Ron Morris of Mercantile Outpost in Easton Public Market.

Easton’s thriving small business community was heralded as an example for other Pennsylvania towns to follow during National Small Business Week.

Officials from the state Department of Community and Economic Development joined with Easton officials and small business advocates to tour a bakery, florist, and other shops on May 3 to highlight the city’s success.

About 84% of the business establishments in the Lehigh Valley have fewer than 20 employees. About 51% have fewer than five.

Small businesses are destinations for people to gather and buy products and services. They create jobs and offer experiences that drive the character of a community. The Lehigh Valley is home to downtowns flush with unique small businesses in Allentown, Bethlehem, Easton, and boroughs. That quality of life is a major economic asset of the Lehigh Valley because it attracts talent. The availability of a skilled workforce is a key driver in decisions where businesses relocate.

Small businesses also drive innovations, launching new technologies and products amid the Lehigh Valley’s rich entrepreneurial ecosystem. Lehigh Valley Economic Development Corp. (LVEDC) works with its partners to support business incubators and entrepreneurial programs that help people turn their passions into profitable businesses. LVEDC publicizes resources to help businesses get started, and it administers financing programs on behalf of the Lehigh Valley’s regional economic development organizations.

Easton has more small businesses operating today than ever before, Mayor Sal Panto Jr. said during the tour.

The first stop on the tour, Easton Candle Co., is a prime example of how one person built a business from scratch, Panto said.

“This is one of our success stories, because it started out as an internet business,” he said. “So, we're very, very proud of the fact that it's locally owned, but also locally made.”

Rachel Zanders of Easton Candle Co.

Rachel Zanders started Easton Candle Co. after being unable to find the type of candle she was looking for on the market.

“A lot of candles were very overpowering or very sweet. I would burn them for an hour and then have to put them out because it was just overwhelming,” she said. “So, I really set out to do something that was sustainable, non-toxic, and just create a great ambiance. All my candles are made with U.S. grown soybeans. They're 100% soy wax, cotton wicks, and non-toxic fragrances.”

The two-hour tour included stops at Sweet Girlz Bakery, Love Blossoms, Seth & Co. Specialty Brew, Mercantile Outpost at Easton Public Market, and The London Shop, which opened in 1939.

Andriana Gionis bought Sweet Girlz Bakery about seven months ago, after working there part-time for six years. She said Easton is a tight-knit city, a true community.

“I love it here. I think being a business in Easton is very special. It's home to me. It's very lovable.”

Andriana Gionis of Sweet Girlz Bakery.

Northampton County Executive Lamont McClure recounted how the county stepped up to help small businesses during the pandemic by creating a $25 million grant program.

“I believe many of those businesses survived because we did that. And many of them are now thriving because we did it,” McClure said. “That was very important to us.”

Gov. Josh Shapiro, who spoke at LVEDC’s annual meeting in March and lauded the Lehigh Valley’s economic success, wants to make big investments in small businesses, said Norman Bristol-Colon, Chief Diversity Officer for the Department of Community and Economic Development.

“We are not shy of trying new things. The things that we do are going to create jobs. And we’re going to have an economic engine in Pennsylvania like never before. We're investing over $20 million for minority and women-owned businesses,” he said.

Also participating in the event were representatives from the Governor’s Commission on Latino Affairs, Easton Area Chamber of Commerce, Easton Main Street Initiative, Greater Easton Development Partnership, state Sen. Lisa Boscola’s office, and the Easton and Northampton County departments of Community and Economic Development.

State and local officials visited Easton Candle Co. to mark National Small Business Week. From left to right, Kim Kmetz, Manager, Easton Main Street Initiative; Sal Panto Jr., mayor of Easton; Fadia Halma, Regional Director, Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development; Jared Mast, Executive Director, Greater Easton Development Partnership; Rachel Zanders, Owner, Easton Candle Co.; Olga Negron, Executive Director, Governor's Commission on Latino Affairs; Lamont McClure, Northampton County Executive; and Norman Bristol-Colon, Chief Diversity Officer, Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development.