Press Release

Latina Businesswoman Acquires Established Allentown Pest Control Business

ALLENTOWN _ Brenda “Luna” Fernandez of Allentown has purchased All Affordable Pest Control at 630 Hanover Avenue from owner, Macho Velez. Fernandez said she believes she is the first Latina woman to own a pest control business at least in the greater Lehigh Valley area.

Jeff Barber of Lehigh Financial Group LLC in Allentown helped arrange the financing so that Fernandez could purchase the business from Velez, who is a friend. The purchase price was not disclosed. The business is 20-years-old and well established in the community.

Fernandez, who had previously owned a cleaning business, said she plans no changes to the pest control business other than to expand it. “Everything will stay the same,” she said. “Nothing changes but the bosses.”

Fernandez said she learned the business was for sale when Velez talked to her about retiring and they were excited to make the transition. Barber is confident that Fernandez’s business background will contribute to the continued success and growth of All Affordable Pest Control.

Bethlehem Luxury Consignment Boutique plans move, expansion

BETHLEHEM _ Alexandra Fly has purchased the 3-story Victorian home at 146 W. Broad Street and will relocate her business, Designer Consigner, to its first floor when renovations are complete in early fall. The building offers her space to expand and offer antiques and furniture as well as clothing, luxury handbags and other items. The deal closed Aug. 27. The purchase price was not disclosed.

Jeff Barber of Lehigh Financial Group LLC in Allentown helped arrange the financing so that Fly could purchase the building and make the necessary renovations.

Fly said she had been looking for new space for some time and that this location is ideal because it has nine parking spaces for customers and it is off of Main Street “so it still keeps us in the Downtown area.” Also, the Victorian building is perfect for a consignment shop. In addition, she said, the new building will give her more than double the space she has now at 77 W. Broad Street.

Fly plans to rent the second and third floors of the building. The building is solid and does not need too many renovations for her shop, she said. “We will put in new flooring and paint,” she said.

Fly said Barber was very helpful and he made the deal happen. Barber said he is excited to see her success at the new location. She opened her original consignment shop on Main Street in 2011. This will be her third move and expansion.

Bob Dandi of RE/MAX Center Valley was the listing agent. The buyer was represented by Yarrow Wilkins of RE/MAX Crossroads in East Stroudsburg. Sunrise Abstract & Settlement, LLC of East Stroudsburg, handled the closing.

Local Family Acquire Coplay Auto Repair

COPLAY, Pennsylvania _ Three members of the Herstine family have purchased Coplay Auto Repair at 3 North Second St. and will reopen it later this month. The seller, Michael Dopsovic, has retired and closed the business.

Antonia Trigiani of Lehigh Financial Group LLC in Allentown arranged the SBA loan that allowed Jeffrey Herstine, and his sons, Zachary and Brian, to acquire the auto repair business. They plan to make minor changes to the 2,010 square foot building before reopening it the last week in August. The purchase price was not disclosed.

All three family members have extensive experience in the auto repair business. Jeffrey Herstine, of Bath, has been an auto technician since he was 16 and a Toyota Certified Master Diagnostic Technician since 1996. Zachary and Brian Herstine also have been working on cars since they were teens and have worked as automotive technicians for area dealerships. Zachary and Brian also were US Marines where they worked on all types of equipment and vehicles and honed leadership skills.

Jeffrey Herstine has long dreamed of opening an independent auto repair shop with his sons. When they saw that Dopsovic was looking to retire and sell his business after 18 years, they saw it as “the perfect opportunity,” said Zachary, who lives in Walnutport. His younger brother lives in Bath.

Trigiani said the seller and the buyers “are really great people” and she’s thrilled to be able to make this deal happen for them. “It’s really an amazing story,” she said. “Mr. Dopsovic was so pleased to see his business continue with a family. And the Herstines have the experience and knowledge to continue to make the business a success. They showed great respect to Mr. Dopsovic and his hard work.”

The Herstines are looking to provide their customers with individualized service that small automotive repair shops can provide. “We want to know our customers and provide them with an atmosphere where they will feel comfortable servicing their vehicles with us and know they will get the ‘one-on-one’ attention they deserve,” Jeffrey said.

The Herstines plan to make minor repairs to the office and work bays before they reopen. The pole building that houses the repair shop was rebuilt after a fire in 2001. The property includes parking for 11 vehicles and one double-wide bay with two lifts. Zachary said there have been commercial buildings on the property since the late 1800s.

The Herstines will keep the name, Coplay Auto Repair, but eventually they plan to transition to Herstine Automotive LLC.

3rd Generation Owner to Convert Old Factory in Allentown into Upscale Apartments

ALLENTOWN, PA. _ Ryan and Mirelle Hadeed of Allentown plan to convert a former factory at 401 North Second Street that has been in the family for three generations into an apartment building. Jeff Barber of Lehigh Financial Group, LLC, arranged the $1.3 million construction loan that will allow the Hadeeds to pursue plans for the more than 100-year-old building that Ryan’s grandfather bought in the 1970s.

The loan closed at the beginning of June. The Hadeeds plan to start construction soon and hope to complete the project by early next year if not sooner. Plans call for 10 apartments: six one-bedroom and four two-bedroom units. The building also will have five storage units for the tenants.

The apartments will have high-end finishes such as granite countertops and maintain its commercial feel with exposed duct work and 14-foot ceilings, Ryan said. The building had been rented as a commercial property but is now vacant. Ryan didn’t want to push any tenants out, he said.

Ryan said the building was originally an ice cream factory. He inherited the property from his father, Joseph, after he died in 2014. Joseph had inherited the property from his father, Ryan’s grandfather, Jamil.

Ryan said his father had drawn up plans to convert the building into apartments more than 20 years ago but for whatever reason never completed the project.

The building, on the border of Allentown’s First and Sixth wards, is two blocks from Allentown’s Waterfront that is being revitalized, and Ryan believes his timing ideal. “The neighborhood will definitely be booming in the next few years,” he said.

Barber said he is excited for Ryan and Mirelle and is certain their apartments will be in demand as the neighborhood is undergoing great improvements.

Founder of In Arms Reach Childcare Services Purchases the Building

BETHLEHEM, Pennsylvania _ Marquisha Fleetwood, founder/director of In Arms Reach Childcare Services LLC, has purchased the childcare center at 1411 Marvine Street in Bethlehem she has been running for two years. Antonia Trigiani of Lehigh Financial Group LLC in Allentown arranged the financing for Fleetwood to purchase the childcare center and make her lifelong dream come true. The acquisition closed on May 22.

Fleetwood had been leasing the daycare, originally New Youngster Day Care, from owners Willie and Mary Smith who had put it on the market in 2019 because they wanted to retire. Fleetwood, who had run a daycare from her Allentown home, changed the name to In Arms Reach Childcare Services when she began leasing it. The daycare has space for 33 children ages 0-12 and is full.

The purchase is part of Fleetwood’s mission to “support community children and their families” and to provide them with “care that fosters their growth.” She hopes to be able to build two classrooms at the site and care for an additional 40 children within less than a year.

Trigiani said she was impressed with Fleetwood’s commitment to helping children grow up to be successful adults and is certain she will succeed at this business venture. In addition to operating the daycare, over the years, Fleetwood has adopted 11 children from child services in Lehigh and Northampton counties.

Record Store Owners Acquire Building in York for Expansion of Business

YORK, Pennsylvania _ Alicea and Jason Poff have acquired the building at 1501 Mount Rose Avenue that houses their record store, Mothership, and seven other storefronts and offices. They plan to make some cosmetic upgrades to the nearly 4,700-square-foot building and keep it pretty much as is, Alicea said. The purchase price was not disclosed.

Jeff Barber of Lehigh Financial Group LLC in Allentown arranged the financing for the Poffs to purchase the building. They closed on the property April 29.

The Poffs plan to have the building power washed and to make some cosmetic and safety improvements such as painting the front doors and adding some lighting and security systems, Alicea said.

The Poffs opened their record store in 2018. Jason Poff runs the record store, which has been quite successful, Alicea said. Last year, she said, sales were up 12 times what they were when they opened six years ago. “Mothership existed a few years before its name, starting online as a hobby and love for music,” Alicea said. The Poffs started the storefront business when their sons, now teens, were younger and “it is a family affair,” Alicia said.

Alicea runs a companion online business, Mothership York, on eBay, which sells records and other items. The bricks-and-mortar Mothership not only sells records but also buys them.

The owners are grateful to Barber and his work getting the loan to close.

Barber is happy for the Poffs and glad they will be able to expand their family business interests. Barber said it was a pleasure working with them throughout the process.

The listing agent for the property was Abe Khan of Bennet Williams Commercial and the title company that arranged the closing was White Rose Settlement Services Inc.

Day care owners buy former Grange in Schnecksville for second location

SCHNECKSVILLE, Pennsylvania _ Scott and Regina Gerhart have recently purchased the former Grange building on Route 873 and plan to open a second Ages & Stages Early Learning and Child Development Center LLC at the site when renovations are complete. The purchase price was not disclosed.

Jeff Barber of Lehigh Financial Group LLC arranged the financing for the acquisition of the property.

Regina Gerhart, director/owner of Ages and Stages, said she is not sure how long it will take for them to ready the property for their second daycare. They plan to rehab and remodel the building which has 6,250 square feet and was built in 1950. They are planning for it to be licensed for at least 150 infants through school-age children.

Regina said they had been looking for a second location for a while and were excited when this property became available. “It’s a beautiful property,” she said. “It has good bones and thought it would be a great location in the Parkland School District for a second childcare center.” When it opens, their business will be called Ages & Stages Early Learning and Child Development Centers LLC.

Scott and Regina own Ages & Stages at 3124 Levans Road in Coplay, which is directly across the street from the Ironton Elementary School. It provides childcare from 6:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday year-round. Ages & Stages also provides before and after school bus transportation for students in kindergarten through 5th grade. They opened this center in September 2011.

Regina said the new site will give them the opportunity to serve more families in the Parkland School District and to possibly expand and serve families in the Whitehall, Slatington and Walnutport areas.

Barber said he is “happy to see things work out for the business owners so that they can open a second location in North Whitehall and expand their successful business.”

The Gerharts were represented by Attorney David Berger of Norris McLaughlin & Marcus of Allentown and by realtor Robbie Stephens of Rudy Amelio Real Estate.

Local Real Estate Entrepreneur Purchases 546 Main in Historic Downtown Bethlehem for $1,000,000

BETHLEHEM, Pennsylvania _ Aiden Henninger, 24, a lifelong resident of Bethlehem, has purchased 546 Main Street in Historic Downtown Bethlehem for $1 million. The 4-story building is home to Mama Nina’s Italian restaurant and has three two-bedroom apartments on its upper floors. The restaurant will remain and Henninger plans to renovate the apartments and lease them.

The real estate acquisition was announced by Jeff Barber of Lehigh Financial Group, LLC, in Allentown, who arranged the conventional financing for the sale and the renovations. Henninger also has a business partner.

A graduate of Lehigh University, Henninger has been investing in real estate in Bethlehem for the last three years and has bought and renovated several homes, some of which he resold and some of which he rents.

Henninger is excited to own 546 Main Street, which was built in 1880, because it is in the heart of most desirable Historic Bethlehem. Henninger said properties in this coveted section of Main Street rarely become available, and he is thrilled to be able to own it. The sale was private.

“I have done a lot of deals already in my three years as a real estate investor,” Henninger said. “But this is my biggest deal yet. And I’m excited to be able to add it to my portfolio.”

Barber was impressed by Henninger’s business savvy at such a young age and is looking forward to what he will do in the future.

The building is a little less than 5,000 square feet. The restaurant occupies the basement and first-floor. The second floor is one apartment, and the third and fourth floors are divided into two, 2-story apartments. Henninger plans to upgrade them into luxury apartments with new paint, tiling, flooring, lighting and appliances. He expects it to take a couple of months.

Henninger also said that when Mama Nina’s opened on Main Street in Bethlehem about 20 years ago, it began the renaissance of the Historic Downtown. “It changed the restaurant scene down there,” he said.

Family-owned floor cleaning business buys property in Hellertown for expansion

HELLERTOWN, Pennsylvania _ Bob and Nate Conrad, father-and-son owners of Bob’s Valley Wide Carpet Care, have purchased an approximately 3000-square-foot property at 136 Front Street in Hellertown and plan to move their floor-care business headquarters here by the beginning of next year.

Jeff Barber of Lehigh Financial Group LLC in Allentown arranged the financing so that the father-and-son team could purchase the property and make the necessary renovations to it. The purchase price for the property was not disclosed.

Bob Conrad started the business in 1989 from his home. His son, Nate, joined him about 10 years ago. The business most recently operated from a 1200 square-foot building in an industrial park off Route 512 in Bethlehem. “As our business continues to grow, we have been looking to expand and this property is perfect,” Nate Conrad said. It not only doubles the office and storage space, but it also has an apartment upstairs that will serve as an investment. The Conrads plan to make minor renovations to the apartment and find a new tenant. The property was vacant when they bought it.

Nate said the location in a commercial/residential area of Hellertown is ideal. It gives the business a presence in the community and the opportunity to offer some walk-in services such as rug drop-off, he said. The larger space also enables the small business to store its equipment and supplies more easily.

Bob’s Valley Wide uses an environmentally friendly cleaning method that significantly reduces water and energy consumption while delivering superior results. The small business services include residential and commercial carpet cleaning and carpet repair. It also revitalizes and cleans vinyl composition tile (VCT), tile, stone, hardwood, luxury vinyl tile (LVT) and laminate/vinyl plank floors.

Nate said working with Barber, whom he knew from previous business opportunities, was exceptional. Barber was able to help him negotiate seller concessions that lowered the amount of the loan needed. Barber is excited for the Conrads and is confident they and their customers will benefit from the purchase and the move.

General contractor buys Slatington building to consolidate warehousing for his business

SLATINGTON, Pennsylvania _ Garet Conrad of Franklin Township has purchased a nearly 10,000 square foot building 535 W. Church Street to use as a warehouse for his general contracting business, Conrad General Contracting. The purchase also includes a building with two apartments that Conrad plans to remodel and continue to rent.

Jeff Barber of Lehigh Financial Group LLC arranged the financing for the acquisition.

“The new location needs some love, but it isn’t anything we can’t do,” said Conrad who had been looking for a site to consolidate his storage locations for his contracting business. “The apartment building was a bonus,” he said.

The warehouse location is ideal, Conrad said. It is “pretty much in the middle of everything we do.” Conrad, who started the business 11 years ago, has done roofing, concrete, kitchens, bathrooms, basements and other projects throughout the Lehigh Valley.

Conrad said he’s excited about the move because “I love what I do.” The business has 11 employees and a secretary and may expand in the future.

Working with Barber to arrange financing was “awesome,” Conrad said. “All the good things I heard about him turned out to be true.”

Barber said he was happy to help Conrad and knows the move will be helpful for his business. Conrad had been leasing space in three different locations.

Dave Feinberg of REMAX Central in Center Valley was Conrad’s real estate agent. First United Land Transfer of Allentown arranged the closing.

Conrad also owns Big Drip Jewelers on McArthur Road in Whitehall. His contracting business has an office in the jewelry store. He is not sure whether he will move it to the warehouse.

Easton Meat Processing business buys food market to expand in Allentown

ALLENTOWN, Pennsylvania _ Grizel Mazariegos-Perez and her husband Felix Perez, owners and operators of Easton Meat Services LLC, a wholesale meat processing business in Easton, recently purchased a property in Allentown to expand their business. They purchased 1101 Hanover Avenue, a 2800-plus square-foot building, which had been L&K Asian Market. The purchase price was not disclosed.

The owners will make renovations to the site so that they can serve local restaurants and businesses from the Allentown area as well.

Jeff Barber of Lehigh Financial Group LLC arranged the financing for the acquisition. “I am happy to see things work out for the business owners so that they could expand into the Allentown area with their business,” Barber said.

The buyers were represented by Wade Budinetz of the Cliff Lewis Experience of Coldwell Banker Hearthside in Allentown. The property was listed by Ayon Codner of Keller Williams Real Estate in Allentown, and the closing was arranged by Aracelis "AC" Chirinos of SteelHouse Abstract in Bethlehem.

LOCAL BUSINESSWOMEN PURCHASES NEW BUILDING TO EXPAND MULTISERVICES BUSINESS

WILSON, Pennsylvania _ Paula Rodriguez-Restrepo recently acquired the 2,100-plus square foot commercial building at 1600 Northampton Street to house her business, Cell Express LLC, which provides international wire transfers and other financial services. Rodriguez-Restrepo, who is a native of Colombia, also will offer phone, notary, translation and other services at her new business location.

Jeff Barber of Lehigh Financial Group LLC in Allentown arranged the financing so Rodriquez-Restrepo could buy the building and move her exsistng business. The business is expected to open at the new location at the end of July, beginning of August.

Rodriguez-Restrepo of Palmer Township had been renting across the street and is excited to own her new space. “The business has been growing and this move will allow us to continue to expand and help people stay in touch with their families in Latin America,” she said.

Rodriguez-Restrepo has two employees.

The building had been a health center operated by the state of Pennsylvania.

Barber said he is happy to be able to help Rodriguez-Restrepo expand her business and is certain that she will be most successful in her new location.

Rodriguez-Restrepo’s Realtor Annette Gallego of IronValley Real Estate represented the buyer and Mike Seitz of Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Fox and Roach represented the seller. The Settlement Company of Allentown was the closing agent.

Leader of the Pack Canine Institute opening multi-million dollar location in Forks

ALLENTOWN, Pennsylvania _ John and Lisa McDonald of Schnecksville recently closed on a multi-million dollar SBA 504 construction loan that will enable them to open a second location of their family-run Leader of the Pack Canine Institute on 3 ½ acres in a Forks Township business park.

Jeff Barber of Lehigh Financial Group, LLC, arranged the combination SBA and conventional construction loan from TD Bank that the McDonalds will use to build a second facility offering training, day care, boarding, grooming and pet supplies for all breeds of dogs.

The McDonalds opened their first Leader of the Pack at 6346 Farm Bureau Road in Upper Macungie Township in 2009 and have been serving families across the Lehigh Valley from this location. “We have been wanting to open a second location that is convenient for our families that live on the East side of the Lehigh Valley,” John said. “The time was right when we found the right piece of property. We’ve decided to take a leap of faith and open a second corporate location in Forks.” Leader of the Pack Canine Institute also has a franchise offering, which the McDonalds are marketing with a regional approach for additional expansion of their pet services business.

The McDonalds hope to break ground on the new facility at 1200 Braden Boulevard in June. When complete, it will be a 28,125 square-foot facility. It should be complete early next spring.

“It is going to be the same model as our award winning Leader of the Pack in Upper Macungie,” John said. “We will offer training, boarding, day care and grooming and do retail sales as well at our new site.”

The new location will have about 50 employees. Its current location employs 45.

Barber helped the McDonalds with arranging financing on a number of different projects over the years, including when they expanded their original site from 5,000 to 15,000 square feet.

Barber said that he is looking forward to seeing the McDonalds complete their latest project and that he excited to see the success of the second location.

“We ensure that a family’s pets are happy and comfortable whether they come for a full day or for longer boarding and that they return home safe and healthy,” Lisa said. “We thank all of our pet parents for their support and we look forward to serving many new clients at our second location,” she added.

The McDonalds were represented by Attorney Joseph Piperato of Eastburn & Gray Law Offices in Bethlehem and Paula Csaszar of Penn Star Land Transfer, LLC. Rob Millman and Todd Sparks of TD Bank funded the loan.

For more information on Leader of the Pack Canine Institute, please visit http://www.lopci.com

Lehigh Grad, Chef Partner Aquire Iconic Bethlehem Hot Dog Shop, Plan to Open New Restaurant in Late

BETHLEHEM, Pennsylvania _ Lehigh graduate Yongkang Gao and his business partner, Bill Geddes, recently purchased the iconic south side eatery, Pete’s Hot Dog Shop, and an adjacent three-story building that houses two residential units. They plan to reopen a restaurant in the Pete’s building at 400 Broadway after renovations to it are complete. They also plan to renovate the two residences each of which has its own entrance.

Jeff Barber of Lehigh Financial Group, LLC, in Allentown, arranged the commercial financing so that the partners could purchase the restaurant and residental building which were sold together and make renovations to them. The purchase price was not disclosed.

Gao hopes the residential units at 406 Carlton Avenue will be ready for occupancy by late summer and the restaurant at the end of August, beginning of September. “We need to do a lot of renovations,” Gao said.

An electrical engineer, Gao, who earned his PhD at Lehigh, had eaten at the hot dog shop a few times while a student. Pete’s which had been at that location since 1937 closed in March. John Mamounas bought Pete’s in 1988 from Teddy Kourpas, whose uncle, Pete Kourpas, opened the business. Generations of Lehigh Valley residents, including Bethlehem Steel workers and Lehigh students, feasted on hot dogs, cheesesteaks, burgers and perogies at Pete’s over its many years.

Gao, who lives in the Bay Area of California where he works for Apple, owns several other residential properties on the south side and was eager to purchase Pete’s and the residential building when he learned they were for sale. Giddes, who is known as Excecutive Chef Billy G, has restaurant experience (including a hot dog truck) and will oversee the renovations and opening of both. Giddes, who lives in South Jersey, is moving to Bethlehem to oversee the project.

Gao said they had some idea of what they want to do in the Pete’s space, which is small, but haven’t made any decisions yet other than it will be a restaurant. Geddes said a hot dog will be on the menu “because that’s what people want,” but he expects the menu to be “a little bit of everything.” Geddes is also a contractor and has experience in renovations.

Barber said he is happy that Gao and his business partner will be able to keep the site a restaurant and is confident their new venture will succeed whatever way they go.

Jackie Vasko of Berkshire Hathaway Home Services Benjamin Real Estate of Schnecksville was the listing agent and represented both buyers and sellers.

Lori Lewis and Sonya Bieber of Lighthouse Abstract in Bethlehem assisted with the closing.

Established Hair Salon Acquires Larger Location in Heart of Stroudsburg

STROUDSBURG, Pennsylvania _ Phylicia Crowe and Amber Rodriguez, owners of Indulgence Hair Studio, have purchased a two-story building at 501 Sarah Street and plan to move their salon to the new location when renovations are complete in early summer. An apartment on the second floor of the building will remain. The first floor where the salon will be located currently is empty.

Jeff Barber of Lehigh Financial Group LLC arranged the commercial financing so that the salon owners could purchase the new location and make the necessary renovations.

Crowe and Rodriguez have known each other for 17 years having met working in the same salon. They moved to different salons together and agreed to open their own salon, Indulgence Hair Studio, on Monroe Street six years ago. Their new location is about three blocks away.

The salon owners were excited about the new location as soon as they saw it. “It is a lot larger than our current location, which we have grown out of,” Crowe said. “It has a good view and it’s right in town.”

The building was gutted and updated a few years ago. “It’s all new and beautiful,” Crowe said. Still, some plumbing and electrical work is needed. The salon owners expect to open at the new location June 28. “We have our projected opening date already,” Crowe said.

The new salon will have six stylists and a receptionist as does the current location, but more staff may be added at a later time, Crowe said.

Indulgence Salon offers haircuts, the latest trends in hair coloring, hairstyling including special occasion hair, conditioning treatments, professional makeup application, and facial waxing. “It’s our mission to provide a comfortable environment for our customers to truly indulge themselves with our offered services,” Crowe said.

Their real estate agent, Troy Breen of Keller Williams Realty in Stroudsburg, recommended Lehigh Financial Group to the salon owners. Crowe said it was a great recommendation as Barber did a terrific job helping them secure the financing they needed.

Honored to make the top 30 for Lehigh Valley Business’ 2023 Power List for Banking and Finance!

Barber’s responsibilities as president include working with banks, non-banks, private money investors and SBA lenders with arranging conventional commercial real estate financing, bridge loans, accounts receivable and equipment financing for small business owners and real estate investors.

He has served as president of Lehigh Financial Group for 24 years.

Barber said the Lehigh Valley is the fastest-growing region in Pennsylvania for business and job growth. “What tested my team and I was managing the volume of business we did in 2022. The demand for commercial financing has tripled our normal volume, and we do not see that slowing down anytime soon. Providing financing options was key to our business growth. Real estate investors and small business owners are still bullish on our economy in the Lehigh Valley,” Barber said.

“There is not one thing, but many things that my entire team did for our clients. Managing the volume of calls, text messages, emails, voicemails and dealing with all our lenders and clients, and they handled it all with astute professionalism. When you see the amount of loans that are closing, you know we are changing the lives of business owners, real estate investors and their families,” he said.

https://lvb.com/meet-lehigh-valley-business-2023-power-list-for-banking-and-finance/