U. MOUNT BETHEL TWP., Pa. - Spring officially kicks off Tuesday, and a new outdoor venue in the Lehigh Valley is a prime spot for sipping wine, beer and other craft beverages while savoring scenic views and fun times with friends.
Stone Lake Winery, which husband and wife Scott and Jacki Douglas established in 2020, on March 23 will open its new tasting venue at 1584 S. Delaware Drive in Upper Mount Bethel Township.
The new full-service location, featuring a rectangular building with serving windows along with a neighboring covered pavilion, will operate on the All Aspects at the Barn property, a picturesque site surrounded by abundant shrubbery and mature trees.
All Aspects at the Barn, which opened in September 2021, is a family-owned store selling new, vintage and repurposed home furnishings along with locally made coffee, soy candles and other items in a late 19th century restored barn. The business also features an animal petting farm.
Stone Lake Winery’s new tasting venue - dubbed “the Cottage" - will complement All Aspects’ unique retail offerings and will replace the winery’s former Slate Belt location, which closed in late 2023 after 2.5 years at 8 Mt. Bethel Plaza, about a mile north of All Aspects.
The winery’s former location, in the Mount Bethel Plaza, experienced dwindling foot traffic and “never really took off” as the Douglases had hoped, Scott said.
Stone Lake Winery, which husband and wife Scott and Jacki Douglas established in 2020, on March 23 will open its new tasting venue at 1584 S. Delaware Drive in Upper Mount Bethel Township.
“So, we closed down our old location and began developing this new location right away,” Scott said. “It’s really exciting because it’s a beautiful property, where a lot of outdoor events are held. We’re also going to host food trucks and live music.”
Stone Lake Winery, offering a wide array of wines by the glass, flight and bottle, is an extension of Stone Lake Inn, a Saylorsburg bed and breakfast and event venue that the Douglases have operated since 2016.
“We would send many of our guests to the wineries surrounding the B&B,” a description on the business’ website reads. “We realized that in their travels, the guests loved tasting local wines, hence the idea to create our own winery.”
Wines are produced locally with grapes from vineyards in Erie and other areas of northwestern Pennsylvania, Scott said.
A wide selection is available, including reds such as Cabernet Franc (dry), Syrah (dry), Bottaio Blend (semi-sweet) and Topolina (sweet); and whites such as Pinot Grigio (dry), Riesling (dry), Vidal (semi-sweet) and Moscato (sweet).
Other offerings include a port-style wine (Famiglia), specialty wines such as peach and mint, rotating sangria by the glass and flight and beer such as Yuengling and IPAs.
The Douglases are also looking to bring back a customer favorite, hard Italian ice, made with Stone Lake’s wines (available in a cup, flight or to-go pint).
“We definitely have something for everyone,” Scott said.
Stone Lake Winery, which also operates a location at the Slatington Farmers Market in Washington Township, Lehigh County, is opening its new Upper Mount Bethel location on March 23, the same day as All Aspect’s annual Easter at the Barn Family Day.
The free Easter event will be held 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and will feature more than 30 local artisans and vendors, live music, food trucks, photos with the Easter Bunny, face painting, a bounce house, petting farm, in-store specials and a children’s Easter egg hunt ($5 per child), featuring 7,000 candy eggs and 100 toy prizes. Easter egg hunt registration is required by March 20 at allaspectsbarn.com/workshops.
Stone Lake Winery is also planning to hold its grand opening weekend on May 4 and 5 in conjunction with All Aspect’s May Fair Artisan & Pampering Festival (10 a.m. to 4 p.m. May 4), featuring artisans and vendors, pampering booths, live music, food trucks, kids bounce house and activities and more. The winery will host a Cinco de Wino! event with live music and food trucks on May 5.
Initial hours for Stone Lake Winery’s new location will be noon to 5 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays.
“We’ll likely expand the hours and may add some more days in the coming months,” Scott said.
For the latest Stone Lake Winery updates, follow the business’ pages on Facebook and Instagram. Info: 570-992-7025; stonelakewinery.com.
Restaurant news
‘Ready to meet everyone!’: Yianni's owners announce opening date, menu details for new restaurant
EASTON, Pa. - The owners of a popular Greek restaurant in Northampton County are almost ready to unveil their newest full-service dining concept.
Meli European Taverna, a new Mediterranean dining experience from the owners of Yianni’s Taverna in Lower Saucon Township, will open March 19 at 322 Northampton St. in downtown Easton, according to a post on the business’ social media pages.
“We announced Meli in October of 2023,” the post reads. “It's been an unbelievable journey. To the City of Easton, the Lehigh Valley, and all of our fans, thank you for your patience. Our front of house, kitchen, bar, and management teams have been diligently perfecting Meli over the past several months. After several soft openings, we're ready.” Full story here.
‘Culinary revelation’: New restaurant to feature ‘Mexican comfort food,’ full bar in Northampton County
HELLERTOWN, Pa. — A new full-service restaurant is set to spice up the Lehigh Valley’s dining scene with unique, made-from-scratch Mexican dishes, signature spirits and cocktails, and a vibrant atmosphere.
La Maya Mexican Comfort, offering upscale Mexican comfort cuisine, is expected to open in early May at 650 Main St. in Hellertown, co-owner CJ Moyer said.
The restaurant, with seating for approximately 50 diners, will occupy a renovated space that previously housed The Vibe Nutrition, a business offering nutritional shakes, clean-energy drinks, smoothie bowls and more, which closed in July. Read more here.
La Maya Mexican Comfort is coming soon to 650 Main St. in Hellertown. Pictured are owners Rogelio Romero (left) and CJ Moyer.
Restaurant resurgence underway in downtown Easton
EASTON, Pa. -- Downtown Easton is seeing a restaurant resurgence.
Come next week, you'll be able to enjoy a bite at Meli.
"Our families are Greek, so it's gonna be predominantly Greek, but it's gonna have a European flair," said Melissa Zannakis, one of the owners of Meli. Read more.
Taqueria Comalli operates at 701 Court St. in West Reading.
Four years out, local restaurants still feel lingering impact of COVID shutdowns
WEST READING, Pa. - It's a frenzied Friday at Taqueria Comalli in West Reading as Erik Arizmendi and his staff try to satiate the public's seemly endless desire for tacos, but you know what's on his mind?
Olive oil.
"Like right now olive oil, extra virgin olive oil, is through the roof. You're paying 90 percent more than we used to," said Erik. Read more.
Easton hikes outdoor dining fees for restaurants
EASTON, Pa. – Easton City Council amended application fees for its 2024 outdoor dining program Wednesday night. The "Easton Alfresco" program was established in 2020 in response to the COVID-19 pandemic as part of a larger business recovery program.
The plan's first phase involved providing city restaurants with access to adjacent public parking spaces to provide additional capacity and outdoor seating. Later, the program evolved into an economic development boost for warmer months while encouraging sociability within the community.
Specifically, the city will permit access to public, on-street parking spaces for the purpose of allowing permitted restaurants to use a specific area for extended, outdoor seating. Applicants are limited to the parking space or spaces that are directly in front of, or adjacent to, their physical location. Full story here.
Bakery buzz
‘Something for everyone!’: New Lehigh County bakery offering cakes, doughnuts and more
ALLENTOWN, Pa. - A new addition to the Lehigh Valley’s retail roster is satisfying sweet cravings of all kinds.
Dulce’s Bakery, offering a wide assortment of specialty desserts made fresh daily, opened March 9 at 1120 W. Linden St. in Allentown.
The renovated site previously housed another sweet spot, Luna’s Bakery, which closed a few years ago.
Customers can browse illuminated cases of various artisanal treats, including gourmet cakes, cupcakes, cookies, cannolis, doughnuts, pastries, sweet breads and fruit-filled turnovers. Read more here.
Dulce’s Bakery, offering a wide assortment of specialty desserts made fresh daily, opened recently at 1120 W. Linden St. in Allentown.
'So delicious': Lehigh Valley’s new Mediterranean bakery offering Egyptian, Turkish specialties
NAZARETH, Pa. - A new family-run bakery is dishing out unique, artisanal, sweet and savory treats – including Turkish bagels, Egyptian meat pies and a wide assortment of desserts – in Northampton County.
Baba Bakery, offering made-from-scratch Egyptian and Turkish baked goods, opened March 2 at 49 N. Broad St. in Nazareth.
Husband and wife owners Mohamed and Cansu Hagag have Egyptian and Turkish backgrounds respectively and work alongside Cansu’s father and other family members in preparing hand-crafted specialties such as baklava, sutlac (Turkish rice pudding) and lahmacun (flatbread topped with minced beef and vegetables, herbs and spices). Read more.
Sheetz, Rutters seeking expansions
Proposed Sheetz gets preliminary approval in Hellertown
HELLERTOWN, Pa. – The Hellertown Planning Commission on Tuesday approved a preliminary land development plan for a Sheetz near a busy Interstate 78 intersection at Main Street and Kichline Avenue.
Misgivings about light pollution for residents and increased traffic to the already congested area were debated among planning commission members.
Planner Maria Diaz-Joves expressed her concerns about traffic. "It's a nightmare," Diaz-Joves said. Full story here.
Star Pre-Owned of Hellertown operates at Main Street and Kichline Avenue, across from the Interstate 78 East on- and off-ramps at Route 412, in Hellertown. A Sheetz gas station and convenience store have been proposed for the site.
Palmer Twp. hears preliminary plan for Lehigh Valley's first Rutter’s
PALMER TWP., Pa. – At its monthly meeting Tuesday night, the Palmer Township Planning Commission reviewed a preliminary plan for the first Rutter's location proposed in the Lehigh Valley.
Based in York, Rutter's is a gas station/convenience store chain similar to Wawa and Sheetz. The company has more than 85 locations across Pennsylvania, Maryland and West Virginia — including three in Berks County and one in Schuylkill County.
Presented by Rutter's associate general counsel Brian Carter and project manager Damon Hall, Tuesday's proposal calls for a new Rutter's location to be constructed at 1280 Main St. The site is east-southeast of Route 33's Stockertown exit in northern Palmer Township. Read more here.
More retail updates
New family-owned grocery store opens in Allentown
ALLENTOWN, Pa. - A new destination for fresh meats, produce, dairy products and other groceries is welcoming shoppers in Lehigh County.
Bravo Meat Market, a family-owned grocery store, opened in late February at 1101 Hanover Ave. on Allentown’s East Side.
Grizel Mazariegos-Perez and her husband, Felix Perez, owners and operators of Easton Meat Services LLC, a wholesale meat processing business on Line Street in Easton, purchased the Hanover Avenue property last year to expand their business. Read more.
Bravo Meat Market, a family-owned grocery store, opened in late February at 1101 Hanover Ave. on Allentown’s East Side.
Palmer Park Mall to welcome 3 new retail tenants, including store with 100+ vendors
PALMER TWP., Pa. - A trio of businesses is set to breathe new life into a Northampton County shopping mall.
Blue Flame Events, Lehigh Valley Fashion Week Shops, and Santalexa & Fitness Love are set to open at the Palmer Park Mall, at Park Avenue and Nazareth Road in Palmer Township, within the next few weeks. Full story here.
Palmer Park Mall in Palmer Township
‘Room to grow’: Popular Northampton County deli expanding with new market, seafood options
NORTHAMPTON, Pa. - A popular Lehigh Valley deli is making moves, but not too distant.
Galyean’s Deli, a full-service, mom-and-pop deli offering sliced-to-order meats and cheeses, house-made soups and salads, party platters and more, is planning to move its retail operations from 107 Lilac Court in Northampton to a larger, adjacent space at 109 Lilac Court in about month.
New signage was installed in February, and interior renovations and equipment installation are set to be complete in the coming weeks, co-owner Jolene Terleski said. Read more here.
Galyean's Deli operates on Lilac Court in Northampton.
‘High quality, ethically sourced’: New halal meat market opens in Lehigh County
L. MACUNGIE TWP., Pa. - Just in time for barbecues and grilling season, a new business is offering premium ground beef, lamb chops, top sirloin steaks and other meat products in Lehigh County.
Yaseen Meat Farm, a market specializing in fresh halal meats, opened recently at 1800 Willow Spur in Lower Macungie Township.
The space previously housed Trio Country Butcher, a longstanding business offering specialty beef, pork and poultry products including smoked and marinated items, which closed in November. Full story here.
Yaseen Meat Farm, a market specializing in fresh halal meats, recently opened at 1800 Willow Spur in Lower Macungie Township.
Couple nearing completion of Bethlehem charcuterie shop, featuring local meats and cheeses
BETHLEHEM, Pa. - A tasty new business is almost ready to welcome customers in downtown Bethlehem.
A Couple Craves, a store offering locally sourced charcuterie boards, boxes and more, is expected to open by mid-April on West Broad Street in downtown Bethlehem, co-owner Jessica Loney said.
The shop will occupy a renovated space on the ground floor of a retail and office building, a few doors down from Twisted Olive and across the street from the under-development Boyd mixed-use complex. Read more here.
Berks, Montgomery counties
East Greenville's Grand Theater celebrates 100th anniversary
On Main Street in East Greenville in Montgomery County, you can take a trip back in time. That's because there, sits the Grand Theater. A masterpiece that has stood the test of time. It first opened in 1924, making this the one-hundred-year celebration; an anniversary that almost didn't happen.
Ed Buchinski bought the building in 2004, just in the nick of time.
"The borough was actually looking for a grant to demolish the theater for downtown parking," he said. Read more.
Berks St. Patrick's Day tradition celebrates milestone
BALLY, Pa. - A St. Paddy's Day tradition that goes back decades kicks off Thursday.
Bally's "Irish Wake" will mark its 50th celebration this weekend.
Organizers at The Bally Hotel were hard at work setting up Wednesday. Full story here.
Odds and ends
Coffee business that hosted Biden closes Emmaus location
EMMAUS, Pa. - A Lehigh Valley coffee shop that made headlines when President Biden visited its Emmaus location in January has just closed that location.
In an online post, the owners of Nowhere Coffee Company say they had to close the Main Street Emmaus location because of a dispute with their landlord over water damage from a roof leak.
The Emmaus coffee shop was one of several local businesses Biden visited while in the Lehigh Valley Jan. 12. Read more here.
Nowhere Coffee Co.'s location in Emmaus.
Lehigh Valley’s new ropes course, ‘eatertainment’ destination to hold reopening celebration
WILLIAMS TWP., Pa. - A new Lehigh Valley outdoor adventure venue is reopening for the 2024 season with an unlimited access deal and other promotions.
Hangdog, billed as an "eatertainment destination" and the largest outdoor ropes course in the Northeastern United States, has announced that its grand reopening celebration will be held on April 6 at 410 Cedarville Road in Williams Township.
Located south of Easton, just off of Interstate 78, Hangdog opened with much fanfare in August. Read more.
HangDog in Williams Township
IronPigs reveal menu additions for 2024 season, including Rueben Burger and Sweet Pig Burger
ALLENTOWN, Pa. - The Lehigh Valley IronPigs have announced the newest additions to concession stands menus for the 2024 season.
19 new food and beverage options will be available (7 items only available at the PNC Club Bar), according to a news release from the IronPigs.
The former Sooo-eeey’te spot frozen yogurt stand will be converted into a Rita’s Italian Ice stand, the team says. Full story here.
Sweet Pig Burger. Photo courtesy of the IronPigs
'You still see that image of beer, you think male': Lehigh County woman is changing that, owns her own brewery
ALLENTOWN, Pa. - "I do think that right now you still see that image of beer, you think male," said Caitlin McCall.
McCall said that's changing: not just drinking beer but brewing it. She knows. She owns McCall Collective Brewing in Allentown and Taphouse in Breinigsville.
"I've actually been into craft beer for a very long time," said McCall. Read more here.
