Lansdale revitalization consultant announces at least 5 new businesses coming to Lansdale

Tony Di Domizio | North Penn Now•

At least five new businesses are poised to open over the next few months in Lansdale Borough, announced revitalization and economic development consultant Stephen Barth at the Lansdale Borough Economic Development Committee meeting Monday night.

In an update to the Committee, Barth said 2024 thus far will see new businesses open on or relocate to Madison Street or Broad Street.

Of the businesses previewed: A gluten-free bakery and candy shop on Madison Street, a relocation of Soliel Luna Hair Salon to Madison Street, a new karate studio opening on Madison, Allure Salon Group opening a huge salon complex in The Pavilion Shopping Center behind Grocery Outlet, and an exotic spice store opening on Broad Street.

Barth said Allure Salon Group has renovated a 6,000-square-foot co-op space that will house and manage 23 individual salons under one roof.

In addition, a new specialty grocery store is set to open at the old The Rock Den location, just a few doors down where the new Roma’s Pizzatook over El Tapatio, which recently expanded its outdoor sidewalk dining space too.

El Tapatio combined with their family’s Rio Dulce Mexican Restaurantfarther down Main Street toward Cannon Avenue.

He also touched on a few businesses who recently opened doors in Lansdale, including The She Powered Design Studio, a women’s clothing boutique located in Dresher Arcade that features name-brand and designer fashion.

A Formula 1 race car simulation venue is also interested in opening on Main Street, he said.

Main Street Pizza, he said, is under new ownership and is working to secure a brewing license for the location.

Barth owns Barth Consulting Group in Doylestown and deals in downtown revitalization, funding and tax credits, real estate development, public engagement, small business consulting, and grants and funding, according to its website.

According to the Barth website, there has not been any grant awards given to Lansdale since Barth came on board in Lansdale two years ago. It has aided numerous other boroughs with grant awards, including Silverdale, Perkasie, Collegeville, Hatboro, and New Britain.

Barth acts as a liaison between tenants and landlords in the business district, visits and queries with business owners around town as a sort of Main Street manager, and helps revive current businesses and attract new ones, according to The Reporter.

His consulting firm was hired by council in March 2022, according to The Reporter, as a way for the borough to revitalize its downtown and anywhere else that Barth chooses to help in revitalization. Talks about a Main Street manager were held back in 2011, per The Reporter, revisited in 2016, and finally Barth came on board in 2022. In the beginning of his contract, Barth was given a three-month trial at a $15,000 upfront cost. Eventually, that contract was extended with Barth.

After his three-month contract was up, Barth told council that their "investment” in downtown was "paying in dividends.” In that three-month timeframe, Barth directed public works to trim back branches to make storefronts visible, thus inspiring people to improve their facades.

As of Monday, Barth told the committee that he was successful in getting Lansdale marketed on the "I SEPTA Philly” campaign. He still has visions to improve directional perpendicular tavern signage in town and direct people to parking.

His company has also funneled Lansdale Borough restaurants and event information through the Valley Forge Tourism website, which has a reach on average of two million visitors.

Stay tuned for further information and updates on business development in Lansdale.

Tony Di Domizio is a member of the Economic Development Committee in Lansdale, appointed in December 2023.