Pocono News Section

Stroudsburg Sees Economic Hope

Stroudsburg Sees Economic Hope - Monday, February 9, 2009 at 4:52PM EST

STROUDSBURG, MONROE COUNTY- While many worry about the economy, there may be some hope on the horizon. In the next month at least three new shops will open in the Poconos. A clothing store, a juice bar and a bagel shop will all open on Main Street in Stroudsburg.
Eyewitness News shared the story of two entrepreneurs who left post office jobs to deliver their own business.

Coming soon, a bagel shop and a taste of economic hope. "Oh my God! It's going to be fantastic," said Lon Murov of Grandpa Pete's Bagels.

Murov and Joseph Sinagra are excited to open the shop. And other Main Street business people are excited as well. They expect the new place to generate foot traffic.

Trish D'Imperio of Aardvark Sports Shop said, "The variety of businesses coming in town just brings that many more different people in."

Shops all along Main Street bank on each other to keep their registers ringing. Lon and Joe say they're glad to help.

The friends named their shop after Joseph's Grandfather. He died last may and left behind his secret bagel recipe. Joseph said, "He's probably thrilled right now. He's probably saying I can't believe that you guys are doing this."

With the rough economy a lot of people are probably saying that. But Lon and Joe say they're cooking with the secrets to success, value and affordability.

Joseph explained, "Bagels are filling, they taste good and for the money you really get a nice sized sandwich."

Plus, they believe Grandpa Pete is looking out for them from that great big kitchen in the sky.

"He was a Grandfather to my friends and family, he would really just get along with everybody, and we really feel this is a big tribute to him," said Joseph.

Grandpa Pete's Bagels is scheduled to open next month. The owners plan to hire ten people.