When Bethlehem's beloved Moravian Book Shop was sold, the news was met with fear the store would lose its charm and stop selling its unique wares.
Moravian College, the store's new owner, has sought to ease those fears while the exterior and interior of the store underwent a major facelift. Crews have been working overtime to make sure the Main Street fixture was ready for Black Friday as the holiday season kicks off in the Christmas City.
On Wednesday afternoon, bookshop employees were decorating the store's windows and scrambling to get all of the merchandise in place for the biggest shopping day of the year.
College spokesman Michael Corr said the majority of the renovation work is complete.
Sara K. Satullo | For lehighvalleylive.com
Almost the entire book store has now been renovated.
The final phase of the construction will convert the storefront where Colony Meadery currently is into a bar and restaurant area.
Lost Tavern Brewing and Dave's Deli recently announced they will be the new tenants for that space.
Sara K. Satullo | For lehighvalleylive.com
Wednesday afternoon book shop employees were putting the finishing touches on the window displays.
Sara K. Satullo | For lehighvalleylive.com
Sara K. Satullo | For lehighvalleylive.com
The store is all ready for Christmas shoppers.
A new sign for the front of the store is in the works.
Sara K. Satullo | For lehighvalleylive.com
The main entrance now serves as Moravian College's official college bookstore. The space sells tons of Moravian gear, but also includes Bethlehem centric merchandise.
The walls are adorned with historic photos found in the Moravian Archives, Corr, the college spokesman, has said.
Sara K. Satullo | For lehighvalleylive.com
Sara K. Satullo | For lehighvalleylive.com
The landing between the bookstore and the college book store has been remodeled to house the famed Moravian stars and Christmas decor the shop is known for.
Sara K. Satullo | For lehighvalleylive.com
Sara K. Satullo | For lehighvalleylive.com
The bookstore area got a facelift with fresh paint, a tin ceiling to match the gift selling space and new flooring.
Sara K. Satullo | For lehighvalleylive.com
The bookstore walls are adorned with quotes from John Amos Comenius, considered the father of modern education. Comenius advocated for education for all at a time it was considered a privilege.
One of the walls of the children's area of the store declares, "Not the children of the rich or of the powerful only, but of all alike, boys and girls, both noble and ignoble, rich and poor, in all cities and towns, villages and hamlets, should be sent to school."
Sara K. Satullo | For lehighvalleylive.com
The photos depict parts of the campus and city back in the settlement's early days.
Sara K. Satullo | For lehighvalleylive.com
Sara K. Satullo | For lehighvalleylive.com
A huge Moravian star in the college's colors sits above the cash register.
Sara K. Satullo | For lehighvalleylive.com
Sara K. Satullo | For lehighvalleylive.com
A popular Lehigh Valley craft brewer is coming to downtown Bethlehem
Sara K. Satullo | For lehighvalleylive.com
Sara K. Satullo | For lehighvalleylive.com
Sara K. Satullo | For lehighvalleylive.com
Sara K. Satullo | For lehighvalleylive.com
Sara K. Satullo | For lehighvalleylive.com
Sara K. Satullo | For lehighvalleylive.com
This atrium was refreshed into a cozy sitting area adjacent to the Christmas decor.
Sara K. Satullo | For lehighvalleylive.com
Sara K. Satullo | For lehighvalleylive.com
Sara K. Satullo | For lehighvalleylive.com
Moravian stars are still available.
Sara K. Satullo | For lehighvalleylive.com
Sara K. Satullo | For lehighvalleylive.com
Much of the exterior painting has been completed and the windows are ready for Christmas.
Sara K. Satullo | For lehighvalleylive.com
The windows are decked out for the holidays.
Sara K. Satullo | For lehighvalleylive.com
The bookstore has a great selection of children's toys.
Sara K. Satullo | For lehighvalleylive.com
Sara K. Satullo | For lehighvalleylive.com
The exterior has a new look.
Sara K. Satullo | For lehighvalleylive.com
The bookstore got a refreshed look.
Sara K. Satullo | For lehighvalleylive.com
Sara K. Satullo | For lehighvalleylive.com
This section of the bookshop won't be renovated until after the holidays.
It will eventually house Lost Tavern Brewing's tasting room and a restaurant run by Dave's Deli and Gelato, which used to be the food provider at the bookshop.
Sara K. Satullo | For lehighvalleylive.com
This section of the store won't be renovated until after the holidays.
Sara K. Satullo may be reached at ssatullo@lehighvalleylive.com. Follow her on Twitter@sarasatullo and Facebook. Find lehighvalleylive.com on Facebook.
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