Spotlight

By Sara Hodon

Digital Future Now
45 Warwick Street  I  Bethlehem, PA
610-866-9961  I digitalfuturenow.com

Commercial customers looking to upgrade their existing technology and residential customers looking to complete their home entertainment systems can find everything they need through Digital Future Now.

For nearly two decades, Digital Future Now has specialized in satellite systems for providers like Dish Network and DirecTV, but has expanded its offerings to include sales and installation of flat-screen televisions, security systems, satellite radio and home entertainment systems. Recent commercial projects have included SmartBoard installation at local schools, TV feeds for sporting events at clubhouses and sports bars, and video surveillance equipment.

With technology changing at such a rapid pace and so many options available to businesses and individuals, it can be hard to determine what system best meets your needs, but Digital Future Now’s team of professionals can help you make informed buying and installing decisions every step of the way. Their expert installers maintain a business philosophy focused on personalized service, quality, and customer satisfaction. While the core of their business remains in the Lehigh Valley, Digital Future Now also services customers in the Poconos, parts of Bucks and Berks counties and areas of New Jersey.

Evolve Salon
Promenade Shops  I  Center Valley, PA
610-791-7700  I  evolvesalonspa.com

Escape from the stress and pressure of the daily grind at Evolve Salon and Spa, where you can choose from a full line of treatments and leave relaxed, refreshed and rejuvenated.

Evolve – an Aveda Lifestyle Salon – offers everything from hair cuts and color to a variety of massages, facials, manicures, and pedicures. Part of the goal of the Evolve team is to create a mini-getaway for its customers, even for a few hours, explains owner Alan Robell. “Many of our customers come for relaxation. This summer we created a mini-escape ‘spa vacation,’ because people can’t always get away for an out-of-town vacation. Some just come for a cut or color, or stay for a full day of services that includes lunch. We try to make every customer experience as welcoming and relaxing as possible. We have a nice, friendly, fun environment, and we’re all about building relationships with our customers,” Robell says. “We look forward to seeing them and they look forward to seeing us.” Evolve also features an Aveda retail store adjacent to, but separate from, the salon.

Giving back is also a big part of Evolve’s business philosophy. Every April they participate in Aveda’s Earth Month initiative and Hope Month every October, where a portion of the proceeds from haircuts go toward the City of Hope charity. They have also participated in the AIDS Activities Office of Lehigh Valley Health Network’s BlackOUT event.

BOUTIQUETOGO
522 N. 19th Street  I  Allentown, PA
610-437-1663 I boutiquetogo.com

BOUTIQUETOGO has everything you need to add some extra glam to that special outfit. With a variety of accessories ranging from jackets and scarves to handbags and jewelry, you can find just the right item to make a statement, whether you’re headed to a formal holiday event or casual get-together.

Owner Elena Pascale says customers can expect total personalized service when they shop at BOUTIQUETOGO. “We want our customers to have a lot of fun when they come in here,” she says, adding that many of her regular clients have become close friends. “We offer one-on-one service, and everything is geared to the customer. We’ll get one of a particular item, and they love it because they know no one else is wearing it.”

Education is also an important part of Pascale’s business philosophy. “We try to educate our customers about the designers and what they’re wearing, but also about other topics,” she explains. Every month, the store holds a Luncheon Table Talk event featuring a speaker discussing topics of interest to women. “We’ve had everything from laser hair removal to table designs for the holidays,” Pascale says.

“We provide a catered lunch and the speaker comes in—it’s usually about a two hour event.” Pascale also supports a number of local organizations. This fall, BOUTIQUETOGO launched a special “Think Pink” bracelet designed by HEET exclusively for the store, with $20 from each bracelet sold going to the American Cancer Society. “We wanted to do something special for the community,” she says.

Baked
228 Main Street  I  Emmaus, PA
610-966-6100 I bakedinemmaus.com

If you’re looking for something to satisfy your sweet tooth but don’t want to sabotage your diet, stop in at Baked and treat yourself without the guilt.

A combination bakery/cafe, Baked’s menu includes a full line of baked goods—from cookies and muffins to scones and tarts—and one-of-a-kind salads, sandwiches, and an assortment of beverages. Owner Adam Stemp says he works hard at creating recipes for items that can’t be found anywhere else, and are healthier than the standard gooey, calorie-filled confections found in most bakeries. Signature items include baked granola, savory tarts, which resemble a quiche, and good-for-you items like vegan energy bars, agave almond power bars and gluten-free cookies.

Using fresh ingredients to create healthy, flavorful items is one of Stemp’s primary goals. All of the bread is homemade, the vegetables on the sandwiches and salads come from a garden on the premises, and Stemp emphasizes that he uses organic flour and sugar in his baked goods. “I try to use as many organic ingredients as I can,” he explains, which also means buying local. Stemp frequents farmers’ markets and organic farms whenever possible.

But for those still worried about your waistline, Stemp says, “The key is just to have everything in moderation. I try to take the best ingredients I can and make things that taste good.”

Fred J. Moyer Plumbing
224 N. 10th Street  I  Allentown, PA
610-432-6629 I fredjmoyer.com

“Loyalty, longevity, and locality” could be the motto for Fred J. Moyer Plumbing. The family-owned business has been serving customers in the Lehigh Valley from the same location on 10th Street in Allentown since 1910.

The business was started by current owner Fred J. Moyer’s father and taken over by Moyer in 1963 after the elder Moyer passed away. Today, the business is run by the next generation—Moyer technically retired in 2002 but still handles some of the commercial estimating. His sons, Fred III and Darren work with the majority of the estimating and actual plumbing work and daughter Melissa runs the office.

Fred J. Moyer Plumbing provides service work, repairs, and remodeling to residential, commercial, and industrial customers. While they don’t do installations, their services include new construction projects and commercial work to churches and restaurants, and sewer and drain cleaning, gas connection, and water softening, among other services to residential customers. They pride themselves on prompt, honest service and knowledgeable technicians. “We don’t upcharge or trip charges,” Moyer says. “We do some flat rate pricing so people know ahead of time what the job will cost.” Much of the company’s business has come from word-of-mouth advertising by satisfied customers.

East Stroudsburg University—Lehigh Valley Center
60 W. Broad Street  I  Bethlehem, PA
570-422-2859
I esu.edu

Adult learners looking to advance in an existing career or try something different have another option in local higher education offerings with East Stroudsburg University’s Lehigh Valley Center in Bethlehem.

The Center, which celebrated its grand opening in August and welcomed its first class in October, currently offers two undergraduate Bachelor of Science (B.S.) degree completion programs—Public Health, and Computer Security. “In spring 2013 we hope to roll out another undergraduate degree in hotel/restaurant/tourism management, and a graduate degree in reading with reading specialist certification,” says Jennifer Serowick, Director of Extended Learning at the LV Center.

The LV Center will help to strengthen the presence ESU has had in the area for some time. “Our ultimate goal is to extend a public university to the metropolitan area in the Lehigh Valley and attract the students we don’t normally attract to campus—the non-traditional working adult,” Serowick explains. Courses are offered in the evenings and weekends to accommodate students’ busy schedules; its meeting spaces are available for rental by outside organizations during the day.

The Center consists of 10,000 square feet over two floors. The bottom floor contains a student lounge with wireless access, two small conference rooms, and a vending area. The second floor contains three classrooms and a faculty office area where they can meet privately with students. Admissions, financial aid and student advising are also available on-site.

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