ALLENTOWN, Pa. – A decades-old business, known for its expansive assortment of antique furniture, clocks, toys and more, is getting a fresh start with a new name, location and ownership team in Lehigh County.
Weil Antique Center, featuring a diverse mix of vendors selling high-quality antiques, collectibles and retro and vintage items, is transitioning to a new, larger location at 1471 Lehigh St. in Allentown.
The center ceased operations at its home of more than 20 years at 2200 31st St. SW in Salisbury Township last June.
Original owners Rick and Cindy Weil sold the business to Mark Higgins and Michele Vrentas, who plan to officially reopen the business under the name “Weil’s Doghouse Antiques” within the next few weeks at the rear of the Parkway Shopping Center on Lehigh Street.
Higgins, Vrentas and a crew of workers have been extensively overhauling the Parkway Shopping Center space over the past several months, and “a light at the end of the tunnel is finally visible” with work being 90% complete, Higgins told 69 News.
The market’s new location will house a diverse mix of roughly 180 vendors.
The team originally hoped to open the center’s new location by the end of 2025, but unforeseen construction delays pushed back the center’s target opening date.
Higgins gave props to the city, contractors and tenants for their steadfast diligence in bringing the market’s new location to life.
“It’s definitely been a team effort, and we’re thankful for everyone involved,” Higgins said.
“We want to do everything right, and we haven’t cut any corners because we want to make sure this is an enjoyable shopping destination for many years to come.”
The lower-level Parkway Shopping Center space, totaling 30,000 square feet, had been vacant for several years and once housed a bowling alley.
Most recently, it was home to a business school.
“We’re extremely excited to grow!” Higgins said.
“Weil’s is a well-established and much-loved antique center that we are happy to take the reins of and continue to grow at a new, larger location. In Salisbury, the center utilized about 20,000 square feet for retail space, and we’ll be using around 30,000 square feet in Allentown. So, we’ll have about a third more space, with at least 160 different tenants.”
The Parkway Shopping Center space will feature new booths, lighting, ADA-compliant ramps, bathrooms, wall and ceiling paint and an HVAC system, Higgins said.
Vrentas also painted colorful, vibrant wall murals.
“We don’t want this to look like your grandmother’s antique store,” Higgins said.
“We want it be extraordinary and unique. We want to bring an upgraded atmosphere for people to shop in – a unique destination where they could find anything from a piece of silverware to a mounted bear.”
A new window and overhang near the center’s entrance were recently installed, and additional exterior upgrades – including new signage, landscaping and an updated façade featuring reclaimed barnwood – are coming soon, Higgins said.
A Mexican food trailer, Chano’s Tacos & Burritos, that previously operated at Weil’s former site in Salisbury is now located in the parking lot at the new Allentown location.
Additionally, a 50-table outdoor flea market debuted on March 6 and is operating 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. Friday through Sunday, Higgins said.
Flea market tables are situated outside Weil’s Doghouse Antiques at 1471 Lehigh St. in Allentown.
Ryan Kneller
“This new location is going to be really full of life,” Higgins said.
“Just like when Dorothy lands in Oz and everything goes from black-and-white to color, this space will be really vibrant, welcoming and entirely different than what it looked like at the start. Michele is an absolutely incredible artist, and her artistic eye makes everything she does appealing to the eye. So, we’re going to make this space beautiful by painting the facade, installing some really nice landscaping and also having around 1,000 square feet of displays outside. Inside, all of the different walkways will flow nicely, allowing people to wander around from booth to booth almost like they’re visiting different rooms of a house. So, it’ll be an elevated shopping experience, for sure.”
Weil Antique Center opened in November 2002 in a converted warehouse, just off Lehigh Street, in Salisbury Township.
Weil Antique Center is pictured at its original location at 2200 31st St. SW in Salisbury Township.
Rick and Cindy Weil got their start in the retail industry more than 40 years ago, starting out with a clock shop – Weil Clocks – in 1983.
The full-service clock shop operated at a couple of locations on Lehigh Street, including the Parkway Shopping Center, before the Weils expanded operations with the multi-vendor antique market in the early 2000s, Cindy said.
Vinart Dealerships, which operates several nearby auto dealerships on Lehigh Street, purchased the property on 31st Street Southwest in late 2023 and is wrapping the site into its automotive operations, according to Andrew Wright, managing partner of Vinart.
At its new location in Allentown, the antique center will feature vendors from the original Weil Antique Center as well as new vendors carrying “even more really cool, one-of-a-kind items,” Higgins said.
Shoppers will be able to browse aisles of unique finds, including furniture, storage trunks, baskets, lamps, clothing, jewelry, blankets, books, dolls, toys, hand tools, industrial pieces, pottery, cookware, glassware, tableware, kitchen accessories, vases, jugs, wall art, stained glass pieces, holiday decor, sports memorabilia, figurines and other decorative items.
Additionally, the Weils will continue selling a wide array of clocks at the center’s new location.
Vendors are putting their own personal touches on the booths, and Higgins and Vrentas are encouraging them to utilize the open airspace above the booths by hanging unique lights, merchandise and decorative accents.
“Each booth will be a little different, and that’s what we want,” Higgins said.
“We want this to become an organic environment where everything flows together in a natural way. So, we’re giving tenants the freedom to personalize their spaces with painted floors, unique shelving and other design elements, and we’re also utilizing a lot of recycled materials. The goal is to give the market an original, eccentric and intentionally non-uniform finish.”
Weil’s Doghouse Antiques will feature large pieces of artwork showcasing vintage images of Dorney Park, downtown Allentown and other Lehigh Valley scenes.
Vendors are putting the finishing touches on their spaces, with each booth having its own distinct personality.
Unique features include hand-painted flooring, vibrant neon lighting and reclaimed barn wood, lattice and picket fence accents.
“We have a really eclectic, wonderful and interesting group of tenants,” Higgins said.
“It’s been so fun to see everyone make the spaces their own. We’ve got a lot of local people, but we also have people from upstate New York, Rhode Island and even Massachusetts who are bringing their pieces in. A lot of them said they’ve gone to dozens of other antique markets, but they were attracted to ours because it has a really cool and interesting vibe.”
Higgins, who lives just outside Doylestown, has a longtime passion for collecting antiques and previously operated other antique stores – including DogHouse Antiques in the New Hope area – over the past few decades.
“Since I was a young boy, I’ve had an appreciation for unique items that tell a story,” Higgins said.
“I remember when my grandmother was getting older, she wanted to move in with one of my aunts, and so she dispersed a lot of her goods to an auction. My parents let me go to the auction, and I bought some of my grandmother’s stuff when I was 12 years old. So, I’ve been into collecting antiques since childhood, and my passion for it has only grown over the years. The items that I’m really drawn to are the ones that are interesting and unique, items that people say, ‘Wow, I’ve never seen that before!’
Higgins and Vrentas met in early 2025 at the Riegelsville Inn, where the two “immediately clicked,” Higgins said.
It was a Wednesday night, and the restaurant was hosting its “Hot Acoustic Jam,” a weekly event where singers and musicians of all ages, styles and abilities are welcome to perform.
“A friend of mine had encouraged me to come out over the winter, and not long after I entered the restaurant, she had asked me to dance,” Higgins said.
“There’s not much room to dance, but I guess I impressed her enough because I got her phone number. Ever since then, she has blown me away tenfold.”
Vrentas previously operated Lift Easton yoga and massage studio in downtown Easton for 13 years, and she’s also a lifelong artist and avid traveler.
“Her world experience and positive outlook on life are just mesmerizing,” Higgins said.
At Weil’s Doghouse Antiques, Higgins and Vrentas will sell some of their own pieces alongside the other vendors’ items.
Individuals will be able to shop antique furniture, primitives, artwork, home decor, taxidermy mounts, sideshow banners and circus posters, among other items.
Unique pieces will include mounted bears, stained glass lamps and a 12-foot biplane that will be hung from the ceiling, Higgins said.
“If a piece is even somewhat unique or exotic, I’m usually interested in it,” Higgins said.
“I have a fine arts degree, which helps me to make displays appealing to the eye. So, we’ll probably have a couch, a bookcase, some table lamps, a rug and other items that help people imagine how certain pieces would look in their own homes. With all of the other booths that will fill the space, people will almost certainly find something that speaks to them.”
For the latest Weil’s Doghouse Antiques updates, including an official opening announcement, follow the business’ pages on Facebook and Instagram.
Foodie findsEuropean-inspired cafe with ‘boho, historic vibe’ nears opening in Northampton County
NAZARETH, Pa. – A cozy, new spot for homemade quiches, soups, sandwiches, pastries, specialty drinks and more is coming soon to a historic building in Northampton County.
Circle Cafe on Main, a cafe inspired by European cafes and the owner’s desire to create a “community-centered gathering space,” is expected to open in mid-April at 2 N. Main St. in Nazareth, Owner Jennifer O’Neill told 69 News this week.
O’Neill, a longtime Nazareth resident, last year purchased the historic North Main Street property – dating to the early 19th century – and spent the next several months extensively renovating the building, which was most recently home to a salon. Full story here.
Circle Cafe on Main, a cafe inspired by European cafes and the owner’s desire to create a “community-centered gathering space,” is coming soon to 2 N. Main St. in Nazareth.
Ryan Kneller
‘Making the experience better’: Popular Lehigh Valley eatery to open nearby sister location
WHITEHALL TWP., Pa. – A much-loved, family-run business is expanding operations in Lehigh County.
The owners of SMP Mini Mart, a popular business that is part fast-casual eatery and part convenience store at 1341 Mickley Road in Whitehall Township, have purchased a property across the street at 1050 Schadt Ave. to open a SMP sister location.
Husband and wife owners Chad and Nancy Sankari are still ironing out exact plans for the new spot, but the general game plan is to have one location offer an improved sit-down dining experience and the other one handle take-out and delivery orders, Chad said.
The goal is to reduce wait times and enhance the customer’s overall experience, Chad said. Read more here.
SMP Mini Mart
New sports restaurant and bar serving up premium eats, drinks and views of your favorite teams
PHILLIPSBURG, N.J. – A new hot spot for beers, burgers and baseball games is scoring points with local foodies and sports fans alike.
The Bridge House, a sports restaurant and bar offering freshly prepared eats, craft beverages and prime sports viewing on more than 30 televisions, held a grand opening on Friday, March 20, at 224 Stockton St. in Phillipsburg, general manager Carlos Ureña told 69 News.
The new establishment, which held a soft opening on Feb. 27, occupies a renovated space that was previously home to Gnarly Brews Tap Room & Bottle Shop.
Ureña along with The Bridge House owners Tony Massa and Jim Athens spent months updating the space with new flooring, furniture, kitchen equipment and more. Read more.
Pictured is The Bridge House’s flank steak sandwich, with flank steak, crumbled baby blue cheese, caramelized onions and arugula on toasted Kaiser roll.
The Bridge House
Lehigh County newsPopular Lehigh Valley winery levels up with new tasting room, quadrupling in size
WEISENBERG TWP., Pa. – A family-owned winery is continuing to blossom with more vines, wines and room to sip and socialize in Lehigh County.
Weathered Vineyards & Winery, offering a wide array of high-quality, hand-crafted wines at 7618 Carpet Road in Weisenberg Township, has continued to flourish since opening in September 2014, and husband and wife owners Richard and Dana Woolley saw an opportunity to expand operations with a larger venue.
Thirteen years after the business’ first grapevines were planted and nearly 12 years after its tasting room opened, Weathered Vineyards is entering a new chapter and marking a significant milestone with a newly constructed tasting room – more than four times larger than its current tasting room.
Founded in 2013 by Rich and Dana Woolley, the winery has grown from a 512-square-foot tasting room into an expansive 2,160-square-foot guest space, featuring a gas fireplace, vaulted ceiling and multitude of windows welcoming natural light. Full story here.
Part of the Weathered Vineyards team (from left to right) Jason Woolley, Hillary Gary, Dana Woolley and Rich Woolley pose outside of Weathered’s new tasting room in Weisenberg Township.
Weathered Vineyards
National sandwich shop chain’s 2nd Lehigh Valley location nearing completion
WHITEHALL TWP. Pa. – A popular sandwich shop chain is expanding its footprint in Lehigh County.
A new location of Capriotti’s Sandwich Shop, a fast-casual dining concept known for its award-winning, hand-crafted cheesesteaks, turkey subs and more, is expected to open within the next two to three months at 2221 MacArthur Road in Whitehall Township, manager Ryan Seibert told 69 News this week.
Seibert’s father, Michael Seibert, is the franchise owner, and Ryan will operate the new location alongside Michael’s brother, Bill Seibert.
The Seiberts opened the Lehigh Valley’s first Capriotti’s Sandwich Shop in 2022 at 5585 Hamilton Blvd. Unit 5 in Lower Macungie Township. Read more here.
Capriotti’s Sandwich Shop
BeBalanced Natural Hormone Weight Loss center to hold grand opening in Lehigh County
L. MACUNGIE TWP., Pa. — Women in the Lehigh Valley have a new resource for addressing stubborn weight gain and hormone-related health challenges.
A new location of BeBalanced Natural Hormone Weight Loss will hold a grand opening celebration weekend March 26-28 at 5940 Hamilton Blvd. Suite C in Lower Macungie Township, Lehigh County.
Festivities on March 26 will include a ribbon-cutting ceremony with the Greater Lehigh Valley Chamber of Commerce at 11:30 a.m. and educational sessions (1-7 p.m.) presented by Dawn Cutillo, founder of BeBalanced Natural Hormone Weight Loss.
Through a safe and effective method called natural hormone balancing, BeBalanced “delivers successful, long-term weight loss and hormonal symptom relief,” according to a business description. Read more.
BeBalanced Centers
Bethlehem buzz2 downtown Bethlehem restaurants to host Easter egg hunt to benefit local nonprofit
BETHLEHEM, Pa. – Two popular Bethlehem dining establishments have joined forces to offer Easter fun for local families while raising funds for a good cause.
Apollo Grill and Tavern at the Sun Inn will host a children’s Easter egg hunt to benefit The Kindness Project, 11 a.m. to noon Sunday, March 29, in the Sun Inn Courtyard, 564 Main St., Bethlehem, Apollo Grill owner Rachel Griffith told 69 News.
Participants should meet inside Apollo Grill at 10:45 a.m. to register.
“I’m really excited because a lot of us at the restaurant are moms, and on Saturdays, we can’t really participate in a lot of the family activities because we’re always working,” Griffith said.
“So, since we are closed on Sundays, we thought this would be a fun way for our staff members, their families and other local families to enjoy some Easter fun for a great cause.” Full story here.
New ‘community wellbeing hub’ to hold grand opening in downtown Bethlehem
BETHLEHEM, Pa. – A new Bethlehem business aims for guests to “feel good, inside and out.”
Oasis: Community Wellbeing Hub, a holistic wellness space offering yoga and fitness classes, a mental health resource center, healing practices, nourishing beverages and snacks and an inclusive community, will hold a grand opening open house from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday, March 21, at 33 W. Walnut St. Suite 200 in downtown Bethlehem.
The new business occupies one of the new Walnut Street Garage’s two ground-floor retail spaces, with Coalition of Appropriate Transportation (CAT) operating next door.
“We blend yoga, fitness, meditation, and holistic programs with a cozy tea and juice bar, creating a welcoming community where everyone can find their path to wellbeing,” reads a description on Oasis’ Facebook page. Read more here.
Oasis: Community Wellbeing Hub is located at 33 W. Walnut St. Suite 200 in downtown Bethlehem.
Ryan Kneller
Lehigh Dining launches ghost kitchen giving local food businesses campus access
BETHLEHEM, Pa. – Lehigh University Dining is introducing a new ghost kitchen concept that brings a rotating lineup of local food businesses directly onto campus.
Branded as Clayton’s Kitchen and located in Clayton University Center, 29 Tremble Drive in Bethlehem, the initiative kicks off on Monday, March 23, and invites local restaurants and culinary entrepreneurs to take part in short-term residencies — typically one to two weeks — giving students, faculty and staff access to a steady rotation of off-campus cuisine without leaving campus, according to a news release.
The program kicks off with Kou’s Kitchen, a Bethlehem-based catering company led by executive chef Kou Taylor and her husband, Myles Taylor.
Their residency introduces students to a menu rooted in bold, globally inspired flavors, including glazed peanut chicken, peanut butter spare ribs, smoked turkey and vegetable soup and housemade bissap, with the latter being a traditional African hibiscus juice. Read more.
Lehigh Dining
Milestone anniversariesHistory-rich venue in South Bethlehem inspires local and world-renowned musicians
BETHLEHEM, Pa. – On any given night inside Godfrey Daniels, strangers become friends and tickets are reservations.
“I love this place. The day I walked in here, I knew I wanted to volunteer,” Stan Baker said.
On this night, the legendary music listening room attracted Belvidere, New Jersey’s Sam and Jeff Rush, regulars for 25 years.
“The history of people who have come through these doors, it’s the who’s who of folk Americana,” they said. Full story here.
Saved from demolition in the ‘80s, Easton’s State Theatre now celebrates 100 years
EASTON, Pa. – From Pets on Parade, to the Beach Boys, to the Freddies, The State Theatre Center for the Arts has been showcasing stars for now 100 years.
“If you drive by on Northampton Street in eastern Pennsylvania, you don’t expect this. This is modeled after the Davanzati Palace,” President and CEO Shelly Brown said.
The initial vaudeville and motion picture theatre building nearly went dark, but citizens saved it from demolition in the 1980s. The building was resurrected with Craig Thatcher, making it a performance ritual.
“I think it’s the most unique one, certainly on the East Coast,” Thatcher said. Read more here.
Berks County newsCome hungry to new all-you-can-eat Korean BBQ, hot pot spot in Berks
WYOMISSING – A restaurant aiming to bring people together over a feast of good food is now welcoming diners on Monday in Berks County.
KPOT Korean BBQ & Hot Pot, which blends “the rich culinary traditions of Korean BBQ and hot pot into an unforgettable dining experience,” opened Monday, March 16, at 1665 State Hill Road in Wyomissing.
The restaurant operates in an updated space with an exterior entrance at the Berkshire Mall.
KPOT, established in 2018, has more than 160 locations open or coming soon nationwide, including a Lehigh Valley location that opened in January 2025 on MacArthur Road in Whitehall Township. Read more.
Indoor golf center in Reading expands with new 18‑hole mini course
EXETER TWP., Pa. – A one-of-a-kind indoor golf center in Exeter Township is expanding.
Swing Evolutions has grown into its neighboring shop to make room for an 18-hole mini golf course.
The space features an all-natural course, digital scorecards, and a live leader board.
Owner Charlie Bross says the course is for both families looking for a fun time and serious golfers looking to get in some practice. Full story here.
Bouquets and buns: Wienermobile teams up with a Berks Co. flower shop
SPRING TWP., Pa. – Folks in Berks County got some extra special deliveries Thursday.
Acacia Flower and Gift Shop in Spring Township received help making deliveries from the Oscar Mayer Wienermobile.
Two “hot doggers” dropping off flowers at homes in the area.
The shop’s owner says she got a call Thursday that started with someone saying, “This is not a prank…”
The iconic vehicle showed up about 20 minutes later. Read more here.
Closing notes‘Hearts full of gratitude’: Family owned Mexican restaurant bids farewell in Northampton County
PALMER TOWNSHIP, Pa. – A destination for chalupas, chiles rellenos and other Mexican favorites has ended operations in the Lehigh Valley.
Cancun Mexican Restaurant, a family-owned and -operated eatery serving authentic, made-from-scratch Mexican cuisine, has permanently closed at 755 S. 25th St. in Palmer Township, Northampton County, according to an announcement posted on the restaurant’s door.
“With hearts full of gratitude, we wish to inform you that we will be closing our doors permanently,” the posted message reads.
“Thank you for allowing us to be a part of yours finest moments. We will always carry you in our memories. God bless you.”
The full-service restaurant opened in December 2022 in a renovated Palmer Town Center space that was previously home to a J’s Steaks & Subs location, which closed in 2021. Read more.
Cancun Mexican Restaurant is pictured shortly after its opening in December 2022 at 755 S. 25th St. in Palmer Township.
Ryan Kneller
‘Nothing held back!’: Retailer’s last Lehigh Valley location to permanently close soon
WHITEHALL TWP., Pa. – Following its second bankruptcy filing in roughly six years, a prominent fashion retailer is in its final weeks.
The last Lehigh Valley location of Francesca’s, a boutique chain offering a wide assortment of women’s clothing and accessories, is set to close on March 28 at the Lehigh Valley Mall in Whitehall Township, an employee told 69 News.
The upcoming shuttering will follow the closure of another Lehigh Valley Francesca’s location at Promenade Saucon Valley in Upper Saucon Township in February.
The Whitehall store is hosting a storewide sale, with all items discounted 40% to 70% off their original prices (limited exceptions apply). Full story here.
A location of Francesca’s is holding a store closing sale at the Lehigh Valley Mall in Whitehall Township.
Lehigh County shopping center loses longtime restaurant as it prepares to welcome retail chain
HANOVER TWP., Pa. – Changes are underway at a prominent shopping center in the Lehigh Valley.
A location of On The Border Mexican Grill & Cantina, serving Tex-Mex cuisine at more than 120 restaurants across the United States and internationally, permanently closed on March 13 at 909 Airport Center Drive in Hanover Township, Lehigh County.
The restaurant – On The Border’s only Lehigh Valley location – had operated at the Airport Shopping Center since 2009.
“Thank you for your support over the years,” reads a message posted on the restaurant’s door. “… It has truly been our pleasure to serve this community.” Read more here.
Gym ends brief run in Northampton County shopping center
BETHLEHEM TWP., Pa. – A Lehigh Valley fitness facility has closed after roughly five months of operation.
Asylum Fitness, offering a wide array of cardio and strength training equipment along with personal training and group fitness classes, permanently closed on Saturday, March 14, at 2920 Easton Avenue, Suite 5, in Bethlehem Township, general manager and co-founder Coty Moyer told 69 News.
The gym held a soft opening on Oct. 1 and a grand opening and ribbon-cutting ceremony on Dec. 1 at The Shops at Bethlehem.
Moyer said Asylum Fitness had found success in its early months, but “factors outside of the gym” led to the business’ closure. Read more.
Ryan Kneller