Businesswoman Christina Little-Haus got tentative permission Dec. 16 to put historically appropriate window signs welcoming clients into her new business, Couture Salon & Spa, at 310 East Third St., in South Bethlehem.

The Historic Conservation District, meeting in the Banana Factory, approved her request and will recommend that Bethlehem City Council grant her a certificate of appropriateness for the signage.

The new business will open in January, according to Little-Haus. The new salon and spa will be across East Third Street from Looper's Grille and Bar.

Louis Intile and James Byszewski, Managing Partners in Fifth Street Capital Partners, were stymied in their plan to use vinyl windows to replace many existing window frames for their residential building at 201-204 East Fourth St.

The building is on the corner of Webster Street and East Fourth Street.

HCD consultant Christine Ussler questioned the property owners about the long term wisdom of using vinyl windows.

The partners said many of the existing windows had, in the past, been replaced with vinyl frames.

HCD member Seth Cornish also challenged the use of vinyl for windows.

"I recommend fiber glass windows," said HCD member Philip Roeder, who is also the building inspector for the City of Bethlehem. "Vinyl doesn't last."

The partners also plan to replace the slate roof with a composite slate substitute and replace the gutters on the building which contains two residences.

The HCD voted to recommend certificates of approval for the roof and gutter work but asked the developers to bring the issue of the window replacement back to the board.

Franklin Pichardo also got HCD's preliminary approval for signage at his new cigar store at 17 East Third St. His business will be called To'mkao Fine Cigars.