Eat, Sip, Shop: Lehigh Valley’s new home decor and gift shop doubles as a plant lover’s paradise | Eat, Sip, Shop
PEN ARGYL, Pa. – A family-run business is blooming in Northampton County.
Meadow & the Moon, offering locally handcrafted gifts, home decor and more than 75 types of plants, in late April held a grand opening at 6 E. Main St. in Pen Argyl.
The space previously housed Jennifer’s Salon & Consignment Boutique.
Husband and wife Nick and Jessica Lebel of Bangor established Meadow and the Moon in 2019, originally focusing on just custom woodworking pieces before expanding to include locally made gifts and home decor via the business’ online shop.
With Nick having more than 15 years of experience in the carpentry field and Jessica being a longtime plant lover, the couple wished to expand their business even further by sharing their passions with the community at a brick-and-mortar shop.
“We are very excited,” Jessica said. “This [store] has been an idea of ours for a while, and it’s been really cool and rewarding to see it come to life.”
Customers visiting the new shop are able to browse a rotating selection of plants that changes with the seasons.
Popular varieties include monsteras, philodendrons, alocasia, pothos, string of pearls, succulents and cacti.
The new store also features dozens of unique plant accessories, including colorful pots, macrame hangers and wooden stands.
Other wooden pieces hand-crafted by Nick and his team include shelves, blanket ladders, table risers, mug holders, charcuterie boards and serving trays.
All products are created using hardwood lumber, reclaimed wood or beautiful live-edge wood slabs.
Customers also can shop other gifts and home décor items, including wine glasses, wool trivets, woven plates and baskets.
Gifts that are made by other local artisans include a variety of candles, paintings and handbags.
“We’re so very thankful for all of the support locally,” Jessica said. “A lot of people walking down the street have told us how badly the town needed this kind of shop. So, it’s definitely been a good experience all around so far.”
Meadow and the Moon, which also offers leading residential and commercial carpentry services, is open 10 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. Wednesdays and Thursdays, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays and 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sundays.
The business also hosts events like paint classes and charcuterie and cookie decorating workshops.
For the latest Meadow & the Moon updates, follow the business’ Instagram page. Info: 610-881-6180; meadowandthemoon.com.
Shopping center updates
3 new restaurants coming soon, jewelry store expanding at Promenade Saucon Valley
U. SAUCON TWP., Pa. – Three new dining destinations – offering a diverse selection of dishes that includes burgers, gyros and lobster rolls – are set to satisfy appetites in the coming months at Promenade Saucon Valley.
The forthcoming restaurants – The Great Greek Mediterranean Grill, Mason’s Famous Lobster Rolls and Five Guys Burgers & Fries – are among a host of other changes at the Upper Saucon Township shopping center.
Pandora, a popular jewelry brand that designs, manufactures and markets hand-finished jewelry made from high-quality materials, is expanding and more than doubling its current space, according to a Promenade Saucon Valley announcement.
Additionally, Rally House, a specialty sports store chain, offering an expansive selection of apparel, gifts, home decor and other types of merchandise representing local NCAA, NFL, NBA, MLB, NHL and MLS teams, is tentatively set to open July 26 next to Barnes & Noble. Full story here.
After 3 stores debut, Palmer Park Mall continuing upswing with 2 new restaurants
PALMER TWP., Pa. – Two new dining options will soon satisfy appetites at a prominent shopping mall in Northampton County.
Desi Bites, specializing in authentic, made-from-scratch Indian cuisine, opened this week, and Wrap’d Tight 2.0 Fully Loaded, specializing in gourmet wraps, salads and loaded baked potatoes, is set to open in the coming weeks at the Palmer Park Mall in Palmer Township.
The new eateries are joining around 50 other Palmer Park Mall tenants, including other new additions Blue Flame Events, Lehigh Valley Fashion Week Shops and Santalexa & Fitness Love. Read more here.
Rally House opens, other popular chains coming soon at Lehigh Valley Mall
WHITEHALL TWP., Pa. – A specialty sports store chain has joined the mix as other well-known businesses prepare to expand their footprints at the Lehigh Valley Mall in Whitehall Township.
The two-story mall, at MacArthur Road and Route 22, on July 5 welcomed its newest retail tenant, Rally House.
The specialty sports store chain, offering an expansive selection of apparel, gifts, home decor and other types of merchandise representing local NCAA, NFL, NBA, MLB, NHL and MLS teams, is operating in a lower-level space near Macy’s.
The store’s opening preceded the debut of a string of other new Lehigh Valley Mall tenants, including Iron Hill Brewery and Restaurant, which opened Friday, and MINISO and Golf Galaxy. Read more.
Foodie finds
‘Very excited!’: Vallos Bakery, a nearly century-old business, opening 3rd Lehigh Valley location
WASHINGTON TWP., Pa. – An iconic, family-run bakery – known for its fresh breads, cakes, doughnuts and pastries – is expanding its footprint in the region.
Vallos Bakery, a nearly century-old business at 1800 Broadway in Salisbury Township, is planning to open a third Lehigh Valley location in early September at the Slatington Farmers Market in Washington Township, Lehigh County, co-owner Tina Hanuschak said.
The stand will supplement the bakery’s primary location in Salisbury along with a second location that opened last year at the Allentown Fairgrounds Farmers Market. Full story here.
‘We’re back!’: Lehigh Valley restaurant that closed due to pandemic reopens 4 years later
S. WHITEHALL TWP., Pa. – A chef’s revived dream has led to a culinary comeback in Lehigh County.
The Wicked Chef, a fast-casual restaurant offering “fresh homemade food with a twist,” reopened July 2 after a four-year hiatus at 279 Cetronia Road in South Whitehall Township.
Chef and owner John Walter Moniak originally opened the eatery at the same location in October 2019 before closing the business less than a year later in July 2020 amid the COVID-19 pandemic.
At the time, Moniak cited the pandemic’s “devastating effect” on his business as the reason for ending operations. Read more here.
Dorney Park teams up with young entrepreneur to offer new twist on Pa. classic
S. WHITEHALL TWP., Pa. — You can’t get much more Pennsylvania than a Tastykake. So, it’s rather fitting you can now find a fun twist on them at Dorney Park: freeze-dried Krimpets.
“It’s kind of like a mix between like a biscotti and just like a hard cookie. It tastes just like a Krimpet,” said Kimberly Solis, Director of Merchandise and Games at Dorney Park.
They’re made by Freezin’ with Aubrie, owned by 16-year old Aubrie Sink of Kentucky. She started her business at 14. Read more.
‘We’re thrilled’: Iron Hill Brewery & Restaurant cuts ribbon on 1st Lehigh Valley location
WHITEHALL TWP., Pa. – A popular restaurant and craft brewery concept has expanded its regional footprint with its first Lehigh Valley location.
Iron Hill Brewery & Restaurant, with locations in Delaware, Georgia, New Jersey, Pennsylvania and South Carolina, hosted a ribbon cutting and “First Pour Celebration” at 11 a.m. Friday at the Lehigh Valley Mall’s outdoor lifestyle center, 950 Lehigh Lifestyle Center, Whitehall Township, according to a news release.
The Whitehall brewery and restaurant, Iron Hill’s 13th location in Pennsylvania and 21st overall, will open its doors to the public at 11 a.m. Saturday. Full story here.
Bethlehem area news
New restaurant opens at former J’s Steaks & Subs spot in Bethlehem
BETHLEHEM, Pa. — A new destination for burgers, gyros, rice platters and other fresh eats is welcoming foodies in Northampton County.
Elias Grilled Chicken Over Rice, a fast-casual restaurant serving made-to-order cheesesteaks, sandwiches, rice platters and more, opened July 4 at 2140 Stekfo Blvd. in Bethlehem.
The space previously housed a J’s Steaks & Subs eatery, which closed in the winter. Full story here.
‘No babysitters needed’: Brand-new entertainment venue offering fun for family, friends in Lehigh Valley to open Monday
L. SAUCON TWP., Pa. – Be bowling, be gaming, be eating.
“That is our concept, come out and be social,” Mike Patel said.
Patel is co-owner of B Social, a brand-new family fun zone coming to the Lehigh Valley. The venue also has arcade games, ax throwing, music, and much more.
“Rock bands, DJs, square dancing, line dancing,” Patel said. “Trivia nights, comedy nights.”
Offering food, drinks and entertainment, the 43,580 square-foot space has 70 screens throughout. Read more here.
Sheetz updates
Hellertown planners vote to recommend Sheetz
HELLERTOWN, Pa. – The construction of a Sheetz in the borough took another step forward Tuesday night.
The Hellertown Planning Commission’s unanimous vote to recommend conditional approval of the land development plan moves the Sheetz closer to construction at 85 Kichline Ave. and 1706, 1730, and 1740 Main St.
The proposed Sheetz site is on the west side of Main Street, just north of Kichline Avenue. Currently, it houses a Star Pre-Owned used car dealership and spans four parcels. Read more.
Sheetz to partner with DoorDash for alcohol delivery
Altoona, Pa. — Sheetz is partnering up with DoorDash to begin offering on-demand alcohol delivery across Pennsylvania and several other states, Sheetz announced this week.
The new offering applies specifically to beer products. Customers will be required to verify their age before making any purchases, the company said.
Orders can be placed using the Sheetz app or website. Customers can find participating Sheetz locations here.
For full story, originally published on northcentralpa.com, part of the BLOX Digital Content Exchange, click here.
Events and accolades
Trio of restaurant weeks to bring tasty deals to Easton, Bethlehem and Saucon Valley area
A smorgasbord of dining deals will soon satisfy foodies’ appetites in Northampton County as restaurant weeks kick off in Easton, south Bethlehem and the Saucon Valley area in the coming days.
Easton and Hellertown-Lower Saucon restaurant weeks begin on Sunday and continue through July 20, while SouthSide Arts District’s Summer Restaurant Week starts Monday and continues through July 21.
In total, nearly 40 restaurants will offer fixed-price, multi-course menus and other promotions during the events. Full story here.
Blueberry madness in Bethlehem! Sweet summer festival returns this weekend
BETHLEHEM, Pa. – It’s all about Blueberries at the Burnside Plantation in Bethlehem this weekend.
The Blueberry Festival returns on Saturday and Sunday with live music, activities and of course, lots of blueberry themed items.
Blakely McHugh visited the plantation on Thursday morning during 69 News at Sunrise. Read more here.
Find out how scanning a QR code could help Historic Hotel Bethlehem win big
ALLENTOWN, Pa. — Historic Hotel Bethlehem is going for the grand slam.
The hotel is once again nominated as the best historic hotel in the country by USA Today. They’ve won the last three years in a row and they’re hoping for a fourth.
69 News Reporter Blakely McHugh visited Coca-Cola Park Wednesday morning to see how they hope to get that title once again and went for her own grand slam. Read more.
Berks, Bucks and Montgomery counties
Popular plant shop moving, adding new ‘gourmet soda & beverage bar’ in Upper Bucks
SELLERSVILLE, Pa. – A popular Bucks County plant business is preparing to bloom in a new location, and with a new tasty addition.
Just One More Plant, carrying more than 100 varieties of plants along with soil, pottery and plant accessories, in August is planning to move from its location at 1585 Clay Ave. in Springfield Township to 220 N. Main St. in Sellersville, owner Erin Volovnik said.
The new location also will incorporate The Fizzy Fern, a new “gourmet soda & beverage bar” that will offer fully customized drinks inside the shop. Full story here.
Developer Alan Shuman proposes what he calls ‘largest retail complex in Reading history’
READING, PA. – Developer Alan Shuman showed 69 News the rendering of what he said would be the largest retail complex in Reading history.
The 156,000 square foot, $45 million proposal would go in the 300 block of Bern Street at the former Glidden site, where lead paint was once made.
“There’s some contamination here we finally got a handle on and can deal with,” said Shuman.
Shuman said the complex has been in the works for about three years now. Read more here.
Trader Joe’s to open store in King of Prussia, Montgomery County; Lehigh Valley remains unserved
MONTGOMERY CO., Pa. — A new Trader Joe’s store is coming to eastern Pennsylvania, but the grocer’s Lehigh Valley fans will still face a lengthy drive for their fix of “TJ’s.”
The new store will open at 224 W. Dekalb Pike in King of Prussia, Montgomery County. That is about a 60-mile drive from Bethlehem. The opening date has not been set.
The Lehigh Valley has not made the grade yet for a Trader Joe’s store, but the retailer does have a warehouse in East Allen Township. Read more.
link