Business(es) of the Week: Lower Nazareth Commons Plaza

It may be a tough economy for business owners these days. However, experts must be baffled as businesses in Lower Nazareth Township continue to pop up like wildflowers.

In the past, we’ve featured many of the businesses housed in the Lower Nazareth Commons Plaza -- a plaza that is only 2 years old -- like , ,  and

But this week, we're doing things a little bit differently -- shining a spotlight on a trio of adjacent businesses at the plaza at 3770 Dryland Way, just off Route 248.

1. Highmark Direct is a health insurance retail store. Part of a chain headquartered in Pittsburgh, the Lower Nazareth store opened exactly one month ago on June 18.

Highmark Direct sells insurance plans to individuals, families and groups in addition to Medicare for seniors -- and more.

The best thing about shopping for insurance at a store, according to manager Matt Hadzick, is that customers are welcomed into a relaxed, face-to-face environment.

“We’re all non-commission agents, so it takes away the stress of the sale,” Hadzick said, adding that there's never any high-anxiety phone conversations and customers are never put on hold.

Highmark Direct can be found next to Zoup! and is open Monday through Saturday, 10am to 7pm, and is closed Sunday.

2.  is a professional eye-care center owned and operated by Dr. Steven Demko, O.D.

Demko, who has been practicing optometry for 20 years, isn’t your average optometrist, according to Maddie Timonte, Visionnaires' chief executive officer. He can treat any and all eye diseases, and the equipment at Visionnaires goes above and beyond what you’d normally find at an office outside of a hospital, she said.

Visionnaires also features a showroom of chic and fashionable eyewear from Italian and New York designers, in addition to exclusive frame lines. The store's motto is, “Love yourself in glasses, guaranteed.”

“The hardest thing is finding a pair you like,” Timonte said. “We pride ourselves on making everyone feel good in glasses.”

Visionnaires is next to Liberty Travel and Poppy Lane Photography. Hours of operation are Monday, 10am to 8pm; Tuesday through Thursday, 9am to 5pm; Friday and Saturday, 11am to 5pm, and closed Sunday.

Visionnaires accepts most vision insurance plans.

3. Liberty Travel is a full-service travel agency located between Highmark Direct and Visionnaires. The nationwide chain has been around for nearly 60 years.

As a "full-service” travel agency, the company provides personalized attention for all travel needs, whether it be a cruise, a family trip, a honeymoon, a European tour… you name it, Liberty Travel's employees will ensure you make it to your destination.

“We [provide] customer service before, during and after the vacation,” according to Becky Adamson, a vacation expert at the local Liberty Travel. “We know what hotels are getting good feedback. We’ve experienced them all.”

The agency is open Monday, 10am to 8pm; Tuesday through Friday, 10am to 6pm; Saturday and Sunday, 10am to 5pm.