Josiah Meck and Angela Meck received a $100,000 startup grant to open The Farm Store.

An enormous assist was given to two Schuylkill County farmers who wanted to open a farm-to-table food store in Pottsville's downtown. During the Schuylkill Chamber of Commerce's IGNITE Schuylkill Final Event on Thursday, the business will be in Pottsville, at 113 E. Norwegian Street.

Josiah and Angela Meck jointly own Honey Brook Farm, which is located on Deiberts Valley Road in South Manheim Township. According to officials, The Farm Store will end the present food desert in downtown Pottsville and act as a retail location for Honey Brook Farm meats as well as a reliable and practical outlet for other farm items.

Josiah Meck remarked, "Look to the future, where purchasing small and buying local is only increasing stronger," in the presentation that was aired ahead of time. Only a few days before the announcement, the Mecks welcomed their fourth child. The Farm Store will work with numerous other nearby farmers, such as Keystone Potato Products, Guers Dairy, Bantam Acres, B&R Farms, Jersey Acres, Sterman Masser, and many more.

Farmers and producers will provide all of the dairy products, meat, eggs, spices, honey, cold beverages, tea, coffee, fruit, flowers, and snacks. Meck continued her lecture by educating the audience about food deserts, which are defined as census areas with low incomes and a high population that have limited access to stores that sell reasonably priced, healthful food. According to the Mecks, they plan for the store to open in October.

The Farm Store will be open for Six days a week.

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Parkland High School's expansion plans are getting closer to reality.

The South Whitehall Planning Commission received a draft proposal for the expansion on Thursday from representatives of the Parkland School District, marking the next stage of the drawn-out procedure leading up to the building. District Facilities and Operations Director Arthur Oakes stated that specifics about the Orefield Middle School project, including whether the district stadium will relocate to the high school, are still up for debate. The district's proposal to address school overcrowding, called Vision 2030, starts with the extension of the high school.

District data indicates that Parkland High School is expected to reach capacity before either of the middle schools. At present, the high school has roughly 3,200 pupils enrolled. According to Oakes, that figure is expected to increase to almost 3,950 by 2030. About 4,000 students may be accommodated in the two-story addition, which would also include new classrooms, science labs, and areas for big group instruction.

If the construction expenses are within the allocated budget, the extension may also include a new library and athletic lobby, according to Oakes. The district states that the entire funding for Vision 2030 is somewhat less than $210 million. The amount allocated for Parkland High School is $54.6 million, while Orefield Middle School will receive $122,500,000. A new turf sports stadium at the high school will cost $19 million, and a new bus garage will cost $11 million.

By the start of the 2027–2028 academic year, the Parkland High School extension should be complete. While the plans for the Orefield Middle School expansion are "a whole animal unto itself," Oakes stated that the plans for the high school expansion are "very obvious."

This is due to the fact that the location currently houses the middle school, the football stadium, and the district's transportation center, in addition to an operations center that is still under development.

According to Oakes, "we are still figuring out how it all fits on that site." Plans for the prospective new high school stadium, according to Oakes, are contingent upon the district's decision about the Orefield Middle School site plan. In order to keep the project within budget, it also depends on whether the district receives low enough cost estimates.

By early next year, according to Oakes, the district should have a more defined plan for Orefield Middle School. By the start of the academic year 2029–2030, the Orefield Middle School extension should be complete. Assistant Secretary Timothy Dugan of the Planning Commission inquired about the strategies being used to manage the extra traffic resulting from the growing number of students. The state Transportation Department has mandated a traffic assessment for the project, which will determine whether the surrounding roads need to be improved, according to Laura Eberly of the engineering company Reuther + Bowen.

Dugan inquired as to whether the project will include any facility upgrades. According to Oakes, the district intends to modernize its boilers and HVAC systems. Chairman of the Planning Commission, David Wilson, enquired as to how the new portions will affect the building's façade.

According to Oakes, the building would blend in with the current structure because it was intended to support additions. According to Oakes, "the goal is to make it appear as though it has always been there." Oakes stated that more details regarding the Vision 2030 plan's current state will be provided during the Parkland School Board meeting on September 17.

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The largest regional amusement park operator in North America, Six Flags Entertainment Corporation, has taken over as the parent company of Dorney Park and Wild Water Kingdom, having previously been Cedar Fair. On July 1, 2024, following the completion of the second quarter, Cedar Fair and Six Flags merged.

Six Flags today released separate financial results for standalone heritage Cedar Fair and solo legacy Six Flags for the quarter ended June 30, 2024, to make things easier for investors and financial analysts.

Richard A. Zimmerman, the previous CEO and president of Cedar Fair, was victorious in the competition to head the combined business. He stated in a statement, "I am particularly happy with the heritage Cedar Fair portfolio's second quarter performance, which created a 570-basis-point boost in legacy Cedar Fair adjusted EBITDA margin in the quarter and produced record levels of attendance and net revenues." Although weather has had a negative impact on July demand trends, Zimmerman stated that the company is confident that the combined portfolio is well-positioned to have a strong full-year performance in 2024.

Zimmerman stated that the business has moved swiftly to carry out its initial integration objectives after the transaction was finalized on July 1.  He made note of the combined enterprises' extremely diverse reach and unprecedented geographic scope in the local amusement park industry. He thinks the combined firm is well-positioned to provide value to consumers and shareholders because it has a solid balance sheet with plenty of liquidity. "To tap into the great potential we believe lies in the merging of these historic portfolios of assets, we are focused on advancing our strategic goals and establishing our basic operating principles across our portfolio in the near term," Zimmerman said in closing.

The business cited a difference between the number of operating days in the second quarter of 2024 and 2023 (789 versus 736). For the second quarter of 2024, legacy Cedar Fair's net income amounted to $56 million, or $1.08 per diluted LP (Limited Partner) unit. This is in contrast to a $54 million net income, or $1.04 per diluted LP unit, for the second quarter of 2023.

In the second quarter of 2023, Legacy Cedar Fair reported adjusted EBITDA of $151 million, although adjusted EBITDA (Earnings Before Taxes, Interest, Depreciation, and Amortization), which management claims is a significant indicator of operating results, totaled $205 million. The fiscal calendar shift, a greater season pass base, and increasing demand in general for new, marketable products were the main causes of the increase in attendance. Comparing the second quarter of 2024 to the same period in the previous year, Cedar Fair recorded an increase of $35 million in operational expenditures and expenses. Increases in operational costs of $5 million, cost of goods sold of $5 million, and selling, general, and administrative (SG&A) expenses of $26 million were the main contributors to the rise. The business stated that the $11 million in acquisition and integration-related costs, the increase in equity-based compensation expense as a result of higher performance expectations, and the effects of the current quarter's fiscal calendar shift were the main causes of the increase in SG&A spending.

With 27 amusement parks, 15 water parks, and nine resort locations spread throughout 17 states in the United States, Canada, and Mexico, Six Flags Entertainment Corporation (NYSE: FUN) is currently the largest regional amusement-resort operator in North America.

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The proprietor of a well-liked Lehigh Valley cafe with a reputation for cheesesteaks, burgers, and hoagies wants to sell the business and keep operating it as a mobile restaurant. The property of Sewards Steak Shop, located at 202 S. 17th St. in Allentown, as well as the connected residence, are for sale according to Mike Sewards, the second generation owner and operator.

After the sale, he and Nelson Villanueva, a longtime employee of Sewards, intend to turn the family-run company into a fully mobile enterprise in the shape of a new Sewards food truck that will appear at nearby establishments as well as public and private events across the Lehigh Valley region. The 66-year-old eatery, however, is conducting "business as usual" until the property is sold, according to Sewards. "I have been running this restaurant for nearly 45 years, and I am going to be 70 shortly," Sewards remarked. "Well, I have been wanting to downsize for a time, and I had planned to do so in 2019, then COVID struck. For anyone wishing to operate a restaurant, the location presents a fantastic opportunity.

Sewards' father, John Sewards, opened the Sewards Steak Shop in 1958. It is located at the southwest corner of Union and South 17th streets. Growing up at the restaurant, Mike remembers helping out in a variety of ways, starting at the age of ten when he was tasked with gathering soda bottles. Since taking over Sewards in 1980, Mike has maintained its reputation as a mainstay in Allentown by providing fresh, delicious cuisine and courteous service for almost 40 years, all with the assistance of the staff. With vintage pictures of Allentown sports teams, sporting trophies, and other memorabilia on display in the dining area, the restaurant manages to retain a cozy and charming ambiance.

Mike's late uncle, Milo Sewards, was a successful veteran basketball coach at William Allen High School. He eventually became the athletic director of the school and named the high school arena after himself. Milo Sewards coached several of the displayed teams. The cozy ambiance continues into the dining area, where patrons may strike up a conversation with Villanueva, Mike, and other staff members while food is being prepared in an open kitchen. Mike stated, "We take great satisfaction in using premium ingredients, and customers can watch us prepare their cuisine."

After 15 years of employment at Sewards, Villanueva claimed, "All of our cuisine is created fresh to order." "We always aim to improve and provide the clients what they want, therefore we also take suggestions from the public seriously.” Mike, an Allen High School alumnus from 1974, stated, "We love the community that we serve and are glad to be a part of Allentown." The combined asking price of the Sewards Steak Shop land and the three-bedroom, two-story house next door is $849,900.

The description states that the property is "perfect for a family-run business" and that the owner may live next door or rent the house out for additional revenue. The property features a turnkey restaurant with a fully-equipped kitchen. The listing says, "Perfect for combining business and living, or for earning additional rental income." "The price includes both properties, 202 S. 17th and 204 S. 17th," Mike stated. "Garages are included in that as well. So, the house and restaurant will belong to whoever purchases this. It is up to them what they do with the area after I show them how to utilize the restaurant's equipment and acquaint them with it. Though it would not be Sewards, the restaurant will probably remain open. The old pictures and recipes would remain with us.

Villanueva and Mike emphasize that until the property is sold, nothing will change at Sewards. The restaurant is still operating Monday through Saturday from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m., and the two are currently looking for a food truck. Mike stated, "We are not doing anything until the property sells, but we are hoping to get a truck by the fall." It can take up to six months, a year, or even longer. We hope it does not take much longer than that, but we will make sure to update everyone on social media. After learning that we will be having a food truck, a few people have already inquired about availability. They have heard me say, "Not quite yet, but soon!"

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Philadelphia Magazine has information about Pottstown and the best walkable towns in the Philadelphia region.

Sandy Smith writes for Philadelphia Magazine that there are a number of suburbs in the Philadelphia area where a low-car diet may be followed without too much difficulty, and one particular town in Montgomery County meets the description.

Pottstown, after James Potts, who founded a rolling mill and iron forge in upper Montgomery County in the early eighteenth century.

The food scene in the neighborhood is modest but fantastic. The professional theater, Steel River Playhouse, is located in a former retail space. Additionally, parkland lines the Schuylkill River as it passes through the municipality. Additionally, Pottstown is home to the esteemed Hill School The second-oldest wooden carousel in the nation still in operation, the vintage Philadelphia Toboggan Company carousel, is a fun attraction for kids.

Pottstown has its own municipal bus system, Pottstown Area Rapid Transit (PART), even though there is only one SEPTA route that passes through the town. Its five routes cover the entire borough as well as Boyertown, Gibbstown, and Pottsgrove Township, which are nearby.

The overall Walk Score for Pottstown is a 60, whereas lower-class residential districts have a score of 80.

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In Lehigh County, a new company is providing a large selection of savory and sweet food! Prior to its renovation, the building was home to Raadical Restaurant and, most recently, Gigi's Pizza Pasta & Grill.

The family-run restaurant and bakery Los Tulipanes Restaurant & Bakery, located at 123 Chestnut St. in Coplay ,is now open to the public. The restaurant serves breakfast, lunch, and supper every day. Fernando Muñoz and Wendy Benitez, together with Benitez's brother Rigoberto Benitez, are the owners of Los Tulipanes. Ruby Muñoz, the daughter of Fernando and Wendy, helps with the restaurant's operations, making it a true family affair.

Fernando exclaimed, "We are really excited." "The community is genuinely helping us out." The family is serving a variety of Mexican and other Latin American dishes, such as tacos, sopes, gorditas, tortas, quesadillas, empanadas, and huaraches.According to Ruby, tacos that are served with freshly prepared corn tortillas, onions, and cilantro have been very popular in the first week of business. Chicken, steak, hog, Mexican sausage, and dry-cured smoked beef are among the options for tacos. Customers have also been raving about the lunch deals, which come with rice and beans. Mexican, Italian, American, Jamaican, and many other ethnicities are served a range of meals. 

Their service is available at any time of day. Breakfast platters, such as small pancakes (12 or 25) and smashed plantains with fried eggs, Dominican salami, and fried cheese, are also offered. Breakfast sandwiches, such as egg and cheese with the option of bacon, sausage, sirloin, or ham, are also served.

For those with a sweet tooth, Los Tulipanes sells around 20 different kinds of handcrafted cakes by the slice, including caramel cake, carrot cake, cheesecake, guava cake, tres leches cake, upside-down pineapple, red velvet cake, chocolate cake, strawberry jam cake, and Neapolitan cake. Even a pink cake called "Barbie" is present. "Carrot cake is my favorite cake," Ruby declared.

Along with a range of frappes, fresh fruit smoothies, and natural juices, the establishment also sells various handcrafted sweet treats such cheese puff pastries, Oreo churros, flan, flancocho, and Dominican corn pudding.

Fernando remarked, "I can not choose a favorite." "Everything tastes great."

With room for about 16 people, Los Tulipanes also serves a selection of freshly made, full-sized cakes that can be personalized with different designs and happy phrases. The company is open Monday through Saturday from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. and on Sundays from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.

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The Boyertown Community Pool is the place to be on hot summer days, but those days might not last long.

Boyertown's community pool has been closed for the past two years due to severe repair needs. Because of the expense, the borough council is considering closing it permanently, but the mayor says she does not think it is a good idea. "My pals and I would go there together. When we played in the park in Boyertown on Friday, Beth Maiuro recalled, "We would say, 'Hey, meet me by the pool, we will be there,' and it was a safe location to be in."

Douglassville resident Wendy Schiavo stated, "It would be incredibly sad if they closed the pool since I remember going here as a kid, swimming with my cousins."

Mayor Lori Carnes stated, "I just do not think we should quit up when we have not examined all of our possibilities." The Boyertown pool is expected to require renovations totaling around two million dollars in order to be operational again. "The necessary repairs and modifications to bring the pool up to current safety and operational standards will place a major financial burden on our taxpayers," the borough council said in a statement praising the pool as a treasured community asset. "I hope we go out and submit grant applications. Carnes stated, "I would try to see folks in the community who could support us."

According to the borough council's statement, citizens' taxes would rise significantly due to the associated costs, even in the event that grants were awarded. "They never inquire as to if I am alright with my taxes being raised," said Charles Koresko, a resident of Boyertown. "It is my opinion that the pool should be fixed, regardless of the cost. According to his wife, Kathleen, their family has been using it for many generations. She remarked, "We really miss it."

The future of the pool is not yet on the council's agenda for a decision.

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The full-service restaurant Bayou Easton, which offers "a fresh take on classic New Orleans cooking," will permanently close on September 1. This downtown Easton restaurant, which has been in existence for seven years, will close.

Renovated from its former home as the Valenca restaurant, the Bayou Easton opened in 2017 with a full bar and two private party areas. The eatery is a branch of the popular Bayou: Southern Kitchen & Bar, which debuted on Bethlehem's Hawthorne Road in 2014. According to Taylor, the eatery in Bethlehem will carry on with business as usual.

Together with a new food trailer, the Bayou Boys Hospitality Group, which is made up of Taylor and his partners Cristian Duarte, Jerry Straub, and Matt Weaver, also runs the fast-casual cheesesteak restaurant Wiz Kidz at two locations: on East Elizabeth Avenue in Bethlehem and Freemansburg Avenue in Bethlehem Township. "Our goal is to slightly streamline our operations and concentrate on The Bayou Bethlehem, Wiz Kidz, and our expanding pierogi business," stated Taylor. "The past seven years at Easton have been fantastic. Not only did we pour our souls into it, but so did our personnel. But regrettably, it is drawing to a close.

At a factory located on Union Boulevard in Allentown, the group also produces and markets its own pierogies under the Bayou Boys Pierogies brand. The partners had previously owned and operated two other full-service restaurants in Allentown's downtown: Grain, which closed in 2018 after operating for over three years, and Queen City BBQ, which closed in 2020 after operating for slightly over three years. Taylor stated, "We are looking to perhaps open another Wiz Kidz facility."

"It is not official yet, but it would be a takeaway and delivery place in Allentown, in the same facility where we make our pierogies. We are addressing it. Known for its distinctive “blend of traditional Southern flavors and modern American cooking,” The Bayou offers a variety of shareables like fried green tomatoes, collard greens, hush puppies, mac and cheese, and fried green tomatoes; entrees like blackened salmon, barbecue shrimp and grits, jambalaya, and chicken and waffles; and handhelds like a Southern Burger, Nashville fried chicken sandwich, and various po boys (shrimp, brisket, or catfish).

According to Taylor, the Easton location will take part in the 10th annual Clam Jam street festival on August 25 and will probably have some goodbye events and specials in the weeks preceding its last day. Bayou Easton's Facebook and Instagram sites would provide information. Taylor remarked, "We really appreciate all of our consumer support over the last seven years." We are grateful for the opportunity to serve the lovely community of Easton. We appreciate the great service that our staff has worked so hard to deliver. We are sharing this news with a mixture of thankfulness and grief.

According to Taylor, the partners are searching for "another fantastic operator" for the downtown Easton space in collaboration with The Bayou Easton's landlord. For additional information, restaurateurs can get in touch with The Bayou Easton.  

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The Upper Macungie Board of Supervisors granted contracts totaling $38.5 million for the construction of the new community center.

Township Manager Robert Ibach Jr. stated that about $8 million in bids are still pending, making the project's overall cost approximately $46 million. According to a presentation made last month, the Upper Macungie Township Community Fund, the nonprofit organization that is supporting the center, has raised $20 million in committed cash and has $16 million in grant funding waiting. The township is currently thinking about using municipal bonds to cover a portion of the project's remaining costs.

The township may utilize its reserves to make the payment, according to board chairman Jeff Fleischaker, but it might need the funds for other projects down the road. Grange Park would be home to the 180,000-square-foot indoor entertainment center. Proposed images show that it would include two multipurpose courts, a grass field, meeting areas, and a concession stand. The cost of using the center is still up in the air. However, research conducted in April 2023 recommended charging $300 for adults and $600 for families as the yearly resident membership price.

The purpose of the study was to see whether the facility could actually operate, and if so, the rates might not be so high. In 2011, the supervisors of the township decided to proceed with the construction of a community center, with the intention of having it finished by 2017.

The "centerpiece" of the community center, according to Community Fund Vice Chairwoman Laura McHugh, will be a 130,000 square foot grass field, which is equivalent to three regulation soccer fields in size. There would be a little fitness center above the field and a walking route encircling it. Lehigh Valley Health Network will set up the fitness center and also intends to provide health-related programs like immunization clinics, educational lectures, nutrition classes, and screenings. The two multipurpose courts in the drawings, according to McHugh, might be utilized for pickleball, basketball, volleyball, and social events other than sporting events. The center would also feature free public wi-fi, concessions, and adaptable conference spaces with dividing walls.

According to McHugh, Lehigh County's largest emergency shelter will eventually be located in the community center. Additionally, supervisors decided unanimously to allow PFM Advisors, a financial advisory firm, to obtain data regarding municipal bond funding for the project.

Jamie Schlesinger, Managing Director of PFM, presented a possible financial plan for the project. A $10 million bond with an approximate total interest yield of $7 million and a $17.5 million bond with an approximate total interest yield of $14.2 million were two of the estimations that were given. Schlesinger stated, "I would prefer to have that [reserve] as flexibility for future usage because there will be things coming down the line that you may be considering, so I think it makes a lot of sense to utilize both debt and your cash to kind of counter things."

Schlesinger claims that Upper Macungie has never issued public debt. Residents of the township stated in a poll that they did not want the municipality to incur debt in order to build the community center, according to Board Vice Chairman Sunny Ghai. "It makes me uneasy to vote in support of something I know other residents were worried about," Ghai remarked.

Jim Brunnell, the supervisor, stated that he is in favor of funding since the township reserves will continue to generate interest. In the end, Brunnell stated, "that is the smart thing to do right now as a commercial choice." According to Brunnell, he was initially opposed to the notion of constructing the community center, but after seeing how many locals were in favor of it, he changed his mind. He declared that he believed the timing was right to start building. "Everything has come together," said Brunnel. "We must act if we are going to take this action.

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Wind Creek Casino seems to be headed toward receiving its state gaming license.

Following a hearing in Bethlehem on Wednesday, witnesses from the Pennsylvania State Police and the Gaming Control Board stated that nothing should stand in the way. Casino representatives bragged throughout the hearing about their plans to invest over $15 million in upgrades for the 2024 fiscal year. They also mentioned that they would spend millions more in 2025 to build three new restaurants, a new weapon detection system, and renovations for the hotel's South Tower.

According to Wind Creek spokesperson Julia Corwin, various feasibility studies are being conducted as part of the ongoing work to create a new master plan for the former Bethlehem Steel property close to the casino. The state Gaming Control Board must renew Wind Creek's gaming license every five years, which permits the casino on Bethlehem's South Side to operate.

Board members assess whether the casino is a good neighbor to the town it is located in and if it conforms with state regulations. The purpose of this first of two steps—the public input hearing on Wednesday—is to gather information and testimonies from community residents, regulators, and casino management in order to inform the board's decision.

Wind Creek representatives will have another opportunity to submit information and make their case for operating for an additional five years at a hearing that will take place in Harrisburg in the coming months. In their testimony on Wednesday, Pennsylvania State Police and gaming compliance officers with the control board stated that they could not see any justification for refusing Wind Creek a longer license while ensuring the casino complies with state regulations.

That is not to argue that Wind Creek has had a perfect five years. The Gaming Control Board has given Wind Creek forty-three warning letters, one demand letter, and four board-approved cooperation agreements since its previous licensing hearings. A cooperation agreement that was made public in May imposed a $125,000 fine for each of the ten instances in which minors were allowed on the casino floor.

According to Lauren Sposato, a casino compliance officer with the control board, the regulatory problems at Wind Creek are mostly comparable to those that other casinos in the area face. She stated that keeping guests from leaving young children unsupervised in areas like the complex's food court was the worst problem for Wind Creek. Nedia Ralston, a member of the gaming control board, applauded casino management for making progress in addressing unaccompanied minors. This includes increased security patrols and new signage emphasizing that no one under the age of 18 should be left alone. "Not only the board, but the entire Gaming Commission was clearly taking up a charge on minors being left unattended," the spokesperson stated. "We are seeing a decrease in the numbers, and you guys have invested in numerous areas.”

This is Wind Creek's first license renewal following its acquisition of the South Bethlehem casino, formerly known as Sands. The hearing on Wednesday was moved from its planned date of June 26 due to strong storms that interrupted power to City Hall. Representatives for Wind Creek presented their intentions for recent capital expenditures during the meeting on Wednesday. These included the addition of three new eateries—a Moe's Southwest Grill, an Auntie Anne's Pretzels, and a Starbucks Coffee—to the property's food court. Renovations to the casino gift shop, a $3 million carpet improvement, and plans to refurbish the hotel's South Tower to better match the recently finished North Tower extension are also in the works.

In order to monitor vehicles entering and leaving the property, Wind Creek's security crew purchased new license plate readers earlier this year. They also purchased infrared and thermal cameras to aid in the search for children left unsupervised in cars. Following a fruitful two-day testing period in May, Wind Creek has placed an order for weapon detection systems that should be operational by the beginning of 2025.

With gaming revenue that has surpassed pre-pandemic collections, Wind Creek intends to invest a total of $15.1 million in new capital projects for the fiscal year 2024. Several nonprofit organizations in Bethlehem that Wind Creek supports gathered support for the casino's application to extend its gaming license. ArtsQuest President Kassie Hilgert stated, "Wind Creek, formerly the Sands, has been a tremendous sponsor of artsquest and many other organizations in Bethlehem and the surrounding region." "We firmly believe Wind Creek should be granted a new license."

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