Not so long ago, Easton’s old Simon Silk Mill was the definition of an eyesore, better suited for a demolition crew than a community of entrepreneurs. And yet, against all odds, the property, which has adopted the more casual, contemporary moniker “Silk,” has been transformed into an inviting place to live, work and play.
THE HISTORY
You probably know that steel used to be big business in the Lehigh Valley (hello, Bethlehem Steel), but maybe you don’t realize that silk manufacturing used to be a thriving industry around here as well. According to historians, by the dawn of the twentieth century, there were nearly two dozen silk mills in the Lehigh Valley, and Easton’s R & H Silk Mill was among the first to open its doors in 1883. Named for original founders and brothers Robert and Herman Simon, the mill changed hands many times throughout the 1900s. Other businesses occupied the property after the silk business unraveled. The sprawling campus had been vacant for decades before it was acquired by the Easton Redevelopment Authority in 2006. Finally, VM Development agreed to spearhead the massive renovation in 2010. Construction began in earnest five years later.
THE LAYOUT
There are 15 buildings on the 14-acre site in Easton’s West Ward, a mix of commercial and residential space. The triangle-shapedcampus is bordered by 13th Street, Bushkill Drive and Bushkill Creek.
THE VENDORS
More than 30 businesses have set up shop at the silk mill. They offer a wide variety of products and services—everything from massages to craft beer to balloon décor to a shave and a haircut.
FUN FACTS
- The R & H Silk Mill was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 2014.
- Herman Simon’s former mansion is now the home of Easton’s Third Street Alliance for Women and Children.
- There used to be an underground tunnel network beneath the mill that ran all the way to the downtown, but it’s been destroyed.
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Sharon & Justin Fretz, Co-owners
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Easton Wine Project
Founded in 2017, Easton Wine Project is one of the first urban wineries in the area. General Manager Amanda Thatcher says it’s evolved from a tasting room to a destination for delicious food, live music and special events. And they’re proud to support their fellow brothers and sisters in the booze business. “We always have eight local craft beers on tap,” Thatcher says. “Building connections and making our guests feel welcome is incredibly important to us.”
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Jason Hoy
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Tucker Silk Mill
Looking for the best cup of joe in the Lehigh Valley? Jason Hoy, owner of Tucker Silk Mill, says he can help you with that. The Australian-style café also serves up breakfast and lunch fare that’s a departure from the typical fried food and sandwiches. While you’re satiating your hunger pangs, you can also fill your pantry. “Tucker is so much more than a café, we’re also a full-fledged grocery store,” says Hoy. “We have one of the best selections of herbs, spices and pantry items outside of New York.”
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Joe Percoco
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Separatist Beer Project
Separatist Beer Project was among the initial batch of businesses to call Silk home. “We were an early investor in the long-term vision for the complex,” says founder Joe Percoco. Separatist also has locations in Downtown Easton and South Philadelphia, but its Blendery at the silk mill (“where the magic happens”) is the spot where beer lovers will feel most at home. They host special events, too—meaning you can say “I Do” among 1,000-gallon Italian oak barrels and some very cool, very rustic beer-making equipment.
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Sue Amato
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The Valley Om
The Valley Om strives to provide “good, wholesome yoga and bodywork.” What exactly does that mean? Co-founders and co-owners Sue Amato and Erin Mascelli define it this way: “Mindful movement through a wide-ranging variety of postures and exercises in coordination with breath to bring full-focused awareness to the experience of living in your unique being—body, mind, heart and spirit.” And there are a number of membership tiers and packages to fit whatever your body and your budget need.
No time to work out, you say? Nonsense! Matt Stocker’s Trinity Fitness is open 24 hours a day for members.
Bonus: Silk mill residents get 10 percent off membership.
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Natalie & Jonathan Asayag, Co-owners
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Renew Wellness Psychotherapy
Renew Wellness Psychotherapy helps its clients master the art of self-care. “We consider ourselves a progressive boutique therapy practice which promotes mental health, self-compassion and body kindness,” says founder and co-owner Natalie Asayag. “We strive to create a comfortable, uplifting therapeutic environment and our space here at the silk mill truly helps us achieve this.”
renewwellnesspsychotherapy.com
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Catrian Schutzer & Chelsea Cornelius, Co-owners
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Skinterest Skincare Boutique
From lash lifts to facials to massages to foot scrubs, Skinterest Skincare Boutique strives to offer a one-of-a-kind head-to-toe spa experience. “A facial or massage you have had elsewhere is nothing like what you will have here,” says co-owner Catrian Schutzer. “Every smell, each intricate touch and every sensation is purposefully done.”
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Silk Bridal
A wedding dress should be as unique as the bride wearing it. Silk Bridal features gowns that are either exclusive to them or offered with a limited distribution, meaning you’re not likely to find it at every other boutique in town. And once you pick the perfect dress, you can complete your look with Silk Bridal’s full line of accessories and accent pieces.
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Alisha Nycole Becker
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Alisha Nycole + CO
Ladies, prepare to be pampered at Alisha Nycole + CO. “Our goal is to give them a moment in time where they can indulge in self-care with a glass of wine surrounded by all the pretty things,” says founder and owner Alisha Nycole Becker. The studio and its glam squad provide hair and makeup services for photoshoots, weddings and special events. And now clients can take a piece of Alisha Nycole to go, thanks to a custom cosmetics line and luxury clip-in hair extensions.
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Talana Maria
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Talana Maria's
Talana Maria’s can help check off two of the most important items on any wedding or special event to-do list: the goodies and the flowers. “I truly love to bring visions to life one petal and sweet at a time,” says the company’s founder and namesake, Talana Maria. When it comes to cakes, her flavors are anything but vanilla (although she offers that, too): Death by Chocolate, S’mores and Caramel Apple are just a few of the options. Looking for even more help with your shindig? No problem. Maria is an event planner, too.
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James Taylor
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J Taylor Design
It seems fitting that an award-winning design studio should occupy an office that’s conducive to creative thinking. James Taylor, founder of J Taylor Design, says he found that and more when he moved his business to the silk mill in 2017. “The industrial style with high ceilings and mixes of brick and wood is perfect for what I wanted and I jumped on leasing immediately,” Taylor says. “My office setup is a place that I want to be at daily.”
WHAT TO KNOW BEFORE YOU GO
The silk mill is right off the 13th Street exit of Route 22. It’s also a quick two-mile drive from Easton’s downtown. Parking shouldn’t be a problem—there are more than 400 parking spaces on the campus for residents and visitors.
Bonus: The entrance to the Karl Stirner Arts Trail is within walking distance of the silk mill. The scenic 1.6-mile path, named for an Easton sculptor, runs along the Buskhill Creek and connects the downtown, West Ward and College Hill areas. Take a stroll and check out the more than a dozen art installations along the way.
DIGGING THAT COMMUNITY VIBE...
The silk mill is like a city within a city. Many of the vendors cite a prevalent welcoming community feeling as a reason for establishing their businesses there, and as one of the major selling points in attracting customers and clients. “We love feeling like we’re part of the neighborhood here, as we have gotten to know many of the residents… and their terrific dogs!” say Sue Amato and Erin Mascelli. “Our clients always remark on how cool the collection of businesses are as well as the character of our space,” adds Alisha Nycole Becker. Catrian Schutzer says Skinterest’s frequent customers appreciate the marketplace’s myriad of options. “They love that they can get their facials while their husband gets a haircut at Gentlemen’s Barbershop and then they meet up after for a cocktail at County Seat Spirits. We plan on staying here as long as we can.”
LIVING AT THE MILL
As of January of this year, all 170 apartments—mostly one- and two-bedroom layouts—had been spoken for; many of them were snatched up as soon as they went on the market. “Our apartments are primarily in brick buildings, with exposed brick and hardwood floors running throughout,” says Stephen Lavonier, property manager for VM Realty. “The top floors of those buildings offer apartments with lofts. Most of the top floor apartments have skylights as well.” And few of the apartments have the same layout, meaning renters who sign on the dotted line are truly moving into something unique.
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