BETHLEHEM, Pa. – As the country’s largest free music festival kicks off in Bethlehem, a shop in the city is bringing a year-round destination for new and classic tunes.
Railroad Records, offering vinyl records, CDs, books, memorabilia, antiques, vintage clothing and more, will hold its grand opening 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 2, at 335 Vine St. in south Bethlehem, owner Asa Blynn said.
Blynn, 26, has been collecting vinyl records since he was 13 and previously worked at a couple of local record businesses, including a former Carbon County farmers market stand.
“I had a lot of fun and learned a lot over the couple of summers I spent there,” Blynn said of the farmers market stand.
“The owner gave me store credit, and I was just a young teenager. So, it was an awesome experience. About three days a week, I’d also go to an awesome shop in Allentown, called Double Decker Records. The shop closed a few years ago, but the owner became a friend of mine, and I got kind of a degree in running a record store just by being there so often.”
A Palmerton native who now lives in Whitehall Township, Blynn acquires vinyl records and other inventory through a variety of ways.
“I get stuff almost any way you can think of, and I’ve been doing it so long that I know a lot of people who know me as a collector/buyer,” Blynn said.
“I go to a lot of farmers markets. I go to expositions. I also do house calls. So, if people see my ad, they give me a ring, and I swing by to browse their collections.”
The new Railroad Records store, featuring a cozy vibe with green curtains and an orange shag rug, will allow individuals to buy, sell and trade vinyl records.
New and gently used records of various genres, including blues, country, folk, jazz, rock and R&B among others, will be featured.
Individuals will be able to shop titles from music legends such as Aretha Franklin, B.B. King, Billie Holiday, Bob Dylan, Elvis Presley, James Taylor, Ray Charles and Woody Guthrie, as well as more modern acts such as Arctic Monkeys, Lake Street Dive and MGMT.
Railroad Records
“I’m so excited to offer a place where music lovers like myself can feel at home and shop,” Blynn said. “We’ll be carrying a lot of unique, hard-to-find records.”
Blynn estimates the store’s average record price will be $10, with countless records available for $1 and more rare, collectible recordings priced at $20 and higher.
The shop also will carry other types of musical formats, including cassettes, CDs and 8-tracks, along with vintage equipment such as record players and speakers and other items such as books, magazines, clothing and collectibles.
Rare items such as 78 rpm recordings from the early 1900s and signed items also will be available.
“When it comes to memorabilia, we’ll have pretty much anything music-related,” Blynn said.
Railroad Records will operate between West Fourth and Rink streets, near Homebase Skateshop and Deja Brew Coffeehouse and Deli.
It will occupy an updated space that previously housed The Foundation beauty salon, which recently moved to 3131 College Heights Blvd. in Allentown, salon owner Katie Walsh said.
“We’re opening on the first Saturday of Musikfest, and I couldn’t be more excited,” Blynn said.
Railroad Records’ forthcoming opening is positive news for local music lovers, especially individuals living in or near south Bethlehem.
A former music store, Play It Again, operated nearby on West Fourth Street for 35 years before its closure in 2016.
For its grand opening on Aug. 2, Railroad Records will operate 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. and the first five customers in line will receive 20% off their purchases.
Cash and credit cards will be accepted, and street parking and off-street parking in a neighboring parking garage will be available.
Regular weekly hours will be announced soon, Blynn said.
For the latest Railroad Records updates, follow the business’ pages on Facebook and Instagram. Info: railroadrecordspa.com.
More Bethlehem buzzAfter 2-month hiatus, popular Bethlehem restaurant reopens with new look, menu items
BETHLEHEM, Pa. – A renovation project has been completed at a Lehigh Valley restaurant, bringing updated dining rooms, food offerings and hours to the establishment.
Orizaba Taqueria, specializing in authentic, freshly prepared Mexican cuisine, reopened Wednesday after more than two months of upgrades at 614 W. Broad St. in Bethlehem.
The restaurant, which temporarily closed in mid-May, features new furniture, wallpaper and paint, tile accents, kitchen equipment and more.
One of the most noticeable differences is a new, open-concept kitchen design. Full story here.
Orizaba operates at 614 W. Broad St. in Bethlehem.
Ryan Kneller
Parkland grads nearing completion of new nature-themed coffee and dessert shop
BETHLEHEM, Pa. – Two longtime friends are brewing a tasty new concept in Northampton County.
Mohamed Abdelaziz and Wajahat Siddique, both 2021 graduates of Parkland High School, plan to open Paradise Kafe within the next few weeks at 552 N. New St. in downtown Bethlehem.
The shop will be nature-themed, with an abundance of real and artificial vines and other plants filling the space. Read more here.
Ryan Kneller
Whitehall newsLehigh Valley Chick-fil-A location set to close
WHITEHALL TWP., Pa. – A popular destination for chicken sandwiches, nuggets and more is set to close in Lehigh County.
Chick-fil-A, a quick-service restaurant company known for its freshly-prepared chicken selections, is set to close early next year at the Lehigh Valley Mall in Whitehall Township, a manager told 69 News.
Chick-fil-A, Inc. provided the following statement:
“Chick-fil-A Lehigh Valley Mall will officially close its doors early next year. It has been our pleasure to serve each and every Guest at this location for the past 27 years, and we look forward to continuing to serve the surrounding community at our nearby locations.” Read more.
Ryan Kneller
Electric vehicle manufacturer Tesla opening 1st Lehigh Valley service center
WHITEHALL TWP., Pa. – Tesla is set to bring an electrifying addition to the Lehigh Valley’s business scene.
Tesla, a United States-based auto manufacturer and clean energy company, is planning to open a service center and store at 955 Grape St. in Whitehall Township, township officials confirmed.
The nearly 42,000-square-foot building was the longtime home of a Toys R Us location, which closed in 2018.
Most recently, it housed a Lomax Carpet & Tile Mart store, which is moving to the MacArthur Towne Center at 2570 MacArthur Road in Whitehall. Full story here.
A Tesla location is coming soon to 955 Grape St. in Whitehall Township.
Ryan Kneller
Lehigh Valley Mall welcomes expansive children’s playground, retailer’s 1st regional store
WHITEHALL TWP., Pa. – The Lehigh Valley’s largest shopping mall has welcomed two new tenants as others prepare to join the mix.
Star Park Indoor Playground & Party, a multi-level indoor playground for children, opened July 25 in a lower-level space near JCPenney.
The renovated spot previously housed various retailers, including Track 23 and Modell’s Sporting Goods.
Also debuting in late July was the region’s first location of Dry Goods, a women’s fashion retailer offering clothing, shoes and accessories. Read more here.
A Star Park Indoor Playground & Party facility operates at the Lehigh Valley Mall in Whitehall Township.
Ryan Kneller
MacArthur Towne Centre welcomes 2 new tenants as 2 others ready to join the mix
WHITEHALL TWP., Pa. – A shopping center in Whitehall Township is abuzz with activity.
MacArthur Towne Centre, at MacArthur Road and West Sutler Drive, recently welcomed two new tenants – Dollar Tree and Consumer Cellular – as two other businesses – Marco’s Pizza and Lomax Carpet & Tile Mart – ready to join the lineup.
The shopping center is home to more than a dozen tenants, including 2nd & Charles, Aldi, At Home, Fine Wine & Good Spirits Premium Collection, Top Hat and Art Fusion.
Yummy Bowl, specializing in Mongolian stir-fry and sushi selections, opened in September. Read more.
The MacArthur Towne Centre is located at MacArthur Road and West Sutler Drive in Whitehall Township.
Ryan Kneller
Foodie findsFamily behind popular Mediterranean restaurant opening 2nd Lehigh Valley eatery
EASTON, Pa. – The owners of a much-loved dining establishment in Northampton County are bringing another tasty concept to the area.
Zaks Bistro, a new Mediterranean and American eatery from the owners of Daddy’s Place in Easton, will open Tuesday, Aug. 5, at 645 Northampton St. in Easton, co-owner Lena Koorie said.
Koorie operates the 12-year-old Daddy’s Place with her husband, Sharbel Koorie, and sister and brother-in-law, Odil and Peter Koorie, at 650 Northampton St.
The family members, who have a Lebanese background, have found much success with Daddy’s Place – a full-service establishment offering freshly prepared Mediterranean dishes such as hummus, falafel, tabouli and meat and seafood kabobs, and they are looking to further serve the community with a fast-casual lunch option. Full story here.
Daddy’s Place operates at 650 Northampton St. in Easton.
Ryan Kneller
New Lehigh Valley eatery celebrates opening with free house-made pierogies, wings
ALLENTOWN, Pa. – A new restaurant served up complimentary eats to mark its debut in Lehigh County.
A new location of Wiz Kidz, a 1980s- and ’90s-themed restaurant offering cheesesteaks, fries, pierogies and more, held a grand opening event featuring free house-made pierogies and wings (no purchase necessary), 4-9 p.m. Thursday, July 31, at 751 Union Blvd. in Allentown, co-owner Mo Taylor said.
The event also featured an Iron Pigs tickets giveaway and a chance to win Wiz Kidz swag.
The Allentown Wiz Kidz location held a soft opening for takeout and delivery orders on July 8, and it’s now ready to welcome dine-in customers, Taylor said. Read more here.
Wiz Kidz
‘We love you all’: Lehigh Valley tavern to temporarily close as it transitions to new ownership
U. SAUCON TWP., Pa. – A scenic and historic restaurant is starting a new chapter in Lehigh County.
Ye Olde Spring Valley Tavern, a full-service tavern known for utilizing fresh ingredients such as trout from its spring-fed pond, has been sold and is in the process of transitioning to new ownership over the next few weeks at 1355 Station Ave. in Upper Saucon Township, according to an announcement on the business’ Facebook page.
“Saturday August 9th will be the last day of operations under Donna and Warren Walters, at which point the Restaurant will be closed until the transition is complete,” the announcement continues.
“We will be offering a shortened menu for the time being. We appreciate all of our Spring Valley Family and community for their love and support over the years. Thank you, we love you all.” Read more.
Partners open new Easton restaurant, planning 2nd eatery in Bethlehem
A new restaurant is serving breakfast and lunch dishes such as stuffed French toast, specialty omelettes, ribeye cheesesteaks and burgers as the owners prepare to get another tasty concept off the ground in Northampton County.
West Side Cafe & Grill, a full-service eatery offering a variety of breakfast and lunch dishes, opened Saturday at 1100 Bushkill St. in Easton, co-owner George Kouros said.
Kouros and his wife, Kalliopi, and friend, Photis Zographou, also have plans to open Smash Brothers Grill, offering casual American cuisine, in September or October at 2115 Stefko Blvd. in Bethlehem.
In Easton, West Side Cafe & Grill is operating out of a renovated space that was once home to Uncle Wesley’s, a popular eatery known for its crab cakes, burgers and fresh-cut fries, which closed in 2010 after 71 years of business. Full story here.
1st Lehigh Valley location of Bubbakoo’s Burritos nearing completion
L. SAUCON TWP., Pa. – A fast-growing national restaurant chain serving made-to-order burritos, tacos and more will soon have a presence in Northampton County.
A location of Bubbakoo’s Burritos, a New Jersey-based chain serving Mexican-fusion cuisine, is expected to open in mid-August at 1882 Leithsville Road in Lower Saucon Township, according to Ben Grannick, Bubbakoo’s Burritos’ director of marketing.
The new eatery, Bubbakoo’s Burritos’ first Lehigh Valley location, will occupy a renovated space that previously housed Unrivaled Fitness + Wellness in the Creekside Marketplace.
“We are looking to open the 2nd week of August, although that is not confirmed yet,” Grannick told 69 News on Wednesday. Read more here.
Musikfest, other eventsMusikfest 2025 kicks off in Bethlehem with food, music, big crowds
BETHLEHEM, Pa. – Musikfest is underway.
The 11-day event draws millions of visitors year after year.
69 News Reporter Cierra Genelle took a tasty tour of the festival grounds and beyond in Southside Bethlehem. Full story here.
Will it be a close shave? ‘Cutthroat Showcase Barber Battle’ kicks off in Allentown this weekend