Loose Threads Cuts Ties with Bethlehem, Relocates to Easton

Southside Bethlehem’s loss is Northampton Street’s gain.

Loose Threads Boutique has been styling the Lehigh Valley with designer brands, handmade jewelry, vintage clothing and accessories for the last six years. After helping Southside Bethlehem evolve into a local shopping destination, changes in the community prompted owner Laura Jasorka to relocate to 436 Northampton Street in Easton.

Jasorka originally wanted to open Loose Threads in Easton in 2009, but Helene Perrucci, her business partner and best friend, insisted Bethlehem was the best place for their fledgling business. Perrucci, a Lehigh University graduate, saw there was a huge demand in the area for a boutique that catered to college women.

“Bethlehem was 100 percent Helene’s idea, and she was right. We were able to build an awesome foundation together for the first three years,” Jasorka said.

2012 was an interesting year not only for Loose Threads, but for Southside Bethlehem as well. Perrucci chose to leave the business then and the Sands Casino opened up on the other side of town. When the Sands first opened, many local business owners were hopeful its presence would help the Southside grow. In Loose Threads’ case, however, the casino did more harm than good.

“The casino was dividing the Southside. [Combined] with the loss of a strong downtown Bethlehem presence, my last three years were a little rough,” Jasorka explained.

Fast-forward to Bethlehem, January 2015. A developer purchases several buildings on West 4th and New streets to demolish and replace with an apartment complex. The building that houses Loose Threads is squarely in the developer’s demolition crosshairs. Jasorka’s landlord changes the storefront’s rent from yearly to monthly. She decides it’s a good time to start looking to relocate.

Through a series of strange coincidences, Jasorka could finally fulfill her dream of opening up her boutique in Easton.

An Eastonian herself, Jasorka also tends bar downtown and is excited to become a bigger part of the community. “This place is my home. I’m most excited about bringing what I’ve been doing for the last six years to the place I love the most in the Valley! Being able to ride my bike to work isn’t so shabby, either!”

Aside from Jasorka’s personal passion for her hometown, the Easton Main Street Initiative was instrumental in helping her relocate. After utilizing the online storefront touring offered by EMSI, Jasorka quickly found her new space on Northampton Street. EMSI inspired her to contribute to their mission of “making Easton a destination.”

The last month has been exciting for Loose Threads, and May promises more of the same. On Friday, May 1, the boutique will host both its annual anniversary and a grand reopening party from 7-9 p.m. Jasorka has also just finalized her fashion orders for fall, and plans to debut some new designers in the Easton location.

The address may be new, but what hasn’t changed is Loose Threads’ commitment to serve college girls all across the Lehigh Valley. The store plans to maintain its practice of offering a 10 percent storewide discount to all her student customers. Jasorka is especially excited about now being able to accept student cards as a form of payment.

Loose Threads opened its doors to Easton on March 18. Now that the crew is all settled into its new space, don’t hesitate to check it out. Mention this blog and receive 15 percent off your next purchase!

“Easton just wasn’t ready for us six years ago,” Jasorka said. “I’m so happy they are now! It feels great to be home.”