Small Business News

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.

“The entire region is dependent upon the success of Hamilton Street in Allentown, of Main Street in Bethlehem and Centre Square in Easton,” Mayor Matt Tuerk said.

Willow Haven Farm farmer Reuben DeMaster and independent contractor Bill Kuklinski are partnering to open an organic grocery store at 8150 Hamilton Boulevard in Breinigsville.

The first Easton Sweet Stroll will combine the excitement of a traditional pub crawl with the irresistibility of freshly baked goods. It's planned for noon to 7 p.m. Friday, Feb. 23, and will feature 11 local sweet shops in Downtown Easton.

Local business panel, networking strategies, discounts on art and more — it takes place from 5-7 p.m. Thursday at Asante African Art in Palmer Park Mall.

As Foxy's Cradle celebrated the last batch of kittens aging out of the incubators, volunteers are looking forward to fundraising and the premier of their RV in the spring.

Ten farms in the Greater Lehigh Valley have joined the Lehigh Valley Food System Coalition to develop a sustainable food infrastructure for organizations in the region. The mission: Combat food insecurity throughout the Lehigh Valley. According to the United Way of the Greater Lehigh Valley, 1 in 10 people locally are food insecure.

The restoration of the Macungie Pub continues, with a projected summer opening after a restaurant lease has been signed

A month after hosting President Joe Biden, Nowhere Coffee Co. has temporarily shuttered its second location due to water damage in its cafe.

The Pub on Main in Macungie, which closed in 2022 citing staffing issues, has been sold to a new owner that hopes to return a new bar and restaurant to the space.

Hoagie-making contests, T-shirt giveaways and free coffee highlighted the grand opening of the Wawa on Hellertown Road in South Bethlehem on Thursday.

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.

Northampton Community College, Lehigh Carbon Community College and 13 other institutions have yet to receive operating funds authorized in the fiscal-year budget lawmakers approved over the summer.

Emmaus' Old Fashioned Christmas on Saturday will ring in the holiday season for many participating businesses and nonprofits. It will be joined by other nearby festivities in the East Penn area.

Portnoy's "One Bite" series features a rave review of the Pen Argyl pizzeria.

After decades of celebrating the holidays and serving as a call for love and camaraderie in the world, the Peace Candle was lit in Easton on Saturday night.

Emmaus is among many Lehigh Valley communities to host Small Business Saturday events, to encourage residents to support locally-owned businesses.

Pennsylvania saw a nearly 50% increase in Hispanic-owned businesses between 2012 and 2019, according to Census data. Non-Hispanic businesses increased by 9.3%, which means Latinos are creating businesses at a higher rate than their non-Hispanic peers.

Museum Store Sunday brings three local museums together to support local artisans and crafters.

Jimmy's Hot Dogs has operated in the 25th Street Shopping Center in Palmer Township since 1991. Its original partners worked for Jim's Doggie Stand in Phillipsburg and its owner Jimmy Makris, who established the roadside stand in 1910.

The Greater Lehigh Valley Chamber of Commerce annual meeting attracted about 1,000 at Wind Creek Event Center Thursday afternoon.The event brought together members of the business community — colleagues, customers and competitors — to celebrate their collective mission of making the region a better place to work and live.