Scene in Easton: A First Look at Maxim's 22

By Christina Georgiou

Maxim's 22 won't officially open until Saturday evening, but it was the place to be Tuesday evening, as the new bistro held a happy hour get-together with Lehigh Valley Style Magazine.

A couple hundred people showed up for the drinks-only event at Easton's newest restaurant, which will feature fine French cuisine, along with an extensive wine list and well-stocked  bar.

Sunday brunch, lunch and a "late night" menu will also be offered.

Located at 322 Northampton St., in the Pomeroy Building, the establishment is the first commercial enterprise to open in the newly renovated building, which also houses apartments on the second and third floors.

For more information, visit www.maxims22.com

Maxims 22 to Open on Saturday

By Christina Georgiou

Easton's newest restaurant will be a French-themed bistro and brasserie.

Maxim's 22 plans to open on Saturday, said co-owner Josh Palmer after being granted sign, lighting and awning approvals at a Historic District Commission meeting on Monday.

It will be the first business to open at the Pomeroy Building, located at 322 Northampton St., the structure was recently redeveloped into apartments upstairs, with commercial space on the first floor.

The public has the chance to get a sneak peek at the new restaurant this evening too, as Maxim's will hold a happy hour from 5 to 7 p.m. this evening for drinks only, Palmer said.

The rest of the week will be spent bringing staff up to speed with "mock service" training before the official full-scale opening on Saturday, Palmer said.

On the menu will be "authentic French cuisine", along with more traditional pub fare, such as burgers.

Hours, according to the restaurant's not-quite-completed website, will be Tuesday through Saturday, from 11:30 a.m. to 11:30 p.m., with Sunday brunch served from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

While the Historic District Commission approved Maxim's requests, the restaurant may still have to appear before the zoning hearing board next month to request a variance for sign lettering to appear on the Bank Street side of the building, said Cindy Cawley, head of the city's codes department.

Businesses are allowed one sign and that must be under 20 square feet. It was unclear Monday evening if

Maxim's lettering will exceed that limitation.

Additionally, the second "sign" on the east side of the structure will also likely need to be considered by the zoning hearing board as well at their November meeting.

"It's a zoning issue," Cawley said. "You're allowed one sign, and it needs to be limited to 20 square feet."

Palmer asked if there was some way the variance might be expedited, but Cawley said that isn't possible, given the deadline for agenda items for this month's meeting has already passed.

Commission members suggested the restaurant could put up the front signage and if approved, the lettering on the Bank Street side could be applied later.

"I need the dimensions of the letters," Cawley said, adding that if the building is considered to be a corner lot, the second sign might not need the variance, though one will still be necessary if the lettering totals more than the 20 square foot limit. "I still need to get (if it's a) corner lot figured out."

Maxim's 22's website can be viewed at www.maxims22.com

Pomeroy Gets Green Light for Second Building, Easton Home to

By Christina Georgiou

The second portion of the Pomeroy building redevelopment was given a unanimous nod of approval from the Easton Planning Commission Wednesday evening, and construction work on the back portion of the site is expected to begin in 30 to 45 days.

Developer Mark Mulligan said the 90 percent of the apartments in the front portion of the property have been already leased.

"So the demand in 60 days was great. It even surprised us," Mulligan said.

The second building will include 22 more apartments similar to those on Northampton Street, along with medical and professional offices with some already under agreementwith Easton Hospital, and a small personal training gym in the basement, along with resident storage. That building, which was formerly part of the Northampton Street structure, was detached as part of the redevelopment plan and faces Pine Street.

Mulligan said prices in the second phase of the project are likely to be more expensive.

"We're going to be raising prices," he said. "We have a waiting list of people that want to live in the tower."

The courtyard between what is now two buildings will likely have tables and chairs, but whether they are for residents or will be outdoor seating for a second restaurant on the site is yet to be determined.

Maxim's 22, a new restaurant being opened by the owners of Sette Luna on Ferry Street, has decided they will place their outdoor seating on Bank Street, Mulligan said.

"The configuration of the courtyard will be determined," he added.

Representatives of Easton Home also appeared before the board to discuss a planned expansion of their facilities to include independent living senior apartments. However, as some critical parts of the plan are not yet complete, including stormwater management details, the board didn't vote on the matter, though they said they have no problems with what has been presented so far.

"The project overall meets the criterion...but we're not there yet when it comes to details," said Planning Director Becky Bradley.

The senior living facility's expansion will include two new buildings near the corner of South 10th and Northampton streets, which will adjoin the current assisted living home. A total of 104 one- and two-bedroom apartments, intended for low- to moderate-income seniors age 55 and older, are planned for the site.

Representatives for Presbyterian Senior Living, who owns the facility, said they are seeking the preliminary approval vote to help them get a tax credit application approved, a critical part of the financing they're seeking. The deadline is in October.

The matter is expected to be revisited in September. If the plans cannot be approved by then, they hope to at least get a letter of support for the project's intent from the planning commission, representatives said, adding that municipal support for the project is crucial to their tax credit application being approved.