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| Master barber Robert Cruz, with proud wife Ileana |
According to Cruz, it will be the first barber shop for drivers coming into Bethlehem from Route 78, and he noted that he has "ample parking" in the back, room for three cars But he expects most of his clientele to be local, walking there from two or three blocks away.
"I'm very nervous," Cruz told zoners. But as time went by, he relaxed enough to tell them he was recently awarded a master barber's license and would like to spend the rest of his career working "and paying taxes" in Bethlehem.
As the decision was announced, Solicitor Mickey Thompson gave Cruz a thumbs up and said, "Come back and see us."
"Come back and see me," smiled Cruz, whose shop will be open from Tuesday through Saturday.
In a separate matter, zoners also agreed to permit Wendy Thomson, a nationally certified grief counselor, to operate out of her home at 408 N. New Street, near City Hall. Under questioning by her attorney,Robert V. Littner, Thomson explained that a home setting is a more conducive environment to healing. She added that it is also greener, having less impact on the environment. She called it a good work-life balance.
Thomson told zoners she would see a maximum of 10-12 patient over the course of a week, and no more than 6 people during any given day.
Under cross-examination by Bethlehem Attorney Karl Longenbach, Thomson acknowledged a home occupation is also cheaper than paying rent at Main Street Commons, where her office is located. Longenbach represented nearby antiques dealer Sam Guttman, who claimed that a home occupation "sets a terrible" precedent in Bethlehem's historic district. He also suggested that Thompson is already seeing customers from her home, noting he sees cars parked there.
Before conducting hearings, the newly-constituted five-member board reorganized at the suggestion of Solicitor Mickey Thompson. Chairman Gus Loupos, Vice Chair Bill Fitzpatrick and Secretary Linda Shay Garder were all elected unanimously.
Good luck to the Cruzes. It makes this bald guy proud to read their story.
ReplyDeleteIn Allentown some of these cash business 'barbershops" become a front for the drug trade. Being on a main NJ/NY road near the casino I hope this is not the case.
ReplyDeleteguttman and longenback - that's the blind leading the blind.
ReplyDeletekeep asking the tough questions, karl.
I heard in some barbershops you can get your haircut.
ReplyDeleteAND look at the Police Gazzette.
3:28 STFU
Agreed. The poor guy is trying to set up a shop and gets called a drug dealer.
ReplyDeleteThe young man was very genuine. He wanted a chance to start a business, and the Zoning Hearing Board gave him that chance. Good job by both, Cruz, and the ZHB.
ReplyDeleteBest of luck!
ReplyDelete3:28 pm should not jump to conclusions about the Cruzes who, unless anyone can offer anything to the contrary, appear to be just hardworking people trying to live the dream.
ReplyDeleteHowever, to simply tell 3:28 to STFU is just nonsense. Urban barbershops are, indeed, to today's gangs and drug culture what pizzerias once were to the mob: Cash cleaners.
Some, like the one on 7th St in Allentown a couple of summers back, were brazen enough to actually do the transactions right on the premises. Now, they are low key, hardly anyone ever in the chair, but the lights stay on and the doors stay open.
The Easton cops know this better than anyone these days.
-Clem
There really are a lot of barbershops springing up...
ReplyDeleteVOR
More than a few of these places are like the old Pizza shops used to be. A great place to do business and launder a lot of cash.
ReplyDeleteThere is a barbershop near my downtown office. It's the type type operated by and frquented by black/hispanic men. When I walk by at lunchtime, there very often is a guy out fron, hanging. Sometimes, he's talking on a phone. I am caucasion, middle-aged...wear a dress shirt, a tie and I suppose, look very "officious".
ReplyDeleteOne day, needing a haircut, I decided to try this place (my guy was on vacation.) As I approached and walked in, heads turned from all directions. There were eight chairs, four barbers. Three chairs were being used; there were at least ten young men sitting around, reading magazines, talking... I asked one man "how long was the wait, if you accept walk-ins?"
Before he could answer, another man hustled over, said something in Spanish, causing the first man to leave. I was told in broken English that I should come right in. He led me right past all the waiting customers. I recieved what appeared to be deluxe, even "special" treatment that I did not deserve.
Conclusion? Is it possible they thought I might be a detective? Maybe a city inspector? Maybe the mayor? I don't know, but I got a very suspicios feeling that never left me about this urban shop. I can say that I am one customer who finds it curious that in my locale, there are seven of these shsops in a very small area.
Bernie
ReplyDeleteWere you teasing about Pat Browne revamping that NIZ legislation?