KINGSTON — When you walk into the new charcuterie and cocktail lounge, the sign says “It was all a dream.”
But, in reality, it all came together after a walk from one couple that passed by the Kingston location hundreds of times.
One day, on one walk, the spot caught Amy Shovlin’s eye.
“I said to my husband one day, ‘You know what would be really cool there? A charcuterie shop,’” said Shovlin, who opened The Parlor with her husband Mark last week after a year of planning and hard work.
The Parlor server Katie Callahan serves a charcuterie tray on opening night
(Bob Kalinowski / Staff Photographer)
The Parlor serves a variety of seasonal artisan meats and cheeses, along with premium wines and top-shelf liquor.
The Kingston residents and their team held a grand opening Thursday at 365 Pierce St., a former Falzone’s auto repair garage across from Sizzle Pi pizza that they transformed into a cozy, welcoming lounge.
Shovlin, a procurement specialist for Saks Fifth Avenue, spent most of her life working for large corporations in big cities and felt Northeast Pennsylvania didn’t have anything like The Parlor.
Amy Shovlin the in owner of the new business The Parlor on Kingston. (Bob Kalinowski / Staff Photographer)
“The true definition of a parlor is a place to have conversation, enjoy company and have cocktails,” Shovlin said. “I want this place to be something different that this area hasn’t seen before.”
The theme of the charcuterie boards that The Parlor offers will change quarterly.
The primary theme for the debut quarter is “Little Italy,” which features trays of Italian meats and cheeses, roasted peppers, fresh fruit, olives, nuts and crackers. The menu includes bruschetta and various gourmet breads. In addition to various imported wines, there is a long list of bourbons, scotches and other liquors.
Danielle Schreckengost is one of the servers at The Parlor
(Bob Kalinowski / Staff Photographer)
Minutes before the doors opened Thursday, Sholvin was still busy hanging photos on the walls and wiping down the menus.
Very soon, she had a packed house of grand opening customers.
“It’s absolutely beautiful. We couldn’t wait to come for the grand opening night,” said Dawn McHugh, dining with her friends Diane Smiles of Wyoming and Debbie Keaney of Jenkins Twp.
Sholvlin’s husband, Mark, a law enforcement officer, said he supported his wife’s dream to build such an establishment.
“To be honest, there is not a place around here like it,” Mark Shovlin said.
Amy and Mark Shovlin are the owners of The Parlor in Kingston.
(Bob Kalinowski / Staff Photographer)
Dining and Cooking