Eat, Sip, Shop: New Rita’s stand to fill ‘Ice, Custard, Happiness’ void in Lehigh County

U. SAUCON TWP., Pa. - Gelatis, Misto shakes and other cool treats are coming soon to a new Lehigh Valley location.

Rita's Italian Ice & Frozen Custard, the popular water ice and frozen custard chain with more than 550 locations nationwide, is expected to open in mid-summer at 7001 Route 309 in Upper Saucon Township, franchisee Humberto Ortiz said.

The stand will occupy a soon-to-be renovated space near Carlo’s Pizza and Casa Toro Mexican Grill in the Fairmont Village shopping center, just north of Coopersburg.

Ortiz is hopeful for a July opening, but he stresses that is contingent upon the permitting process and construction.

“The location is basically an empty shell,” Ortiz said. “So, it’s going to be fully renovated with new floors, counters, ceiling, dry wall, plumbing, electrical, everything.”

Ortiz, of Allentown, has been enjoying Rita’s ice and other treats since childhood and saw a need for a Rita’s stand in the Coopersburg area.

The closest Rita’s locations to Coopersburg operate six to seven miles away in Allentown, Hellertown and Quakertown.

“I love Rita’s,” Ortiz said. “It’s something that I grew up with living in Allentown, and I always wanted to open one. So, I decided to move forward with it in the Coopersburg area.”

Rita's, known for dishing out "Ice, Custard, Happiness," offers an expansive assortment of treats, including Italian ice, frozen custard, milkshakes, frozen drinks (Italian ice swirled into drinks), gelatis (layers of Italian ice and custard), Misto shakes (Italian ice blended with custard), Concretes (custard blended with toppings) and Blendinis (custard blended with Italian ice and toppings).

The company, based in Trevose, Bucks County, serves up a rotating selection of more than 95 Italian ice flavors, made fresh daily at each location, including blueberry, cantaloupe, chocolate peanut butter, Dr. Pepper, Georgia peach, guava passionfruit, juicy pear, root beer, strawberry lemonade and Swedish Fish.

There are also sugar-free options, such as cherry, dragon fruit and mango peach.

Each shop is individually owned and operated, and every year, the company celebrates the first day of spring by giving away free Italian ice to guests.

"It's a Rita's tradition," a message on the business' website reads. "Just our way of kicking off the season — and spreading a little happiness."

The story of Rita's dates back to the summer of 1984, when Bob Tumolo, a former Philadelphia firefighter, decided to open a small Italian Ice business to supplement his income.

Tumolo opened the first Rita's in Bensalem, Bucks County, and named the business after his wife, Rita.

Like most Rita’s locations, the Upper Saucon stand will operate a majority of the year, closing temporarily for a bulk of the winter, Ortiz said.

“We’re planning to be operate March through early November,” Ortiz added.

Customers will be able to place orders at walk-up windows and enjoy their treats at nearby picnic tables under a covered portion of the shopping center, Ortiz said.

Ample free parking will be available in the shopping center’s lot.

Rita’s will join about a dozen other Fairmont Village tenants. 

In addition to Carlo’s Pizza and Casa Toro, other prominent businesses operating at the shopping center include Auto Zone, D&J Sports and Eastern Gourmet Chinese and Japanese restaurant.

Like New Pianos, offering sales of new and pre-owned pianos as well as servicing, restoration and moving of pianos, opened last year.

More tasty news

‘Vibrant venue’: Bethlehem’s newest bar and lounge offering unique drinks, food, atmosphere

BETHLEHEM, Pa. - A chic new social spot is bringing an elevated cocktail and dining experience to the Lehigh Valley.

Alibi Bar & Lounge, an upscale lounge offering a “vibrant haven of mixology, gourmet foods and an intimate ambiance,” held its grand opening on Wednesday at 203 E. Third St. on Bethlehem’s South Side.

Alibi owner Orwa Makhoul previously operated the space’s former tenant, Essence Hookah Lounge, for nearly 15 years – from 2009 to February 2023.

Essence was prospering, with 2022 being one of its best years in terms of sales, but Makhoul had a “vision to take the space to the next level.” Full story here. 

'Great addition': Veteran restaurateurs opening Irish pub in Allentown

ALLENTOWN, Pa. - A group of friends and business partners is bringing a taste of the Emerald Isle to Allentown’s West End.

Husband and wife Bill and Sue Dech and another couple, Bruce and Kim Campbell, are taking over the former Stooges Bar & Grille at 2101 Liberty St. and plan to rebrand the business as Bagpipers Pub, an Irish pub that will serve authentic Irish and Scottish dishes such as shepherd’s pie along with American favorites such as burgers.

The Dechs and Campbells, who both reside in Bethlehem, are no strangers to the restaurant scene.

In August 2021, the couples opened The Nest Bar & Grille, a two-story sports bar and restaurant offering casual American pub fare, several televisions and a large, partially covered outdoor patio, at 601 E. Fourth St. on Bethlehem’s South Side. Read more here. 

‘Something for everyone’: New Phillipsburg eatery to feature unique empanadas, ‘Phat Subz’

PHILLIPSBURG, N.J. - A well-known Lehigh Valley chef is expanding his business’ food-service operations to include a new dining establishment.

Joe Stout, owner of Chefmeals LLC, is planning to hold a grand opening of a fast-casual restaurant, The Shop!, on April 20 at 60 S. Main St. in Phillipsburg.

The space previously housed Rapaen Cuisine, an Ecuadorian restaurant that recently moved next door to 62 S. Main St. Read more. 

‘Same intimate atmosphere’: Allentown’s Pines Dinner Theatre announces new location

ALLENTOWN, Pa. - After 14 years in Allentown’s West End Theatre District, a popular dinner theater is moving operations to a new spot in the city.

Pines Dinner Theatre, which previously operated at 448 N. 17th St., announced on Wednesday that it is moving to The Shops at Cedar Point, 315 S. Cedar Crest Blvd.

The theater will occupy a renovated space that previously housed Pistachio Bar & Grille, which closed in 2016 after nearly 20 years of business. Read more. 

Shopping center updates

McDonald’s location opens, timeline revealed for 5 other eateries at updated Westgate Mall

BETHLEHEM, Pa. - Fans of Big Macs, Chicken McNuggets and Filet-O-Fish sandwiches have a new restaurant to be “lovin’ it” in the Lehigh Valley.

A new McDonald’s restaurant opened March 14, and several other chain eateries are set to follow at Bethlehem's Westgate Mall amid an ongoing redevelopment project.

The newly constructed McDonald’s location, totaling more than 4,500 square feet, operates at the shopping center’s northeast corner (in front of Weis Markets) at Schoenersville Road and Westgate Drive. Full story here. 

Duck Donuts to open 2nd Lehigh Valley location with free-doughnuts-for-a-year promo

BETHLEHEM TWP., Pa. — A popular chain, known for serving "warm, delicious, made-to-order doughnuts," will expand its footprint in the Lehigh Valley this weekend.

Duck Donuts, offering doughnuts that are "customized before your eyes," will hold a grand opening of its second Lehigh Valley location at 7 a.m. Saturday, March 23, at 4403 Southmont Way, Suite 2, in Bethlehem Township, Northampton County, according to a news release.

The Southmont Plaza shop, dubbed "Duck Donuts Easton," is locally owned and operated by husband-and-wife duo, Juan and Kelly Gonsalves. Read more here. 

'Fun for all ages': Family-friendly entertainment venue opens at The Promenade Shops

U. SAUCON TWP., Pa. - Businesses are blooming at The Promenade Shops at Saucon Valley as a unique destination for creativity and fun recently opened, and two other tenants – a popular fashion retailer and fast-casual restaurant chain – are set to join the Upper Saucon Township shopping center in the coming months.

Slime Time, a family-friendly entertainment venue allowing children of all ages to make their own slime, this week began welcoming walk-in guests in Suite 606 (near Batch Microcreamery).

The facility, offering sensory activities, bouncy houses, birthday parties and more, relocated from the Lehigh Valley Mall, where it operated from July 2021 until this past January. Read more. 

Bethlehem Twp. zoners to review variance request for planned store at former Bed, Bath & Beyond site

BETHLEHEM TWP. Pa. - A new Duck Donuts shop is set to open this weekend, and a new location of a popular off-price retail chain is in the works at a prominent shopping center in Bethlehem Township.

A Ross Dress for Less store is under development at 4449 Southmont Way, at the former Bed Bath & Beyond site in the Southmount Plaza, according to site plans and variance drawings included in an agenda of the Bethlehem Township Zoning Hearing Board’s March 27 meeting.

Expedite the Diehl LLC, for BREW DDR IVA Southmont PA LLC, is seeking a dimensional variance from Zoning Ordinance Section 275-163.A(4)(a), permitting a maximum of two wall signs. Full story here. 

Upper Macungie planners OK new Tilghman Street retail center

U. MACUNGIE TWP., Pa. – The Upper Macungie Township Planning Commission recommended final land development approval for a proposed retail center Wednesday night at the administration building.

The plan, offered by Trexlertown Retail Center LLC, calls for an auto service station with a convenience store, car wash and retail at 5917 Tilghman St. The proposal includes demolition of the existing buildings on site and construction of the new facilities.

Discussions between planners and the applicant involved the site's access drive to Tilghman Street that belongs to the existing truck stop property. The access drive is not part of the application, but the planning commission previously asked the owner to collaborate with the township on improvements to prevent tractor-trailers from making left turns onto Tilghman Street. Read more here. 

Fundraisers

Top Lehigh Valley chefs teaming up for 7-course dinner to help fight childhood hunger

BETHLEHEM, Pa. - First-rate chefs from some of the Lehigh Valley’s most popular restaurants are joining forces to present a multi-course dinner to raise funds for an important cause.

A seven-course dinner and wine pairing to benefit Chefs Cycle for No Kid Hungry will be held 6 p.m. Tuesday, March 26, at Edge Restaurant in downtown Bethlehem.

Featured chefs will include Timothy Widrick (Edge Restaurant), Lee Chizmar and Amy Palmer (Bolete), Christopher Heath (Top Cut Steakhouse), Mike Pichetto (Third & Ferry Fish Market), Shawn Doyle (Savory Grille) and Cristian Gonzalez (The Shelby). Read more. 

West Reading diner honors first responders ahead of RM Palmer explosion anniversary

WEST READING, Pa. - A diner in West Reading is honoring the first responders who supported the RM Palmer explosion relief efforts.

The American Diner on Penn Avenue is collecting donations this week. Sunday is the first anniversary of the deadly blast.

All proceeds the diner brings in on Sunday will also be donated. Full story here. 

Odds and ends

Pet shops no longer allowed to sell guinea pigs in Allentown

ALLENTOWN, Pa. – Allentown City Council voted Wednesday night to adopt an ordinance to amend its retail pet shop ordinance to prohibit the sale of guinea pigs.

The ordinance already prohibits pet shops from selling dogs, cats and rabbits because of poor conditions in breeding mills.

Liz Cabrera-Holz, the senior campaign manager at World Animal Protection, asked council to also consider adding a ban on the sale of the Siamese fighting fish, commonly known as betta fish. Read more here. 

Iron Menace roller coaster took its 1st test run at Dorney Park. The ride's not the only change coming this season

S. WHITEHALL TWP., Pa. - It's hard to miss the newest addition to Dorney Park: the Iron Menace.

And now we're seeing it in action, with the first test ride happening this week.

"You don't realize how big it is and how menacing it is until you stand underneath that first drop at 160 feet. 95 degrees, and you're king of like, wow, this is a legit beast," said public relations manager Ryan Eldredge. Read more. 

Closing notes

Arby’s eatery permanently closes in Northampton County

WILSON, Pa. – Fans of Arby’s roast beef, crispy chicken and Market Fresh sandwiches have one less restaurant to visit in the Lehigh Valley.

The fast-food chain’s location at 2445 Butler St. in Wilson permanently closed on Tuesday.

An on-site worker confirmed that the eatery’s last day of business was Tuesday but could not comment on the reasons surrounding the closure. Full story here. 

Downtown Allentown Market to reduce hours, bid farewell to 2 tenants

ALLENTOWN, Pa. - Two Downtown Allentown Market tenants will close later this month as the 4.5-year-old dining hall condenses its hours to focus on weekday breakfast and lunch.

Effective April 1, the Downtown Allentown Market will have new operating hours of 7:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday through Friday, the market announced.

Due to this change, Casa Criolla and Bar 1838 will be closing. Read more here. 

‘New beginning’: Lehigh County cafe closes as owners shift operations

An Allentown area café has closed as the owners begin a new chapter that involves moving the business’ central kitchen to Bethlehem to focus on providing fresh food and drink offerings through the business’ home meal delivery service, catering, farmers market stands and two other café locations.

Zekraft, which “makes and curates well-crafted food and kitchen items” using ingredients from the Lehigh Valley and surrounding region, on Friday closed its 1.5-year-old location at 1259 S. Cedar Crest Blvd in Salisbury Township, Lehigh County, according to an announcement on the business’ social media pages.

The Allentown area location opened in October 2022 in space that previously housed 3 Men & A Bagel in the Cedar Crest Professional Park, across from Lehigh Valley Hospital – Cedar Crest. Read more.