Business News

The debate over whether Lehigh County Commissioners can approve the formation of a Tourism Improvement District to help struggling hotels in the Lehigh Valley boils down to whether or not it would be violating state law.

The U.S. Mint has ended production of the penny, a change made to save money and in recognition of the growing irrelevance of the 1-cent coin. The last pennies were struck Wednesday at the mint in Philadelphia, where the country’s smallest denomination coins have been produced since 1793.

Specifics for the plan are still under wraps as Upper Macungie Township is processing the application. The proposal would develop the data center at the former Air Products headquarters on Hamilton Boulevard.

Community Bank announced in June it would assume seven Santander Bank branches in the Lehigh Valley by the end of 2025. In November, the company announced that acquisition is now complete.

Despite concerns over potential safety issues regarding tractor-trailer traffic near the proposed Fullerton Terminals distribution center, the Whitehall Township Board of Commissioners approved the plan by a 4-3 vote on Monday.

Employees at two union Starbucks stores are set to strike this week after months of what they say are unfair labor practices and low pay.

Ready for a retro racing game with a touch of local flair? Lightly-Salted Productions soon will release Route 22 Rampage, an Atari 2600 game set right in the Lehigh Valley.

Members of Northampton County Council voted 5-4 Thursday to reject tax increment financing for the former Dixie Cup plant in Wilson Borough. A developer has plans to turn the 640,000-square-foot building into more than 400 apartments.

Another energized, entertaining and successful annual meeting and awards show of the Greater Lehigh Valley Chamber of Commerce had ended.

The new 68,000-square-foot store and on-site fuel station at 3300 Lehigh St. will open at 8 a.m. Nov. 21 and afterward operate from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m., seven days a week, the chain said in a release.

The money will go toward confidential, no-cost assistance for survivors of abuse in Lehigh and Northampton counties, event organizers said.

Griddle 145, which since 2011 has operated on MacArthur Road, will close Wednesday, Dec. 31, the restaurant announced in a Facebook post today, Saturday, Dec. 27.

A long-running Easton tavern announced its plans to close and asked patrons to visit in its last remaining days. It will close on New Year's Eve.

Easton was honored in the AARP's 2026 10 Great — and Affordable — Places for Older People to Live list, making it the only place in Pennsylvania to be included in the roundup.

“Thanks for all the love and support, we will be back soon! Until then be sure to visit our Easton Location for the same great Pints Vibes,” Pints & Pies said on its website.

New Bethany at Fourth and Wyandotte streets will hold a free Christmas Day brunch from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Thursday. More than 100 families and individuals are expected.

After customers speculated its permanent closure online, Casa Catrina shared an announcement on social media thanking patrons for their continued support over the past six years. This month, the Mexican restaurant posted on its doors a notice of a temporary closure.

Council President Daryl Hendricks “is poised” to schedule a meeting for 6 p.m. Tuesday if a resolution to override the mayor's budget veto finds two sponsors, according to City Clerk Mike Hanlon.

Wind Creek Event Center was the No. 2 highest-grossing club in the world, according to Pollstar magazine's annual industry calculations.

Historic Hotel Bethlehem on Main Street again will only partially illuminate its rooftop sign from Christmas Eve to Christmas night — a tradition that goes back decades and was forgotten, until its revival a few years ago.

Days before Christmas, the Michael Ann & Saquon Barkley Hope Foundation teamed up with The Salvation Army and Ashley Furniture to help Allentown families recently displaced by fires. The effort provided beds, toys and essential items to children and parents.

Nearly 87,000 passengers passed through Lehigh Valley International Airport last month, the airport's busiest November since 2004.