Small Business News

Two Parkland High School graduates and longtime friends are looking to embrace the arts and culture scene in Bethlehem while bringing their own slice of life to their corner of the city at Paradise Kafé. The coffee shop opened mid-September.

Maingate Night Club, at 17th and Liberty streets, whose owner Dominic Germano for more than two years has sought a partner, has closed for good, Germano said in a Facebook post late Monday.

Just five months after officially being in business in their recognizable bright yellow teardrop-shaped trailer, co-owners Melinda Schneck and Josh Elmer are expending Roasties Mobile Cafe into a brick-and-mortar coffee shop. It'll take root where the couple says its heart is: Macungie.

Well over 1,000 fans descended on Palmer Park Mall in Palmer Township on Saturday to catch a glimpse of Grammy-winning rapper Cardi B, who made an appearance at Spin Me Round record store for her new "Am I the Drama?" album.

Foodies now have another late night option in Southside Bethlehem. The Barbecue Boys, which opened Tuesday, Sept. 16, offers a fast-casual dining setting that's open Sunday, Tuesday and Wednesday from 12 p.m. to 12 a.m. and 12 p.m. to 3 p.m. from Thursday through Saturday.

A pair of North Whitehall auto repair shop owners have tapped a lawfirm to help them challenge a zoning decision — and the zoning code — they say was weaponized against them for a personal vendetta.

Upset residents packed the last Upper Milford Township Zoning Hearing Board meeting to voice concerns against a zoning variance request at the TG Countryside ice cream shop. The applicants have withdrawn their request to turn it into a cigar lounge.

Fisk Camera Shop at 2115 Birch St. in Wilson opened in the mid-1920s and has been stewarded by three generations of the Fisk family. Its run ends this Friday.

The owners of a childcare center looking into expanding the operation received a special exception from Allentown's zoning hearing board Monday evening, though in the end, that exception was not even necessary.

A few authors have brought books into Moravian Book Shop with AI-generated covers or art. That was enough for the staff to formally announce online that the bookstore would not support the use of technology that may replace creative jobs.

Christina Russo, of the Lehigh Valley Food Facebook group, is relaunching the Lehigh Valley Food Breakfast Lunch and Dinner Club to help people meet each other.

In 1986, Louie Belletieri took over the business his parents founded in 1958 and ran Louie's Italian Restaurant until it closed four years ago.

In a pinch for that special someone? Easton Public Market is open Tuesday with vendors offering traditional items like flowers and chocolate — even fresh food to cook your sweetie a romantic dinner.

A steep rise in egg prices plus butter shortages means some bakeries must adapt.

After 50 years in business at Westgate Mall in Bethlehem, Hawk Music must vacate its location due to planned renovations at the mall.

Mayor Sal Panto Jr. says it's unfortunately part of a larger trend that is changing how small businesses operate in neighborhoods. He said the city intends to create a task force to address it.

Cupcakes with Egyptian cinnamon are just one confection customers might try as Mia & Maddie bakery moves forward with plans to open a shop in Easton.

The Greater Easton Development Partnership and the Wilson LINCS Family Center received $1.1 million in state funding.

A rockslide shut down Route 611 north of Portland, Pa., in early December. Last week, PennDOT said the road isn't expected to reopen for another 7 months. On the heels of pandemic losses, many merchants said they don't know if they can withstand this hit.

The co-op will lease the entire first floor of the new building under construction at the site. Three floors of apartments will sit above the grocery store on Bethlehem's north side.

Vegetables, baked goods and local distilleries are participating in 2023's winter market season.

A local group will hold a free training for people interested in securing funds needed to start a business.