Right location, right merchandise, right design services— RE:find is the home decor spot you’re looking for. We talked with co-owner and design director Jon Clark to discuss how he and partner Ron Susser can make your home everything you want it to be.
Tell us about RE:find’s history and how you’ve become part of the Downtown Allentown community!
RE:find was born out of the shared, but very different, retail experiences of me and my partner, Ron Susser. For 17 years, I operated Home & Planet, a retail store focusing on environmentally sustainable home furnishings. Between 1997 and 2013, Home & Planet was a fixture on the Southside of Bethlehem and was instrumental in the revitalization taking place there at the time—we were especially known for the monthly and vibrant First Friday celebrations.
Ron was involved in luxury retail in New York City for most of his career, the last 17 of which were at Tiffany & Co., where he was a certified gemologist selling diamonds and high-end watches. In 2013, we founded RE:find. We operated first in Easton, then in both Easton and Allentown, eventually deciding to live in Downtown Allentown and focus on the store here. At the time, the resurgence in Downtown Allentown was just beginning, and we were proud to be part of the reimagining of the city—to a certain extent harkening back to its strong retail history.
Describe the overall vibe of the shopping experience at RE:find.
We like to say, “It’s about the mix.” The vibe is a result of our somewhat different and eclectic design choices. But it has resulted in a one-of-a-kind retail experience where made-to-order upholstered furniture and international brands (Georg Jensen, John Derian, Currey & Company and Graf Lantz, to name a few) are shown together with artist-made furniture, antiques, collectibles and original art from local and international artists.
What kinds of items can customers expect to find in your store?
First and foremost, RE:find is a home furnishings store, so you will find upholstered furniture and home furnishings (everything from lighting and mirrors to dining and coffee tables). In addition, we have a wide selection of gifts, including handmade earrings from friends in Massachusetts, candles (and out-of-the-ordinary matches), soap, many books, Caspari paper products, Chilewich placemats and lots of vases, including favorites from Middle Kingdom, a vendor we first met many years ago at Bethlehem’s Mother’s Day craft show…