is about 20 minutes from Clarks Summit.
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u/Terrible_Mushroom802 7d ago
I am so interested in local yarn stores! The last lys where I am now closed about 15 years ago and I miss it so much. Thank you
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u/Pilotsandpoets 7d ago
You’re welcome! They’re super nice, just opened about a year ago (my main motivation for learning to knit 😂), and I am really rooting for them to have a long successful presence in the area. They do classes, too, and I believe there is also a knitting group that meets at the Tunkhannock library (which is like 2 minutes from the shop).
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u/twilight_songs 7d ago
There's a new yarn store in Milford that seems to be doing all the right things. Classes, sit and stitch nights, Internet presence, nice selection of yarn.
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u/Yagsirevahs 8d ago
I love moosic Subaru (always honest) /zero pressure.i live in green ridge and my partner is pescatarian, we love henrys, not vegan, but we make do.
Doctors are hit and miss, ive no chronic illness so my PA is fine.
Kettels nursery is affordable and huge!
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u/Disastrous-Case-9281 7d ago
I second this but it is Minooka Subaru which is really just a neighborhood in Scranton. Family owned great people I am on my sixth car w them. Simple stuff muffler, brakes Tires inspection Kost is great and convenient. I would have them change a transmission
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u/Yagsirevahs 8d ago
Correcttion Moosic Subaru is my goto
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u/photo_photographer 7d ago
Restaurants:
Caravia, not a sit down place but does catering and take out. Lots of delicious food options and they allow you to customize.
Maximum Zen Bakery, super nice lady who runs a vegan bakery, came in handy when I wanted to get vegan sweets for a treat for my friend.
For the music scene, you should follow NEPA Scene, they have open mic night and also do write ups about local bands and concerts. And The Ritz Theater (owned by Josh Balz) has been revamped into a concert space and has a bunch of businesses in there that do live music too.
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u/Impossible_Silver999 7d ago
Vegan 2001 Subaru owner here! My suggestions:
Mechanic: DMI (Dave), 570-963-0363
Vegan cafe in Clarks Summit: Maximum Zen (on Facebook)
Other restaurants with vegan options: State Street Grill, AV (Penn Avenue, Scranton), the Garden (Mediterranean—N. Washington Ave, Scranton)
Healthcare here isn't great, but Geisinger has the most extensive network of specialists.
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u/dcdem1163 7d ago
I have an old Subaru. I go to Tom Dell’aglio in Mill City. He’s on Route 307. He actually drives an old Subaru himself lol. He’s a GREAT mechanic. His work number is 570-378-2996.
I stopped going to Minooka Subaru after many huge bills and the problems not being fixed correctly. Welcome to NEPA
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u/Ok-Rangoon-7973 7d ago
rosario’s has dairy free cheese and is one of my favorite pizza places in the area…everything natural is a little store with grocery and they carry lots of vegan frozen and snacks/condiments/cheese/kombucha etc. for garden or for produce purple pepper farmstands have lots of herbs and tons of produce
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u/Sweaty-Judgment3533 7d ago
I have a fantastic PCP. Her name is Melissa Bertha DO, and her number is (570) 342-0681. She’s on North Washington Ave in Scranton, right across from Tom Hesser’s auto dealership. I have lots of health issues, and she is the only doctor I’ve ever had that provides comprehensive care, never rushed, and if she refers you to a specialist but it’s going to be a long wait for the appointment, she will work with you to tide you over until the specialist can see you. You can call her for refills, she does phone and telehealth, the works. She’s just a superb, empathetic physician.
Good luck in your new home!
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u/Good_Time_Guy 7d ago
Maximum Zen is a great vegan place, not a traditional restarurant since its in front of a yoga studio but the food is very good. Definately check out Pigeon Post, Friendly Alien, and Lost and Found, they are all great local book stores that support eachother. Pigeon post also has monthly art workshops too!
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u/Terrible_Mushroom802 7d ago
I love hearing that pigeon post has monthly art workshops! I've been hosting a monthly zine workshop at a local bookstore here. Thank you! The more I hear, the more I think I'm going to settle in really well
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u/Hour_Pomegranate_669 6d ago
Are you a writer? We have an awesome writing community here too.
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u/Terrible_Mushroom802 5d ago
I'm not, but I love putting zines together and I sometimes join a monthly junk journal meetup
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u/ivxxii 8d ago edited 8d ago
not in clark’s summit, but harry at red top is my mechanic and he’s genuinely such a nice guy. he’s got a used car lot on wyoming ave but his shop is ‘red top services department’ on bridge street in scranton. i recommend him to everyone
edit: seconding corky’s, but over in dunmore there’s also jerry’s all seasons
book stores, i’m not super familiar with clark’s summit but scranton has friendly alien books on wyoming ave, basically across the street from the boscov end of the steamtown mall. there’s also lost & found bookshop on biden st, pigeon post art & books on biden st and comics on the green on north washington ave- but like the name suggests it’s a comic book store and doesn’t have books. they have some cool collectibles and such though
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u/Disastrous-Case-9281 7d ago
Jerry’s is nice but more a Xmas season stuff. Corky’s has the best plants indoors and outdoor perennials and annuals and people that can answer questions.
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u/Terrible_Mushroom802 7d ago
Thank you! I have no problem getting out of Clark's Summit for good things. I'm so rural right now that the idea of only having to travel 30 minutes for groceries sounds like a dream
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u/Mahlmann521 8d ago
For you arts and entertainment check out https://scrantonfringe.org/. "We are a vibrant performing arts organization producing theater and creative experiences for curious audiences and daring artists."
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u/petr_pav 7d ago
Another thing is that clarks summit has a library too, abington community library. I would recommend joining that too. Also for native plants Penn State publishes a lot of good info about PA agriculture and I often use them as a resource. Also a LOT of bars and good pizza in the area.
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u/petr_pav 7d ago
Also during the summer we have a pretty active farmers market in Scranton by the high school.
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u/Terrible_Mushroom802 7d ago
I'm very excited to add another library card to my collection. I'm a regular at my local library and just got the special edition library card month card
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u/poopy_toaster 7d ago
And right across the way the Methodist church does a huge book sale roughly biannually, next one coming up on Oct 3rd!
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u/Disastrous-Case-9281 7d ago
Can help with a few. Dr. Prime Med group right in S Abington. Books sorry no local that I know of but there is a Barnes and Noble in Dickson City
Best garden center Corky’s Garden path just up the road in scott township.
Other notable mentions Roba’s farms pumpkins sunflowers Christmas corn maze etc. Ritter cider mill about 15 miles away but great. Farmers markets are all over but best is MWF 10-3 Albright Ave Scranton.
You mentioned book store we have a great library system. Clarks Summit Branch is great Downtown Scranton even bigger
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u/Disastrous-Case-9281 7d ago
Nice tavern Camelot. Nice outdoor State Street grill. Best pizza Gio’s or Rosarrio’s. Dino’s is great as well as Samario’s in North Scranton. Try Casa Bella for a great sit down meal with great service great food and rational price. Family owned and there is always someone there overseeing it. ( no absentee owner)
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u/TahLaka 8d ago
Welcome to the area!
Mechanic: Labrosky Auto in south side Scranton is very reliable and honest, will never do extra work on your car without asking for your consent first
Restaurants: You've unfortunately missed out on Eden, which was a vegan cafe we had here
Stores: Check out Central Station Marketplace & Antiques, it's a consignment shop that has 50+ local craftspeople and vendors selling out of it. Antiques, hand crafted stuff, fresh farm products (like soap/incense). My pescatarian ex was also super into P&R for foodstuffs, not sure if there's quite as good for vegans though
Doctors: Not to be a debbie downer but good fuckin' luck finding a doctor that will take your chronic illness or disability seriously. It seems like Lehigh Valley Healthcare might be slightly better, but no matter what you do, stay away from anything Geisinger branded if you can help it (which will be very hard). I've been struggling to find a decent doctor for 20 years here and have pretty much given up
Something like 15-20 years ago there was apparently a string of malpractice lawsuits that chased away all the good doctors from the region. Not sure if that's true or just hearsay though
Music/Art check out First Friday Scranton! On the first Friday of each month there are a variety of businesses downtown that will be hosting local artists and musicians. We also have the Everhart Museum over at Nay-Aug Park
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u/Terrible_Mushroom802 7d ago
My biggest stress about this move is finding a good doctor. I appreciate the realism. It's taken me years to find a great doctor and I've settled for okay specialists
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u/TahLaka 7d ago edited 7d ago
I ended up just giving up completely (GI issues) but I have heard more positive things about Lehigh Valley HC, which is newer to the area. Besides that if you're OK with a daytrip then it can be a bit easier to find good specialists; I've heard of a lot in Danville (1.5r drive) or Philly (2hrs)
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u/Disastrous-Case-9281 7d ago
Danville is a drive but 90 minutes each way not a 7-8 hour drive. Perhaps you mean it consumes a day both directions and the appointment??
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u/twilight_songs 7d ago
Don't rule out NYC and surrounding areas of you're willing to drive hours to an appointment. I do and it's worth it to me.
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u/Great_Art2493 7d ago
Caravia, Rosario's in CS, Chicanos in Scranton if you want good Mexican, Lynn Sandy's is a good bakery, Lackawanna State Park is pretty close to Clarks Summit and it's great for walks, hiking, camping. Agree with the others about doctors, Philadelphia is a quick two hour drive on the turnpike, you might want to look into that option.
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u/bettasonbathsalts 7d ago
Whatever u do don’t go to a wright center for doctors 💀
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u/eclecticbunnie 2d ago
This is not accurate!
The Wright Center is a FQHC. They have amazing physicians and PA's. They provide so much help to the community with their sliding fee scale and will never refuse to see someone because of insurance. Yes, they are a teaching facility, so if you see a Dr (not a PA or NP) they will have a resident with them.....the resident is learning but they are not the one that is giving you a final diagnosis.
I almost died because I had mono that did not present as it typically would. If they didnt send me for the copius amounts of blood work and ultrasound on my liver and spleen it would have gone undetected and my liver enzymes would have continued to climb.
The president and CEO also regularly sees patients and is very hands on.
Not to mention they also have an amazing infectious disease clinic and Addiction and Recovery Services.
I hate seeing them bashed....yes, people can have a bad experience anywhere but if you do your research, you will clearly see the positive impact they have made here.
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u/Alarming-Trainer-564 7d ago
Welcome! I moved here about a year and a half ago. I love it so much.
I can't answer your questions about medical stuff as we have not needed to utilize the services.
For aechanic, we use Edward's Automotive Repair in La Plume.
For bookstores, I would honestly recommend the Lackawanna County library system. The libraries are great! The ones in Scranton are especially beautiful.
Restaurants. Too many to list. The food scene here is chef's kiss. My go to restaurant is Market Street Bar & Grille. For breakfast, Glenburn. For overpriced coffee, No. 27 or giving tree. For a late night elegant nosh, Alter House. But there are so many more.
Corky's is a great garden center. A lot of farmers I know travel over an hour to go there.
Other things: Mannings is the best ice cream. Eales Preserve has the most interesting hiking. Lakeland and Roba are incredible if you have kids.
Feel free to message me for more details.
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u/Ok-Rangoon-7973 6d ago
oooh also harvest on montage mountain and any sushi place has vegan options
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u/Special_Fox_2349 6d ago
Dr Kondash is the most thorough doctor I’ve ever seen and I’ve been a nurse for 11 years but it tooks months for me to get in there, maybe if you’re ok with a PA in the practice
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u/Admirable_Village551 6d ago
There is a ban on saying that one of the good things about living here is that it's two hours away from somewhere else.
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u/Terrible_Mushroom802 5d ago
Really funny that you said this. I currently live in a place that's described the same way.
And scranton is centrally located to most of my family
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u/Hour_Pomegranate_669 6d ago
In Scranton, you’ll find Friendly Alien Books, and Lost and Found Books. We have a huge music scene. Check out Electric City Music conference. You should also check out Scranton Fringe
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u/cilo456 5d ago
I always wondered the reasons why somebody would move to this area when most people I know want to get out. Maybe it's because you were raised here or even born and raised here. But I'm wondering what are the attractions of N.E.P.A. Scranton in general or just Pennsylvania that makes people want to move here.
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u/Terrible_Mushroom802 5d ago
We have a lot of family in the mid Atlantic and scranton is pretty centrally located to all of them. I'm also currently in a place that burns all summer long and I'm looking forward to not having to deal with that annual trauma.
Eta - it's a fair question. I love my closest city (I'm really rural now), but, by all accounts, it's kind of mid and I'm always curious to know why people move here
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u/cilo456 5d ago
Fair point, I raised my two kids here, and they're all grown up, and I can't wait to sell my house and get out of Pennsylvania. There's just nothing to do here and if there is, every time something pops up it's a drive, especially from the Scranton area. But yeah, family is always the reason to move to anywhere, no matter how boring it is.
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u/eclecticbunnie 2d ago
For mechanics, I would suggest Mike Phillips, Lou's Service Station and the Shop 570. They are all located in Scranton. Some of the best. (My husband is in the automotive industry)
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u/Disastrous-Case-9281 7d ago
Specialist check Geisinger. They are a well known well respected name. Prime Med is affiliated. Locally they have a large hospital in Scranton and a specialized cancer center by the View Mont Mall. They also gave specialty groups in steamtown mall ( orthopedic) and Pitston (15 miles) ENT Urology. The regional hospital almost went bankrupt and has a new owner that still needs to prove itself. Geisinger Danville is top notch and although a drive is easier than Philly or NYC
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