brought to you by the greater easton ......fall 2019 your source for downtown easton business news...

YOUR SOURCE FOR DOWNTOWN EASTON BUSINESS NEWS FALL 2019

BROUGHT TO YOU BY THE GREATER EASTON DEVELOPMENT PARTNERSHIP

BUSINESS BUGLERThe

It may be hot and steamy outside but we are gearing up for holiday events, specifically, Peace Candle Lighting!

Friday, Nov. 29A long time tradition for Easton, this event fully embraces all the magic this holiday season has to offer! It all kicks off 5-9 p.m. Friday, Nov. 29, with Easton Out Loud. We have moved this fourth Friday event to the fifth Friday to be the official start of the holiday weekend. There will be ornament making and letter writing to Santa at various stores and stay tuned for a special announcement on where you can drop off your Santa letters! At 6 p.m., join us in Centre Square with Mayor Panto, the Bachmann Players and of course, Santa! The Big Easy Easton Brass Band will lead us all in a parade to light the Christmas tree on Larry Holmes Drive and then parade back up Northampton

Street with Santa to The Bayou. Battery operated candles will be available for purchase in the Square at the EOL Info Tent. Stay tuned for other surprises during the evening!

Saturday, Nov. 30Festivities kick off early at The Pomfret Club for Breakfast with Santa at 8:30 and 10:30 a.m. Enjoy a delicious breakfast, live music, treats and photos with Santa. Tickets will be available soon at eastonmainstreet.org/breakfast. Be sure to reserve your tickets early.

David Rose, Easton’s official Town Crier, will kick things off for Peace Candle Lighting at 10 a.m. Visitors can enjoy live performances all day, strolling performers, Charles Dickens characters, Balloons the Clown and Grins and Grins stilt walkers. Be on the lookout for our Peace Candle Pocket Lady who will be out and about with special treats for the children. Santa will

be arriving in Centre Square by parade at 1 p.m. Stay tuned for more exciting details. Third Street Alliance will be hosting special performances and an amazing display of gingerbread houses. And don’t forget to dress in your holiday best for professional photos with Santa.

Children will enjoy the petting zoo, moon bounce and trackless train rides on the 300 block of Northampton Street. Carriage rides will be available all day long, including Cinderella’s magical carriage. Ticket info and road closure/parking details will be forthcoming at eastonmainstreet.org/peacecandlelighting.

The big finale happens at 7 p.m. in Centre Square, with the closing ceremony and the official lighting of the Peace Candle as The Swing Time Dolls lead us all in a rendition of “Let There Be Peace on Earth.”

RING IN THE HOLIDAYS AT THE PEACE CANDLE LIGHTING!

SMALL BUSINESS SATURDAYNow a tradition for several years in Downtown Easton, Small Business Saturday (SBS) will take place on Saturday, Nov. 30 alongside the Peace Candle Lighting celebration. SBS continues to bring people together to enjoy and engage with our Main Street retailers, restaurants, salons, service businesses and galleries, and show support for our locally-owned businesses during the holiday shopping season.

The Main Street volunteers and staff will be connecting with American Express, the sponsor of this national event, to secure branded SBS swag, which will be delivered to participating business along with SBS balloons to bring attention to businesses offering specials and treats that day.

Please start thinking about what kinds of creative and enticing holiday promotions your business could offer to shoppers who are choosing to spend this SBS in Downtown Easton. Please reach out to Katie Farnan ([email protected]) to confirm your participation and share what promotions you will be offering by Friday, Nov. 1.

FREE HOLIDAY PARKING A special thank you to the City of Easton for providing FREE metered on-street and surface lot parking (not including parking decks) during the holiday shopping season! Share this promotion with your customers on Friday, November 29, Saturday, November 30, and Sunday, November 31, as well as Saturdays and Sundays from Dec.1-25.

SAVE THE DATEOur next Business Owners’ Roundtable will be held at 8 a.m. Wednesday, Oct.9, at Easton Area Public Library, 515 Church St. These meetings are a great way to learn about city issues and upcoming events, holiday events and promotions, and meet your fellow business owners. Light refreshments will be provided. We hope you can join us!

The Business Bugler | Fall 2019

NEED A MAP & GUIDE?If you ever need more 2019/2020 Map & Guides, just let us know. We’re happy to deliver. Contact: [email protected].

HOLIDAY IDEAS YOUR EMPLOYEES WILL LOVE The Highmark Farmstand at Easton Public Market offers a full array of fresh and seasonal produce to fill a table! Stop by the Farmstand for your staff party needs — from fruits and veggies, to sparkling ciders and house-made, vegetarian sides. You can even customize your own gift baskets for colleagues and clients.

Choose the locally-produced goods they’ll love — and we’ll provide the basket and decorations. We’ll even assemble, wrap and tie it with a bow. Gift baskets start at $35 (which includes assembly, wrap and decorations). Price varies by what is included with the basket. The Farmstand also sells Cape May Peanut Butter party boxes for $25. Contact [email protected] for more details or to pre-order gift baskets.

NUMBERS TO KNOWHere are the best contact numbers for our city’s police officers:

Patrolman Vince Bruneo Cell: 484-634-0449 or [email protected]

Lt. Bob Weber Cell: 484-239-7649 Office: 610-250-6660 or [email protected]

Non-emergency number: 610-759-2200

As the holiday season approaches, now is the perfect time to plan your window display. According to AdWeek, the holiday season can account for 25 percent of a retailer’s annual sales, and a good window display can drive foot traffic and bring even more shoppers to your store. Now’s the time to plan your holiday display. We reached out to a few community members for their tips and techniques:

Megan McBride, director of the Easton Market District and former owner of Imagine Cards ’n Gifts:You want your window display to look good from a drive-by perspective (especially at the holidays) and be of interest to pedestrians and shoppers.

To achieve this:

• Use large props (furniture pieces, equipment related to your business, antiques, folding screens, trees etc.). This creates the bigger impact for those driving by and sets the stage.

• Once you have your large pieces in place you can intersperse smaller items — for your window shoppers to view up close.

• Lighting is KEY! If your window is not well lit, all your efforts will

be for nothing. The window itself should be lit with recessed or spot lighting but then it’s important to add ambient lighting with lamps and/or string lights. This will add warmth and dimension and enhance the drive-by impact. Be sure to have your lights on a timer so your window stays lit well into the evening, and on days when your shop is closed. Your window should be your best advertisement! As you’re creating your display be sure to go outside and see how it looks from across the street.

Other suggestions:

• Swap items with local merchants: The antique and furniture stores are a great place to find your larger props and most are happy to lend them out as long as you put a price tag or small sign on them.

• Stick with a single/double color scheme: It’s much more effective than using a mishmash of colors as it helps the eye to focus more quickly. (It can be a fun experience to go through your shop and pull out all the ‘purple’ merchandise and also look for purple holiday decor, lights etc.)

• Vary heights: Don’t make the mistake of displaying a variety of items across the floor of the window with everything at one height. This leaves you with the upper window space empty and it lacks interest. Use crates and boxes as risers and hang things from the ceiling.

• Use the vertical space: Although the eye scans horizontally, visual attention is drawn vertically when people are walking by. Take

advantage of vertical space and arrange things top to bottom.

• Signage: Don’t be afraid to label your window items with signs and prices. Some folks are hesitant to stop in and ask for a price or ask a question.

• Make sure your window truly conveys the feeling and emotion of your store! It should make coming in your door irresistible!

Ron Morris, owner of Mercantile Home and Mercantile OutpostWhen approaching windows, I always find the ones with the most impact are dynamic in some way. Telling a story (our squirrels have done some crazy things to show off products in our windows), striking color choices (super bright, super neutral or the perfect ratio of both), and using different visual levels in the window are all great ways to accomplish this. Of course, combinations of all three can really create a home run!

HOW TO: CREATE AN EYE-CATCHING WINDOW DISPLAY

Downtown Decorating Plan

Just a reminder, orders for holiday greenery are due Sept. 30. Thank you to all of our businesses who have opted to participate! We will be in contact regarding delivery and installation. It is an important piece, so we encourage you to add border lighting inside your windows where you have access to an outlet.

Photo: uwishunu.com

Holiday shopping season is fast approaching! Want to learn more about window dressing and visual merchandising? Easton Main Street Initiative is planning a hands-on Visual Merchandising Workshop presented by a few highly skilled Main Street business owners at 8 a.m. Tuesday, Oct. 15 at Easton Outdoor Company. Reserve your spot for this educational workshop by emailing [email protected].

✔ TO DO:

STATE THEATRE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Designed as a vaudeville theater in 1925, the stunning interior was inspired by the architecture of old Spain and Italy. Now completely restored, the 1,500-seat venue stages more than 100 performances a year, providing everything from family entertainment and opera to Broadway and comedy. The State Theatre is home of the regional FREDDY© Awards, honoring local high school musicals.

CRAYOLA EXPERIENCE® . . . . . . . . .Discover the magic of color with 25 hands-on attractions, perfect for a full day of family fun! Name & Wrap your very own Crayola Crayon, create melted wax spin art, take selfies to a whole new level at the ALL NEW Silly Selfies, plus so much more!

NORTHAMPTON COUNTY HISTORICAL & GENEALOGICAL SOCIETY at the SIGAL MUSEUM . . . .Visitors are awed and inspired by the artifacts and interactive displays telling the stories of Northampton County’s place in American and world history. For the researcher, the Jane S. Moyer Library houses an extensive collection of local and family history. Shoppers will enjoy browsing through the unique products in the Museum Store.

LAFAYETTE COLLEGE . . . . . . . . . .Cur Non is the rally cry at Lafayette College. The motto for the Marquis de Lafayette, the school's namesake, Cur Non means Why Not. Why not have the courage to move beyond the familiar? Why not engage in every aspect of learning? Why not use your intellect, energy, and talent to impact the world? Lafayette is a top liberal arts and engineering college, dedicated to undergraduates who want hands-on experience to address real-world issues across interdisciplinary teams. Cur Non means anything is possible at Lafayette.

NURTURE NATURE CENTER . . . . . . .Featuring the famed Science on a Sphere® globe exhibit, several art galleries, and educational events, Nurture Nature Center offers a dynamic blend of science, art and dialogue programming. NNC is housed in an historic, three-story 1914 building that has been beautifully brought back to life, and offers an array of art and science events and exhibits for visitors and community.

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During the early nineteenth century, Easton emerged as an industrial center because of its location near the rivers, Morris Canal, and later in the century, five major railroads. The city became home to wire mills, silk mills, foundries, and many other types of manufacturing.

Six years after being founded by our citizens, the opening of Lafayette College in 1832 marked Easton’s rise as a cultural hub. By the 1860s, Easton was the largest city in the Lehigh Valley and later became its retail center.

Easton’s Great Square (now known as Centre Square) was, and remains, a gathering place for residents and travelers. On July 8, 1776, it was the site for one of only three readings of the Declaration of Independence. This event is commemorated by the town annually with its Heritage Day celebration.

Cover design by James Nicnick

Centre SquareSaturdays 9am-1pm

EastonFarmersMarket.com

325 Northampton St.Wed. - Sat. 8am-7pm

EastonPublicMarket.com

Centre Square Saturdays 9 a.m. - 1 p.m.

EastonFarmersMarket.com

325 Northampton St. Wed. - Sat. 8 a.m. - 7 p.m.

Sun. 8 a.m. - 5 p.m. EastonPublicMarket.com

SHOP – EAT – COOK – GATHER

Another great program from the Greater Easton Development Partnership

The Easton Ambassadors

CLEAN & SAFE: 7 Days a Week!

The Ambassadors provide hospitality services, public safety, helpful information, as well as

supplemental cleaning services.Contact: 610-496-3857

email: [email protected]

What’s Up downtown

PRESENTED BY

AcousticFree Range Music Every Friday 6 p.m.

MUSIC • FOOD • ART • SHOPPINGFOURTH FRIDAY EVERY MONTH

DOWNTOWN EASTON, PENNSYLVANIAEASTONOUTLOUD.COM

13 & 14 CrossFit Advanced Competition 9 a.m. Scott Park

14 Heritage Day 11 a.m. - 10 p.m. Centre Square & Scott Park

20 Zucchini 500 at Easton Farmers’ Market 9 a.m. - 1 p.m. Centre Square

20 Cruise Night 5 - 9 p.m. Centre Square

26 Easton Out Loud 5 - 9 p.m. Downtown

27 Hispanic Cultural Festival 3 - 7 p.m. Scott Park

August3 Peach Day

at Easton Farmers’ Market 9 a.m. - 1 p.m. Centre Square

3 & 4 Lebanese Heritage Days Our Lady of Lebanon Maronite Catholic Church

9 Live at the Falls 5:30 - 9 p.m. Scott Park

10 The Art of Music Festival 1 - 8 p.m. Scott Park

10 Easton Laughs Comedy Night 8 - 9:30 p.m. Riverside Park

17 Tomato Day at Easton Farmers’ Market 9 a.m. - 1 p.m. Centre Square


17 Movies Along the Trail Dusk Karl Stirner Arts Trail

21 Senior Fest 10 a.m. - 3 p.m. Scott Park


24 Movies at the Mill 6 - 11 p.m. Silk Mill

25 Easton Fire 'Coats for Kids' Run Noon - 7 p.m. 200 block of Northampton St.

25 Clam Jam Noon - 7 p.m. South Third & Ferry Streets

September7 Sunflower Day


8 St. Luke's Marathon for Via 8 a.m. - 2 p.m. Scott Park


21 & 22 Riverside Festival of the Arts 10 a.m. - 5 p.m. Riverside & Scott Parks

21 Chile Pepper Day at Easton Farmers’ Market 9 a.m. - 1 p.m. Centre Square


21 Fallen Heroes Motorcycle Run 200 block of Northampton Street Rain Date 9/22


October5 & 6 Easton Garlic Fest 10 a.m. - 6 p.m. Centre Square

12 Haunted Walking Tour 1 p.m. kid friendly 8 p.m. adults only Sigal Museum

14 The Artful Dash 5k 9 a.m. Karl Stirner Arts Trail

18 & 19 Haunted Hugh Moore Park 6:30 p.m. Hugh Moore Park


19 Apple Jam at Easton Farmers’ Market 9 a.m. - 1 p.m. Centre Square

19 Zombie Pub Crawl 5 - 11 p.m. Downtown


20 Food Truck Festival Noon - 6 p.m. Larry Holmes Dr.

25 Haunted Walking Tour 8 p.m. adults only Sigal Museum

25 & 26 Haunted Hugh Moore Park 6:30 p.m. Hugh Moore Park


27 Halloween Parade 3 p.m. Phillipsburg to Easton

November2 & 3 PA Bacon Fest 10 a.m. - 6 p.m. Downtown

3 Racin’ Bacon 5k 9 a.m. Riverside Park

19 Destination Northampton County exhibit at Sigal Museum opens

29 Easton Out Loud 5 - 9 p.m. Downtown 5th Friday to coincide with Peace Candle Lighting

30 Peace Candle Lighting & Small Business Saturday 10 a.m. - 8 p.m. Downtown

December7 Night of Bourbon

5 - 8 p.m. Tickets available online nightofbourbon.eventbrite.com

7 Santa Pub Crawl 5 - 11 p.m. Downtown


January 202011 EFM Winter Market

10 a.m. - Noon Church Street between Fourth and Bank Streets


25 EFM Winter Market 10 a.m. - Noon Church Street between Fourth and Bank Streets

February 2 24th Annual Chili Cookoff

11 a.m. - 5 p.m. Pearly Baker's Alehouse



22 Beermuda Triangle Krewe de Brew Mardi Crawl 3 p.m. Sixth & Northampton Streets


March14 EFM Winter Market

10 a.m. - Noon Church Street between Fourth and Bank Streets



April11 Spring into Easton

Noon - 4 p.m. Downtown




25 City-wide Clean Up Day 8 a.m. - Noon

May 2 Historic Easton House Tour

10 a.m. - 4 p.m.

2 Opening Day at Easton Farmers’ Market 9 a.m. - 1 p.m. Centre Square

May 20194 Opening Day


4 Historic Easton House Tour 10 a.m. - 4 p.m.

4 Trek the Two Rivers Walk 10 a.m. Centre Square


24 Two Rivers Choral Festival 7 - 8:30 p.m. Riverside Park


27 Memorial Day Parade 10:30 a.m. Sixth and Northampton Streets

June8 Strawberry Day


8 Rosé on the River 6 - 9 p.m. Scott Park Tickets available online roséontheriver.com



15 Movies Along the Trail Dusk Karl Stirner Arts Trail

22 June Bee Jamboree at Easton Farmers’ Market 9 a.m. - 1 p.m. Centre Square

22 PRIDE on the Riverfront 1 - 10 p.m. Scott Park


July12 Live at the Falls

5:30 - 9 p.m. Scott Park

13 267th Birthday Celebration at Easton Farmers’ Market 9 a.m. - 1 p.m. Centre Square

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This guide was made possible by:

For more information contact: EASTON MAIN STREET INITIATIVE325 Northampton St. ~ Easton, PA 18042

Kim Kmetz, Main Street Manager 610-330-9940 [email protected] go to: eastonmainstreet.org

Easton Market District Shop-Eat-Cook-Gather Visit America’s oldest, continuous open-air market, Saturdays from 9 a.m. - 1 p.m. in historic Centre Square. Featuring more than 30 local growers, makers and bakers, the Market celebrates its 267th anniversary this year! Enjoy live music, kids activities and even some craft beer or spirits from the Local Libations tent. eastonfarmersmarket.comHead indoors to experience the Easton Public Market, located just a block away. You’ll find the old world charm of an artisanal grocery, alongside hip eats, including an Asian noodle bar, creeperie, pizzeria, clam shack, taqueria, Belgian chocolatier, wine bar and more eastonpublicmarket.com.

Free Concert Series Join us for these FREE family-friendly concert series: Easton Out Loud: Live music in Centre Square every fourth Friday, April through September. eastonoutloud.com. Live at the Falls at Scott Park every second Friday, May through September. liveatfalls.com.

Artists in the Alley Family and kid friendly, this tented arts and crafts event is held 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. each Saturday from May through mid-November and is just a few steps from Centre Square. Discover local artists demonstrating their talents and offering their wares amid the backdrop of music, laughter and fun. Join us on North Bank Street!

Some Things to DO &SEE

Easton Main Street Initiative is a program of the Greater Easton Development Partnership, a 501(c)(3) organization

Bike Easton What better way to experience Easton than by bike? Genesis Bicycles, one of America’s top bike shops, offers rentals of everything from hybrids to kids’ bikes to carbon fiber road bikes. Weekly, daily, and 3-hour rates available for most bikes. Join the FREE Ice Cream Ride every Thursday at 6

p.m., Memorial Day through Labor Day (weather permitting). Visit the shop for more information or online at genesisbicycles.com.

Experience our Waterfront Enjoy our two beautiful parks along the Delaware and Lehigh Rivers. Kids’ playgrounds, WiFi, concert venues and stun ning views. Cross the rivers to hop on the 165-mile Delaware & Lehigh Trail or stroll the 2.5-mile Karl Stirner Arts Trail along the Bushkill Creek. Photo: Katja Kruppe


Lafayette College’s Family Weekend typically brings well over 1,000 family members to campus to spend time with their Lafayette student or sibling, and get a taste of life on campus, College Hill, and in the Easton community.

On Friday, Oct. 25, families attend classes during the day and enjoy a Student Showcase that evening featuring multiple student performance groups.

On Saturday, Oct. 26, a student-led committee plans a full day of campus tours, a talk by President Byerly, information panels by a wide variety of campus partners, and Faculty Pard Talks presented in the TED Talk format. They can then gather for a

Tailgate on the Quad, and cheer on the football team at Fisher Field. Family Weekend also features multiple chances for families to explore the Easton community, including historic tours, shopping, dining and this year an opportunity to spend time in the Easton Public Market. Afterward, they will return to campus for an interactive Saturday night trivia competition! This is a “packed house” restaurant night in Downtown Easton!

For those folks who remain on campus on Oct. 27, there are a few remaining tours, as well as the chance to take students off campus for needed supplies, to grab a meal, or explore more of Easton before they head home.

The EMSI staff will be gathering menus, coupons and other promo-tional materials from our Main Street businesses and delivering them to campus prior to Family Weekend. Lafayette staff will make these items readily available to students and their families.

The deadline for providing these materials will be Friday, Oct. 11. Please provide a minimum of 200 pieces in the drop box at the EPM, across from More Than Q from Sept. 28 - Oct. 11. Info: [email protected], [email protected]

LAFAYETTE FAMILY WEEKEND: OCT. 25-27

✔ TO DO:

DOWNTOWN EASTON BUSINESS WATCHThe following businesses have recently opened or are in the process of opening in the Main Street District. We’d like to welcome them to the Downtown Easton business community and wish them much success!

Aman’s Artisan Indian Cuisine, 336 Northampton St., family-run Indian restaurant

St. Luke’s Family Medicine, 352 Northampton St., family practice

Precision Laser Tattoo Removal, 42A S. Third St. (Second floor), laser tattoo removal services

Iconic Barbershop, 418 Northampton St., barbershop

Kelly Berkey Studio, 34 N. Second St., art and jewelry studio & gallery

Ever After Studio, 42. S. Third St. (second floor), videography & photography studio

Greek Meat Guy, 154 Northampton St., Greek restaurant

NEW DIGS!

Khanisa’s “The Pudding Bar” has moved from 74 N. Fourth St. to 118 Northampton St.

Book & Puppet Co. has opened their third location at 22 Centre Square

MK Photography has moved from 228 Northampton St. (second floor) to the Karl Stirner Arts Building at 230 Ferry St.

The Journey Home has moved from 12 S. Sitgreaves St. to smARTivities Showcase at 60 Centre Square

The business listed below has recently closed their Downtown Easton operations. We are sad to see them go, but wish them all the best in their future endeavors.

Christina’s Bridal, 137 Northampton St. (Find them at Silk Bridal Easton at the Silk Mill.)

NETWORKING EVENTEBA’s networking events are held 5:30-7 p.m. on the third Wednesday of each month. These networking events provide a relaxing atmosphere to meet other business owners and managers, make announcements, share successes, concerns, and foster new ideas.

✔ TO DO:If you would like to host a networking event, please send a message of intent to [email protected]. Find a list of upcoming events at eastonbusinessassociation.com.

Photo: Lafayette College

EASTON OUT LOUD FALL SEASONWe hope you’ll join us and participate in our upcoming Easton Out Loud nights. Easton Out Loud is held from 5-9 p.m. the fourth Friday of every month. Please note: In November, Easton Out Loud shifts to the fifth Friday (Nov. 29) to coincide with Peace Candle weekend!

Below is a list of our themes for the remainder of the year along with some ideas to get businesses involved.

October 25: HalloweenCrafts/activities: Trick-or-treating, pumpkin decorating, bobbing for apples, mummy wrapping

Cocktails: Blood Orange Blackberry Rum Punch, The Grave Digger Cocktail, Monster Mash Margaritas, Tart Cherry Eyeball Punch, Hard Cider Pumpkin Float, Beetlejuice Cocktail

Food: Deviled eggs, roasted pumpkin seeds, candy corn, pumpkin dip, candy apples

Decorating: Fake cobwebs, creepy music, jack-o-lanterns, fog machines

November 29: Kick off to Peace Candle WeekendActivities/Crafts: Letter writing to Santa, ornament making, paper snowflakes, gingerbread house decorating

Cocktails: Eggnog, christmosas, santa clausmopolitans, drunk jack frosties

Food: Christmas goat cheese toast bites, Christmas nacho cups, Cranberry & white chocolate mini cheesecakes, Caprese Salad Skewers

Decorating: Christmas lights, trees,

paper snowflakes, white snow window paint

December 27: Enchanted VillageActivities/crafts: Hot chocolate bar, paper snowflakes, snowflake handprints, snowman in a Mason jar

Cocktails: Peppermintinis, peppermint bark mimosas, mistletoe margaritas

Food: Snowman pancakes, winter comfort food, Christmas cookies

Decorating: Christmas lights, paper snowflakes, window paint

Be sure to email [email protected] to ensure your business and activity is listed on the passport each month.

✔ TO DO:


ADD YOUR BUSINESS TO DISCOVER LEHIGH VALLEY’S SITEBy: Kaitie Burger

Discover Lehigh Valley is working to ensure that our website showcases the best of things to see, do, and eat in the Lehigh Valley with a robust offering of listings of local businesses. Previously, having a listing on Discoverlehighvalley.com was an exclusive benefit of paid membership with the organization, but we’ve since moved to a new model which opens up possibilities for us to showcase businesses that we recognize as strong contributors to the Lehigh Valley experience. There is no cost to have a listing on Discoverlehighvalley.com for approved businesses within Lehigh & Northampton counties. Our goal is to bring new visitors into the Lehigh Valley region by telling great stories that showcase our tourism assets, and we hope that you’ll join us on that mission!

✔ TO DO:To learn more about getting involved and having your business featured, contact Kaitie Burger ([email protected]) or Alicia Quinn ([email protected]).

TEXTING POSTERS

GEDP is trying to use a new promotional tool to get visitors and neighbors to Downtown Easton. We’re encouraging people to sign up for text reminders about our upcoming events and festivals. By texting ‘eastonevents’ to 555-888, participants can enroll for the program. (Message and data rates apply.) Included in your Business Bugler is a poster advertising this new promotion. Would you be willing to hang it in your shop window or by your counter to encourage shoppers and visitors to return to Easton? We appreciate your help!

John Kingsley was hired as Easton’s new director of Community & Economic Development in March 2019. While he may be new to the role, Easton is like a second home for Kingsley. Easton is where Kingsley started his 24-year career in public administration, community and economic development and finance, then with the Northampton County Development Corporation.

Q: Tell us a little about your background.

"In my career, I’ve served in a senior management role with several local & regional economic development organizations including: the Lehigh Valley Economic Development Corporation, the Northampton County Department of Community and Economic Development and Northampton County Development Corporation. I’ve also served as executive director to the Northampton County Industrial Development Authority, the Northampton County General Purpose Authority and as senior management to the Lehigh County Industrial Development Authority and the Lehigh Valley Economic Investment Corporation. While assisting hundreds of businesses in achieving their goals to expand or locate in the region, I’ve managed loans and bond issuances totaling more than $500 million on behalf of related conduit issuers and Pennsylvania Certified Economic Development Financing Organizations. I’m a past president of the Nazareth Economic Development Commission and have been a board member of many local and regional community and economic development organizations. I earned my Bachelor of Arts and Master of Public Administration degrees from Shippensburg University and I am a graduate of Freedom High School.”

Q: What's it like returning to Easton, where you started your career, and how has the city changed in that time?

“It is like coming home again. I spent 15 years of my career here and my family has a long history in this city. My sister has a law practice in Easton. My mother was a supervisor with Northampton County Children & Youth and worked in the Governor Wolf Building for the majority of her career. My wife also started her career in the Governor Wolf building and my father went to Lafayette College.

The city of Easton is such a dynamic place now. Businesses are flourishing, the community and its stakeholders are incredibly engaged, investors are looking for opportunities here and the citizens have pride in their city. None of these things existed when I last worked here. I used the term ghost town and it fit. The difference is night and day…”

Q: Can you give us any updates on some of the new projects around the city?

South Third Street Days Inn Lot“In May, the city decided to discontinue negotiations with Da Vinci regarding the proposed Science City project and to issue an RFP for a preferred developer for the site. The RFP was issued at the end of July via PennBid (PennBid.net) with responses due on or before Sept. 27. The intention is to seek a qualified developer who can deliver the highest and best use of the three acre property.”

The Commodore“In June, Optima Durant Group, the developer of the property, announced they will increase the commercial office use within the facility to 15,000 square feet. The property will also include 31 residential units, a rooftop restaurant, a 1,600-square foot gym

and a number of other amenities. The project remains on course for a fall 2020 opening.”

Heritage Redevelopment (Tenant: Hearst Publications)“Ashley Development Corporation began internal demolition of the property in July and steel erection is scheduled to begin shortly. The project is expected to be weather-tight late this year and Hearst is expected to take occupancy in the final quarter 2020.”

Parking garage at Church and North Fourth streets

“The city completed an RFP for private development of the proposed parking deck in April. In order to consider all potential development strategies, the city issued an RFP (Via PennBid) in July for architectural and engineering services, in the context of the city developing the deck. The intention is to compare the two development methodologies to determine which is in the best interest of the city. Responses to the architectural and engineering RFP were due by Aug. 16.”

Q: What do you love most about the City of Easton?

“The people and the community. The passion that they have for this terrific place is unparalleled. I also love the team we have at the city. These are incredibly intelligent people with the same passion and tireless dedication. They are inclusive and driven. I am constantly impressed by the quality of people we have working in city government and I am humbled to be a part of an amazing group of professionals.”

Have a question for John Kingsley? Reach him at 610-250-6719 (office) 610-216-0937 (cell) or by email at [email protected].

Q&A WITH JOHN KINGSLEY, EASTON’S DIRECTOR OF COMMUNITY & ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT


RIDE THE TROLLEYOn Saturdays and Sundays, from June through November visitors can take the Historic Trolley Tour and get a taste of our downtown with trolley drivers Virginia and Bob. Also, twice daily on Saturdays and Sundays you can take the trolley to Hugh Moore Park to tour the National Canal Museum and experience the Josiah White canal boat ride, which is pulled by mules, Hank and George. There are seven rides each day leaving at 11 a.m., 11:30 a.m., 12 p.m., 1:30 p.m., 2 p.m., 3:30 p.m. and 4 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays.

There are four special events during which the City of Easton shuts down Centre Square. On these days, the trolley has a special route. Those events include:

• Heritage Day - July

• Garlic Fest - Oct.

• PA Bacon Fest - Nov.

• Peace Candle Lighting - Nov.

On these festival days, the trolley will stop by the Easton neighborhoods as follows:

• Stop 1: College Hill - Wawa

• Stop 2: West Ward - Noto’s Deli

• Stop 3: Downtown - Fifth and Northampton streets (this is your access point for the festival)

• Stop 4: Southside - Easton Market, 250 Line Street

The PA Bacon Fest and Garlic Fest trolleys will operate Saturday and Sunday and will start at the College Hill Wawa at 9 a.m. Although the trolley will attempt to reach each stop every 30-45 minutes throughout the day, please note there may be delays due to changing traffic patterns so please be patient. The trolley will make its last pickup at Fifth and Northampton streets at 7 p.m. Visit eastonmainstreet.org/easton-trolley for more information.

CONGRATULATIONSJoin us in congratulating the following Main Street businesses celebrating milestones this quarter!

35 years: American Printing

25 years: Pearly Baker’s Ale House

15 Years: Merchants Bank

10 Years: School of Rock, Terra Cafe

5 years: Free Bridge Realty, Green-mouth Table, State Cafe & Grill, First Class Fabulous, High Enz Salon, Grandma’s Back Porch, Microfasten-ers & Diva’s House of Beauty

Congratulations!

By: Susan Kovacs

In 2004, Merchants Bank of Bangor joined the banking community in Downtown Easton. Located in a small loan office on the square next to what is now The Standard, Merchants Bank began their commitment to serve the residents and the community at large.

The office grew quickly and, in 2014, moved to its current location at 46 Centre Square. Today the office is more than a lending site; it’s a full-service branch bank - neighborhood style. When you walk through the doors, you’re invited to sit and have

a one-on-one conversation, however long you need. Its personal style focuses on putting the customer first, including their furry friends.

Over the bank’s 15-year tenure, the office staff has become very familiar with many community organizations, helping to support them in every aspect. They volunteer their time to serve meals at Cornerstone Church the second Monday of each month; to work various fundraising events with Third Street Alliance and Easton Area Committee Center; to volunteer at Greater Easton Development Partnership’s PA Bacon Fest, assist

at Heritage Day and Garlic Fest, and provide financial literacy classes at The Children’s Home of Easton and The Project of Easton. These are a few of the many commitments that the Easton staff and the bank overall generously give to serve the community.

In recent years, Downtown Easton has seen a change in the banking district. Merchants Bank remains committed to identifying opportunities to assist downtown Easton’s businesses and residents as they look toward the next 15 years.

MERCHANTS BANK CELEBRATES 15 YEARS

NEED A GIFT CARD FOR THE HOLIDAYS?

Just a reminder: Know someone looking to purchase a Downtown Easton gift card or Easton Public Market gift card? Send them to the Easton Public Market. Both cards can be purchased from the market’s kiosk near Mister Lee’s. The kiosk accepts credit and debit cards and is available anytime the Easton Public Market is

open (Wednesday-Saturday 9 a.m. - 7 p.m. and Sunday 9 a.m. - 5 p.m.). Gift cards can also be ordered online and shipped to a recipient. Visit http://store.shopdowntowneaston.com/ for more information. For bulk orders or cash purchases, please email [email protected].

SHOP-DINE-COOK-GATHER

Fees May Apply. See Back. A Downtown Easton Gift Card

A long beloved Easton tradition continues as we celebrate the annual Peace Candle Lighting this year on Saturday, Nov. 30, in Centre Square. To ensure Easton’s ability to maintain this historic annual event, EMSI will once again offer the “Light-a-Night” fundraiser which allows individuals, businesses or organizations to sponsor a night of the Peace Candle’s glow

for a $30 donation. Your support allows you to memorialize a loved one, send a holiday greeting, promote your business or even wish someone a happy birthday or anniversary. Sponsorship greetings are published online, on signage posted in Centre Square and in the Peace Candle program. Please visit EastonMainStreet.org to download a copy of the

“Light-a-Night” donation form. Dates available for sponsorship are between November 30, 2019 and January 20, 2020.

Donations are gratefully accepted and can be mailed to Greater Easton Development Partnership c/o Peace Candle, 325 Northampton St. Easton, PA 18042. Please make your tax-deductible donations payable to GEDP.

HELP US KEEP THE PEACE CANDLE GLOWING WITH “LIGHT-A-NIGHT”


CALENDAR OF EVENTS

OCTOBER 5-6 Garlic Fest 13 Karl Stirner Arts Trail 5K 18 Haunted Hugh Moore Park 19 Haunted Hugh Moore Park 19 Apple Jam (EFM) 20 Food Truck Festival 25 Easton Out Loud 25 Haunted Hugh Moore Park

25-27 Easton Book Festival 25-27 Lafayette Family Weekend 26 Haunted Hugh Moore Park 27 Halloween Parade

(Phillipsburg to Easton)NOVEMBER 2-3 PA Bacon Fest 3 Racin’ Bacon 5K 11 Veterans Day Ceremony

29 Easton Out Loud 30 Peace Candle Lighting and

Small Business SaturdayDECEMBER 7 Downtown Holiday Open House 7 Claus with a Cause Pub Crawl +

Cookie Crawl 7 Night of Bourbon

(GEDP fundraiser) 27 Easton Out Loud

THE NEW EASTON HOLIDAY ORNAMENTThe next piece in the limited edition Easton ornaments series will feature Cottingham Stadium. The cost will be $20 (cash only) for the ornament. State Theatre, Easton Farmers’ Market, Bugler and Peace Candle ornaments will also be available for purchase. The new ornaments will be available in time for Garlic Fest and will be sold at Mercantile Outpost (in the Public Market), Easton Farmers’ Market (on Saturdays), Sigal Museum and Connexions Gallery. They can also be purchased online at http://store.shopdowntowneaston.com/. Proceeds from the sale of the ornaments offset the costs of Peace Candle Lighting and the promotion of Small Business Saturday.

MEET THE BUYERSTake part in the fourth Meet the Buyers Expo from 8:30 a.m. to noon on Wednesday, Oct. 23, at SteelStacks. It’s a chance to meet with 50+ suppliers and purchasing reps from corporations, public institutions and government agencies.

✔ TO DO: Check out the buyers attending and register for the event at LVmeetthebuyers.com. Questions, call 610-758-5878.

LOOK FOR EBA’S LIVE EDUCATIONAL SESSIONSThe Easton Business Association seeks to provide educational opportunities for local business owners and managers. Two live sessions are being planned for the upcoming months. Details will be shared shortly.

HALLOWEEN IN EASTON

EBA’S EASTON SCARECROW EVENT

Groups throughout Easton have a number of Halloween events planned to draw visitors and neighbors to Downtown Easton. Please help spread the word.

Haunted Hugh Moore Park Guests can enjoy a twilight canal boat ride, ghost walk, activities and seasonal refreshments. (6-9 p.m. Friday, Oct. 18; Saturday Oct. 19; Friday, Oct. 25; and Saturday, Oct. 26, Hugh Moore Park)

Easton Zombie Pub Crawl Don’t worry if you notice zombies prowling around Easton on Oct. 19. They’re just part of the annual Zombie Pub Crawl! (5-11 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 19, details will become available at eastonpubcrawl.com)

Easton-Phillipsburg Halloween ParadeJoin the fun as the Easton Chamber of Commerce hosts the annual

Halloween Parade on Sunday, Oct. 27. The parade will start at 3 p.m. on McKeen Street in Phillipsburg and end in Centre Square. More: Lehighvalleychamber.org.

By: Mark Nutting

Last year, EBA sponsored its first Easton Scarecrow Event. The concept was that by having businesses create scarecrows for their business and displaying them outside their business, we would create greater foot traffic in the city. This, in turn, would create greater awareness of the businesses and hopefully more sales for that business. Last year we had over 30 participants and hope that even more will join in this year.

Quick Guidelines:• Event runs from Oct. 1 - Nov. 3 (end of PA Bacon Fest)

• Scarecrow should be family-friendly and able to survive the weather.

• Must be outside? Well, it really should be for biggest draw, but if you must put it inside, at least make it prominent in your window.

• It should be visible from the sidewalk, but not block the sidewalk.

• Businesses are allowed to pair with a local artist.

• Business winner for best scarecrow (of a gift bag supplied by local businesses) will be picked by the end of PA Bacon Fest.

Have another Halloween event you’re planning at your business? Add it to our calendar: eastonmainstreet.org/calendar.

Registered by Friday, Sept 20 to get on the event map. Email [email protected] to register.

✔ TO DO:

✔ TO DO:

Photo: EBA Facebook Page

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