Easton Zoners Approve South Side Store

Easton's Zoning Hearing Board has given the greenlight to a Bethlehem man who wants to open a convenience store on the city's South Side.

Kumash Patel says he plans to operate a corner store out of 329-331 Folk St., inside what was known for years as Lucy's.

Patel says he plans to sell snacks, household products and -- possibly -- food.

"Depending on the demand we can expand into hot food for the neighborhood," Patel said. 

The board had no objections, but stressed that Patel could only serve take-out food, and turn the store into a place where people could sit and eat.

Neighbors Penny and Donald Border had concerns about the store's arrival.

"My concern isn't who is buying the store, but who is going to frequent it," Penny Border said.

She said that Lucy's had been robbed when it was open, and worried Patel's store would attract a criminal element.

The property was also in 2009. 

Also Monday, the board gave a North Whitehall woman permission to move her insurance office from one part of the South Side to another.

Shakira Figueroa had been running her office on West St. Joseph St. 

Last month, some men got involved in a scuffle near the office, she said. One of them had a gun.

"It was actually unsafe for us to be there," Figueroa said.

She said she feels better at her new location at 161 B. West Berwick St., calling it a visible location in a better neighborhood.

In other business, the board tabled a request from a West Ward man who wanted to set up his own corner store on the South Side.

Pedro Lebron wants to open a grocery store at 501 W. Berwick St. But since he didn't put up placard from the city -- as required by law -- the board couldn't hear his case. They'll do so next month, assuming Lebron puts the notice on the property.