Santee: Moravian Book Shop Weighing All Options

Rick Santee,who happens to be the President of the Board of Directors at The Moravian Book Shop, is an excellent lawyer, an experienced litigator who was trained by masters like Jackson Sigmon and Bill Ross. But he was still taken by surprise at all the calls he received yesterday concerning my story about the possible departure  of what is arguably the world's oldest bookstore, into the Wonderful Land of NIZ.  Between status conferences and a visit with Mayor Bob Donchez, he was kind enough to return my call and fill us all in.

Though the primary purpose of the book store is to help fund the pensions of retired Moravian ministers, it might surprise you to learn that it is actually a for-profit corporation. Rick and his fellow board members, all of whom are volunteers report to their stockholders. They happen to be the provincial elders of the Moravian Church.

Though the Book Shop is technically a for-profit corporation, Santee jokes that it the "most not-for-profit, for-profit corporation you'll ever want to see."

"We are committed to a lot of different things, not the least of which is the community of Bethlehem, which we founded," he observes. Speaking strictly for himself and not the Board, Santee stated that he "cannot envision the day when there is no more book shop in Bethlehem." He noted its presence, right next to the Moravian flagship church, is something he'd like to see remain.

At the same time, Santee stated that the book shop is a business and that it must be guided by business principles. He stated no decision will be made quickly, but the Board is considering several options. One includes expansion. Another includes relocation. He stated that Moravians do not operate in secrecy, but asked for a little privacy so the Board can do the right thing.

He hinted slightly at a possible reason. In 2008, Moravian Book Shop was one of several Main Street businesses to help fund a traffic study that resulted in a recommendation for a new parking deck. He noted that access problems still exist, as any weekend main Street shopper can attest.

Bethlehem's DCED Director, Alicia Karner, stated that Mayor Donchez is disappointed that Bethlehem could lose the anchor store for its Main Street shopping district. Calling the Moravian Book Shop synonymous with Bethlehem, she stated there's "very little the communities surrounding Allentown can do to compete with the NIZ." She is also concerned that this could have a ripple effect on other retail businesses in Bethlehem.  

So I will give the Moravian Church the privacy it seeks, but have to pass on a story that Santee told me yesterday. As you might have guessed, the Moravian Book Shop gets more than its fair share of tourists. According to employees at the store, they are often asked about where they can go to see "living Moravians."

Will the book shop continue selling Moravian Stars in Bethlehem or will it start selling hockeypucks in Allentown?

We'll see.

Is the Moravian Book Store Being Poached by J.B. Reilly?

All of the redevelopment occurring in Allentown is the result of its Neighborhood Improvement Zone (NIZ). That's a very special 130-acre tax zone created, the only one of its kind in the state, created by a 2009 state law penned by State Senator Pat Browne, which the help of his childhood friend J.B.Reilly, Essentially, it's a TIF on steroids. Development is funded by diverting state taxes for a private business venture. Public funds will transform NIZ developer and political benefactor J.B. Reilly from millionaire into billionaire. Those who dare complain about the inherent unfairness, like former Bethlehem Mayor John Callahan, are cut off at the knees when Reilly spends obscene sums of money to fund their political foes. They are supposed to just sit there and smile as Reilly poaches Lehigh Valley businesses. His latest poaching effort might very well be one of Bethlehem's most iconic businesses.

The Moravian Book Shop, located on Main Street across from the Historic Hotel Bethlehem, may just be the oldest continuously running book shops in the world. It's owned by The Moravian Church, and its profits help fund the pensions for retired Moravian clergy.In addition to the actual book store, there's a deli, candy store and a gift shop that sells the Moravian stars that are so popular at Christmas time.

Just about everyone who shops on Main Street makes a stop at that shop.

For weeks, I have heard rumors that J.B. Reilly had poached a major business on Bethlehem's Main Street. Because I had no idea which business it was, I decided against writing about it. But an anonymous comment on my blog today reports that Reilly has lured the Moravian Book Shop into the Allentown NIZ.

I called Bethlehem DCED Director Alicia Karner, who cryptically declined to comment on the matter. I also called Attorney Rick Santee, who is President of the Book Shop's Board of Directors. If he returns my call, I'll let you know.