Progress 2015: Wilkes-Barre, Pittston Lead Charge In Revamping Downtown Ecomomic Atmosphere

Shopping outside from store to store has almost become a thing of the past in some areas. But don’t tell that to downtowns in the Wyoming Valley, especially Wilkes-Barre and Pittston.

Downtown shopping in both communities is thriving thanks to the advancements each city has made over the past several years. Couple that with the excitement and enthusiasm of business owners and residents and youv’e got a recipe for success. The success in downtown Wilkes-Barre starts with Public Square.

Downtown Wilkes-Barre Business Association President John Mayday, who is a resident of South Wilkes-Barre and does all of his shopping in the downtown area, said the excitement and enthusiasm is something he hasn’t seen before. And it can only get better, he said.

“New businesses are constantly moving in,” he said. “Our mission is to create the opportunities for our customers and residents to come downtown. They’re been absolutely well-received by the public.”

Read more:

http://www.timesleader.com/news/business-home_top-local-news/152539268/Downtowns-looking-up

Manatawny Still Works Hosts Grand Opening In Pottstown

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POTTSTOWN — The bar was bustling during the grand opening of Manatawny Still Works Friday night.

The newest addition to the cluster of businesses on Circle of Progress Drive is the brainchild of John Giannopoulos, the owner of Sly Fox Brewery, Jeff Vaughan, Paul Czachor, Al Matarazzo and Derek Menaldino.

Right now the distillery pumps out vodka, un-aged whiskey and — as of Friday morning — a double distilled rum.

And those three spirits took center stage Friday after the ribbon cutting ceremony.

Read more: http://www.pottsmerc.com/general-news/20140531/manatawny-still-works-hosts-grand-opening-in-pottstown

New Businesses Will Open In Theater Complex

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WILKES-BARRE, PA – An e-cigarette business and roofing business are moving into the movie theater complex in downtown Wilkes-Barre, leaving just one open corner space available for lease.

Jackson Township resident Allen Morrow plans to open Xhale Vapor Lounge and roofing business Green Rhino Builders in empty space on South Washington Street in City Centre next month.

Morrow said he is moving his office for his roofing business from Dallas to downtown Wilkes-Barre and will open the e-cigarette lounge in front. He became interested in e-cigarettes after switching to them from traditional cigarettes six months ago.

Morrow said e-cigarettes are safer and since he switched, he feels better and can breathe better. Some health organizations, however, have been pushing for the Food and Drug Administration to regulate e-cigarettes.

Read more: http://citizensvoice.com/news/new-businesses-will-open-in-theater-complex-1.1661693

New Cafe Opens In Downtown Reading

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Reading PA – The customers of the cafe on the first floor of the M&T Bank building didn’t have much time to be disappointed when Dessert Dreamz moved to West Reading in June.

That’s because the cafe at 50 N. Fifth St. was vacant for only about a week until it reopened with the name Reggie’s Place.

Reggie McMullen, 54, of Cumru Township said she has worked in the food industry all of her life and served as catering manager for Panera Bread.

Building owner Alan Shuman knew of McMullen’s experience and contacted her when he found out Dessert Dreamz would be moving.

Read more: http://readingeagle.com/article.aspx?id=502219

Downtown Wilkes-Barre Putting On A New Face

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The loud purple facade of the former Flaming Star Tattoos shop will soon be toned down to fit in with the downtown Wilkes-Barre neighborhood’s historical character — a subtle yet significant sign of once-shuttered storefronts being renovated or reopened around the theater complex.

It wasn’t just the color that unsettled city officials who saw the potential for the shop’s row of old architecture on South Main Street. It was the way the vibrant hue stopped midway up the building in an uneven line, accentuating the unfinished progress of the paint job and much of the neighborhood.

“One of the first things the new owners will do is repaint that facade,” said attorney William Vinsko, who bought the building at a Luzerne County back-tax auction for $33,000 last week on behalf of private clients who will be identified when the deed is recorded.  The buyers plan to renovate the property at 86 S. Main St. to attract tenants, Vinsko said.

Next door, Joseph and Pamela Masi are redoing the facade and interior of their property, which previously housed Topper’s topless bar, Vinsko said.  The Masis, who purchased the property for $85,000 in 2010, have added an ice cream shop at the rear of the property.

Read more:  http://www.timesleader.com/news/local-news/462842/Putting-on-a-new-face

Amato Revs Up Downtown Wilkes-Barre

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WILKES-BARRE — Businessman and former dragster driver Joe Amato told his story Friday morning to about 100 people gathered at the Penn State Wilkes-Barre Executive Management Forum at Genetti Hotel and Conference Center in the city’s downtown.

And it was his $5 million downtown investment Amato talked about most.  He revealed that Judd Shoval of Kingston is moving his business — Ambit and Shoval — to the theater complex on East Northampton Street and that only three other retail spots remain vacant.

Shoval did not return messages left on his cellphone and at his business.  will release more information on his plans next week, Amato said.

“Downtown Wilkes-Barre has a pulse,” he said.  “It has a sense of direction.  More than 400,000 people go to the movies every year and use the parking garage.  We have to get them outside to the street and patronize the businesses there.”

Read more:  http://www.timesleader.com/news/local/465584/Amato-revs-up-downtown-W-B

Are You Looking To Lease Office Space For Your Business?

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Our Business Incubator is a project to stimulate entrepreneurs in the successful creation of a new business or to expand an existing business.  The Micro-enterprise Resource Center  (MERC) provides administrative offices at well-below market rates in Montgomery County, PA.  Electricity, conference room, and parking provided at no extra cost.  Occupancy is available immediately.

Please contact Geraldine Savoy, MERC Director 610-277-6363 X 141 or gsavoy@cadcom.org

Montgomery County Business Incubator Looking For Tenants

Map of Pennsylvania highlighting Montgomery County (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Are you looking to lease office space for your business?

Our Business Incubator is a project to stimulate entrepreneurs in the successful creation of a new business or to expand an existing business.  The Micro-enterprise Resource Center  (MERC) provides administrative offices at well-below market rates in Montgomery County, PA.  Electricity, conference room, and parking provided at no extra cost.  Occupancy is available immediately.

Please contact Geraldine Savoy, MERC Director 610-277-6363 X 141 or gsavoy@cadcom.org

Former Taco Bell In Pottstown Gets Major Gut And Remodel

I don’t know what is going in here…I did hear rumors but I am not spreading them any further.  However, it does appear that something is going in here with all the work that is being done.

As you can see a big chunk of the roof is missing, all the windows have been removed etc…  There is a huge dumpster being filled up and a lot of digging going on as well.

I am glad to see that something is finally going in here!

Pottstown Sheds Regulations To Be More Business Friendly

The Fishwrap is reporting that an effort is finally being made to become more business friendly and welcoming to investors in our central business district.  I say, “Here, here!”  It’s about time. 

Driving down High Street should be an exciting experience, however, it is the opposite as of late.  Removing rules and procedures, that needlessly delay construction, is a good thing.  If we would work really hard at filling up all those empty retail spaces downtown, it would go a LONG WAY toward helping the tax base, drawing people downtown to spend money on goods and services and creating employment!  In the past we have worried about looks (and trees), at any cost, and you see the result.  Crickets!

Two Roy’s Rants thumbs up to Jason Bobst and Councilor Chomnuk for cutting through the Hyltonesque gobbledygook and trying to foster a climate that says “Pottstown is open for business”.

Auto Zone Comes To Downtown Pottstown

It took a while but Auto Zone finally has a new store on High Street. The site was the former home of Creative Health, which was torn down so that Auto Zone could construct their new store. This new business makes an attractive addition to High Street!  Welcome to downtown Pottstown!

York’s Olde Towne East Neighborhood Transformed

Olde Towne East was a down and out neighborhood in York.  Blight, crime, vacant buildings and low property values.  Read this article about how Olde Towne East rose like a phoenix from the ashes and now their neighborhood is a source of pride in York!

http://www.newpa.com/strengthen-your-community/success-stories/million-dollar-makeover/index.aspx