Part of the goal all along for the Hamilton Crossings shopping center was to bring restaurants to the Lehigh Valley that haven't previously had any presence in the region.
Developer Jeremy Fogel, of the Goldenberg Group, feels that goal's being met.
As of this month, leases have been signed for 22 tenants, is negotiating nine others and has only three vacancies in the 570,000-square-foot shopping center under construction off Krocks Road between Hamilton Boulevard and the Route 222 Bypass in Lower Macungie Township.
That the Lehigh Valley's first Costco and Whole Foods will be among the anchors is now widely known among bargain hunters and foodies in the region. And fashion aficionadas for months have also been celebrating the inclusion of the Valley's first Nordstrom Rack in the center's plans.
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But commitments from some other businesses, especially restaurants, to open in Hamilton Crossings have gone virtually unnoticed.
Fogel said Lehigh Valley residents may have never even heard of some of the chains moving in, but believes there will be plenty of buzz once folks learn a little more about the concepts they're bringing.
Among the restaurants will be Smashburger, a fast-casual burger chain that also offers chicken, fresh salads, vegetarian burgers and non-traditional sides such as "veggie frites." Lehigh Valley residents currently would have to drive about 40 miles to Wayne, Pa., to dine at a Smashburger.
Another restaurant opening at the shopping center will be Syracuse, N.Y.-based Core Greens. This Hamilton Crossings location will be the first for the restaurant outside of its upstate New York location.
The restaurant's eclectic menu features grain bowls. Think quinoa, farro and other grains accompanied by fresh vegetables and chicken or tofu and finished with a dressing. The menu also gives diners a ceate-your-own soup option. The base of the soups is a slow-simmered bone broth.
The shopping center will also be home to the region's first BJ's Restaurant and Brewhouse. There's only one other open in Pennsylvania; it's located near Pittsburgh. BJ's brews its own beer and serves pub fare with specialties such as New Orleans jambalaya and cherrt chipotle glazed salmon.
Other Hamilton Crossings restaurants include Anthony's Coal Fired Pizza and Corner Bakery.
Other retailers going in the shopping center include Target, Dick's Sporting Goods, DSW, PetSmart, Old Navy, Pier 1 Imports, Ulta Cosmetics, Rallyhouse, AT&T, Hand & Stone, Luxary Nails, Vision Works and a Fine Wines & Good Spirits state store.
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Crews broke ground on the shopping center in the spring. Significant progress has been made since then, Fogel said, noting portions of the site have already been paved and work's begun on some of the buildings that will house the businesses.
The developer said the list of tenants should help the shopping center appeal to residents living beyond the Macungie area. He said he expects businesses such as Costco, Whole Foods and BJ's Restaurant & Brewhouse to attract residents from Bethlehem and even Easton.
"I think we'll see the draw being pretty broad in the Lehigh Valley itself based on Route 222," Fogel said.
He said the easy access to the highway makes the trip an easier one for residents living in the eastern part of the Lehigh Valley. He said the shopping center could serve as an alternative to those looking to avoid the congestion on the MacArthur Road shopping corridor in Whitehall Township, home to the Lehigh Valley Mall.
Although MacArthur Road is closer than Route 222 in terms of distance to those living in Bethlehem, time of travel will be comparable in a lot of situations given the traffic problems on and around MacArthur Road, he said.
Folks will be able to make trips to both destinations for shopping in a matter of months. The first stores in Hamilton Crossings are on schedule to open in late July 2016. Expectations are to have all businesses open there by the end of September, Fogel said.
Nick Falsone may be reached at nfalsone@lehighvalleylive.com. Follow him on Twitter @NickFalsone. Find lehighvalleylive.com on Facebook.