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Former Dime Store to shine again as ‘Emerald on Third’

Published August 11. 2026 12:10PM
by Ed Courrier Special to the Bethlehem Press

“It’s 17,000 square feet in total,” Neel Shah says about the ambitious renovation project he and his business partner Emmanual Patricio are working on at 13 - 15 E. Third St. With a goal of maintaining the integrity of the building’s vintage façade, they successfully navigated through the process of acquiring certificates of appropriateness, as the historic structure is within the South Side historic district.

Built circa 1915, the 3-story adjoining structures once housed the F. & W. Grand 5 and 10.” The masonry building was likely, designed by iconic South Bethlehem architect A.W. Leh (1848-1918), according to Bethlehem Historic Conservation Commission Historic Officer Jeffrey Long.

At some point in its history, the venerable building hosted a dollar-type store with a hookah lounge next door. The wall separating the two businesses was taken out, although the load-bearing steel columns remain. The combined first floor commercial space at 13 - 15 E. Third St. can be developed as one large space for a tenant or be divided into two retail entities.

Flexible with how a potential buyer or renter would like the building subdivided, Shah explains, “There are multiple different ways it can be broken up. We have it planned out with 14,000 square feet of commercial space and about 3,000 residential.” While the 5,300 square foot first floor and slightly smaller basement level provide areas for potential commercial use, the upper stories could be developed into commercial space or apartments.

So far, five one-bedroom units are planned along with “shared spaces” like a laundry room. Multiple staircases provide access to the basement and the upper stories. There are two storefront entrances and a separate dedicated entrance to the upper floor residential units. A circa 1920s elevator shaft is located at the rear of 13 E. Third St.

“The front end is the residential portion,” remarks Shah as he enters the third floor. “We are keeping the back end commercial.” Shah notes that this opens up to an outdoor terrace that could serve as a deck and they are open to this part of the building being subdivided into apartments.

Patricio credits JENA Engineering with residential unit planning and Chris Ussler from Artefact with assisting with the HCC proposals.

“We named the building ‘Emerald on Third’” says Shah. “There were a lot of emerald touches throughout the storefront and throughout the building as well.” He specifically pointed out the existing emerald green tiles spelling out “F. & W. Grand Stores” at each of the store entrances as the inspiration for this decision. Unfortunately, they were unable to salvage these, but they installed matching emerald tiles that piece together Bethlehem Stars in their place.

Two 15-inch diameter star-shaped lighting fixtures to hang above the tiles, continuing this “homage to Bethlehem.”

The partners have approached Southside Arts District about hosting a mural on the western wall of their Emerald Building.

While Shah and Patricio are managing the work, they are under agreement to take over the property from Neel’s father, Vipul Shah, who purchased the building in the summer of 2025.

For information on purchasing or leasing, call 610-770-9000.

From left, business partners Neel Shah and Emmanual Patricio in the first floor commercial space at 13 - 15 E. Third St. which can be developed as one large space for one tenant or be subdivided into two retail entities. Behind them is the grand stairway to the renovated basement space and the steel load-bearing columns dividing the two addresses.
Business partners Neel Shah and Emmanual Patricio by the internal staircase leading to the upper floors of 13 - 15 E. Third St. which are being converted into apartment units.
The interior space on the third floor of 13 - 15 E. Third St. with an existing elevator shaft at back, left, and load-bearing columns down the center dividing the building.
Undergoing renovations, the second floor of the newly-named Emerald Building is being subdivided into one-bedroom apartments.
The new sidewalk entranceway to 13 E. Third St. With this space reconfigured to be code compliant and the large amount of broken tiles at the 15 E. Third entry door, the partners sought to pay homage to the former dime store with new “emerald green” decorative tiles for both storefront entrances.
Old green decorative tiles spell out “F & W Grand Stores” at the entranceway to 13 E. Third. before the building’s rehab. Similar tiles for its neighbor had been heavily compromised with cracks running through them.