What’s the latest with Westgate Mall

Generations of customers come to the Amateur Athlete Skate Shop at Westgate Mall in Bethlehem.

“They bring their grandkids in and say, ‘I used to bring my son here,'” said owner Joe Yoo. “It just goes to show that there’s a lot of loyalty.”

His business, which has been part of Westgate for 38 years, has been hit by plans to demolish part of the mall, among other things. He and several other shopkeepers at the mall were notified about a month ago by the mall’s owner, New Jersey-based Onyx Equities, that they had to move out within 90 days.

Onyx Equities plans to demolish approximately 50,000 square feet of the interior of the Schoenersville Road mall to allow for approximately 8,000 square feet of space to be built. Two new structures include a freestanding bank with a drive-thru adjacent to a relocated Weis Markets and an adjacent shopping center that will include Jersey Mike’s Subs, QDOBA Mexican Eats and Starbucks.

Darlene Heller, Bethlehem’s director of planning and zoning, said the city has not received any permit applications from Onyx. I contacted Onyx to find out more about their demolition schedule and was told they would contact me if they had any news.

Since the communications were sent to affected companies:

• holiday hair closed. A sign on the door directs customers to another location at 5510 Crawford Drive, Hanover Township, Northampton County
• fashion nails moved to 1536 N. Cedar Crest, South Whitehall Township
• Hawk Music Center closes on March 31 after 50 years.

Westgate Jewelers is working on his relocation plans. When I stopped by Wednesday, many shoppers were taking advantage of the jeweler’s winter sidewalk sale. The sale runs until March 19, according to the company’s Facebook page.

Yoo said he’s narrowing down options and is close to announcing a decision.

What he does know is that he has a loyal customer base that supports him.

“We’ve had customers walk in and say, ‘Wherever you go, we’ll follow you,'” Yoo said. “Every day people come in and express their dismay and also offer their help, including help with moving.”

Tilghman Square updates

Many readers have wondered what is going on at the former Planet Fitness site on Tilghman Square in South Whitehall Township. Paper covers the windows and obviously people are working there.

I contacted the community and was told that OAA Orthopedics is the prospective tenant for the space. OAA Orthopedics, the oldest private orthopedic practice in the Lehigh Valley, has half a dozen locations throughout the valley.

In other Tilghman Square news, A&A car is closed.

Something sweet near Slationton

The waffle place is the newest vendor to join the growing Slatington Farmers Market. The massive, 28,000-square-foot Slatington Farmers Market opened in June on a site that was once the Keystone Lamp Factory. It is attached to the 7 year old Slatington Marketplace which specializes in antiques, collectibles and vintage items. It is close to the D&L trail.

The Market has added vendors and the Waffle Spot is the latest to join.

What you’ll find: Imagine next-generation waffle cones with a choice of toppings. The waffle cone is an edible container but also an important part of the dessert. You can get one of their signature flavors: Home Sweet, which includes waffles, chocolate drizzle, and green tea ice cream; island breeze with a coconut waffle with toasted coconut and green tea lemon ice cream; and kakao me up, with a chocolate cone with Oreo crumbs, condensed milk drizzle, and chocolate ice cream. How much: $9.

If you want to go out alone, you can also order your own customizable combination. ($9) You can also get milkshakes in interesting flavors like pineapple and mango. ($6.50)

The Slatington Farmers Market is located at 8281 Route 873 in Washington Township (just outside of Slatington). Opening times for The Waffle Spot: Friday and Saturday from 9am to 8pm; 9am to 6pm Sunday; and every first Thursday of the month from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m.

Info: facebook.com/TheSlatingtonWaffleSpot

Allentown is thriving

Four stores will spring up in downtown Allentown this spring.

Properly laced, which was open as a “pop-up” retailer, will make permanent residences in a residential/work unit at the Hive Residences on Seventh Street in April. It is a sneaker boutique specializing in top brands.

Along with this news, City Center Investment Corp., the real estate development company helping to revitalize downtown Allentown, has announced that it will be opening a second pop-up shop. Downtown Dollhouse & Co., will be moving to a permanent location at 26 N. Sixth St., Suite 160 in April. The Dollhouse is an established lash and brow house on the south side of Allentown. At its new location, it will continue to host private beauty, eyelash and brow training courses and showcase retail.

In addition to these two permanent stores, the city has two new pop-up or temporary retailers.

• OG boutique, ArtsWalk Annex, 27 N. Seventh St., Suite 3, specializing in new, vintage and repurposed designer clothing and accessories from brands like Levi’s and Louis Vuitton. Info: shopogboutique.com/
• High vibration wellness, Cityplace, 900 Hamilton St., Suite 160. This is a yoga/spa that sells metaphysical products and services. (The name might be familiar if you shop regularly at the Lehigh Valley Mall, as she was a longtime kiosk renter.) As she prepares her Bethlehem studio for opening this spring, she wanted to test Allentown Market by selling the Yoga opens Atelier as a pop-up space.

A loss for Emmaus

A restaurant known for its mix of classic and modern Cuban dishes has closed on Chestnut Street in Emmaus.

Wed Havana Cuban Cuisine, “Where classic Cuban dishes and modern flair collide” has been open at East Penn Plaza, 1301 Chestnut St. for about three years. The location has had a few different stores over the years including Cafe Bachi’s and most recently Lehigh Fine Groceries with Lehigh Cafe.

Mi Havana Cuban Cuisine offered a menu full of Cuban specialties such as the classic Cuban sandwich with roast pork, ham, Swiss cheese, pickles and mustard, and empanadas.

What’s cooking in the shale belt?

A long-vacant three-story building in Plainfield Township is being converted into a commercial kitchen for a local caterer.

Chef Angelo Napoli, 34, bought the building at 5664 Sullivan Trail and will convert it into a kitchen for his catering company Modern Fusion Catering, which specializes in custom menus for weddings, celebrations and corporate events.

Jeff Barber of Lehigh Financial Group LLC in Allentown arranged the business loan so Napoli could purchase the building and convert it into a commercial kitchen on the first floor and apartments on the second floor. The purchase was completed at the end of February.

Napoli plans to renovate the building and set it up as the main prep kitchen for its catering business. Napoli, who grew up in Bethlehem Township, often saw the building on the Sullivan Trail on his way to his father’s pizzeria in Bangor, Napoli’s Pizza. He thought it would make a great restaurant and dreamed of buying it one day.

The catering kitchen will have a tasting room for wedding clients by appointment only. No public meal is planned.

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