(pronounced Cara-ha) is a Lehigh Valley native, digital marketing specialist, thrifter, picker, collector and lifelong creative.

Kate has lived in three Pennsylvania cities, including Pittsburgh and Philadelphia. Since returning to Allentown in 2014, the constant mention of Hess's in a wide range of scenarios always stood out to her.

Peak mentions of Hess’s in Kate’s orbit happened in 2016, 2017, 2019, 2020, and October of 2022. During that time, she began collecting Hess’s boxes to decorate under her Christmas tree. After buyer her biggest haul to-date, from a stranger in the Ice Cream World parking lot, the question rang in her head, “Why do I care about these things so much?”

The final peak-mention in October 2022 made her curiosity for Hess’s too big to ignore. Kate wanted to know why she collected boxes from a store she barely remembered; the secret of the brand’s tremendous staying power; and how Hess’s still has a hold on the hearts of her hometown.

The Patio Podcast was created to help preserve the beloved department store's place in our local history, and to provide access to the Hess Brother's legacy for a newer and broader online audience.