Revitalized 19th Century Building Gets Plaque Denoting History

By Christina Georgiou


A bronze plaque was recently added to the front of the
"Pomeroy Building" noting its long history as the
former William Laubach & Sons Department Store.

It may be known as the "Pomeroy" Building now, but for the majority of its more than 150 years, the newly rehabilitated building at 322-326 Northampton St. housed the Laubach and Sons  Department Store.

The Laubach name is what the building really should be known for, said Easton Mayor Sal Panto on Tuesday afternoon, after a short dedication of a bronze plaque now affixed to the building's front denoting its history.

"It really shouldn't be known as Pomeroy's," he said. "That was just the sign that was left after 37 years of decay."

Tim Laubach, son of the store’s former owner Michael Laubach, was on hand for the plaque's dedication.

Panto said more buildings in Easton's historic Downtown district, which includes the area from the Delaware River to Sixth Street between the Lehigh River and the Bushkill Creek, may also get similar markers denoting their history in the future.

The former department store space has now been converted into a mixed-use building, with 22 apartments  on the second and third floors facing Northampton Street. Restaurants Maxim's 22 and the soon-to-open Cheeburger Cheeburger are on the first floor. Another 24 apartments, offices and a health center run by Easton Hospital occupy the rear portion of the building along Pine Street.

A center portion of the building was removed, and the open space forms a courtyard in the middle.


A postcard image of the Laubach Department store in its heyday, circa 1905.