Business News

After a decade of business, the restaurant inside the Renaissance Allentown Hotel is expanding its regional sourcing and guest experience with a new culinary concept and revamped interior. Director of Culinary and Restaurant Operations Nick Vogel said he intends to let local ingredients "shine" in the restaurant's four seasonal menus.

A proposed property tax rebate for senior citizens, drawn from hybrid police patrol vehicle fuel savings, will have to wait to be voted on until Jan. 2026.

Two North Whitehall Township supervisors on Wednesday rejected a challenge to township zoning rules surrounding at-home auto repair businesses. It's far from the end of a legal fight over whether township resident Gene Weierbach's business should be allowed to operate.

Community Bike Works in Easton is celebrating the 30th year of its Earn a Bike program. Low-income families from the Lehigh Valley can become eligible to get a bike by signing up online or in person for the 24-hour mentoring program.

Easton officials announced the launch of nonprofit HOME Easton and the start of a new Landlord-Tenant Engagement Program on Wednesday, with the goal to address affordable housing and improve the rental scene in the city.

City planners meet at 5 p.m. Thursday at Bethlehem Town Hall, 10 E. Church St. The proposal for the former Wells Fargo is listed fourth on an agenda of five items.

Lehigh Valley residents attended a state Public Utility Commission hearing on Tuesday to oppose a proposed rate increase by PPL Electric Utilities. It would be the first rate increase in almost a decade.

Testimony began Monday in hearings that could decide what sort of businesses are allowed at homes throughout North Whitehall Township — and whether one resident’s long-running car repair business can keep operating.

The developer behind a proposed 37-story skyscraper in Allentown asked planning officials for another delay.

Whitehall Township Board of Commissioners approved a $36.7 million budget for 2026 Monday. Several residents attended the meeting to oppose the real estate tax increase, the first in the township since 2019.

Bethlehem Township officials have 45 days from Oct. 2 to hold a public hearing and make a decision on the transfer of a liquor license to Wawa. If approved, a broader application process would begin with the Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board.

ThreeBirds Coffee House in Easton was named among 20 coffee shops in the nation nominated for USA Today's 10Best Reader's Choice Awards for "best independent coffee shop." Voting ends at noon today.

Melt Ice Cream Bar, a fixture for dairy fiends in Easton, is set to close in October. But they'll still keep their ice cream truck operational and open for special events.

The Easton Main Street Initiative has been name a semifinalist in the 2025 Great American Main Street Awards, with recognition for the city's downtown revitalization, historic preservation, and innovative community programming.

The Lehigh Valley Manufacturing Forum on Thursday in Allentown served as a premier event for manufacturing professionals, suppliers, service providers, and stakeholders to discuss the evolving landscape, challenges and opportunities within the Lehigh Valley's thriving manufacturing sector.

Allentown could end up paying J.P. Mascaro & Sons almost $180 million to collect trash and recycling for the next nine years.

Giacomo's owner Sal Famularo said it’s been a long road, but the new Giacomo’s Italian Market and Grille will open at 11 a.m. Saturday at 4041 William Penn Highway — in the old Miller’s Paint & Wallpaper building in Palmer Township.

Three proposed warehouse projects are on hold in Lowhill Township, the board of supervisors said at a meeting on Tuesday night. Two of the projects are in litigation; the third will be discussed at a hearing before the supervisors in November.

A vacant Allentown restaurant soon could be full of life again, but not for hungry diners. Instead, it will offer household plants, including some exotic varieties, as well as accessories such as soil, plant food and growing lights.

Melani and Jason Hansche are aiming to open Tucker Garage & Grocery in Easton this October, providing the public with a community café and grocery store. They just need a little help, and they're more than willing to offer some fun rewards in order to get to the finish line.

Herr’s Fruit Farm has been operating Dan Schantz Greenhouse since the spring, after the Schantz family closed up shop in December. On Friday the Herrs announced they have bought the property and intend to keep it open as a greenhouse and farm market.

Lehigh Valley Planning Commission praised the in-progress multi-municipal plans at its first in-person meeting since the coronavirus pandemic began in March 2020.