Small Business News

Take a look at stories that ran throughout the week of which we are most proud, had a profound impact on readers or that you might want to look at again.

It's been a wonderfully warm week, so you might be hankering for some ice cream. Fortunately, these Lehigh Valley sweets shops have St. Patrick's Day themed frosty desserts that are perfect for this time of year.

The Lehigh Valley ranked first in the nation in economic development projects in 2023 than any similarly sized market, according to Site Selection magazine. The region also ranked fourth in all communities in the Northeast.

The Small Business Administration has announced Pennsylvania’s Small Business Person of the Year is Dorothea Spencer, the owner and CEO of D. Gillette Industrial Services, who built her operation from the ground up via help from the community and the SBA.

Representatives from convenience chain Rutter's appeared before Palmer Township's planning commission to discuss opening a new location in the Lehigh Valley.

Bear Creek Mountain Resort's race of self-built cardboard sleds needed some modifications this year because of melting snow, but participants in Sunday's festivities couldn't be stopped.

The “Love, Easton” campaign has officially surpassed its goal of a single handcrafted heart for each resident of the city by more than double, with volunteers producing over 63,000 signs of love.

At 1 Million Cups-Lehigh Valley event in Bethlehem, prospective entrepreneurs gain knowledge to help them realize their dreams.

Lauren and Juan Vargas, owners of Nowhere Coffee Co., expect their latest business venture — a roastery and coffee bar in the heart of Allentown — to be operational very soon, they confirmed Wednesday.

After over a year of both the local pub and Macungie Diner being empty, businesses are re-emerging in the borough to the delight of patrons whose options have been limited.

Cut the Scrap! opened in June on North 19th Street in the West End of Allentown. Crafters can trade in secondhand art supplies, shop for goods or take an art class.

Mad Catter Coffee Roasters celebrated its grand opening at the Allentown Economic Development Corporation’s Bridgeworks Enterprise Center.

Colonial Intermediate Unit 20 in Forks Township celebrated the grand opening of Colonial Cafe 71, a coffee shop which helps teach employment and life skills.

The Allentown Fairgrounds Farmers Market officially added The Brass Rail to its list of merchants Thursday morning — the first time the eatery has been in operation since it shuttered on Lehigh Street in June 2022.

The North Street spot has been known locally for its affordable, yet classic, early morning and lunchtime eats, including pork rolls, pancakes, cheesesteaks and more. The news of the sale comes after 41 years of business.

Even though independent, family-owned hardware stores may seem harder to come by in the days of Aces and Home Depots, Center City has had a homegrown, “personal service store” down on the corner for decades.

It might feel early, but some local farms are gearing up to begin their fall festivities. Most pumpkin patches, corn mazes and hay rides open to the public this month. Find out when.

Four years into his massage therapy career, Jared Skinner set out to master a relatively "new" technique to the practice — rolfing. It's a 10-step practice on a weekly basis that aims to relieve the body naturally of pain for upwards of five to 10 years. Only 2,000 body workers professionally practice it worldwide.

Lana's Comforting Pawsibilities offers training for pets in the Lehigh Valley via positive reinforcement, saving owners of cats and dogs alike from having to give up their precious furry friends.

Both this year and last year, in its “April in Paris” shopping event, Marché Maison was joined by Phoebe Floral with its “Parisian-inspired” flower cart for shoppers to build fresh bouquets.

The Lehigh Valley's newest bagel shop is officially in full swing, holding its grand opening Wednesday Aug. 28. Customers have continuously raved about the bagel spot since its soft opening mid-July.

Stuffed Puffs, founded in Bethlehem, filed a WARN notice in August with the Pennsylvania Department of Labor. On Tuesday, a Texas-based food manufacturing company announced it acquired Stuffed Puffs.