BETHLEHEM, Pa. — A new coffee shop in Bethlehem is looking to offer a cozy atmosphere to nearby students and support the arts and culture scene in the city.
Paradise Kafé at 552 N. New St. opened in mid-September.
Co-owned by two Parkland High School graduates and longtime friends, the cafe will hold a grand opening from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Oct. 1, with a ribbon-cutting and live music.
"We knew we could make this our own. That's why we wanted this."Paradise Cafe co-owner Wajahat "Waj" Siddique
Although new, the shop's concept started back in November 2024.
Friends Wajahat "Waj" Siddique and Mohamed "Mo" Abdelaziz said the business originally started as a joke.
Abdelaziz's sister, Nadine — whom the co-owners attribute as their inspiration — already was selling matcha at a local farmers market regularly.
So he and Siddique were familiar with its preparation and flavor profile.
On Thanksgiving Day, they said, Siddique's mother joked about opening up a brick-and-mortar shop. A few days later, the two brought up the idea again.
And when they toured the New Street building in February, they said, they knew they found their place in Bethlehem.
"We found this the first week of February — loved it," Siddique said. "It was empty... Everything was just white. The only thing that was done was the bathroom.
"There were places around Bethlehem [available to lease], but it was someone else's idea. So this was, like, we could say, 'Me and him designed this,' or 'He did that,' 'I did this.'
"So we made this. We knew we could make this our own. That's why we wanted this."
Offer art and music, too
Before they landed on the 655-square-foot storefront, Siddique and Abdelaziz said, they knew they wanted to set up shop in Bethlehem.
The co-owners said they wanted to bring new cultural experiences to the food scene, bring a comfortable atmosphere to college students between classes and explore various business partnerships and opportunities.
Abdelaziz said Paradise Kafé will feature a rotating selection of local artwork available for purchase, as well as hold art shows from time to time.
"We thought if we can have artists come in, show their artwork, might as well keep the community coming back," Abdelaziz said.
"There's a lot of artists in Bethlehem and Allentown, we just want someone to come in, showcase their talent."
Physical art won't be the only focus, though.
Siddique said the coffee shop also will hold live music.
And, of course, they said they're bringing their own slice of life to their corner of the city.
'What they didn't have'
Siddique said he moved from New York to Pennsylvania when he was 14. His time living in Brooklyn and Staten Island is where some of the cafe's interior design inspiration — such as the chalkboard menu — came from, he said.
Abdelaziz, who comes from an Egyptian family, attributed his heritage to the coffee shop's unique flavor combinations, such as the Dubai Chocolate Matcha Latte or Biscoff Lotus Cream Latte.
"We looked at other people's menus and kind of picked out what they didn't have," Siddique said.
"So try to find a Dubai Chocolate Matcha in the Lehigh Valley, or the Pistachio Dream Chocolate Croissant, which is another thing you're not gonna find.
"So we knew that there was a lot of other cafes in the area, but at the end of the day, everyone has their own niche. And if you bring a niche and something different to the Bethlehem area, they're gonna come to you."
The biggest cultural difference at Paradise Kafé, Siddique and Abdelaziz said, is their traditional Turkish coffee.
The two said they haven't seen a cafe in the Lehigh Valley that offers Turkish coffee made in a cezve (the small, long-handled pot designed for Turkish coffee) prepared in a shallow tray of hot sand.
Abdelaziz said that in the Middle East, the coffee is made in hot sand, so the heated tray of sand is the closest way to replicate the traditional process.
'A place for everyone'
While things seemed to fall into place when Abdelaziz and Siddique signed the lease to Paradise Kafé, the two laughed and said they're still navigating entrepreneurship.
"I'm just excited, learning patience," Siddique said. "I'm very impatient — and I will admit that, and Mohammed doesn't let me forget it — but I'm learning patience.
"Now I'm just like a fast-paced guy, so I'm trying to learn patience. Mohamed, is another thing: A little bit more slow, paced, laying back, quiet. Sometimes observer.
"So I guess I'm just trying to learn all the process."
As with Siddiqe, Abdelaziz said he's feeling a mix of emotions.
"But I'm mostly excited, because it's a new adventure in life."Paradise Kafe co-owner Mohamed "Mo" Abdelaziz
"But I'm mostly excited, because it's a new adventure in life," he said.
Above all, the two said they are excited to bring new flavors and experiences to the area.
They said they plan to use the backyard space in the future and partner with other local business owners.
On Sept. 27, Siddique said, they'll partner with Donuts x Dumbbells to bring in protein donuts from another small business.
Their goal?
To make Paradise Kafé "a place for everyone, to say the least," Siddique said.
