Easton Zoners Approve T-Shirt Business

Easton's Zoning Hearing Board has given a Bethehem couple the green light to open a t-shirt shop in the West Ward.

Valerie and Dean Piacentini want to open a business in a vacant storefront at 1210 Northampton Street, across from Paxinosa Elementary.

The couple say they'll provide screen-printing for t-shirts, and also provide a place where customers can airbrush pottery or clothing.

Dean Piacentini say it's this second aspect of their business that he and his wife hope to use to to "reach out to the children in the area." 

It's something they already do with Legacy Ministries on 12th Street, working with the city's Weed & Seed program and Paxinosa students.

"The kids would come in, they'd airbrush t-shirts, pottery and other things," Dean Piacentini said.

The business would operate six days a week -- they'll be closed Sundays -- from noon to maybe 8 or 9 p.m., Valerie Piacentini said.

"We want to catch the kids but we don’t want them to be out later than normal," she told the board.

Their proposal already has the backing of the city planning commission, and the zoners had no objections, other than mandating that the business -- which is in a partially residential neighborhood -- not open before 10 a.m.