When building renovations started at the Simon Silk Mill in Easton, Elaine Zelker got first dibs on office space.

That was two years ago. Now she's settled in to her photography studio in Building J with no regrets.

"I feel like there's so much soul here," she said.

The mill abandoned in the 1960s is becoming a home to artists through a $100 million redevelopment project. Plans call for 149 apartments, warehouse space and businesses including two breweries, a fitness center and studios such as Zelker's. The dusty, brick walls reach high above weathered timbers and rusty mechanical components with unknown functions.

A drones view of the old Simon Silk Mill plant in Easton

That's exactly the way Zelker and her neighbors like it.

"I think visually being a photographer it's an amazing canvas," she said. "I just love the whole rustic, old building look. For me having this as my playground to shoot in, especially when I do beautiful portraiture outside and have the ruins behind it, it makes for an amazing photo."

Developer Mark Mulligan went out of his way to make the spaces functional but rooted in the past. Each of the studios have exposed stone walls and wood beams.

"We love it," said Kristine Ortiz, owner of KLO Events. "The vibe is so cool here. We have great neighbors. Everybody's popping in and visiting each other."

"It's just cool that you have this old urban-esque building and then you have nature right across the creek," said Zeke Zelker. His videography business is next to his wife's.

"You can look out the window and see blue heron," he said. "Bald eagles have been visiting."

The only complaint from the seven businesses so far is that their customers have had a tough time finding them. Building J, where six of the seven are open, lies in the back behind areas under construction.

The main entrance to the complex off 13th Street remains closed but you can still find the businesses by coming in off Bushkill Drive. Keep going to the left past the first set of buildings. You'll feel like you're heading into a construction area until you wind up at the stamped concrete parking lot behind Building J.

Mulligan said the main access will open some time this spring.

Here's a look at who's moved in so far:

Elaine Zelker Photography. Opened Oct. 1.

She moved her photography business from Downtown Easton. Many of her customers come for headshots and contemporary women portraiture. She's enjoyed helping shape the project along the way. For instance, an upper-level area in Building J once eyed for storage is now loft space for each tenant. She convinced Mulligan to put in spiral stairs similar to ones he installed in apartments in the Gov. Wolf Building.

Her desk is in her loft overlooking a silk mill apartment building.

"I love being up there," she said. "You feel like you're at home."

Zeke Zelker filmmaking studio: Opened Oct. 1

He and his wife moved from studios in the Nurture Nature Center in Easton. He makes feature films, so the foot traffic he got from his previous site was more of a distraction than an asset.

His latest project, "Billboard," is about three-quarters complete. The film is about people trying to win a contest by living on top of a billboard as long as they can and explores the meaning of "success" and what people will do to achieve it.  

He started his 20-year career outside the area but returned to the Valley.

"I had a hard time with people bashing my hometown," said the Emmaus native.

Salon at the Silk: Opened Oct. 9

Jo Ann Piserchio runs a full-service hair salon. She has 35 years of experience, much of which she spent in the Los Angeles area. She's a color specialist and mixes them specifically for each client.

"I'm excited to make Easton beautiful," she said.

She "up-cycled" much of her furniture by discovering and restoring it. You can also buy jewelry, birdhouses and candy in the salon, which is open by appointment.

Alisha Nycole Makeup Artistry: Opened Oct. 31

Alisha Becker (Nycole is her middle name) does makeup and hair mostly for brides but also proms and Sweet 16 birthdays. Her company also offers teeth whitening through a local dentist.

Becker offers makeup application lessons for individuals and groups.

"I love being here," she said. "It's a little creative corner."

KLO Events: Opened in December

This company sets up large and mid-size parties mostly for nonprofits such as the United Way, PBS or Capital Blue Cross. They set up the party to open the Route 33 interchange at the Chrin Commerce Center in Palmer Township.

The company has been in Easton for six years but has a large New York client base due to the work experience of owner Kristine Ortiz.

"We're pretty psyched at what the possibilities are (at the mill)," she said.

Trinity Fitness: Opened Jan. 23

Owner Matt Stocker offers a gym catering to high-end clients. They appreciate the privacy, cleanliness and modern look of Trinity compared to gyms such as LA Fitness or Planet Fitness, he said.

He offers MYZONE monitors to each of his clients. Their heart rate and cumulative exercise "points" are projected on a flatscreen and logged on their smart phones so they can get feedback from Stocker and gym friends.

Clients loves the gym's blend of state-of-the-art equipment with the stone walls and rustic decor.

"I'm blessed to be in this space," Stocker said. "It's like a dream come true."

Brewery, 7 other tenants revealed at Easton silk mill

Exemplum Medical:

This medical device company may seem a bit out of place at the mill. Owner Jeff Haldeman said he loves fly-fishing, antique buildings and microbreweries, so opening an office in the complex made sense to him. Expect to see him casting some time soon in the Bushkill Creek.

Who's coming soon: Sole Artisan Ales, Boeser Geist Brewing Co., BalloonWorks, Brick + Mortar gallery and possibly American Male hair salon.

COMING TOMORROW: 2nd brewery headlines the newcomers to Easton's renovated silk mill.

Rudy Miller may be reached at rmiller@lehighvalleylive.com. Follow him on Twitter @RudyMillerLV. Find Easton area news on Facebook.

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