19 Fun Facts About the 19th St District

1. Urban planning initiatives are underway. A comprehensive streetscaping and land-use plan will be released in early 2010 and will be used a guideline for future development.

2. The West End and Fairgrounds area has received $1.5 million in RACP funds for streetscape improvements.

3. The Allentown Fair generates more traffic to the West End than Musikfest draws to downtown Bethlehem.

4. Several large employers are within distance. Lehigh Valley Hospital employs over 1000, while St. Luke's Hospital and Muhlenberg College employee 400 – 500.

5. The neighborhood is pedestrian and bicycle friendly.

6. There are 7 bars within the business district that are walkable.

7. There are 12 places to eat within walking distance, ranging from upscale restaurants like Henry’s Salt of the Sea to Chinese take-out.

8. Zoning is appropriate for mixed-use neighborhood development within this district.

9. There is an outstanding stock of quality and affordable housing, all within the $150,000 - $250,000 range that are filling up quickly with young families.

10. The West End is attracting the creative class. Many residents are professionals in marketing, computer programming, higher education and graphic design.

11. 19th Street is a center for the arts, including the Civic Theatre, Pines Dinner Theatre and Muhlenberg productions.

12. If you want to look good, this is the place to be! There are many salons, spas and 2 body art establishments within the district.

13. There are over 3,000 college students with disposable income living in the West End.

14. This area is easily accessible for those coming in from west and north via Tilghman and 19th St.

15. Fairgrounds Farmer Market attracts thousands of people weekly from Thursday – Sunday.

16. Events such as the Allentown Fair, St. Patrick’s Day Parade, St. Patrick’s 5K, Oktoberfest and various Muhlenberg events draw additional people to the neighborhood.

17. The 19th Street district has support from the City of Allentown and is identified as a strategic planning area in the city’s comprehensive plan.

18. The West End has momentum. Some of the movement over the last 3 months includes TTC Salon, West Side Diner and Pines Dinner Theatre

19. The area has support of neighbors, merchants and other stakeholders.

NEW GALLERY OPENING IN DOWNTOWN ALLENTOWN PROVIDES AN OPTION FOR PEOPLE TO SHOP LOCALLY FOR HOLIDAY GIFTS

Allentown’s newest gallery and art emporium Art Mart, located at 813 W. Hamilton, opened on Black Friday (November 27th) just in time for the start of the holiday season!

The inaugural show – “Holiday Gifts” curated by Gregory Coates - features original artwork from photography and paintings to sculpture and glass, as well as handmade goods, like jewelry and handbags.

The Art Mart will have special hours during the city’s Tree Lighting Ceremony at Ninth and Hamilton from 4-7 p.m. December 3. The public is invited to step inside for some hot cocoa and peruse the goods offered by the area’s talented professional artists. The shop will maintain regular lunchtime hours from 11 am - 2 pm Wednesday through Friday, as well as evening hours from 5-8 on Friday and Saturday.

Art Mart was founded by local Chen Artists Group members Gregory Coates, Sarah Fulton, Matt Lewis and Diane Teti. The Art Mart project is a collaboration between volunteer artists and arts enthusiasts striving to showcase local art in downtown Allentown with the support of the Lehigh Valley Chamber of Commerce and the Allentown Brew Works. Proceeds of all sales will be split between the artist and the Art Mart with the hopes of saving to find a permanent home on Hamilton Street.

This project is made possible by the generosity of the building's new owners, 809 West Hamilton Investors, LP. They readily agreed to let the group use the vacant retail storefront, across from the Allentown Brew Works, free of charge, following the path of the Arts on South initiative in Philadelphia.

AEDC Partners with SCORE to Provide Counseling for Allentown Small Businesses

Last week, AEDC hosted their first Roundtable Series small business discussion at the Bridgeworks Enterprise Center , 905 Harrison Street, Allentown. The roundtable was well received with approximately 40 people attending, including representatives of incubator companies, minority companies, community development, enterprise zone companies, and focused driven entrepreneurs. Those companies/entrepreneurs that attended all sought advice on how to create a money-making business.

The roundtable discussion was led by the Lehigh Valley chapter of SCORE, a national association dedicated to helping small business owners form and grow their businesses. SCORE’s business consultants are all volunteers that are willing to share their knowledge and experiences to help entrepreneurs understand how to create a profitable business.

The main facilitator was Peter Seymour, who successfully owned and operated a car dealership. Peter focused on five main agenda items; marketing, expense control, managing growth, financial analysis, and cash management. Peter’s presentation spurred discussions in regards to technical financial understanding and questions that were synonymous with challenges that the companies faced.

In order to capitalize on SCORE’s services, AEDC will provide a satellite office in the Bridgeworks Enterprise Center. AEDC and SCORE will continue to partner and host roundtable discussions. Please be on the lookout for the next Roundtable Series on the Bridgeworks webpage (www.thebridgeworks.com). It is expected that the next meeting will take place in early spring. If you have any questions or comments please feel free to contact Lewis Edwards, Director of Enterprise Development ledwards@thebridgeworks.com (610) 770-1015.

The Most Wonderful Time of Year

It’s that time of year again! The holiday season is rapidly approaching! Are you ready?

How’s this for a glimpse at the magic of the season: performers from A Christmas Carol and The Nutcracker grace the stages at beautiful historical theatres, trains chug throughout the transportation museum, numerous musicians play the tunes of familiar holiday carols and spectacular displays transform a city park into a magnificent wonderland filled with brilliant lights? Art institutions offer unique gifts at their special seasonal shops, historical locations display relics of Christmases past and act out skits which remind the audience of yesteryear also calling visitors to the city.

To me, the holidays are the perfect opportunity to spend quality time with your family and friends, enjoying both the spirit of the season and company of loved ones. As you start to plan your family outings and holiday events, we hope that you will take part in the array of activities that are taking place this holiday season in the City of Allentown.

In addition to the holiday traditions like the Lehigh Valley Christmas at Symphony Hall, Civic Theatre’s A Christmas Carol and Pip the Mouse at the Liberty Bell Shrine Museum, you’ll have to check out the holiday show at our newest entertainment venue – the Pines Dinner Theatre (located in the Fairgrounds). You can also visit the City Of Allentown to find lots of great treasures from the Holiday Store at the Allentown Art Museum and the new Art Mart. Not only will you be crossing everyone off your list, you’ll be shopping locally, supporting Allentown’s emerging artist community, and avoiding the crowds at the mall!

The city’s Holiday Tree Lighting ceremony will take place from 4pm-7pm on Thursday, December 3 in the Pocket Park in the 800 block of Hamilton Street. This year’s celebration includes a visit from Santa and Mrs. Claus, Pip the Mouse, Nutcracker and Clara, free horse-drawn carriage rides, an elf parade, live stage performances, strolling entertainers, arts and crafts, face painting, and ice carving demonstrations. The Elf Parade is sure to be one of the highlights of this event. Children are invited to dress like elves and get their faces painted with those recognizable rosy red cheeks before being led on a parade by Mrs. Claus. The Italian American Band will provide strolling entertainment. Stage performances are scheduled by Civic Theatre of Allentown, O’Grady Quinlan School of Irish Dance and Lehigh Valley Charter School for the Performing Arts. All entertainment is free!

Allentown’s 14th annual Lights in the Parkway celebration will brighten Lehigh Parkway beginning Friday, December 11. This year patrons can enjoy the thousands of twinkling lights and accompanying music at a reduced price or while seated as a passenger in a horse-drawn carriage (new for this year!). After a journey through the spectacular displays, visitors can stop by the Gift Barn which hosts vendors selling everything from candies to handmade treasures. Visit with Santa every Thursday-Sunday and the whole week leading up to Christmas. Tickets can be purchased in advance for $5 at City Hall and at all area Wegmans and will be available soon. $1 off coupons can be printed out from http://www.lightsintheparkway.com/

Please go to the City’s Holiday Website for a complete listing Holiday Happenings. As always, visit the Events Calendar for up to date information on daily activities.

SEASONS GREETINGS!!!

Great Things Happening on 19th St

Have you seen the transformation that is taking place on the 19th St Corridor?

In addition to trendy boutiques and businesses moving in, the city has recieved a $30,000 planning grant to support greening, infrastructure and other inititatives in that area.

If you haven't visited first hand, click here to see the WFMZ story.

AEDC Hosting Small Business Roundtable

AEDC is hosting a Roundtable Series small business discussion on Thursday, November 19, 2009 from 10:00 am to 12:00 noon at the Bridgeworks Enterprise Center , 905 Harrison Street, Allentown PA, 18103.

The Roundtable Series will be presented by members of the Lehigh Valley Chapter of SCORE. Facilitators will lead a discussion about the various issues that affect businesses. If time permits, SCORE will provide counseling services at the end of the session to address specific needs. Business owners should feel free to speak with the Facilitators in order to gain information about how one may receive one on one mentoring advice from SCORE Counselors.

SCORE is the premier free and confidential business mentoring and advice service in the United States . SCORE “Counselors to America ’s Small Business” is a nonprofit association with 364 offices across the country. For 45 years, SCORE’s 12,400 working and retired business professionals have volunteered to help entrepreneurs who are just getting started or those looking for answers on growing or managing an existing business. The Lehigh Valley Chapter maintains almost 50 retired and in-business professional mentors who are eager to help a new generation of entrepreneurs.

We are encouraging you to participate in this event. Please reply no later than Friday, November 13, to Marsha Cox, mcox@thebridgeworks.com or 610-770-1015, with your RSVP.

Made in Brazil Opens in Downtown Holiday Inn

If you like the idea of an all you can eat menu featuring a wide variety of seasoned and grilled meats, then you should plan a visit to Made in Brazil, located in the Holiday Inn at 9th and Hamilton Streets in center city Allentown.

Having opened today, this Brazilian steak house is a welcome addition to Allentown's downtown restaurant choices.  In the traditional Brazilian style, people keep coming over to your table with large skewers of grilled meat to tempt you.   Even though today was their first day, about 80% of their tables were full.

We brought our extended family.  Everyone (from parents to teenagers to kids) left pleased.   Our table sampled filet minon, skirt steak, pork sausages and lamb.  The salmon I ordered had an incredible mango sauce, and the salad bar was interesting and varied.

Open for lunch and dinner, this is one place you  should experience.