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