Retail Watch

What I'm working on ...

The usual peek at some of the items on tap for the following week ...

Soullicious -- New soul food eatery that opened at 77 N. 4th Street in downtown Easton.

Hookah Turka -- Hookah bar at 44 W.Broad St., Bethlehem. The first such retailer in the Lehigh Valley.

Loose Threads Boutique -- Recently opened retailer at 9 W. 4th St., Bethlehem.

SONIC -- Time for an update on the fast food restaurant's plans to open a location at 1753 Airport Road in Hanover Township.

Lucky Duck's Diner -- Bethlehem officials gave some construction approvals for the place at 322 E. Third Street.

LEFTOVERS:

Infini-teegolf-- New state-of-the-art indoor golf facility opening soon at 224 Stockton Street, Phillipsburg. (Saved for more detailed story)

Construction -- What is being built next to the Queen Market on Pennsylvania Avenue in Hanover Township? It's been a question filling my e-mail basket. (unconfirmed reports. Awaiting more clarity from township officials)

Bike shops opens on Allentown's 7th Street

Madera Bicycle has opened at 45 N. 7th Street.

The place sells bicycles as well as services the vehicles.

Allentown Main Street Manager Peter Lewnes said shop owner Juan Madera had been part owner of a bike shop in Manhattan for 20 years.

Allentown's Seventh Street has been buzzing in activity on the retail front in recent months. In addition to the ongoing facade improvements of some storefronts, there are some newbies that includes the Exclusive Tattoos and Music, a shop offering CDs and tattoos. The place opened at 41 N. 7th Street in June.

Free Slurpee at 7 Eleven this Saturday

Nothing says celebration like something free.

That's what 7-Eleven is saying, celebrating its 82nd anniversary on Saturday (July 7 or better known as 7/11) with free 7.11 ounce Slurpee at its convenience stores. The company is planning to give away about 5 million of the frozen treats that day.

Airport Center Watch

Airport Center is the new shopping plaza off Airport Road in Hanover Township, Lehigh County.

Who's Open?

A.C. Moore, Five Guys Burgers and Fries, Sleepy's, Carter's, GolfGalaxy, T-Mobile, Aspen Dental, Wachovia, Sleepy's and Christmas Tree Shops.

Not yet open?

Target (July 26), Sam's Club (no definite date), Ross (Stocking shelves this afternoon), Ulta beauty, Zoup (mid-August), Verizon Wireless (August), Starbucks (building permit identifies them going going in next to Aspen Dental), On the Border, Famous Footwear,and Panera. Also,I blogged about an Italian restaurant coming as well.

I'm missing about three other retailers, but awaiting confirmation on construction permits with Hanover Township before posting.

Dress for free Chick-fil-A

It's that time of year.

Yes, the fifth annual Cow Appreciation Day is Friday.

What is it? Dress like a cow to get a free Chick-fil-A meal.

Virtual food co-op moves to storefront

The Lehigh Valley Food Co-Op has opened a storefront at 860 Broad St., Emmaus.

The food co-op has been working solely from its Web site (www.lvfood.coop) as a "virtual farmer's market," since March. Sherry Kramer, the co-op's president, said they have outgrown the operation center.

The Lehigh Valley Food co-op uses many local producers. Members now have the ability to shop the store's shelves, as well as use the delivery service.

Kramer added that the co-op is offering trial memberships, attained by e-mailing membership@lvfood.coop.

Pizza World opens in Bethlehem

A Pizza World franchise has opened weeks ago in the Schoenersville Centre, at Schoenersville Road and Avenue C.

Pizza World is a gourmet pizza chain that also has a location on Chestnut Street in Emmaus.

White Castle Watch

White Castle will not confirm they're opening a restaurant at the former Sunoco on MacArthur Road in Whitehall township, citing company policy that forbids announcing details until the site is "legally secured."

Company spokeswoman Deborah Patton Cline added that an "Allentown" site has received "internal approval." Not immediately clear what that means, but Whitehall Township officials confirmed several days ago that White Castle officials have submitted for site plans for the former Sunoco site and could meet before township officials for approval sometime this month.

Cline said White Castle will still be building a restaurant in the Pohatcong Plaza II, a shopping center off Route 22 in Phillipsburg. She said construction is scheduled to begin sometime next year.

Cline has said the development stalled as they awaited the completion of the Wal-Mart in the shopping center later this year. The center marks its grand opening in the fall.

White Castle is a slider-like hamburger chain that has been a "want" for the Lehigh Valley for several years. There are no reported locations in Pennsylvania at this time.

Retail Watch hits the airwaves

I will be talking Retail Watch as the guest DJ on B-104 radio station.

When? Tuesday, July 7 (9-11 a.m.)

I recorded the segment on Friday. It's mostly chatter about White Castle, Bada Bingg and Airport Center.

Local Italian restaurant eyeing Airport Center

Owners of Taste of Italy Ristorante have signed a "letter of intent" for opening a restaurant at the Airport Center shopping plaza in Hanover Township.

Joe Grisafi, a member of the Hanover Township restaurant, said they will be signing a lease with Airport Center sometime later this month. They are not closing their restaurant in the shopping center at 1860 Catasauqua Road, just adding a location. The restaurant for Airport Center will be named Roma Ristorante & Cafe and it will be located next to Sleepy's. Roma's menu will be similar to Taste of Italy, Grisafi said.

Some may recall that Airport Center was supposed to house a Macaroni Grill, a chain Italian restaurant. The deal fell through last year.

Life after Quiznos

Colleague Kevin Amerman has a story in today's Mcall about the former Quiznos in Cooperburg that has broken from the strict corporate rules and started an independent sandwich shop.

What I'm working on ...

Turns out a lot folks were out of contact due to the July 4 holiday, so much of last week's "what i'm working on" was unsuccessful. Let's hope this week proves better for clearing items from the list.

Here is the routine peek at what I'm working on for the week ...

Bada Bingg -- A look at what's on the menu and the true concept of the Bada Bingg, the new restaurant to take over the former Crave Lounge on 9th street in downtown Allentown.

Infini-teegolf -- New state-of-the-art indoor golf facility opening soon at 224 Stockton Street, Phillipsburg.

Construction -- What is being built next to the Queen Market on Pennsylvania Avenue in Hanover Township? It's been a question filling my e-mail basket.

leftovers:

Tortilla Flat-- The former restaurant on Bethlehem's Main Street is now an eatery called Tika's Lounge.

Airport Center -- Time for an update on the "who's who" for the center and the retailers approaching their "grand opening"

Bike Shop-- A new retailer has opened on 7th Street in Allentown, this one appears to be a bicycle shop of some sort.

White Castle-- Seeking more details on plans to open a White Castle at the former Sunoco gas station on MacArthur Road in Whitehall Township.

Lobaido returns to restaurant scene

Bernie Lobaido has taken over the former Ciao Baby restaurant at 90 S. Commerce Way, in Hanover Township, Northampton County.

Lobaido's new venture is called Bernado's and will be a traditional Italian deli, takeout and catering.

The place will open in two weeks, but without seating until Lobaido gets approval from the township to add the feature. Lobaido said the approval should come in about a month, but in the meantime the menu will be full of many of the signature dishes known at Lobaido's Cafe & Gelataria, just for a take-out option.

Lobaido's, which has been on Eighth Street in Allentown for 16 years, closed in January as Lobaido said he was going to move his operations into Rascal's Food & Fun in Upper Macungie Township. The Rascal's deal eventually fell through, Lobaido said.

Bernado's will honor unused Lobaido's gift cards.

Lobaido said he is taking a conservative approach as he sees how the recession works out, but has plans to eventually open another spot in Allentown.

Defunct retailers revived, in Web

There is life after bankruptcy death, for some retailers at least.

Remember Circuit City? How about Linens n' Things?

All the Circuit City and Linens n' Things retail stores throughout the country closed as a result of the companies filing for bankruptcy protection months ago, but their Web sites are still up and running.

How is this so?

Companies have purchased some defunct retailers naming rights to capitalize on a trusted name, rather than using their own. Let's take for instance Circuitcity.com that was purchased by online retailer Systemax Inc. The Linens n' Things name was purchased by LNT Acquisition LLC.

Even mall retailer KB Toys, which quickly shuttered its hundreds of stores after filing for bankruptcy late last year, has given signs of a revival on the Webl.

Looks like the Lehigh Valley is not completely at the mercy of Best Buy and Wal-Mart for electronics, or even Bed, Bath & Beyond for the niche market of home essentials.

(Photo: AP)

Two new retailers for Emmaus

Emmaus recently added two new retailers.

The newbies are Conversational Threads Fiber Arts Studio, which is located at 8 S. 4th Street and offers such items as yarns, fibers, knitting, crocheting and spinning supplies and accessories.

The other new place is The 2nd Time Around, which is a consignment shop that sells clothing, furniture and toys. The store is located at 570 Chestnut Street, right next to Joe's Pizza.

New downtown Allentown restaurant opening soon

Downtown Allentown has seen its share of store closures in recent months.

But, this time I have news of a much-anticipated opening on the horizon.

The former Crave Lounge on 9th Street was sold weeks ago to the owners of the Bada Bingg sandwich shop at the Allentown Farmers Market.

Owners of the Bada Bingg are planned to open the location on Monday, July 6.

Details on the exact cuisine for the named restaurant have not been unveiled to me, but because the purchase includes the items from Crave Lounge, I can assume it will be more than just the sandwiches sold at the Farmers Market location.

I expect to have more details later this week.

Thrift shop for Bethlehem

VIA Thrift Shop will be opening a location at the Stefko Blvd Shopping Center.

This will be VIA's fifth location with proceeds benefiting services of people with benefits.

Other local VIA Thrift Shop locations are in Nazareth, Allentown, and the Westgate Mall in Bethlehem.

Another local Wal-Mart gets upgrade

The Wal-Mart at 3928 Linden Street in Bethlehem has been under "reconstruction" for the last three months.

The box store celebrates its "grand opening" on Wednesday, marking the completion of some upgrades.

The remodeled Wal-Mart now has wider isles, new shelving and brighter paints and lighting schemes. The upgrade also includes an expanded electronic section, in addition to more selections of food.

The Wal-Mart on MacArthur Road in Whitehall Township underwent a similar upgrade recently and celebrated its "grand re-opening" weeks ago.

The "grand opening" celebration at the Bethlehem location starts Wednesday at 9 a.m.

What I'm working on ...

I'm back from celebrating my birthday in New Orleans. Now, it's back to some much-needed retail business since both my e-mail and voicemails baskets are nearing "full."

Here is the routine peek at what's on tap for the week.

Wal-Mart -- The location at 3928 Linden Street in Bethlehem is celebrating a "grand opening" on Wednesday after undergoing recent renovations. The location on MacArthur Road in Whitehall Township also underwent a recent renovation.

Tortilla Flat -- The former restaurant on Bethlehem's Main Street is now an eatery called Tika's Lounge.

Airport Center -- Time for an update on the "who's who" for the center and the retailers approaching their "grand opening"

Bike Shop -- A new retailer has opened on 7th Street in Allentown, this one appears to be a bicycle shop of some sort.

White Castle -- Seeking more details on plans to open a White Castle at the former Sunoco gas station on MacArthur Road in Whitehall Township.

Retail Watch on pause

I will be out of the office until Tuesday, June 30. There are no planned blog posts until that time. A Retail Watch column will be published on Sunday, June 28.

White Castle wants Whitehall Twp.

The hamburger chain White Castle has submitted plans to Whitehall Township for opening a spot at the former Sunoco gas station property in front of the Home Depot on MacArthur Road, a township official said.

Whitehall Planning Director Lee Rackus said the Ohio-based burger restaurant will have to meet with the township's zoning board in July to resolve issues of the property, which is on a flood plain.

Debbie Kline, a spokeswoman for White Castle, was not available for comment.

Whitehall Township would be the only White Castle restaurant in Pennsylvania, and would be the second development prospect in the greater Lehigh Valley. The chain has locations in neighboring states like New Jersey and New York.

White Castle has been eyeing development in the Lehigh Valley in recent years. The chain announced last year that it would be building a restaurant in the Pohatcong Plaza II, a shopping center off Route 22 in Philipsburg.

The company said earlier this year that the development has stalled as they await the completion of the Wal-Mart in the shopping center later this year. The center marks its grand opening in the fall.

White Castle is a burger chain known for its slider-like hamburgers and ties to the 2004 movie "Harold & Kumar Go to White Castle." The White Castle chain does not franchise its operations like some of its fast-food competitors.

The Sunoco on MacArthur Road closed several years ago and has seen a series of development plans that have failed. The land has been prospect for such retailers as Krispy Kreme and Starbucks.

Plans for a Krispy Kreme failed in 2004 because the station is on a flood plain, and the Starbucks idea lost its perk years ago.

Longtime Center City diner in limbo

Gate 7 diner was forced to close after a kitchen fire seriously damaged the structure on Thanksgiving evening in 2005.

After about a half-million dollars in renovations, the place reopened a short time later.

Today, however, the glass and metal one-story eatery at the corner of Linden and 9th Street in Allentown's Center City is closed once again with few hopes of re-opening.

"It looks like temporary closed will be more like indefinite," said Nick Malitsis, son of owner Dimitrios Malitsis. "Business has been slow for the last eight months and we just could not catch up on the bills."

Gate 7, a 24-hour diner, closed on Wednesday because the building's gas was shut off for non-payment of a $10,000 bill, Malitsis said.

Malitsis said the lackluster economy has resulted in the loss of at least $500 a day in profits, adding to the problem of lacking customers since LANTA eliminated bus stops on nearby Hamilton Street in 2007 for the centralized bus terminal dubbed Allentown Transportation Center between 6th and 7th Streets.

The 3,000 square foot diner dates back to several decades, bearing such names as the All-American Diner in the 1970s, and later became Silverstar diner.

The Malitsis family purchased the restaurant in 2003 for $300,000, according to Lehigh County assessment records.

The property is currently listed for sale at $650,000, according to its real estate listing.

Malitsis said he has contacted city officials for help, with hopes of re-opening.

Meanwhile, a sign taped on the diner's window today reads: "Temp closed. I would like to thank the city of Allentown for helping out all the other businesses. Except ours!!!"

The diner is not located in a designated Keystone Opportunity Zone sites, which offers state and local tax breaks to merchants.

Dollar store news in Allentown

There has been some buzz in terms of dollar stores in Allentown.

The city has added two such cost-savings outlets in recent weeks, with another set to open in the coming weeks.

Bargain King has opened at the former Sage womens' clothing shopon Tilghman Street.

4th Street Family Discount store has opened at 1431 S. 4th Street.

In addition, a Family Dollar is scheduled to open soon at the Allen Street Shopping Center in the 1400 block of Allen Street.

Developing: White Castle eyeing property

White Castle is actively looking at properties in the Lehigh Valley.

That's the report from several reliable sources. Such properties under review by the hamburger chain is the former Sunoco gas station in front of the Home Depot on Whitehall Township's MacArthur Road and a few properties on Allentown's Union Boulevard.

The Ohio-based hamburger chain has been planning to open a spot on Route 22 in Phillipsburg, but they've stalled development.

More details to come ...

Local restaurant group keeps focus on cheap eats

The Ciao Baby restaurant was another part of the aggressive plans of the Ciao Restaurant Group infusing high-end into the Lehigh Valley last year.

Ciao Baby, at 90 S. Commerce Way off Route 512, was sold about a month ago and is the latest casualty of the restaurant group pulling out of the "high-end" business.

Ciao Restaurant Group launched on the Lehigh Valley's restaurant scene when the four members of the organization touted the $1.75 million deal to open a sushi and Mediterranean restaurant at 514 Main St., in Bethlehem, the site of the former Weinland's Hardware.

The restaurant group also took over the former Bacio Italian Trattoria at 1259 S. Cedar Crest Blvd., Salisbury Township.

The million-dollar sushi and Mediterranean restaurants concept eventually collapsed last year due to lack of financing and the group sold Ciao in March.

Sal Biundo, a partner of the group, said in March that the new focus was on more "economical" food.

That group altered Ciao Baby's menu with lower cost items and opened a Ciao Baby pizzeria at routes 309 and 313in Quakertown.

Biundo said in a telephone interview today that the group is continuing its focus on "economical" eats, deciding to sell Ciao Baby, which new owners said will be a delicatessen with catering on the side.

The Ciao Restaurant Group recently went from four members, to two, Biundo said. The firm is planning to open a Ciao Baby pizzeria in Orefield and Phillipsburg sometime later this year, Biundo added.

The Melting Pot opening delayed

The Melting Pot was scheduled to open in July.

The restaurant, which is being constructed in the One East Broad Street building in downtown Bethlehem, is now scheduled to open in August, officials said

The delay was due to a zoning variance for the restaurant's outdoor patio and the restructuring of project financing with the help of the city, said Tony Hanna, Bethlehem's director of community and economic development.

"While the zoning variance and change in lenders took a little more time, they both helped strengthen the project," Hanna said. "[They're] providing for a more interesting dining experience outdoors and providing for better financing and less expense for the restaurant."

Immediate efforts to reach the restaurant's owners were unsuccessful.

The Melting Pot is a fondue-inspired restaurant chain that has been on the Lehigh Valley's "wish list" for several years. The Bethlehem spot will be the first location in the Valley

Local bed & breakfast adds more charm

The Wydnor Hall Inn Bed & Breakfast is celebrating its 20-year anniversary this year, but that's merely part of the reason owners are in celebration mode.

Owners Charles and Kristina Taylor recently completed the restoration of an 18th century structure that is believed to be the original dwelling on the Inn's property that was part of the land granted to William Penn by King Charles II of England.

The restored structure is separate from the manor house. In addition to its restoration, the structure was given a second floor and is now a two-story guest house called Bordaria Cottage.

Wydnor is located at 3612 Old Philadelphia Pike, Saucon Valley.

Wireless store opens in west Allentown

A wireless retailer named WE R Wireless has opened at the Village West shopping center at the corner of Cedar Crest Boulevard and Tilghman Street.

The chain is an authorized retailer for Verizon Wireless, having a total of roughly two dozen locations in states like New Jersey, Delaware and Maryland. The other local WE R Wireless location is at the South Mall on Lehigh Street.

New retailers for Hamilton Boulevard strip mall

The new strip mall near the corner of Hamilton Boulevard and Mill Creek Road in Lower Macungie Township welcomed a Dunkin' Donuts several months ago.

Now two other retailers have joined the mix.

They are:

Beverage & Smoke: A beer distributor.

Goin' Postal: a Florida - based chain that deals in retail shipping and receiving. The retailer works with the big carrier like FedEX and UPS and also offers services like copying, faxing, mailbox rentals and office supplies. The chain has a location on Tilghman Street in Allentown, in addition to a spot in Easton and Washington, N.J.

Dunkin' Watch 2009

Dunkin' Donuts recently announced that the chain has reached 15,000 locations spread around the nation.

In that mix is the newly opened spot at 1403 Cedar Crest Boulevard in South Whitehall Township.

If you grab a Morning Call newspaper today, be sure to check out the coupon for the free medium coffee at the Cedar Crest location to celebrate its opening.

What I'm working on ...

I will be out of the office for a few days, returning on Tuesday, June 16. Here's the early version of the routine peek of some things on tap for the following week.

The Melting Pot -- It was said to open in July, but I received an e-mail days ago saying it will be opening in August. Time for an update on plans for the fondue-inspired chain to open on Broad Street in downtown Bethlehem.

HOOTERS-- This chain is NEVER quick with returning my calls. It took them three months to return my inquiries before they replied in October, saying a franchise would be opening in the Lehigh Valley. Is that still a "go" or not?

COUNTRYSIDE -- Heard there was an ownership change for the ice cream restaurant at the intersection of Routes 29 and 100 in Upper Milford Township.

CIAO BABY -- Phone rings and rings and getting e-mails saying the place on Commerce Street in Bethlehem has closed. Ciao Baby was under the same ownership as the former Ciao on Cedar Crest Boulevard.

Leftover:

Bonita's Secret-- New spa that opened on Main Street in Hellertown.

Lukoil -- The gas station, which also houses a Dunkin' Donuts, closed on Main Street in Hellertown.

UPDATE: Airport Center

Here is an update for those brave folks willing to deal with the hair-pulling traffic on Airport Road as construction crews frantically try to make adjustments for the shopping center.

Retailers open: A.C. Moore, Christmas Tree Shops, Five Guys Burgers & Fries, Golf Galaxy, and Sleepy's.

(If you noticed other opening, please comment. I made an attempt to get over to Airport Center on Wednesday, but a half hour into the bumper-to-bumper traffic, I had to get to another assignment. It was definitely a time for The Morning Call helicopter, which doesn't exist)

ZOUP: The chain, which is known for its soups and sandwiches, is planned to open in mid-August. I have a meeting on June 23 with officials for Zoup. This is the first Zoup in the Lehigh Valley.

TARGET: Folks for the chain did not return my calls, but my reliable sources tell me hiring is still going on for the box store and it's planned to open by as early as mid-July.

ROSS: The chain did not return my calls, but my reliable sources tell me it's planned to open in the next two weeks.

Still no details on openings: Sam's Club, On The Border, Famous Footwear, Wachovia, Verizon, Ulta, TMobile, and Panera.

Paddy's closed, owners seeking buyer

Paddy's Steak and Seafood was billed as a success story.

It's success is challenged now that the restaurant's doors have been closed and the property listed for sale.

When the parent company for Bennigans and Steak & Ale filed for bankruptcy protection last year as a result of the nation's economic downturn, franchises were closing in masses because they did not have the support.

Closing wasn't the fate wanted by owners of the Bennigans franchise at 3395 High Point Blvd., in Bethlehem. The restaurant was renovated in the fall and opened in the winter with a new face -- Paddy's Steak and Seafood.

The facade improvements, in addition to a new name and menu did not give immunity from the curbed consumer spending that has been hurting the restaurant industry.

Paddy's closed in late May, posting a sign on the front doors stating it's temporarily closed for "kitchen repairs."

Is that a misleading excuse?

Paddy's phone number has been disconnected and its liquor license was changed from "active" to "safekeeping," on June 5, according to Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board records. The safekeeping status is required if an establishment knows it will be closed for more than 14 days and is a common practice when a business has been damaged by a fire or is seeking to sell itself, a PLCB spokesman said.

Owners of Paddy's have listed the restaurant for sale, said Stefan Cihylik of the Frederick Group, the local real estate firm listing the property.

Paddy's is listed for $2.9 million, a deal that includes the entire 3.9 acre property, which includes the 8,000 square-foot building, and all the restaurant equipment and liquor license.

Cihylik added that Paddy's owners are looking into the option of re-opening the restaurant until they can find a buyer.

Phone calls to co-owner Stephen F. Ferretti and manager Lauren Maco were not immediately returned.

Former furniture spot goes ... furniture

Not much change on MacArthur Road.

The former Choice Seating Furniture store at 2283 MacArthur Road closed in November. The doors of the brown and green building opened days ago for a new retailer named Express Furniture Outlet.

The storefront remains a furniture dealer of goods for bedroom and living room.

Tuesday Morning coming to Valley

It's been on the Lehigh Valley's "wish list" for years.

A December 2003 Retail Watch column mentioned how much Lehigh Valley folks wanted a Tuesday Morning to open here.

Patience has finally paid off.

A Tuesday Morning is opening at the K-Mart shopping center on Tilghman Street in South Whitehall Township by as early as mid-July, said store manager Deb Diefenderfer.

The Texas-based chain has more than 800 locations spread across the nation, and touts itself as the "leading closeout retailer of upscale, decorative home accessories, housewares and famous-maker gifts in the United States."

(Photo: Roland Zuk)

Dunkin' Donuts Watch 2009

I forgot to mention this in my column.

The Dunkin' Donuts on Airport Road and Lloyd Street was closed recently for an unknown reason, according to a spokeswoman for the Massachusetts-based coffee chain.

The spokeswoman said it was not immediately known why the franchisee decided to close the location but it was expected to re-open.

I made attempts to reach the property owner listed in county records, but so far no success.

If I know more, additional details will be posted.

Snap Fitness storms into LV

Do you know Snap Fitness?

Those who did not know about the fitness chain will be seeing more soon.

The chain is expecting to open three locations in the Lehigh Valley in the next few months.

Snap Fitness is going to open at the corner of Main and Lehigh streets in Walnutport, in addition to Harrison and Third streets in Emmaus and a spot in Pennsburg, Montgomery County. The chain is also opening a spot at 191 Plaza, 822 Nazareth Pike, Nazareth.

Snap has recently opened locations at 426 Blue Valley Drive, Bangor and 238 S. West End Blvd. in Quakertown.

Snap is a Minnesota-based chain and has about 1,600 locations worldwide.

PriceRite to open in Bethlehem

PriceRite grocery store is scheduled to open at 1001 8th Avenue in Bethlehem on June 24, according to store officials.

This will be the second PriceRite in the Lehigh Valley. The location on Allentown's 4th Street opened in 2001 and was the first spot the chain opened in Pennsylvania.

Founded in 1995, the PriceRite is headquartered in Connecticut and has roughly 40 locations in other states like Massachusetts, New York and Rhode Island.

PriceRite is a subsidiary of New Jersey-based Wakefern Food Corporation, which owns the ShopRite grocery store brand.

(Photo: Artist rendering for 8th Street location)

What I'm working on ...

Routine peek at what's on tap for next week.

HOOTERS -- An official for Hooters said in October that a franchisee was looking to open a restaurant location in the Lehigh Valley. It's time for a status report since it's been quiet since then.

Bonita's Secret -- New spa that opened on Main Street in Hellertown.

Goldberg's NY Bagels & Deli -- The place in the Bethlehem Village Shoppes on Linden Street, has apparently closed.

Lukoil -- The gas station, which also houses a Dunkin' Donuts, closed on Main Street in Hellertown.

Paddy's Steak and Seafood -- Colleague Kelly Federico said the place has been "closed for kitchen repairs." Was there a fire not reported? Paddy's opened in November as the rebirth of the closed Bennigan's at 3395 High Point Blvd., Bethlehem. Many Bennigan's locations either closed or went to privately owned when the corporation, which also owns Steak & Ale, filed for bankruptcy last year. (update: Reached out to Lauren Maco, the restaurant's manager. So far though, she has not been responsive to my efforts for comment)

J.P. O'Malley's liquor license has expired

Questions are coming in, asking about the fate of J.P. O'Malley's, a popular southwest Allentown Irish pub that opened at Union and 15th street in 1995.

So, why is O'Malley's closed?

Well, if O'Malley's owner Christopher J. LaCroix would do the logical thing and return my calls, there would be a much easier explanation.

But, with no response, I have to put on my "investigative reporter" hat.

O'Malley's has not renewed its liquor license, said Franchseca Chapman, a spokesman for the Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board. Rules for Lehigh County require a business to annually renew their liquor license by April 30.

Chapman added that at one point just a few years ago, O'Malley's was labeled a "nuisance bar" by the PLCB, requiring more stringent oversight of the establishment, including such criteria as altered operating hours.

Here's another fact that may be tied into the equation as well: J.P. O'Malley's was recently involved in a civil lawsuit stemming from the 2006 drunken driving death of Sheena Marie Villa, a 25-year-old dance teacher.

O'Malley's pub was found negligent but not responsible for the death of Villa. The jury ruled the bar owed no money to Villa's parents or estate.

Free root beer floats at Sonic

That's correct folks, F-R-E-E.

Sonic Drive-In is thanking customers today by offering free 10-ounce root beer floats between 8 p.m. and midnight.

That means it's probably going to be even busier at the Lehigh Valley's only Sonic, which is located at Routes 248 and 33 in Lower Nazareth.

The Oklahoma-based chain expects to give away a total of 3.5 million free root beer floats company-wide. The chain has 3,500 drive-ins around the nation.

Breaking News: Nomore Spooners

Spooners Cafe has closed at 921 Hamilton St., Allentown.

It opened in 2006 and marked its last day of business on Tuesday.

The place, known for its soups and sandwiches, joins the growing list of retailers to recently leave the beleaguered Hamilton Street cooridor.

The tally includes the loss of Rite Aid, Johnny Mananas, Federal Grill, Daro's Fitness, in addition to longstanding merchants like Freeman Jewelers and New York Floral Co. in Allentown.

More details in tomorrow's Morning Call.

McDonald's Watch 2009

Is made in 1961 considered old?

Apparently that's what McDonald's thinks. That's the year the McDonald's opened at 1321 Union Boulevard, the second location for Allentown.

With the help of Morning Call librarian Dianne M. Knauss, I found the actual (March 1961) newspaper article that touted the opening.

The story said: "The new drive-in, one of a national chain of 240 restaurants in 32 states, will feature 15-cent hamburgers. McDonald's operates on a streamlined technique that delivers a meal of hamburger, french fries and a milkshake in 50 seconds. The cost is 45 cents, the same as 10 years ago."

Obviously that's a long time ago. I don't think anything on the McDonald's menu is 15 cents and they surely have more than 240 locations today. Actually, the company currently has about 32,000 restaurants in more than 100 countries.

As for the Union Boulevard location, it was recently demolished to make way for a brand new McDonald's. No opening date was immediately available.

A few McDonald's locations in the Lehigh Valley have been demolished and rebuilt in recent months. They include the location on Lehigh Street in south Allentown and Main Street in Walnutport.

(Photo: Bobby at Peters Marine Service)

Nestle opening at Promenade Shops

Nestle Toll House Cafe will be opening at the Promenade Shops on Friday, according to a sign posted on the store's window.

The cafe, which is located next to Fuzzywig's Candy Factory, will include the traditional Toll House cookies and dozens of other baked goods and Nescafe coffee and Edy's ice cream.

Update: Five Guys Burgers and Fries

The Five Guys Burgers & Fries opened at Airport Center on Monday, but it's no time to slow down on aggressive expansion plans for the popular chain.

Negotiations are ongoing, but if things go as planned, a Five Guys will be opening in the new Target shopping center on Route 248 in Lower Nazareth as early as October, according to Joe Rantuccio, Chief Operating Officer of Five Guys Franchise Negvest, LP.

Rantuccio added that 2010 is the planned opening date of a Five Guys at the Forks Town Center shopping center on Sullivan Trail, Forks Township.

Fate of Marble Slab ice creamery unknown

The e-mail basket is filling up with folks wanting to know what is the deal with the Marble Slab ice creamery in the Tilghman Square shopping plaza.

The store has a sign saying they are re-opening this spring, but so far no movement.

The store's phone is disconnected, not a good sign. It opened in 2005 and is the only Marble Slab to be located in the Lehigh Valley.

The store was said to re-open sometime in May, according to Phil Schneider, an asset manager for Lamarco, the company that owns the South Whitehall Township center.

He added that the property is still under lease for Marble Slab.

Bank named for Plaza on 8th

Drum roll please ...

It's PNC Bank, said Jody King of Summit Management and Realty, the real estate firm involved in the deal.

Plaza on 8th is the new 9.8 acre development following the demolition of EDS building at 8th and Easton Avenue in Bethlehem.

It was announced last month that CVS is another retailer to be placed at the site.

The project will also include a restaurant and space for commercial tenants and other retailers.

That's not all folks, there is also plans to add a traffic signal at the 8th Avenue entrance and the construction of a three-level parking facility.

What I'm working on ...

The routine peek at what's on tap for the following week ...

J.P. O'Malley's-- Is the place gone? Got e-mails stating the Allentown bar, which is located at 1528 Union Street, has closed. Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board files show O'Malley's liquor license is "inactive," meaning it either has not been renewed or validated. The bar's telephone keeps ringing and ringing. O'Malley's opened in 1995.

Dunkin' Donuts -- Why has the location on Airport Road suddenly closed? Called my usual source for the Massachusetts-based chain, and am expecting an answer in the coming days.

McDonald's-- Status of renovation plans for the location on Union Boulevard in Allentown. In addition, the McDonald's on Tilghman Street in Allentown is on the city's planning commission agenda next month for some sort of construction approval.

Paddy's Steak and Seafood-- Colleague Kelly Federico said the place has been "closed for kitchen repairs." Was there a fire not reported? Paddy's opened in November as the rebirth of the closed Bennigan's at 3395 High Point Blvd., Bethlehem. Many Bennigan's locations either closed or went to privately owned when the corporation, which also owns Steak & Ale, filed for bankruptcy last year.

Lukoil-- The gas station, which also houses a Dunkin' Donuts, closed on Main Street in Hellertown.

T.G.I. Friday's has a secret

Did you see the T.G.I. Friday's $5 sandwich and salad commercial?

Even if you saw the advertisement, you may have had to ask about the deal in order to get the discount.

MY PERSONAL EXPERIENCE: I went to Friday's a few times over the last month just for the $5 deal.

When I was in Baltimore earlier this month, I went to the Friday's in the suburban town of White Marsh. Just as I would expect, a page for "$5 specials" was inserted in the menu and the waitress was pushing the deal.

But, when i went to the same location on Mother's Day, the insert was deliberately removed because it was a busy day, according to my waitress. I still got the discount anyways and didn't think anything big was behind it.

until ...

Just before heading to Mayfair with friends on (May 24) Sunday, we went to the Friday's on Cedar Crest Boulevard in South Whitehall Township. We quickly browsed through the menu, but realized the $5 specials insert was removed. When I asked the waitress for the insert, I didn't get much of an answer, but they were honoring the deal on the "bill."

I got the discount, but wondered: Was the chain deliberately removing the promotional material since it was quite popular and probably proved to do nothing but slim their profits?

I called Friday's headquarters and didn't get much of an answer, other than the deal was good up to May 25.

Derek Farley, a spokesman for Friday's said: "I have confirmed with T.G.I. Friday's that while the advertising around the promotion ended on May 25, Friday's continues to honor the $5 sandwich and salad price point through May 31 upon guest request."

Lesson learned: Always ask Friday's if they're having a "special" since they're obviously not going to volunteer the information.

Life after Quiznos

In its former life, it was a Quiznos sandwich shop.

Now, the storefront at 848 Nazareth Pike, Lower Nazareth, is called Two Guys Deli.

Unfortunately the owner was not in, but the woman that answered the phone said they've been open about two weeks and it's a "regular deli."

Apparently the Quiznos closed about a month ago.

I mentioned days ago that the Quiznos on Sullivan Trail in Forks Township was closed as well. What is it with Quiznos leaving the Easton metro area?

It appears the two locations were franchises.

The elimination of the two locations now gives Quiznos a tally of five locations in the Lehigh Valley. That's no competition to the almost a dozen Subway sandwich shop locations.