Sixty years ago, Earl and Sheila Jamison transformed a patch of Lahaska farmland into a cluster of Colonial-style shops with the simple goal of giving people a reason to linger. This month, USA Today made it official: Peddler’s Village is the best shopping center in America, writes Jeff Werner for Patch.
The Bucks County landmark claimed the top spot in USA Today’s 10Best Readers’ Choice Awards, one of the most widely followed consumer recognition programs in the country.
The process isn’t a simple popularity contest. 10Best editors and a panel of experts first identify finalists from across the nation, then readers cast the deciding votes.
Following the nomination last month, Peddler’s Village ultimately beat out all of its competitors.
For village CEO Donna Jamison, daughter of the founders, the award means something beyond the rankings.
“In 2026, I’m proud that we continue to carry out that [Earl and Sheila’s] vision year after year by providing an exceptional experience for our guests and receiving national recognition for those efforts,” Jamison said.
65 specialty shops and boutiques, a handful of restaurants, the 67-room Golden Plough Inn, and Giggleberry Fair fill the village grounds year-round. As for the calendar of events, the Strawberry Festival and summer sand sculptures give way to the Scarecrow Festival in fall, and the Grand Illumination celebration anchors the winter season.
The landscaped brick pathways and distinctive architecture haven’t changed much since Earl and Sheila first opened the gates. In an era of big-box retail and one-click shopping, that persistent charm may be the real secret to success.
Learn more about Peddler’s Village and the shopping center’s recent recognition by USA Today in Patch.
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