A home decor shop that found a way to increase its customers and inventory during the pandemic has now expanded with a second location in downtown Easton.
Abode Home Decor had a soft opening June 3 at 131 N. Third St. in the city. The store opened its first brick-and-mortar location in 2021 at 27 E. Belvidere St. in downtown Nazareth. The new location is located in an approximately 1,000-square-foot space that previously housed Twice Chic Boutique.
Owner Krista Lichtenberger and her husband Brian, who live in the Bushkill area, chose Easton for their new business, which builds on Lichtenberger's nostalgic roots.
As a child, Mr. Lichtenberger, an Easton native, used to watch the Heritage Day fireworks from the roof of the building that once housed Lipkins Furniture (now the Third & Ferry Fish Market). Bowling was held in the alleys of what was then Third Avenue, and friends and friends would watch movies at the old Eric's Twin Theater (later the Marquis Theater) along South Third Avenue.
“Easton is a very special place to me,” Lichtenberger told lehighvalleylive.com.
Lichtenberger launched Abode Home Decor in early 2020, just before it closed in March 2020.
Her passion for interior design became a side hustle that balanced her full-time job as a registered nurse. A graduate of Notre Dame High School, she earned nursing degrees from St. Luke's School of Nursing and Drexel University.
Abode started simply with Lichtenberger selling small items at local festivals, driveway events, and hostess homes. She dressed up a mobile trailer and sourced lamps, rugs, art, trinkets and more from both Lehigh Valley and national artisans.
Her vision was to sell items that easily spruce up your home at affordable prices.
“We envisioned the return of 'mom and pop' stores and the ever-increasing need to support small businesses,” Lichtenberger said.
The business took off in the midst of the pandemic, largely due to people being forced to stay indoors. Krista Lichtenberger then ran a thriving e-commerce store where she could ship and drop items to local residents.
Once restrictions were lifted, the couple looked to the Nazareth space for their first brick-and-mortar location while continuing to sell at area festivals and other events. Easton Winter's sales also increased further in her village, which also led to the two of her deciding to expand into the city.
“The Winter Village experience was amazing,” Lichtenberger said. At that point, we knew our product was perfect for this region. ”
Lichtenberger said the Easton location will offer guests a different bargain than the Nazareth location and will always stay “fresh, new and exciting.” However, both sites will maintain a “rustic yet modern” feel.
Easton patrons can choose from live houseplants. There's a section dedicated to pets, with items like dog treat bowls and collar charms. We are also expanding our gift-giving products (photo frames, chip-and-dip platters, vases, etc.).
Abode also carries handcrafted items such as reclaimed barn wood signs with charming and comical quotes sourced from Wisconsin, barn wood furniture and soy-burning candles from Lancaster, Pennsylvania, and soy wax melts from New York. Masu. A piece of wood from Kentucky.
Since Easton opened, “buttery soft” blankets have disappeared from shelves, as have tumblers and wine charms, Lichtenberger said. The Nazareth store will continue to be known for its wall shelves, Amish-made furniture, artwork, and more.
Easton also plans to expand the selection of other typical products at the Nazareth store, including lamps, cushions, platters and tableware.
“We want to give our customers a reason to visit both locations,” she said.
Both stores have seasonal items available. For fall, consider pumpkins, leaves, and apple decorations, and for winter, consider ornaments and yoga ball-sized jingle bells.
At both locations, prices start at $5 for small items. Plants and pots range from $8 to $20. Barn-style furniture costs upwards of $1,300.
Easton store hours are Sunday from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Wednesday through Friday from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturdays from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. The store is closed on Mondays and Tuesdays. Nazareth store hours are Sunday from noon to 4 p.m. Thursday from noon to 6 p.m. Fridays from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. The store is closed Monday through Wednesday.
Abode Home Decor has a lot more coming up in the near future.
Lichtenberger envisions opening both locations to private and community events. In the evening, there will also be monthly do-it-yourself workshops, which have already become popular in Nazaré. Some include making holiday wreaths and decorating cupcakes.
Krista Lichtenberger also hopes to one day expand her business to include interior design services and home-based consulting, such as home organization services. She already offers decorating advice at both stores.
“I would love to do it on a bigger scale because I really enjoy bringing the vision to life,” she said.
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Pamela Sroka-Holzmann can be contacted at: holzmann@lehighvalleylive.com.
