Small Business News

The developer, with strong ties to the Lehigh Valley, plans to turn the corner property into a restaurant — with at least one hot dog on the menu.

Fat Jacks' has welcomed customers along Freemansburg Avenue for 32 years. Now owner Susan Kerbaugh says it's time for someone else to take the reins. The building and its liquor license went on the market this week.

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.

Emmaus has Let's Play Books, a shop that is now expanding to a second location. The new store, called The End: a bookstore, opens in Allentown on Saturday for Independent Bookstore Day.

Mad Dogs Hot Dogs in Macungie is no longer closing after owners announced a buyer of the restaurant.

"Mad Dogs Hot Dogs" in Macungie, a popular lunchtime spot known for its wide and creative variety of hot dog topping combinations, will close at the end of April, according to the owners.

FD Market, the eco-friendly refillery and houseware store, will be closing their original Emmaus location at the end of the month to better meet their customers where they are in Saucon Valley.

ArtsQuest and the Lehigh Valley Brewers' Guild teamed up to launch the Spring Beer Fest in Bethlehem Saturday. With more than 850 tickets sold, the festival is likely to make a return, organizers said.

FD Market, the eco-friendly refillery and houseware store, will be closing their original Emmaus location at the end of the month to better meet their customers where they are

Bethlehem Food Co-op, a local grocery cooperative, has hired its first ever general manager to bring life to an initiative that has been in the works since 2011.

Lehigh Valley Wedding Café, connecting engaged couples with wedding professionals in various fields, will hold a grand opening celebration 4-8 p.m. Oct. 17 at 1403 Center St. in Bethlehem.

Ciao! Sandwich Shoppe continues to expand its Lehigh Valley footprint with a third location on in Easton’s College Hill neighborhood.

Mikey’s, named after Jamaican-born owner Michael Frazer, serves popular Jamaican entrees such as ackee and saltfish, brown stewed chicken, barbecue shrimp, curry goat, jerk pork and oxtail.

Halloween spending in the United States is expected to reach a record $10.6 billion, but Lehigh Valley stores offer ways to save money.

Rosanna’s Restaurant, which temporarily closed in February, is expected to reopen in the winter as a modern deli and bar, Rosa's Corner, at 2 E. Broad St. in Bethlehem.

Ms. Velvet’s Café, a walk-up eatery serving breakfast and lunch, held a grand opening Sept. 20 at 239 N. Fourth St. in downtown Allentown. The business is named in memory of owner Carlos Marrero's late sister, Ruby Marrero, who died as a result of a hit-and-run accident a few blocks away from the eatery in 2017.

There's room for everybody, one business owner says.

After the March 2020 pandemic shutdown of non-life-sustaining businesses, more than 42,000 businesses applied to the Wolf Administration to stay open.

Gov. Tom Wolf has called for an increase as all six states that border the commonwealth offer higher minimum wages.

Come Memorial Day capacity limits will be lifted in Pennsylvania. Keeping everyone safe seems to still be the top priority.

As part of our occasional series on how local businesses are overcoming the challenges presented by the past year, consider this local theatre that found, even in the pandemic, the show must go on.