Comics cash cow
Superheroes lead to super sales, store expansion in Lower Nazareth
The Flash has more room to run, Spider-Man has more room to sling webs and Thor has more room to wield his hammer at an expanded storefront in Lower Nazareth Township.
JAF Comics, a comic book shop that opened in 2015 at the Trolley Station Outlet Center, in December completed an addition that nearly doubled its footprint and gave the business its own exterior entrance on the lower level of the 224 Nazareth Pike shopping center.
The newly renovated store, which took over the former Enterprise Rent-a-Car space, features new carpeting, lighting, a gaming room (limited availability due to the pandemic) and building signage facing Route 191.
The expansion was prompted by the business’ surprising financial success during the pandemic, owner John Hohn said, with total 2020 sales surpassing 2019 sales by around 10%.
“I truly feel for all of the businesses that have suffered and continue to suffer during this pandemic, but honestly, it was like Christmas for us, literally,” Hohn said. “Our online sales for March and April were identical to our sales in November and December. That’s what kept us alive — our online sales. They just went through the roof.”
Another reason for the expansion was Hohn’s desire to host more gaming events for Yu-Gi-Oh, Magic: The Gathering, Dungeons & Dragons and other games with less restrictions.
Previously, he had been presenting the games at his 2-year-old Palmer Park Mall store, but limited mall hours over the past year made it increasingly difficult to host them, especially with many games lasting several hours, he said. He’s closing the Palmer store at the end of February.
“With our expanded store at the Trolley Station mall, we have our own front door and 24-hour access,” Hohn said.
JAF, which buys, sells and trades comics, boasts a collection of around 100,000 comics. Many are still in storage, but customers can browse the business’ full inventory online at jafcomics.com.
The store also sells trading card games, figurines and toys and collectibles, including life-size cartoon characters such as Leonardo from Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles. Inventory is constantly changing, and Hohn strives to showcase unique merchandise not found at big-box chains.
“I try to focus on niche products, like our horror merchandise,” Hohn said.
Customers can browse miniature versions of Freddy Krueger, Jason Voorhees, Leatherface and other icons of the horror genre, along with less intimidating figurines such as Ace Ventura, Marty McFly and Shaggy from Scooby-Doo. Other popular products include wearable items such as Wonder Woman costumes and a wide assortment of Funko Pop! figurines.
JAF Comics is open 1-8 p.m. Monday through Friday, 11 am. To 8 p.m. Saturdays and 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sundays. Info: 484-292-1914.
Downtown Allentown news
From comics to cutting-edge fun, Split Pine Axe Throwing, a forest-themed axe-throwing facility and lounge, is expected to open within a few weeks at 627 Hamilton St. in downtown Allentown, according to Dan Garcia, who is operating the business with his wife, Val.
The renovated space, which previously housed The Archive clothing store, will house six axe-throwing lanes — three large with two targets and three small with one target.
“I’ve lived in the Lehigh Valley my entire life, and just like everyone else, I’m sitting around every weekend while thinking, ‘There has to be something fun to do,’ ” Dan said.
Customers will be able to book 1- and 2-hour axe-throwing sessions, where they can choose from a single lane (2-6 people) or double lane (4-12 people). The BYOB facility (beer and wine only) also will accommodate large groups and private events with advance notice.
Food and drinks will not be permitted in Split Pine’s throwing area, and “axe-perts” will not allow anyone who appears to be intoxicated to throw.
“We’re looking to partner with nearby restaurants like Bell Hall, Bru Daddy’s and Allentown Brew Works for some take-out deals,” Dan said. “We’re also planning to name our throwing lanes after local restaurants and will post QR codes that customers can scan to see the restaurant’s menus.”
In addition to regular safety measures, Split Pine will implement COVID-19 safety precautions, including requiring masks to be worn, sanitizing lanes (axes, bar tops, etc.) after every session and upgrading the building’s HVAC system to allow for fresh air to be cycled through the space.
Split Pine will join a handful of other area axe-throwing facilities, including Skeggy’s Axe House in Easton and Throw House in Quakertown. Info: 484-999-0334.
A block north of Split Pine, the Renaissance Allentown Hotel, which has been closed since mid-March due to the pandemic, will reopen April 1, my colleague Jon Harris reported this week.
City Center Investment Corp.,the 6-year-old hotel’s owner and downtown’s largest developer, has selected a new management company, Delaware County-based Gulph Creek Hotels, to manage the 12 N. Seventh St. property, featuring a full-service, 170-room hotel with meeting spaces, a 4,100-square-foot ballroom and an upscale restaurant, The Dime.
The $65 million luxury hotel is accepting applications for housekeepers, front desk ambassadors and banquet servers. Info: 484-273-4011; mslivka@renaissanceallentown.com.
A final bit of good news for Center City Allentown: First Commonwealth Federal Credit Union, a member-owned, not-for-profit financial services cooperative serving more than 68,000 members and 1,500 businesses in the greater Lehigh Valley region, on Wednesday celebrated the opening of its Downtown Allentown Financial Center at 840 W. Hamilton St. during a live-streamed ribbon-cutting ceremony.
The center, on the ground floor of the Butz Corporate Center, features rear parking, walk-up streetlevel access, expert personalized service, certified financial wellness counselors and a “warm and friendly banking environment,” with two ITMs (interactive transaction machines, with live video associates), extended service hours, and contactless banking, according to a news release.
First Commonwealth, founded in 1959, has 11 Lehigh Valley financial centers, including its new flagship Trexlertown Financial Center, featuring a dedicated Small Business Center, at 6084 Hamilton Blvd. Info: firstcomcu.org.
Blooming businesses
It may not look like it, but spring is right around the corner, and a couple of budding plant businesses are bringing pops of color to the area.
First, Nichole’3 Precious Petals Floral Designs, offering creative floral bouquets and pre-made and custom flower arrangements for weddings, funerals, birthdays and other occasions, is set to open within a couple of months at 316 Washington Blvd. in Washington Township, Northampton County, according to owner and florist Nichole Smith.
“We’ll be opening in the spring — hopefully just by Easter,” Smith added
Nichole’3, next to Blue Mountain Pediatrics, will offer dozens of flower varieties including carnations, roses and Easter favorites such as lilies, tulips and daffodils. Corsages and make-your-own arrangement classes also will be available.
Smith, who lives in Nazareth, also operates Bangor’s Main Street Market with her husband, Duane. The “3”in Nichole’3 references a Genesis verse in the Bible.
“On the third day is when God created flowers for us to enjoy,” Smith said. Info: 484-425-1287.
Second, Just One More Plant, which opened in September at 585 S. West End Blvd. in Quakertown, is set to expand into a neighboring strip mall space on Feb. 27, co-owner Erin Whitney said.
The store’s larger footprint will allow the business to house more plants, including calatheas, hoyas, succulents and cacti, along with pottery and other plant accessories.
“Philodendrons are a big seller,” said Whitney, who operates the business with her mother-in-law, Lori Volovnik. “I’d say we have over 50 varieties of plants in-stock at any given time. We specialize in house plants, but in the spring and summer, we are going to carry some annuals and perennials as well.”
Just One More Plant, which ships products across the country, also carries dozens of of rare and collectible plant varieties. Info: justonemoreplant.shop.
Peeps flee Promenade Shops
I’ll finish with some sad news for local candy fans. Peeps & Company, Just Born Quality Confections’ retail store for all things related to its popular marshmallow candy and other sweets such as Mike and Ike and Hot Tamales, in January permanently closed its 5-year-old location at The Promenade Shops at Saucon Valley in Upper Saucon Township.
The shuttered store relocated from The Outlets at Sands Bethlehem, now known as The Outlets at Wind Creek Bethlehem, in 2015 in hopes of engaging with families in a more family-centric location.
“Our local Peeps & Company store like many other retailers has closed due to the pandemic,” Bethlehem-based Just Born said in a written statement. “We appreciate the many loyal fans that took the time to visit our store over the years.”
The former store, which also sold Peeps-emblazoned merchandise such as T-shirts and stuffed animals, joins a growing list of other former Promenade
Shops tenants calling it quits over the past year. Others include tween fashion retailer Justice, women’s clothier New York & Company and children’s apparel and accessories company The Children’s Place.
The outdoor shopping center, which was closed from March 17 through June 5 due to the pandemic, now features more than two dozen vacant storefronts — about a third of its total spaces.
In response to Peeps & Company’s departure, Melissa Napolitano, general manager of The Promenade Shops, noted that the center’s management team continues to work on “several exciting concepts” and looks forward to announcing tenant additions in the coming months.
“We are dedicated to maintaining a carefully curated mix of shopping, dining and entertainment options that make The Promenade Shops the most vibrant retail destination in the region,” Napolitano said