Businesses are booming in downtown Easton

22 new businesses have opened in 1st 5 months of 2013

Author: 69 News, (follow: @69news), news@wfmz.com

Published: Jun 11 2013 01:30:11 PM EDT   Updated On: Jun 11 2013 02:13:29 PM EDT

EASTON, Pa. – As many downtowns are dying, one Northampton city is seeing a revitalization boom in its downtown.

In the first five months of 2013, 22 new businesses have opened in downtown Easton.

According to the Easton Main Street Initiative, a volunteer-driven revitalization program, nine additional businesses plan to open in the coming months.

These new businesses include restaurants, retail and service businesses, which are creating 80 full-time-equivalent jobs.

This is a huge growth spurt, since only 26 new businesses opened during the entire calendar year of 2012.

Downtown Easton, which is defined as the area from Rt. 22 south to Washington Street and Larry Holmes Drive west to Sixth Street, has seen a resurgence in the business district over the last several years.

Easton Main Street Manager Kim Kmetz credits several key components to cultivating the business growth:

“We’ve seen more people living in the downtown and the addition of 100+ market-rate apartments. The City’s “Clean & Safe” initiatives and the Easton Ambassador Program has proven to make the town more attractive and welcoming. The Easton Farmers’ Market draws 2,500-4,000 visitors every week and the newly remodeled Crayola Experience anticipates 450,000 people every year. We are the restaurant capital of the Lehigh Valley. People are taking notice of Easton and businesses are saying, ‘Hey, I want to be a part of that scene,’” added Kmetz.

The 31 newly opened businesses are:

As Is, 431 Northampton St.
Bank Street Studio, 7 N. Bank St.
Batuque, 152 Northampton St.
Briva Coffee, 526 Northampton St.
Cooper & Cole Insurance, 64 N. Third St.
Crayton’s Creations, 249 Northampton St.
Downtown Dawgs, 77 N. Fourth St.
Downtown Shoe Repair, 116 S. Third St.
Easton Hospital Community Care Center, Pine St.
Elite Boutique, 21 S. Second St.
FGI Agency, 22 N. Fourth St.
Frozenlandia, 24 Centre Square
j.morgan salon and home, 252 SpringGarden St.
Lift Yoga Studio, 54 S. SecondSt.
Q&D Income Tax, 158B Northampton St.
S&K Creations, 345 Ferry St.
Susan Kolar Couture, 400 Northampton St.
Swaye Boutique, 14 N. Third St.
Sydlexstyles, 353 Ferry St.
Treasure Chest Thrift Boutique, 466 Northampton St.
Used Grooves, 401 Northampton St.
Vizion, 355 Ferry St.

The nine new businesses that plan to open soon:

3rd & Ferry Seafood, S. Third St.
Cheeburger Cheeburger, 336 Northampton St.
Coal Fired Pizza & Pub, 1 Lehn’s Court
Downtown Laundromat, 527 Northampton St.
For the Birds, 121 N. Third St.
Get Free Mobile, 135 Northampton St.
Mellow Hookah Lounge, 17 S. Third St.
PT Center, LLC, Pine St.
RE:find, 467 Northampton St.

Source: WFMZ News http://www.wfmz.com/news/news-regional-lehighvalley/businesses-are-booming-in-downtown-easton/-/132502/20513884/-/vr9qftz/-/index.html