Small Business News

Love's Restaurant and Lounge was designed to bring something entirely new to the Lehigh Valley — a former diner revamped and built up out of passion.

After 36 years of business, what owner Richard Samar calls "the last original downtown business" is set to close at the end of the month. A coffee shop will take its place.

By a 3-1 vote, the Bethlehem Planning Commission approved on Thursday night a project for a 517-space, 64-feet-high, nearly 200,000-square-foot Walnut Street parking garage to replace the old one currently being demolished. The structure is expected to open sometime in 2025.

The Lehigh Valley continues to be among the nation's leaders in economic development, it was revealed at the Lehigh Valley Real Estate Development Outlook event on Tuesday in Allentown.

The former president is holding a campaign rally Saturday at Schnecksville Fire Company — the same day nearby Shankweiler's Drive-In had planned its anniversary celebration. With road closures imminent, operators of the nation's oldest operating drive-in adjusted plans.

Ashley Pizarro harnessed her love of beauty in the creation of her business, Lovelyy Faces Spa Lounge & Master Academy, an esthetic salon that opened in 2021 at 813 Linden St.

Megan Campbell and her son Finley have just released their first storybook, "Home is Where the Heart is," which features some of the young man's favorite spots in Easton.

The Canalside Cup has been a community staple for classic drive-up fare, including burgers and soft serve, for 20 years. It reopened for the season this week.

To thrive in an oversaturated market, business owners say providing an experience is key — and it's what their newer clientele keep asking for.

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

Join Megan Frank at 9:30 a.m. and 6:30 p.m. every Friday for Insights with LehighValleyNews.com on WLVR. This week, she's joined by reporter Phil Gianficaro and digital content producer Christine Sexton.

Decadent chocolate, fresh strawberries and nutty pistachio: Local businesses are latching on to a chocolate-y social media trend.

Tune in as 91.3 WLVR host Brad Klein interviews Lauren McChesney of Shankweiler's Drive-In Theatre, which has recently found success with the 18-34 age group.

Teaming up, Mayhem Amusement Arcades and Mystery Box Games are creating a monster: a weekly pinball tournament which welcomes players from all over to engage in an arcade favorite.

These siblings make peanut butter to support finding a cure for Type 1 diabetes. The chronic disease has affected one of their young sons and requires lifetime management.

Bethlehem native Michael Joyce spent 25 years working in restaurants in Philadelphia and New York City. After developing a passion for baking bread and studying local grain, he opened Bub's Breads within Lit Coffee Roastery & Bakeshop.

Restaurants will offer “an irresistible variety of soups" during the Emmaus Soup Crawl, scheduled to run from noon to 4 p.m. Saturday.

It's the season of love, and Easton's small businesses are paring up to offer customers special deals when they visit participating pairs with receipts during the 'Match Made in Easton' event.

With a new name and a new focus, the former Vineyard di Norma will reopen on Feb. 6 as 'Something Different.' It will feature a completely new concept at 605 North Fiot Street.

The Lehigh Valley Economic Development Corporation shared statistics showing that salaries, among other economic indicators, are at a "new peak."

Bethlehem Co-op Market wants members and future patrons to keep the faith. A summer opening is now the target.

With a ban of the social media platform TikTok imminent, Lehigh Valley business owners are weighing in on how it will affect their marketing efforts.