A local entrepreneur is bringing a two-for-one deal with her new businesses in the Lehigh Valley, ready to chase her tattoo artist goals and help others pursue their dreams.
Les Link and Lehigh Valley Salon Suites opened in February at 825 N. 12th Street, Suite 2B, in Allentown, owner Leslie Medina said. She also works both as a travel makeup artist for Vanity Studio and Salon in Emmaus and at the Leaders of Our Future Learning Center located below her 12th Street space.
A tattoo artist for the last two years, Medina provides her services through Les Ink, including “permanent makeup” that lasts up to a few years.
“I’ve always wanted to be a business owner of my art,” she said. “I mean, I’ve always been really artistic and doing stuff like makeup. I’ve always loved painting and drawing. So that’s how I got into tattooing, and I knew that I wanted to be my own boss. So I wanted to manage myself, get my own clients and do things on my own instead of being in a shop.”
Medina said she tattoos in any style, but is perfecting a style called black, white and gray realism.
“It’s as realistic as you can get, so like a photograph on your skin basically, which I think is really cool,” she said.
“I think it’s timeless. I think how realistic it is, it looks cool.“
Medina’s space also includes three salon suites, which she plans to rent out to estheticians, barbers, stylists, massage therapists and other tattoo artists.
“Recently, I’ve seen that that’s been really popular lately since rent is so unaffordable,” Medina said. “So I want to give the opportunity to small business owners like myself, an opportunity to rent in a beautiful space that they feel comfortable in, and right next to me and for not so expensive [prices] like how it is if you get your own big commercial space.”
The tattoo studio operates 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. Monday through Saturday, Medina said, while the salon suite hours are flexible. A grand opening celebration is scheduled for 3-6 p.m. June 14.
Lehigh Valley retail and restaurant news in brief
Wawa: A new store opened Thursday at 10 Stonegate Drive in Allen Township.
Lucky Brand: The clothing store is under construction at the Lehigh Valley Mall in Whitehall Township.
Ay Bendito Café: The new Puerto Rican-inspired cafe announced a grand opening for 7 a.m. on June 15 at 310 E. Goepp St. in Bethlehem, where Bed Head Vegan Brunch House used to operate.
Wonder: The multi-brand restaurant will hold a grand opening and ribbon cutting at 10:30 a.m. Thursday at Promenade Saucon Valley in Upper Saucon Township.
Rising Sun Inn: The historic inn, which once acted as a hiding spot for the Liberty Bell, announced its closure May 30 at 898 Allentown Road in Franconia Township, Montgomery County.
Kushy Boutique: The gift store announced its temporary closure after a vehicle reportedly hit its part of the building at 4622 Lehigh Drive in Lehigh Township, owner Lynn Minnelli said, adding that she hopes to reopen within the next couple of weeks. The boutique opened in 2018 and offers decor, candles, houseplants, jewelry and holiday items.
Pennsylvania Rye Co.: The restaurant and bar announced its temporary closure May 28 at 536 Hamilton St. in Allentown. Co-owner Jesse Haik told The Morning Call the same day that they are just waiting for the liquor license to renew in the next couple of days, but as of Wednesday morning, the restaurant remained closed.
In other news
Gerrity’s The Fresh Grocer held a ribbon cutting May 29 for renovations and thousands of new items at 1880 Stefko Blvd. in Bethlehem.
The Pennsylvania Beef Trail launched May 1 as an online resource that highlights and maps out over 70 consumer-nominated beef dishes at Pennsylvania restaurants, including in Allentown and Easton.
The 18th annual Blues, Brews & Barbecue event will offer live music, food and over 90 vendors noon to 8 p.m. June 13 on Hamilton Street in Allentown, the website announced, between around 12th and Lumber streets.
The Lehigh Valley Hair Showcase donated $13,000 to Boys & Girls Club of Bethlehem following its second annual showcase in March at Wind Creek Bethlehem, organizer Joel Goyco said, up from last year’s $11,000 donation. The next showcase is scheduled for April 2027, its website said.
Retail Watch is a weekly column covering retail and restaurant news in the Lehigh Valley. Have a question, tip, or want to see something in the area? Contact retail reporter Graysen Golter at retailwatch@mcall.com.