The Livingston Club, Allentown's Benevolent Oligarchy

Back in the day, when the town had three department stores, the major decisions affecting Allentown's future were made at the Livingston Club. Harvey Farr would meet Donald Miller and John Leh at the Club for lunch, and discuss acquiring more lots for Park & Shop. The bank officers of First National and Merchants Bank would discuss loans with the highly successful merchants, many of whom had stores in all three major Lehigh Valley cities. As the heydays winded down, likewise the exit plans were made there. The City of Allentown acquired the Park & Shop lots, becoming the Allentown Parking Authority. Leh's became the Lehigh County Government Center.

The new oligarchy consists of much fewer men, they could all met at a small table in Shula's, and be entertained by watching street people  arrested. The former 1st National Bank location is now a new Reilly building. The former Livingston Club building is now a parking lot, and future site to another Reilly building. Shula's is also a Reilly building.... 

reprinted from August 19, 2015

ADDENDUM DECEMBER 12, 2024:I can't say where the current oligarchy can meet, because the restaurants now have a short shelf life. But, they don't need a large table, just big enough for Reilly and a couple Jaindls'. Perhaps they would also invite Sy Traub, he's been at the table since the NIZ began, as consigliere. I suspect that if the ghosts of Farr, Miller and Leh looked at all the new privately owned buildings, that are paid for with public tax money, they would feel pretty small compared to the new players.