2 weeks Ago
Eighteen-year-old Richy Castillo said he’s always had a passion for cutting hair and making people feel confident.Having just graduated from Parkland High School last year, he’s wasting no time pursuing that passion — he’s already gotten his barber license and will open his own Allentown barbershop this spring.Allentown Barber Studio will open by May at 2211 Mack Blvd.
, Suite 207, Castillo said.As the studio’s sole barber, he’ll offer haircuts for men and boys of any age, hair washes, facials, and servicing for beards and eyebrows.“As a kid growing up, I was the type to get a haircut every two weeks with my father,” Castillo said.
“Being young, I just learned a lot along the way of managing a business and building relationships with clients. I used to be a sneaker reseller. I worked at Subway, it was my first job.
And I just decided to take barbering more serious, and from there, everything went better for me as a business.”The barbershop will operate 10 a.m.
to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday and 9 a.
m. to 3 p.m.
Saturday. It only takes appointments, which can be made by calling 484-809-8907 or visiting his website.“I definitely know how it feels getting haircuts from other barbers and not liking it, so that’s why I also want to say I take appointments only just because I like to focus on the solo client and make sure I let them out with how they want to look at the end of the haircut,” Castillo said.
“So they feel confident.”Richy Castillo stands Wednesday, April, 16, 2025, in his business, Allentown Barber Studio, in Allentown. He plans to open next month.
(Amy Shortell/The Morning Call)Richy Castillo sits Wednesday, April, 16, 2025, in his business, Allentown Barber Studio, in Allentown. He plans to open next month. (Amy Shortell/The Morning Call)Richy Castillo stands Wednesday, April, 16, 2025, in his business, Allentown Barber Studio, in Allentown.
He plans to open next month. (Amy Shortell/The Morning Call)Richy Castillo stands Wednesday, April, 16, 2025, in his business, Allentown Barber Studio, in Allentown. He plans to open next month.
(Amy Shortell/The Morning Call)Richy Castillo stands Wednesday, April, 16, 2025, in his business, Allentown Barber Studio, in Allentown. He plans to open next month. (Amy Shortell/The Morning Call)Richy Castillo stands Wednesday, April, 16, 2025, in his business, Allentown Barber Studio, in Allentown.
He plans to open next month. (Amy Shortell/The Morning Call)Show Caption1 of 6Richy Castillo stands Wednesday, April, 16, 2025, in his business, Allentown Barber Studio, in Allentown. He plans to open next month.
(Amy Shortell/The Morning Call)ExpandLehigh Valley retail and restaurant news in briefCelebrity “MasterChef” winner Luca Manfè opened his new butcher shop and market Mangia Carne Friday at the Easton Public Market at 325 Northampton St., where it offers meats, imported Italian cheeses, sandwiches, lasagna, chicken parmesan, breads, tomato sauce and vegetables.The new Barley Creek Taproom will serve Pennsylvania-made beverages alongside flatbreads, soups, salads and burgers when it opens this summer at the Promenade Saucon Valley shopping center in Upper Saucon Township.
Just under two years after opening, FD Market will close its retail store at the Promenade May 18, the sustainable products store announced, while continuing its manufacturing and wholesale business. “We’ll be sharing more about our final weeks in the store soon. Until then, thank you for being part of this journey,” the store said on Instagram.
Spice Crust Pizzeria will host a grand opening 11 a.m. Thursday at 2910 Easton Ave.
, Unit 11, in Bethlehem Township, the restaurant announced. It will offer pizza types like “Mexican Taco Pizza” and “Halal Butter Chicken Pizza,” wings, pasta, sandwiches, wraps, takeout and home delivery.The caterer Clam Jam Boil & BBQ will open at Lost Tavern Brewing’s Bethlehem taproom in mid-July, Lost Tavern announced, operating Tuesday through Sunday.
Starting this Tuesday, Clam Jam will also host pop-up events through their opening at Lost Tavern. The menu will offer lobster rolls, fried shrimp, smoked brisket, pulled pork, gumbo soup, fries, pierogis and macaroni and cheese.Salvatore’s Pizzeria & Restaurant held its final day Saturday at 300 Town Center Blvd.
in Forks Township, the restaurant announced. “It is with heavy hearts that we say goodbye and thank you all for 49 GREAT YEARS!” it said on Facebook.In other newsBoth the Shankweiler’s Drive-In Theatre in North Whitehall Township and The Mahoning Drive-In Theater in Mahoning Township are competing for USA Today’s best drive-in movie theaters in the country.
Fans can vote daily through noon May 12, and USA Today will announce the 10 winners May 21.Billy’s Downtown Diner in Bethlehem and Easton will franchise throughout the country after partnering with the consulting firm Franchise Well, a news release announced.“Founders Billy and Yanna Kounoupis have an insatiable appetite for creativity and community, which has equipped them with the right approach to franchise their ‘Not Your Ordinary Diner,’” Franchise Well founder Ben Litalien said in the release.
“It’s an inspiring story. And now, the opportunity to bring Billy’s Downtown Diners to communities across the country through a regional developer franchise offer is an exciting step.”“We started Billy’s Downtown Diner because of our unwavering passion for the industry and our community,” Billy said in the release.
“Now, through Franchise Well, Dr. Litalien and his team are offering us an unparalleled franchising experience, giving us the confidence to craft an effective growth strategy for Billy’s Downtown Diner.”Retail Watch is a weekly column covering retail and restaurant news in the Lehigh Valley.
Have a question, tip, or want to see something in the area? Contact retail reporter Graysen Golter at [email protected]..
