FOCUS ON READING REVITALIZATION Downtown Reading: Historic Foundations, New Beginnings By Aaron Gantz, Executive Director of Downtown Revitalization, GRCA The vision for downtown Reading: a place where people want to live, work, and play. A place where busi - nesses and entrepreneurs thrive and invest. Reading is steeped in history: from an industrial past to a railroad

hub to a shopping destination. Read - That’s why the Greater Reading • Attract and retain quality investment in down - • $30+ million at Reading Area Community ing’s future, however, is something Chamber Alliance, along with the City of town Reading; College – one of the anchor institutions in downtown Reading at 2nd and Penn Streets Reading, the Berks Alliance, and the Berks • Cultivate an environment where businesses and we want to actively shape: a vibrant, • $36+ million in “Entertainment Square” com - County Community Foundation are entrepreneurs thrive in downtown Reading; diverse urban center that provides prised of the Goggleworks Center for the Arts, leading efforts to revitalize downtown. • Foster a positive perception of downtown Here’s where GRCA is focusing efforts: Goggleworks Apartments, and the IMAX outstanding nightlife and dining, Reading with the city viewed as a unique and • Encourage and facilitate economic development movie theater attractive place for business, entertainment, easy access to trails, and a thriving to strengthen the downtown Reading commer - • $50+ million in the and San - business community. cial core and the surrounding neighborhoods; and living. tander Performing Arts Center – anchor the commercial corridor on Penn Street While we work collectivity to address • $60 million for the DoubleTree by Hilton – a top both challenges and opportunities in the performing DoubleTree in the nation downtown area, it is important to highlight Currently, projects underway in down - key assets and accomplishments. town Reading are estimated between $10 • Arts and entertainment continue to be a vital and 20 million in total investment upon draw bringing people into downtown Reading completion in the next 1-3 years. In addi - with various performance venues, art centers, tion, there are mixed-use, residential, retail, and art galleries and office redevelopment opportunities - • Over the last two decades downtown Reading 35 properties to be exact. These properties are actively being marketed to the invest - has welcomed over $251+ million in investment ment and the development community in key projects including: locally, regionally, and beyond.

ROUTE 422 BUSINESS ADVISOR 422business.com and 422bizmag.com 10 JANUARY 2019 ket transactions increased by 13% from 2017. A Measurable Vision What to The market team is preparing for a bigger Success of this revitalization effort will and better season in 2019 which kicks-off on Expect in 2019 be measured with a few quantitative and June 6! Marketing Available qualitative indicators. From tracking retail Downtown Properties Downtown Concerts development, to taking a hard look at GRCA is using its online property data - In 2018, we saw the Downtown Alive downtown housing indicators, to down - base, GreaterReadingSites.com, to provide concert series attract thousands of people town design indicators, there are many a special focus on marketing those proper - to the downtown area. Funded by the pieces that must move together to create a ties that offer available space in downtown Berks County Community Foundation, the successful downtown. Reading. Businesses and entrepreneurs can summer concert series was produced and The time is now to create the Reading we access information so that they can explore executed by the Reading Downtown Im - wish to work, live, and play in. The work— becoming part of the business fabric of the provement District. This summer we can and the opportunity—is ahead. downtown. This past summer, in partner - expect to see more of the same in terms of ship with the Reading-Berks Commercial attendance and the caliber of artists who Check us out: Downtown Industrial Council, we hosted a downtown bring their sounds to our downtown area. Reading Facebook page walking tour, bringing realtors and brokers Streetscape & @downtownReading and into the downtown to see firsthand what is Façade Improvements available for their business clients. We are Downtown Reading Instagram planning to replicate this model on a smaller You may not know that downtown @downtownReading scale in 2019 offering several, more intimate Reading’s walkability score is 94/100, mak - In 2018 six downtown Reading property walking tour starting in the late spring ing it a “Walker’s Paradise,” according to owners took advantage of nearly $50,000 through the fall. walkscore.com. Downtown Reading is also total of facade improvement funding made Penn Street Market home to several iconic Harry Bertoia sculp - possible by the Berks Alliance. Because this tures: “Untitled” and “Island Moss” are in was a matching grant program, it is esti - One of the events in 2018 that brought to - the 600 block of Penn Street; “Tulip” is at the mated that over $150,000 in investment was gether downtown workers and residents Miller Center for the Arts, 4 N. Second St., made collectively. Matching funds will be seeking the convenience of obtaining fresh near Reading Area Community College. available in 2019 to downtown Reading and locally grown food items was the Penn Coupled with some truly one-of-a-kind his - Street Market. And from June 7 to September torical architecture, the streetscape is a hid - properties via the GRCA. 27 these groups had easy access to locally den gem. As part of the strategic plan, there These very visible improvements and in - grown fresh fruits and vegetables, lunchtime has been special focus on the physical envi - vestments help ensure that downtown offerings, nutrition education, and entertain - ronment and greening of Penn Street with Reading provides the vibrant, clean, safe ment in the 400 block of Penn Street every plant scape plans and identifying buildings and desirable downtown streetscape where Thursday from 10 AM to 2 PM. In 2018, mar - for facade improvement investment. people want to be. (Continued on page 12 )

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(Continued from page 11 ) Judy’s on Cherry Reading native, Judy Henry, is the chef- owner of Judy’s on Cherry, located in downtown Reading. Henry is a single woman restauranteur who has dedicated her entire life to participating in Reading’s future and contributing to the vibrancy of Reading. She is a visionary who fired oven turns out everything from understood early on that downtown was freshly baked focaccia bread to crispy, the place where young upwardly-mobile gourmet pizzas, pastas and tapas-like professionals would want to live and small plates. experience an urban lifestyle. Henry also owns and operates a sister Judy’s on Cherry is a beautifully restaurant and pub, the Speckled Hen, renovated, Mediterranean-inspired fine located next door in an authentically dining restaurant in the heart of restored 18th century log house. Before Judy’s on Cherry downtown Reading. At Judy’s you’ll bask opening her own restaurants, Henry had in the warm glow of vaulted wooden made a name for herself with innovative ceilings, gorgeous appointments and cooking at The Peanut Bar and Restaurant, hopes “her unique restaurant gives people Mi Casa Su Casa is Spanish for “my relaxed, comfortable service. Judy’s hearth another local area landmark. Judy says she a reason to come back to downtown. She house is your house,” providing a home offers a one of a kind urban fine dining away from home type of ambiance & experience that the ‘burbs simply don’t environment. We are located in downtown have.” Reading, on Penn Street just off the Rt.422 Judy’s on Cherry is located at 30 South exit, two blocks from the bridge. Parking is 4th Street, Reading, PA 19602. If using GPS, provided in the rear. please be aware of it taking you to West (Continued on page 14 ) Reading. Map Quest in particular will direct you to the Penn Avenue (19611) exit from route 422. Please be aware there is a 4th and Cherry Street address in West Reading and many of our new guests mistakenly end up there. $1 parking is available across the street 11:30 am - 5:00 pm. Free parking across the street after 5:00 pm. Please call 610.374.8511 for reservations, and visit: www.judysoncherry.com. Mi Casa Su Casa Mi Casa Su Casa Cafe / Restaurant, located at 320 Penn Street in downtown Reading, is a Dominican Breakfast and Brunch restaurant specializing in cafe, comida Latino Americana, comfort, community, conversation and creative arts. Mi Casa Su Casa is a family business that treats all customers like family and provides them with a home-away-from- home dining experience.

Cuban Sandwich

ROUTE 422 BUSINESS ADVISOR 422business.com and 422bizmag.com 12 JANUARY 2019 SHUMAN DEVELOPMENT GROUP

Shuman Development Group (SDG), Reading’s premier commercial real estate development company, was founded in 1994 by husband and wife team Alan and Marina Shuman. After years of experi - ence doing one-off projects (and honing real estate development skills) restoring historical, multi-unit residential proper - ties and smaller-scale commercial sites, This long-term project proved that a SDG switched its focus to long-term grand plan, with persistent and steady neighborhood rebuilding. efforts towards its completion, can turn This turning point came about in 2006 around even the most deteriorated with SDG’s acquisition of the former neighborhood. Now, SDG is focused on Reading Outlet Center (ROC) buildings. Reading’s Central Business District (the This set of ten buildings (comprising over downtown) with its renovation of the 640,000 square feet of space and covering former Exide Battery Building (located six city blocks) was vacant and deteriorat - caddy-corner from the Santander ing — essentially a ghost town, even Arena) and the M&T Bank Building though it was the commercial heart of (located at 5th and Washington Streets). Northeast Reading. Further, in May of 2018 the occupancy Over the next ten years — building by permit was issued for the historic building — SDG followed its neighbor - Abraham Lincoln, which SDG had hood revitalization plan. Originally the renovated and converted from a plan called for some parks, green space, struggling hotel into 97 upscale additional off-street parking, and a new apartments with associated parking, retail, and event space on the lower playground. However, while the County floors. This site is now bustling as well was on-board with working together to and has proved there is a huge demand make this happen, the various City for nice residential units in downtown administrations countered that their Reading: SDG had over 500 applicants resources were needed elsewhere and for the 97 units within the first six would not be used in any way for this weeks. neighborhood. Still not diminished and ever-persistent, SDG forged ahead and … But there’s more! SDG has several by 2016 had renovated nine of the other projects that it hopes to announce in Downtown Reading in the next year and, existing ROC buildings, with a total while there is still much work to do, has a investment of over $40 million. plan to revitalize this area following its The neighborhood now also boasts one tried and proven strategy of long-term, of the finest apartment complexes in the consistent, and focused neighborhood area — Big Mill Apartments (located in revitalization. the former Nolde and Horst Shoe factory) — now with 69 huge, two-bedroom/two bath apartments. They feature all the modern conveniences while maintaining For additional information, their historical charm, like all exposed heavy timber beams and huge windows please call 610.736.9393 and with views of the Pagoda and the Reading City’s skyline. visit: www.InvestinReading.com.

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(Continued from page 12 )

The Guy Behind EDI Support LLC My name is Jim Gonzalez, a One problem that I enjoy solving for my 20-year EDI veteran. I am clients is helping them to become more from the Reading PA and self-sufficient. Client’s would say I am all Berks County area. I graduat - about improving their business processes Hours of operation are Monday – (9 AM to 7 PM) and Saturday (9 AM to ed from Berks Technical and making EDI profitable again. I am Saturday from 7:00 AM to 4:00 PM. 4 PM). Institute in 1998 with an passionate about being the client’s Mi Casa Su Casa also serves Dinner Catering Available Upon Request and Associate’s Degree in AS/400 program - advocate when it comes to dealing with Buffet every Thursday at Caliente’s Night Extended Hours Available Upon Request ming. I was then hired by Kissinger software companies, EDI Trading at the Crowne Plaza Hotel, 1741 Papermill for Parties of 10 or More by Reservation Associates as a programmer in January of Partners, and other organizations they Rd, Reading, PA, 19610. Food is served Only. 1998 to work on MAS90/MAS200. need help with navigating. I know I have done my job well when I see clients from 6 PM to 9 PM. For additional information, please call Six months into the position I was asked growing and are profitable. Mi Casa Su Casa also can be found at 610.375.1161; email: Johannycepeda@ to move to Technical Support to learn EDI Shillington Farmers Market, 10 S Summit gmail.com; and visit: www.micasasucasa as well as other formats for inte - On a personal note, fam - Ave, Reading, on Thursday and Friday cafe.com. gration. That was when I got a ily and friends are impor - real EDI education — learning tant to me. In my spare how to handle client EDI sup - time, you can find me either port, onsite installation of EDI wedding planning (my software, and how to run for - own), learning, reading, mal EDI training classes and manage sup - watching sports or spending time with my port staff as well as consultants. dogs. I love to laugh and have a good time I consider myself to be well versed in all with good people. I grew up in Reading aspects of EDI, and what it takes to support and still live in Berks County. Although an organization. I also have extensive ex - I have traveled all over the country, I would perience in Sage ERP products. I would never call anywhere else home. I volunteer consider myself an established professional with the Children’s Home of Reading and in this industry. I work with clients to offer also support the local Animal Rescue support for daily processing, bringing on League. When asked how I want to be re - new integrations and planning towards the membered, I say, “I want to be remem - future of where to take their organization. bered as a great Dad, loving family member I have a knack for learning the deficiencies and friend. I want people to think of me as in any company I work with and turning working side by side with them. Your name those deficiencies into areas of success. is the only thing you can take with you.”

ROUTE 422 BUSINESS ADVISOR 422business.com and 422bizmag.com 14 JANUARY 2019 Reading Hospital Tower Health Reading Hospital has been the center - to their existing location in West Reading in piece of healthcare in the Greater Reading 1926, the hospital has also been an and Berks County region for 150 years, first important part of our economy and opening their doors to patients on January community. Now under the leadership of 27, 1868, as the Reading Dispensary located newly named President and CEO Bill at 618 Court Street. Little did they know, it Jennings, Reading Hospital and Tower would become the nationally recognized, Health are taking healthcare to new flagship hospital of Tower Health, an heights by empowering YOU – the people award-winning, integrated health system of Berks County and beyond – to live your serving southeastern . A healthiest lives. century and a half later, Reading Hospital is still providing advanced, comprehen - sive, and compassionate care to improve the health and wellness of our community. Beyond what happens within their walls, which eventually moved from Court Street

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