LOOKING FOR HOLIDAY GIFTS?
A Little Bit of Local in Allentown brings shopping convenience
Adisplay of handmade clay jewelry is punctuated with candles in scents such as cereal milk and apple cider. Just across the floor are barrels filled with seasoned pretzels (savory and sweet) and tote bags and pillows proudly promoting “Allentown.”
And the best part: Everything is made locally.
If you’re looking for a unique spot to do your holiday shopping — especially for those hard-to-buyfor folks in your life — you may want to stop by A Little Bit of Local. It’s the newest business added to downtown Allentown, one focused on locally made and produced items. Think of it as going to a combination gift shop, boutique and craft market.
The shop opened earlier this month in the space formerly occupied by Radish Republic grocery store at 27 N. 7th St. on the city’s ArtsWalk.
“The reaction has been great,” said owner LeeAnn Bower.
Her passion for supporting small businesses comes from growing up with parents who ran a small antique store. Her shop is full of interesting gifts — from food items such as spice mixes and quick breads to leather bags and home decor items.
And you’ll find items from recognizable local businesses such as Easton Candle Co. and Katydid Hill Small Farm Tea.
She’s also starting to host workshops for customers to come in and make a gift to take home (or keep it as a gift to yourself.) Bower said in December she will have a number of holiday-themed workshops for both adults and kids.
It’s best to keep an eye on her website or social media for the latest workshops, prices and registration details.
Info: alittlebitoflocal.com Facebook: alittlebitoflocal.com
An update to share
Fans of the former Tucker Silk Mill cafe have been waiting for news.
Owners Jason Hoy and Melanie Hansche announced on their social media that their latest project Kabinett, a wine bar at 125 Northampton St. Easton is “getting close” to welcoming diners. Kabinett is German and a term that refers to fine wines that winemakers felt were good enough to put in their own cabinet rather than offer for sale.
And they also said that Tucker Garage + Grocery, the evolution of the former Tucker Silk Mill Cafe in Easton, is poised to open in 2023. It’s slated to be in a space adjacent to Kabinett and be a neighborhood grocery and general store. Info: .facebook.com/TuckerPA
Stores to close
Sally Beauty — the national chain that specializes in affordable, salon-quality hair-care products — is planning to close 350 stores across the county by December. There are five Sally Beauty stores in the Lehigh Valley: 1091 Millcreek Road, Lower Macungie Township; 678 N. West End Blvd., Quakertown;
2323 Macarthur Road, Whitehall Township; 2160 W. Union Blvd., Bethlehem; and 3736 Easton-Nazareth Highway, Palmer Township.
The beauty retailer has not announced which locations are set to close.
The company cited inflation and supply chain problems as two of the reasons for the cuts. Inflation in particular has curbed spending in the store, with the retailer citing a steady drop in foot traffic since May.
Another goodbye
Salvage Goods, which is at 24 S. Third St. in Easton, will be closing by the end of the year. Owner Nancy Esposito and her husband are moving and they need to sell their business.
The store has been a fixture on Third Street for a dozen years, offering a variety of antique and vintage items such as furniture, collectibles and jewelry as well as repurposed items. Esposito leases the space and is looking for someone to take on the lease as well as the business.
Info: salvagehomegoods.com
Tell us what you want in the Valley
As we near the end of the year, I’m looking to find out from loyal readers of this column: What is the one restaurant, business or store you want to come to the Lehigh Valley? It can be a chain, big-box retailer or even just a local place you wish would expand.
Email me at jsheehan@mcall.com and include “Retail Watch wish list” in the subject line.
.... plus those tips
And keep sending in your tips. They have been really helpful because I can’t be everywhere. Same email as above but include “Retail Watch” in the subject line.