New Ventures

Listen to this article

She has a large room filled with a number of treatment chairs in the rear of her office at 1617 Hamilton St. There she focuses her treatment on the head, neck, arms and legs of a patient, who remains fully clothed. That allows her to treat more than one person at a time – and, in turn, keep her costs down.

“Acupuncture changed my life, so it was important to me to make acupuncture affordable to everyone,” she said.

She has already been able to have five people in session at the same time, but she does have a private, separate room for clients who need more extensive treatment.

She said the majority of her clients come to her for pain or stress, but she treats a variety of issues – everything from hot flashes and infertility to digestive problems.

“Unfortunately, many people seek acupuncture as a last resort for issues like pain,” said Eastman.

She hopes by offering a more affordable option more people will consider trying acupuncture as an early intervention for their problems.

Eastman launched her practice with an online coupon deal to get the word out about the services she offers. She said since then a good deal of her business has come through referrals.

More information about Eastman Acupuncture can be obtained on the website www.eastman-acupuncture.com or by calling (484) 619-3882.

‘Dubs on 5th’ set to open in Easton

The former West End Athletic Association, a private club in Easton, will soon reopen as a sports bar.
Lex Wilkinson, a retired Easton police detective, who most recently worked in wireless security, has set his sights on the hospitality industry with the opening of Dubs on 5th.

Wilkinson said he and his wife Patty “love to entertain,” but it’s his daughters, Carrie and Jessie, who are the experienced restaurant professionals that will run the show.

He actually named the restaurant after nicknames given his daughters. Their last names start with a “W” so they were often referred to as “C-Dubs” or “J-Dubs” by their friends.

The sports bar will feature a small menu of some of the family’s favorite sports bar fare, 14 beers on tap, and 20 big-screen televisions for patrons to catch their favorite sports.

The place will also have some video games, like Golden Tee Golf, to entertain guests.
“With 150 seats we can’t be a PJ Whelihan’s or a Buffalo Wild Wings but we want to have a fun atmosphere,” said Wilkinson. “We’re trying to create a business from a consumer point of view and bring in ideas from some of our favorite places.”

Wilkinson said he hopes to have the sports bar open in time for Labor Day weekend.

Dubs on 5th is located at 402 5th St., Easton. More information can be obtained by calling (610) 438-3827.

Smart phone repair shop opens

Darlyn and Epifanio Vargas are hoping to cash in on the fact smart phones are everywhere. The brothers have become part of a growing industry with the opening of T&D Smart Phone Repair on 15th Street in Allentown.

Darlyn said he and his brother were looking to go into business for themselves and smart phone repair seemed like a smart business to go into.

“We’re living in a modern age where people can’t live without their smart phones,” he said. “And they get broken a lot.”

Darlyn said he and his brother taught themselves how to make repairs, replacing broken screens or replacing batteries.

“I love technology,” he said.

They work on Apple, Android and Blackberry phones.

T&D Smart Phone Repair is located at 725 N. 15th St., Suite 6, Allentown. More information can be obtained by calling (610) 433-3007.

Mealy’s expands into Whitehall

A Philadelphia-based furniture retailer has expanded into the Lehigh Valley.
Mealy’s Furniture had a grand opening Aug. 22 at its newest store in Whitehall. The new location brings the store count to five for the chain. The stores specialize in furniture for the living room, dining room and bedroom.

The retailer marked the opening of its newest store with a $10,000 check presentation to the American Cancer Society to kick off a fundraising effort it plans for the organization.

Mealy’s Furniture is located at 2180 MacArthur Road, Whitehall. More information can be obtained on the website www.mealysfurniture.com or by calling (610) 973-2910.

Chickie’s & Pete’s to debut in Sovereign Center

The Sovereign Center in Reading will soon become the first Berks County location to house a Chickie’s & Pete’s, a well-known Philadelphia-based crab house and sports bar.

The sports bar is located in the remodeled grill stand on the Cherry Street side of the center. SMG, the venue’s management company, said the grill stand should be up and running for patrons attending events as early as mid-September.

“We’re continually looking for new ways to increase the quality of our patrons’ experience when they visit the Sovereign Center. Of course, Chickie’s & Pete’s has been serving sports fans for years—including Eagles and Phillies fans at historic Veteran’s Stadium—and we’re thrilled to be able to offer that legendary Philly sports experience here in Berks County,” said Zane Collings, SMG regional manager.

Known for its signature crabfries, Chickie’s & Pete’s is located in 13 full-service locations and numerous stands and kiosks in regional stadiums, arenas, amusement parks and boardwalks.

Among the locations in the Philadelphia area is a 24,000-square-foot sports bar across from the Philadelphia stadium complex on Broad Street, which was recently selected as the number one sports bar in North America by ESPN.

Skincare shop breezes into Phillipsburg

Phillipsburg has a new specialty skincare and gift shop.

Warm Breeze Butters, a store that specializes in all-natural skin products including shea butter, essential oils and black soap, held its grand opening Aug. 25.

The shop also carries hand-made costume jewelry, scarves and home accessories.

Warm Breeze Butters is located at 93 S. Main St., Phillipsburg.

Patient First opens Wyomissing location

Patient First said it plans to open new medical center in Wyomissing on Aug. 29. The company said the new medical center will be the fifth Patient First in Pennsylvania.

Patient First has facilities in Allentown, Mechanicsburg, Harrisburg, and York. It also plans to open facilities in Montgomeryville, Lancaster and East Norriton over the next year.

The center provides urgent care; physicals; occupational health and primary care for patients who do not have a primary care physician.

“The goal of Patient First is to provide convenient, cost-effective medical care on a walk-in basis,” said Dr. R.P. Sowers, the founder and CEO of Patient First.
Digital X-rays, lab work and prescriptions are all available on site.

Hours are 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. seven days a week.

Patient First Wyomissing is located at 2600 Paper Mill Road, Wyomissing.

More information can be obtained on the website www.patientfirst.com.

Editor’s Note: We want to hear about your new business or product. Contact staff writer Stacy Wescoe at (610) 807-9619 ext. 104 or send an e-mail to [email protected]. To be considered, a new venture should be under 60 days old or starting within 60 days.