HOLIDAY CHEER
Score gifts and decorations at expanded bead shop in Hanover Township
The holidays may look a little different this year, but certain traditions will remain.
Whether you’re seeking a new ornament for the tree, a dazzling piece of jewelry for a loved one or a wide array of unique gifts that you can make from scratch, a newly expanded shop in Hanover Township, Northampton County, has you covered.
Owl Be Beading, a full-service bead shop that opened in 2018 at 1278 Birchwood Drive, just off Schoenersville Road, on Oct. 1 relocated to a larger, adjoining space on the same property.
The new 1,600-square-foot spot, which previously housed Salon LoRé, is about double the size of Owl Be Beading’s previously location.
“Business has been very good,” owner Barbara Talijan said. “I’m fortunate to be able to make this move during this crazy time.”
Talijan, of Fountain Hill, started beading about 30 years ago and eventually became a regular vendor at local craft shows, festivals and other events. This year marks the first time in 17 years that she won’t have a stand at Bethlehem’s Christkindlmarkt.
“Since I have the shop now, I didn’t want to take a space away from someone who really needed it,” Talijan said.
Owl Be Beading, a play on words and also a nod to Talijan’s love for owls, sells colorful and intricate beaded jewelry, ornaments and other decorative pieces, along with a wide assortment of beads, beading supplies and kits.
The store’s vast collection of beads includes more than 800 colors of Delica beads, along with SuperDuo and DiscDuo Czech glass beads, Miyuki seed beads, shaped beads and more.
Talijan also offers beading classes, most lasting two hours, where guests learn how to make earrings, necklaces, ornaments and more. Upcoming sessions include seasonal items such as decorative turkeys and snowflakes.
“The most rewarding part of my job is definitely teaching others how to bead,” Talijan said. “I love when a new student walks through the door because I’m able to share my excitement about beading with them and also help keep the art form alive.”
Owl Be Beading is open 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Mondays, Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays; noon to 9 p.m. Wednesdays (Zoom beading from 6 to 9 p.m.); and 12:30-5 p.m. Sundays. Info: 610-216-5995; owlbebeading.com.
New salons
Speaking of the holidays, if you’re eager to look your best for Christmas gatherings, New Year’s Eve parties and other social functions, a pair of hair stylists, with more than 20 years of experience in the field, on Oct. 11 held a grand opening of their new salon at 10 S. Fourth St. in Emmaus.
The Deca Salon, offering hair services, full body waxing, lash extensions and facials, is operated by Courtney McIntyre and Annie McIntosh.
The friends, who met while working together at a Hair Cuttery in the Lehigh Valley, each shared a dream of
owning their own salon, according to a news release.
The stylists, well-versed in cuts, color, highlights and more, decided to undertake a new venture together amid the pandemic.
“I love working in an industry where I get to make people look and feel beautiful every day,” McIntyre said in a post on the business’ Facebook page .“I specialize in balayage, fashion colors, highlights and short haircuts.”
In addition to the business partners, McIntyre’s sister, Macie Taylor, a licensed esthetician, provides waxing, facials, and lash extension services. Info: 610-4216136; thedecasalon.com.
Another salon, Flourish Salon & Spa, is expected to open by Nov. 17 at 5036 Hamilton Blvd. in Lower Macungie Township, according to owner Carmen Huddleston.
Huddleston, a local stylist with more than 18 years of experience in the field, leased a 2,000-square-foot, two-story property next to Notch Modern Kitchen & Bar and plans to open her upscale salon and spa when renovations are complete.
The 2,000-square-foot salon will offer a wide array of hair services, including cuts, balayage, highlights, color and keratin treatments, wedding styles, blowouts, scalp treatments and kids’ haircuts. Spa services will include manicures, pedicures, esthetics, massage and waxing.
Initially, Huddleston’s mother, Carmen “Cami” Passaro, also a longtime stylist, will join her at the salon.
Huddleston and her mother, who are bilingual, specialize in various color techniques and take an environmentally friendly approach to salon services, using an organically derived hair color line. They will offer some vegan products as well. Info: vagaro. com/ flourish salon and spa 1.
Italian eateries
Fans of pizza, charcuterie and other Italian staples have a couple of more options in the Lehigh Valley:
First, Al Forno Pizza & Pasta, offering Italian and American cuisine, opened Sept. 7 at 739 Linden St. in Bethlehem. The space previously housed Villa Vita Brick Oven Pizza.
The full-service eatery, with a 24-seat dining room and a couple of outdoor tables, is owned and operated by husband and wife Aaron Kochsmeier and Vivi Christogianni of Hellertown.
Christogianni, who was born in Greece and moved to the United States at the age of 11 in 1998, is no stranger to the restaurant industry. Her father operated about six restaurants while she was growing up, and her family continues to run the 11-year-old Hellertown Diner on Main Street in the borough.
At Al Forno’s, specialty pan pizzas, available in 12- and14-inch sizes, include familiar favorites such as Buffalo chicken, German, Hawaiian and margherita, as well as unique white varieties like the “Mashed Pie” (mashed potato, bacon, scallions and garlic), “Pickle Pie” (with house-made ranch, thinly sliced pickles, fresh garlic and cheese) and“The Stazi” (with cooked spinach, cheese, fresh garlic and dollops of ricotta). There are also dessert pizzas, including s’mores and apple pie.
Other menu highlights include appetizers such as fried zucchini and homemade jumbo mozzarella sticks; hot and cold subs such as eggplant parm and tuna; baskets such as chicken wings and popcorn shrimp; and pasta dishes such as chicken Marsala with spaghetti and shrimp scampi with linguini. Info: 484-892-6445.
In downtown Easton, Ciao! Sandwich Shoppe, a New York-style Italian deli offering specialty sandwiches, salads, charcuterie boards and more, held a grand opening Oct. 23 at 12 N. Third St.
The business, with seating for eight customers, is operated by Frank Luise, a 2000 graduate of Easton Area High School, along with his brother-in-law, Anthony Martelli, and friend, Isaac Csezmadia.
More than a dozen specialty sandwiches ($9.50-$12), featuring Boar’s Head premium deli meats and cheeses, include the “Mazel Tov” (pastrami or corned beef, Swiss cheese, sauerkraut and Thousand Island dressing) and “Easton Assassin,” named after legendary Easton boxer Larry Holmes (turkey, aged provolone, lettuce, tomato, black olives, sweet peppers, Italian dressing and oregano.
Customers also can create their own sandwich, starting at $8.50, by choosing their own meat, add-ons such as artichoke hearts and avocado spread and bread, roll or wrap.
Other menu highlights include such salads as antipasta, caprese and Caesar; rice balls such as broccoli rabe and Buffalo chicken; and desserts like cheesecake crunch cones. Info: 610-510-0295.
On a sad note, the popular Now That’s Italian Specialty Market & Deli recently closed after nearly five years at 127 S. Third St. in Coopersburg due to the Sept. 25 death of owner Joseph Sinagra
The eatery sold a variety of gourmet salads and hot and cold sandwiches, along with fresh pasta, dried meats, imported cheeses, homemade soups and desserts such as sfogliatelle and tiramisu.
“Now That’ s Italian could never be as great as when Joe was here,” a sign on the eatery’s door reads. “Thank you for your patronage. You meant the world to him.”
Odds and ends
I’ll finish with news on a couple of chains:
First, a newly constructed Taco Bell eatery, opened in mid-October at Hamilton Boulevard and North Krocks Road, across from the Hamilton Crossings shopping center, in Lower Macungie Township, an employee said.
Due to the coronavirus pandemic, the 2,753-squarefoot restaurant is not yet offering dine-in service. However, customers can order their favorite chalupas, quesadillas and other menu items via walk-up and drive-thru windows.
Second, pet food and supplies chain Pet Valu on Wednesday announced plans to close all 358 of its U.S. stores, including about a dozen area locations, with liquidation sales set to begin in the coming days.
“The company’s stores have been significantly impacted by the protracted COVID-19-related restrictions,” read a statement from Chief Restructuring Officer Jamie Gould. “After a thorough review of all available alternatives, we made the difficult but necessary decision to commence this orderly wind down.”
Retail Watch, appearing every weekend, keeps track of retail and restaurant news in the Lehigh Valley. Contact Ryan Kneller at 610-820-6597 or retailwatch@mcall.com.