A Northampton County restaurant that has been open for a long time is bringing back a wide range of starters, sandwiches, main courses, and more.

Leaf Restaurant & Cigar Bar will have its grand reopening with a new food menu on Sunday, April 26, at 90 Mort Drive in Forks Township. Leaf offers a premium range of cigars, craft beverages, and freshly prepared food. Leaf is connected to and located in the same building as Famous Smoke Shop. It has a classy cigar room and a more than 2,000-square-foot humidor that holds tens of thousands of fine cigars.

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Leaf's big reopening will be a return to form for the restaurant in the Easton area. Leaf had its own in-house kitchen staff until 2020, making a huge range of lunch and dinner dishes.

Leaf is back and better than ever with a full kitchen staff and a lot of different lunch and dinner meals. As starters, Leaf's kitchen staff, led by Executive Chef Corina Werkheiser, will serve fried calamari, jalapeno bacon deviled eggs, a mini charcuterie board, and a giant pretzel with beer cheese and horseradish mustard. There will also be crab cake sliders, a sweet bourbon chicken sandwich, the Leaf burger (100% angus beef patty, house sauce, choice of cheese, lettuce, tomato, and onion), and the Leaf cheesesteak (shaved ribeye, fried onions and peppers, Cooper or provolone cheese, with house spicy marinara available for free).

Guests can also order main courses, which come with a choice of side. These include pan-seared miso salmon with honey garlic green beans and miso brown butter glaze, smothered bone-in pork chop with mushroom gravy and creamy garlic mashed potatoes, and a 10-ounce ribeye basted in garlic and herbs that is grilled to order and served with horseradish whipped crema and truffle parmesan fries. A shrimp skewer is available for an extra charge.

On the menu, you can also get salads like standard wedge and Caesar, wings by the dozen (with celery and carrots and your choice of ranch or blue cheese sauce), and sides like risotto, roasted broccoli, and vegetable du jour.

There are many options to choose from and it's coming soon! Don't miss out on its opening April 26!! 

Bethlehem Plans Southside Community Center approved plans for $15 million southside of community center!

The South Side Community Center will be planned with help from the United Way of the Greater Lehigh Valley and the River Crossing YMCA. The center will be built on Mechanic Street, which is between Webster and Taylor streets, next to the Bethlehem Greenway.

The city is putting $1 million toward the project, which is expected to cost $15 million.

This project is going to be an extension of their work with community schools into the neighborhood. Their goal is to help people in the communities grow in spirit, mind, and body through our membership services and programs.

Check out homes for sale on the south side of Bethlehem!

Mayor Reynolds believes this Southside Community Center will help people feel more connected in an isolated world. The center will have a basketball court and flex room that everyone can use.

Matt Vymazal, who owns the Flying V, which will be only a few blocks away, believes it will be great addition to the community!

The United Way's website has a way for people to donate to the project. They hope people remember that the community helped plan and see this work through, and it's an great honor to see that idea come to life!

The mayor going to keep the public updated on the project schedule. 

The State Theatre Center for the Arts has been putting on shows with stars for 100 years, from Pets on Parade to the Beach Boys to the Freddies!!

The first comedy and movie theater building almost went out of business, but in the 1980s, people fought to keep it from being torn down. The building was brought back to life by Craig Thatcher, turning it into a performance routine. 

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When the Easton State Theatre Center first come on the scene, it was only a couple of places around, but now there more than 50 in the Valley. It's getting competitive and the State Theatre is a non-profit, so it's all about who you know! 

The Easton State Theatre Center realize the main question is "What do we have to do to get the people here" and they been doing the same thing every night for 100 years to answer this question! 

In the Lehigh Valley, a fast-casual restaurant business is booming!!

A new site of QDOBA Mexican Eats, a fast-casual Mexican restaurant business with roughly 840 outlets in 45 states as well as in Canada, Puerto Rico, Japan and South Korea, is coming soon to 6216 Hamilton Blvd. in Lower Macungie Township, Lehigh County.

The new QDOBA cafe will occupy a soon-to-be refurbished facility that was once home the Lehigh Valley’s first drive-thru Wawa shop, which closed in January 2025. The Lower Macungie QDOBA site will be run by The Integritty Group, a restaurant management and development company led by founders Jiger Patel, Pranav Desai and Raj Mahadevia.

An official opening date has not yet been established, but the Hamilton Boulevard restaurant is likely to open in the second or third quarter of this year. The prior Wawa facility only served drive-thru customers, and the Lower Macungie property will shortly undergo renovations that involve reworking the architecture to allow for indoor dining area.

Derek Zerfass, senior vice president of Colliers’ Allentown office, facilitated the lease and is enthusiastic for the new QDOBA restaurant to debut at the site – located along a popular stretch of Hamilton Boulevard – later this year. The restaurant property is flanked by other famous businesses, including the Lehigh Valley’s first Raising Cane’s and Movie Tavern location.

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QDOBA produces freshly-made, Mexican-inspired food “crafted with current tastes that visitors crave." The food start with great ingredients and meticulous preparation, taking pride in cooking meals in our kitchens each day. Whether it’s slicing crisp produce, flame-grilling steak and poultry, or producing hand-crafted guacamole, they don’t take shortcuts.

QDOBA menu highlights include burritos, bowls, quesadillas, nachos, tacos and salads. With over 30 elements, you can "build your own masterpiece" or select a trademark creation. Proteins like brisket birria, grilled steak, grilled adobo chicken, Cholula hot and sweet chicken, seasoned ground beef, and slow-braised pulled pork are among the options; rice and beans include cilantro lime rice, brown rice, black beans, and pinto beans; salsa and sauces include freshly made pico de gallo, roasted tomato salsa, chile corn salsa, citrus lime vinaigrette, salsa verde, Mexican street corn, pickled lettuce, sour cream, cilantro, and crispy tortilla strips. Additionally, a range of chips and dips are available, including queso diablo, three-cheese queso, and hand-made guacamole.

In Denver, Colorado, QDOBA was first established in 1995 as Zuma Fresh Mexican Grill. In 1997, the brand was renamed Z-TECA; in 1999, it became QDOBA Mexican Grill; and in 2015, it became QDOBA Mexican Eats.

In 2011, the company opened its 600th store;

In 2012, it opened its first overseas location in Canada;

In 2016, it relocated its headquarters from Denver to San Diego;

In 2021, it introduced 100% recyclable, strawless lids and compostable bowls;

In 2022, it opened its first location in Puerto Rico.

The company's respect the communities they proudly serve by conducting fundraisers in over 700 local QDOBA restaurants." Additionally, they honor first responders by providing frontline employees with QDOBA cuisine. Also has collaborations with Toonies for Tummies in Canada and No Kid Hungry in the US have helped fight childhood food insecurity by generating money and feeding over 5 million kids.

In addition to sites of other restaurant brands like Checkers, The Greene Turtle, and Dave's Hot Chicken, the Integritty Group runs over 40 QDOBA outlets in five states. Additionally, the Integritty Group has two QDOBA locations in the Lehigh Valley: one on MacArthur Road in Whitehall Township, which opened in 2012, and another on Schoenersville Road in Bethlehem, which opened in 2024.

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Recently, the Upper Macungie Township Board of Supervisors passed two laws that will move a big project forward.

For the planned manufacturing campus of the drug company Eli Lilly, the township set up a Local Economic Revitalization Tax Assistance Act (LERTA) district. The Fogelsville Corporate Center, which is near Adams Road and Interstate 78, will be the site of the biggest economic development plan ever made for the Lehigh Valley. Jaindl Land Development owns the farmland that hasn't been built on yet.

LERTA lets taxing bodies in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania create "revitalization zones" in troubled or underused areas so that new building or improvements can get tax breaks in the form of lower local property taxes. As time goes on, taxes are gradually raised on only the greater value of the improvements. This usually happens over 10 years, with the tax break decreasing over that time. In the first year, the tax break would cover 100% of the eligible assessment. Each year after that, the tax break would drop by 10%.

The developer must meet certain requirements set by the town in order to be eligible for the tax breaks. The developer sends the county assessor's office an annual report on the property's improvement value so that it can be used in figuring out the property's value and tax rate. People who live in LERTA districts still have to pay full taxes on their land; the tax break only applies to the increase in value caused by changes.

PROPERTIES FOR SALE IN UPPER MACUNGIE TOWNSHIP, PA 

The three groups that collect property taxes—Parkland School District, Lehigh County, and Upper Macungie Township—must all agree with the LERTA in order for it to be used for their taxes. Officials from the township backed the LERTA, saying that putting it into effect would be good for Upper Macungie in the long run. 

The pharmaceutical giant Lilly and Gov. Josh Shapiro in January plans for their campus in Lehigh Valley include 925,000 square feet of manufacturing room spread out over several buildings. They said that 850 jobs would be made possible by the project over the next five years.

The company was drawn to the area in part because the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development offered to give them $100 million in government grants.

Through the PA Edge Tax Credit Program, the DCED promised up to $50 million in tax credits. They also promised a $25 million grant through the Pennsylvania Strategic Investments to Enhance Sites Program and a $25 million Pennsylvania First grant.

The state has also promised to give up to $5 million to Lehigh Carbon Community College through the Redevelopment Assistance Capital Program to help build a workforce development training program that will help the company find new employees in the Lehigh Valley.

Lilly is also getting help from the PA Permit Fast Track Program. Shapiro started this program in November 2024 to make it easier to get permits for important infrastructure and economic development projects. Parts of Main Street and Haaf Road were cleared out by the legislature's second law for the Lilly project recently.

Site Selection Magazine states that the Lehigh Valley is the best place to live!

The Lehigh Valley has been named the best mid-sized market in the US for economic growth by a well-known trade magazine. Lehigh Valley has always been one of the best places in the U.S. for economic growth, but now we can shout, "We're number one!" The ranking is great because it makes the Lehigh Valley known across the country, but what really counts are the jobs and business opportunities that are being created here for the people who live here!

The Lehigh Valley Economic Development Corporation (LVEDC) made a big deal out of the new number. The Governor's Cup awards from Site Selection honor the U.S. states and metro areas that have the most new and expanded business development projects.

There are 49 projects in the Lehigh Valley were chosen for the ranking in 2025. These included B. Braun's $20 million manufacturing expansion in Hanover Township, which created 200 new jobs; Filter King's opening of a new facility in Bethlehem Township, which created up to 120 jobs; and Bosch Rexroth's breaking ground on a $20 million logistics hub in Bethlehem.

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Projects must be at least 20,000 square feet, bring in at least $1 million, or create at least 20 new jobs in order to be included in the ranking. For the past ten years, the Lehigh Valley has been in the top ten of mid-sized markets, which are places with between 200,000 and 1 million people. The Lehigh Valley came in third in 2024.

The Lehigh Valley beat Metro Des Moines-West Des Moines, Iowa, which was ranked second, and Wichita, Kansas, which was ranked third. Site Selection pointed out that the Lehigh Valley is a leader in the logistics market and is also becoming more important in the life sciences, in part because Eli Lilly is building a $3.5 billion center in Upper Macungie Township.

The project, with the code name ‘Project Kennedy,'” only gets one point on the Top Metros scorecard, but it shows that the Lehigh Valley has a lot of strong life sciences companies, such as Thermo Fisher Scientific, B. Braun, and Ilico Genetics. All together, the Lehigh Valley is home to more than 170 life sciences companies that employ more than 6,000 people.

Northampton County will soon have a new flower shop and a venue that can be changed to fit weddings, baby showers, and other events!! It will open just in time for spring!!

Bloom Room Easton is a fully designed event room and flower shop. The shop will have a soft opening in early April at 527 Northampton St. in downtown Easton.

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Old Mecca Cafe used to be in the soon-to-be-renovated space. Bloom Room will focus on small events like bridal showers, baby showers, birthday parties, business get-togethers, and "micro-weddings." The staff will work closely with clients to show off certain flowers, colors, and other design elements.

The owner, who lives in Easton, is excited to help people in the community put together unique events that will make memories that will last a lifetime. The Bloom Room will have beautiful floral patterns and a nice atmosphere for making content.

The big opening for Wawa, Inc.'s newest store in the Lehigh Valley will be on Thursday, March 12, at 1519 Whitehall Mall in Whitehall Township.

A news statement says that the new store at MacArthur and Mickley roads is the 13th of what Wawa plans to be almost 100 stores opening in 14 states in 2026. At 7:55 a.m.,

Wawa general manager Michael Chisholm will start the big opening party by counting down the hours until the doors open for the first time at 8 a.m. As long as stocks last, the first 100 customers will get T-shirts that say "Wawa Grand Opening Tour in the USA." Until March 15, you can get any size of hot coffee for free.

As soon as the doors open, the grand opening party will continue. At 8:30 a.m., customers are invited to an event that will honor Wawa's more than 200-year history in American business and the new store team.

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A competition called "Hoagies for Heroes" between first responders will also be held to honor the community's daily heroes and raise money for local charities.

Wally Goose, the mascot for Wawa, will be there to take pictures with people. The first 100 people who come will also get an America250PA T-shirt, while stocks last.

People who want to go to the big opening party can find out more about it and RSVP on Wawa's Facebook events page.

Check out Homes For Sale near Wawa in Whitehall, PA 

The Airport Shopping Center space that used to be home to Christmas Tree Shops is finally getting a new STORE.

The new Hobby Lobby at 916 Airport Center Road in Hanover Township, Lehigh County, should open sometime this fall 2026.

It looks like they are adding on to the room that used to be the Christmas Tree Shops. That business closed all of its stores in the summer of 2023 after filing for Chapter 11 bankruptcy. The Airport Shopping Center site of the big-box arts and crafts store has already started to hire people.

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Hobby Lobby is famous for having a huge selection of craft tools and home decor items all in one place. You could sell picture frames, dishes, bathroom accessories, baskets, flowers, party supplies, and even some furniture.

There are more than 1,000 stores in 48 states that are part of the business. Nearby, there are shops at the Trexlertown Shopping Center in Lower Macungie, the Pohatcong Plaza in Pohatcong, and the Northampton Crossings Mall in Lower Nazareth.

HOURS: 

Monday through Saturday, Hobby Lobby is open from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Power tools, yard and garden equipment, and other things for your home and outdoor spaces in Northampton County can now be found in the new Ace Hardware in Walnutport, PA. 

Ace Hardware Walnutport opened on February 19 at 200 S. Best Ave. in Walnutport.

The store, which is about 12,000 square feet, is in the Walnutport Shopping Center, where there used to be a Rite Aid.

The new shop, which is owned by Tim Bracey, is open from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., Monday through Saturday, and from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Sunday.

Ace has been a part of American neighborhoods since 1924. It is known as the "place with the helpful hardware folks."

Ace Hardware is the biggest hardware cooperative in the world. It works with more than 8,800 locally owned and run stores around the world and provides top-notch products, services, and ways of doing business to over 5,200 Ace stores in the US.

In the Lehigh Valley area, there are more than a dozen other Ace Hardware shops.

There is a lot of different stuff for sale, like grills and smokers, paint for the inside and outside, shelves and storage units, heaters, coolers, and all the accessories that go with them, outdoor power tools like lawn mowers, snow blowers, and pressure washers, outdoor living items like patio furniture, swimming pool supplies, and bird and wildlife supplies, lawn and garden items like gardening tools, insect and animal control products, and farm and ranch supplies, and home necessities like trash cans, cleaning supplies, and small appliances. A lot of different tools are sold in shops. There are hand tools like hammers, chisels, and bolt cutters, as well as power tools like cordless drills, circular saws, and orbital sanders.

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Ace has its main office in Oak Brook, Illinois, and a large network of distribution centers in the United States. It also has foreign facilities in Ningbo, China, and Cuautitlán Izcalli, Mexico.

Ace Hardware Corporation reported its fourth quarter and full year 2025 results on February 18. The company made a record $2.5 billion in sales in the fourth quarter, up $226.7 million, or 9.9 percent, from the fourth quarter of 2024.

The company also announced record full-year sales of $10 billion, up $552.2 million, or 5.8 percent, from 2024 sales. They also gave record patronage dividends to shareholders of $361.8 million.

In 2025, Ace Hardware opened more than 180 new shops and gave more than $24.2 million to charities and programs that work with them.