Teacher-turned-entrepreneur opening ‘dream’ store in downtown Bethlehem

May 8th, 2025 | General

BETHLEHEM, Pa. – A new home decor boutique is bringing “coastal, country, cozy” vibes to historic Bethlehem’s Main Street.

Lovely by Brianna, offering a curated selection of home decor including glassware, lamps, pillows and more, will hold a grand opening on May 17 at 450 Main St. in downtown Bethlehem.

The store’s unique mix of merchandise is curated by owner Brianna Lasko, who hand-picks the items from approximately 40 vendors nationwide including local small businesses.

Lovely by Brianna marks the fulfillment of Lasko’s longtime dream to own and operate her own home decor shop.

For the past 20 years, Lasko worked as an elementary school teacher and made and sold one-of-a-kind pieces adorned with calligraphy and hand-lettering on the side.

She’d sell her hand-crafted items made of canvas, wood and other materials via an Etsy shop as well as local pop-up markets and events.

Her passion for creating beautiful spaces grew stronger year after year, and in January, she stopped teaching to focus on opening her own home decor store.

“This is truly a dream,” Lasko said in reference to opening her own boutique.

“For as long as I can remember, since I was a little kid, I’ve always loved everything home decor and knew that one day somehow I would turn that love into a business. So, after having that creative outlet on the side where I did pop-ups, markets and shows for so many years, I finally decided to switch gears completely into the creative world and go all in as a curator of my own home decor shop.”

Lovely by Brianna will feature a “coastal, country, cozy” theme, which is an aesthetic that Lasko incorporates into her own home.

Lasko, who grew up and currently resides in Bethlehem, lived in Texas for a few years and takes inspiration from the rustic, country decor prevalent throughout the South.

“I’m taking a little bit of each of those – coastal, country and cozy – and bringing them all together,” Lasko said.

“They all represent an aspect of me. I’m always cozy. I love the country, and we lived in Texas for a little while, which is where that mostly comes into play. And it’s also my dream to live at the beach one day so that’s where the coastal comes into play. I also figured it would be nice to bring a little beach to Bethlehem.”

Lovely by Brianna will feature a wide assortment of home decor, housewares and gifts, including lamps, vases, candlesticks, bookends, throw pillows, blankets, tableware, placemats, kitchen accessories, cocktail shakers, tote bags and hats.

There are even fun and quirky gifts like mugs that read “The Real Housewives of Bethlehem,” as well as locally made items such as signature soy wax candles from Herberry Candles.

“I love cozy items, like pillows and blankets, as well as other functional items like glassware,” Lasko said.

“I really wanted the store to have a little bit of everything. So, people will find everything from picture frames to beach and pool blankets. A lot of the businesses that I’m buying wholesale from are actually small businesses themselves, which is great because I’m able to support other small business owners.”

In curating the store’s merchandise mix, Lasko’s tapping her own design chops while taking inspiration from prominent interior designers such as Joanna Gaines, who along with her husband, Chip Gaines, starred in the HGTV show “Fixer Upper.”

While living in Texas, Lasko made several visits to Magnolia Market, the Gaines’ expansive shopping complex, in Waco, Texas.

“I’m taking inspiration from different people, places and experiences, bringing all of it together in a fun and welcoming space,” Lasko said.

“I’m also really excited to open this shop in downtown Bethlehem because I grew up in Bethlehem, and if you’re going to have a shop here, Main Street is the place to be. In fact, it’s now the number one Main Street in the country, according to USA Today.”

Lovely by Brianna will occupy an updated space that previously housed David Hausman Designs, a business offering residential and commercial interior design services, which closed in late 2024 following owner David Hausman’s retirement.

In its first few weeks, the new boutique will have trial hours that will be posted on the business’ front door and social media pages, Lasko said.

The goal is for Lasko to get a feel for the downtown Bethlehem community and see what operating times work best before setting regular hours.

Typically, the shop will be open 10 a.m. to 6 pm. Tuesday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturdays and 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sundays, Lasko said.

For the latest Lovely by Brianna updates, follow the business’ pages on Instagram and Facebook.

Original Article: https://www.wfmz.com/features/eat-sip-shop/teacher-turned-entrepreneur-opening-dream-store-in-downtown-bethlehem/article_726da84a-1101-46c3-8077-e68df3bc4a78.html