Luxury streetwear fashion boutique jone(s) on 9th opened its doors in Downtown Allentown over the summer, introducing a curated selection of fashion and fragrance to the city. Here, boutique curator Megan Colon talks about her love for clothes, her approach to shopping and her vision for the shop.
Q: Tell us about the journey to opening jone(s) on 9th!
When I was young, I had to work with what I had, which didn’t feel like much when you’re glued to MTV watching celebrities with so many unique styles. I always emulated what I could, started buying pieces as soon as I had a job at 14 and really never looked back! My first retail position was when I was 18, but the job that impacted my love for fashion was at The Archive (owned by Santo Napoli of assembly88). My last position there was GM; I loved buying, merchandising and seeing people put their spin on the pieces I “curated.” Last fall, I caught the retail bug, and jone(s) was born!
Talk about your perspective on shopping—and how jone(s) supports this perspective.
I believe there are pieces you can love a long time, but likely not forever. Those pieces you love, whether they are staples or standout items, are the things I would splurge on. Then there are a lot of basics that can support a really good outfit—you’re probably going to use them heavily and need to replace them often. That’s where I lean into fast fashion. Our selection at jone(s) offers items at different price points to work into your existing wardrobe.
Describe the meaning behind the store’s name!
jone(s) was the working title for the store when it was just an idea, and then there were the signs: I realized it was an acronym for my kids’ names; keeping up with the Joneses; the always stylish Jim Jones; and jonesing for fashion— having an addiction or craving for something. So, it just stuck!
Describe the overall vibe/ aesthetic of the shop!
The vibe in the store is very much Miami—bright, palm trees, fragrant, well organized. A lot of thought (and help!) went into the special touches in the store. The mosaic logo in the fitting room, our flower arrangements and seating elements were all put together to make people feel comfortable and warm and wanting to come back for more.
What can shoppers expect to find in store?
Our product selection is three-pronged: Vintage, Streetwear and Luxury. Vintage encompasses a lot of better brand pieces that are authenticated and were worn once or not at all. Streetwear references the brands we carry like Honor The Gift, our in-store line jone(s), Yesterday Is Dead and more. The Luxury items are not only the few Gucci or Louis Vuitton items in stock, they’re also pieces by labels like Marine Serre, Marni and SAINT Mxxxxxx which come with a higher ticket.
Is there anything a shopper might be surprised to find in store?
Shoppers may be surprised to find things like rugs, candles and books in store. I think in general someone might also be pleasantly surprised by the versatility of the lines we carry.
What are some customer favorites?
Favorites so far have been jone(s)’ hoodies, Cherry Lane Candle Co candles (based out of Easton), JJ Vibes shades and Cataleya Collections, a women’s line based in Allentown. I’m loving the support of the local brands, quite honestly!
How has the shop been received by the community thus far?
We get so much great feedback about the aesthetic visually and people compliment the fragrance of the store. We also hear how we have really helped fill a void in retail in not just Allentown but in the Valley.
Is there anything you’re looking forward to?
There is a lot to look forward to in Downtown Allentown. Live Nation operating the Archer Music Hall will bring new acts, and hopefully new clientele. Same for the Moxy Hotel opening soon. I love collaborating—some of the brands I mentioned having in store were a first step, next we will work on the not-so-obvious collabs. As we mature as a store, some of the accounts we work with and offerings will evolve, so the store will never be the same experience twice!
What do you love about the store’s location in Downtown Allentown?
I love our adjacency to everything that’s going on: the new construction mentioned earlier, condos being built half a block away is big deal, there are great food options like Ume and Amigos and there is always parking within half a block of the store or less!
Is there anything else you’d like to note?
If you like to shop, like fashion and enjoy new things, come check out not only our offerings at jone(s) but what the entire Downtown Allentown has to offer. I promise you’ll be pleasantly surprised!
20 S. 9th St., Allentown | joneson9th.com
Published as “Get the Goods” in the December 2024 edition of Lehigh Valley Style magazine.
