ALLENTOWN, Pa. — Santo Napoli noted that good things take time.
Napoli, an Allentown City Council member and business owner, upon receiving an award addressed the 130 attendees Thursday at the Allentown Chamber of Commerce annual awards reception at the Renaissance Allentown Hotel.
Napoli got the Good Neighbor Award in recognition of his two men’s and women’s clothing stores — assembly88 and assembly88 For Her.
But Napoli looked back — back when he opened his first clothing store in 1999.
“It took a while, but things got better,” he said.
Napoli’s words also could describe Allentown’s continued growth.
“Things have changed in Allentown,” he said. “But what has not changed is my passion for the city.”
Tony Iannelli, chief executive officer of the Greater Lehigh Valley Chamber of Commerce, opened the event celebrating the business honorees for their long commitment to the city’s continued growth.
Honored were four Allentown businesses in their respective categories:
- New Commitment: DaVinci Science Center.
- Good Neighbor: assembly88/assembly88 For Her.
- Downtown Commitment: Allentown Art Museum.
- Dedication: Civic Theatre of Allentown (19th Street Theatre).
Businesses were nominated for the awards. Winners were selected by the Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors.
Students honored
Also honored were four senior class students from Allentown high schools, who got $1,000 scholarships from the Linda M. Anthony Scholarship Fund.
Qualifying recipients must be in good standing at their school and rank in the top 10% academically in their graduating class.
The scholarship winners, presented by Lourdes Sanchez, director of student services in the Allentown School District, are:
- Kaysiana Yeager, Central Catholic, couldn’t attend because of her high school’s graduation, but sent a video thanking the chamber for her scholarship.
- Diego Perez, Allen, said, “I note the power and strength immigrants have in Allentown."
- Selena Samaan, Building 21, said, “This scholarship represents not only my recognition of hard work, but a new chapter in my life. This is an opportunity to pursue our dreams. I’m filled with gratitude and excitement and will do positive things in my community.”
- Maryana Memari, Dieruff, said, “This scholarship not only helps me pursue my dreams, but also a validation of my potential.”
Da Vinci Center
The Da Vinci Science Center at PPL Pavilion was called a glimmering jewel of Downtown Allentown.
The new world-class science center at 815 W. Hamilton St. opened last week to rave reviews. The 67,000-square-foot facility features more than 30,000 square feet of exhibit space designed to interest visitors of all ages.
"We are thrilled to be in Allentown."Lin Erickson, CEO, da Vinci Science Center
More than 50 interactive exhibits are showcased in four main galleries: Curiosity Hall, Science in the Making, Lehigh Valley Health Network My Body and Lehigh River Watershed.
The lower level of the new science center is home to the da Vinci STEAM Learning Center, the incubator for on-site and community-based STEAM programming — the integration of the Arts with Science, Technology, Engineering and Math.
Vicki Doule, vice president of distribution channels and Lehigh Valley Executive of Capital Blue Cross, said the Da Vinci Science Center is committed to bringing science to life.
“Their being in Allentown is a testament to bringing continued life to the city,” Doule said.
In accepting the award, da Vinci CEO Lin Erickson credited its talented team for its success.
“We are thrilled to be in Downtown Allentown,” Erickson said.
assembly88
Owned and operated by Napoli, assembly88 is a men’s clothing, footwear and accessories store at 544 Hamilton Blvd. that opened in 2014.
Next door is assembly88 For Her, a fashion boutique that opened last year.
Both assembly88 stores offer clothing that is comfortable, sophisticated and versatile, Allentown Chamber Chairwoman Katie Brown said.
A benefit to customers of either store is an interior connection that eliminates leaving one store to access the other.
“Really a privilege to be here tonight,” Napoli said.
“I have to thank the Allentown Chamber, which is pivotal in the community. Also the Allentown Business Alliance and the Greater Lehigh Valley Chamber. They’re appreciated by a lot of us.”
Allentown Art Museum
Celebrating its 90th year, Allentown Art Museum at 31 N. 5th St. is a vibrant cultural center with a world-class collection, programs for visitors of all ages and a distinctive museum store.
The museum serves more than 60,000 participants annually with free admission, with a large percentage being children through in-school programs.
The museum's collection of about 17,000 works of art offers the Lehigh Valley community the opportunity to experience nearly 2,000 years of cultural heritage in an accessible and visitor-friendly environment.
The permanent collection includes European Renaissance and Baroque paintings, including a Rembrandt.
Others include American paintings and sculpture from the past three centuries, Southeast Asian sculpture, international textiles, decorative arts and a library designed by Frank Lloyd Wright.
“For nine decades, the art museum has been a cornerstone for artists and a center for art appreciation in the Lehigh Valley,” said Carolyn Stennett, a member of the museum board of trustees.
“Since we began free admission last year, we’ve seen an incredible increase in attendance. People can enjoy the museum without financial constraints.”
Civic Theatre of Allentown
For nearly 100 years, Civic Theatre of Allentown has offered year-round art house cinema experiences and programming, opportunities for artists, musicians storytellers and playwrights.
Founded in 1927 and at its current location at 527 N. 19th St. since 1957, the theatre also produces first-class, non-profit events by and for the Greater Lehigh Valley.
“Dedication is a really good descriptor of the organization, but also for the people who have come in and out of the doors for many years.”William Sanders, president of the Civic Theatre board of directors
Civic Theatre is home to Civic Theatre School, the region’s first established training program for young actors.
The theatre is listed on the National Registry of Historic Places.
William Sanders, president of the Civic Theatre board of directors, said it is proud of the work it does in the Lehigh Valley.
“Dedication is a really good descriptor of the organization, but also for the people who have come in and out of the doors for many years,” Sanders said.
