Progress

February 21, 2009

Believing in Wilkes-Barre, mayor’s wife to open downtown store

Patty Leighton’s Bee Hive gift shop to open in Midtown Village in former Gallery of Sound storefront.

By Bill O'Boyle boboyle@timesleader.com
Times Leader Staff Writer
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WILKES-BARRE – One person with every reason to believe the downtown is experiencing a comeback will open a business in the Midtown Village in March.

Patty Leighton, wife of Mayor Tom Leighton – the man who coined the rallying slogan “I Believe” – will open a gift shop called The Bee Hive in the former site of Joe Nardone’s Gallery of Sound. The shop will sell collectibles, stationery, greeting cards, small furniture, candles and other items, Patty Leighton said.

“I’ve wanted to do this for about 10 years,” she said.

Leighton said she gained valuable experience working in gift shops at Geisinger Hospital in Wilkes-Barre. She said there will be one other full-time employee and three part-timers.

“I feel there has been such a void downtown,” Leighton said. “There is so much momentum in downtown Wilkes-Barre. The Bee Hive looks forward to joining the other businesses that have contributed to the success of the downtown.”

Mayor Leighton said he was pleased his wife is fulfilling her dream.

“I’m very excited for her and for the city,” he said. “The city continues to attract new businesses, and eventually I hope all our storefronts are filled.”

Todd Vonderheid, president/CEO of the Greater Wilkes-Barre Chamber of Business and Industry, called the store “the first new investment in what will be a restored and thriving niche retail center in downtown.”

He said, “It is even more exciting and noteworthy that this commitment and investment is being made by Patty Leighton – the first lady of Wilkes-Barre -- and also someone with years of retail experience and a passion for this project.”

Vonderheid said The Bee Hive will benefit from the “14,000 daily workers, the over 10,000 weekly movie-goers and thousands of downtown patrons” of the restaurants and established retailers.

Frank Pasquini, president of the Downtown Wilkes-Barre Business Association, said the new business venture is welcome news to a resurgent downtown.

“This is a real positive in that it not only contributes to a well-rounded downtown environment mix, it also demonstrates substantially that the Leighton family is willing to commit their own resources toward the revitalization of our downtown,” Pasquini said. “It certainly personalizes their contribution to the ‘I Believe!’ campaign.”

The Bee Hive will be open Monday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. and on Saturdays 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. A grand opening will be held in the coming weeks.

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