BETHLEHEM, Pa. – A popular destination for fresh food, flavorful drinks and family-friendly fun is leveling up with a 12,000-square-foot addition set to open soon in Northampton County.
Twisted Tees, a sports bar and entertainment destination featuring multi-sport simulators, pool tables, yard games, elevated pub fare, a full bar and more, will more than double in size when a new addition opens later this spring on the lower level of The Outlets at Wind Creek Bethlehem, co-owner Kyle Randell told 69 News.
Randell and his partner, AJ Mitchell, opened Twisted Tees two years ago in a renovated, nearly 10,000-square-foot space that previously housed a location of women’s fashion retailer Charming Charlie.
Twisted Tees’ expansion will occupy a newly formed space – totaling around 12,000 square feet – that previously housed three smaller retail units.
It will bring more ways to play, relax and have fun with a realistic, 18-hole miniature golf course; larger and more private simulator spaces; a second bar and dining area; and a larger stage to continue hosting live entertainment.
A new digital jukebox also will be available to play music.
“We’re super excited to be growing,” Randell said.
“Our original space will retain that fun, clubhouse feel, and it will feature an interior connection to our new space, which will have a really cool, outdoorsy feel with natural-looking greens throughout.”
Randell and Mitchell are no strangers to the local business scene.
The pair also operates two other businesses on The Outlets’ lower level: Angry Jack’s Axe Throwing Club, offering guided axe throwing sessions for individuals of all skill levels, and Sweet Revenge, a shop offering coffee, baked goods, ice cream and other treats.
Twisted Tees’ opened over two years ago in its original space on The Outlets at Wind Creek Bethlehem’s lower level.
Twisted Tees
Additionally, the duo also owns and operates Ranch City Brewing, an eight-month-old craft brewery offering a wide array of hand-crafted beer and food, at the Simon Silk Mill in Easton.
“With this expansion, we’re looking to make Twisted Tees even more of a family-friendly destination for great fun, food and drinks,” Randell said.
“It’s our goal to offer great fun, food and drinks, and mini golf especially is just a super fun activity for the whole family. Parents could bring their kids here to let loose year-round, including in the winter when there’s not much to do and in the summer on a rainy day.”
The mini-golf course will feature putting greens, faux sand traps, raised greens resembling rolling hills and various colors of turf made to look like a real golf course, Randell said.
A few select obstacles will create additional challenges.
“We’re designing more of a natural kind of course, but since we’re partnering with Ranch City Brewing, some of the features will be slightly ranch-themed,” Randell said.
“For example, we’ll have a rustic, steel wind mill, and there also will be a chicken coop to collect balls.”
The expansion will feature an interior connection to Twisted Tees’ original space, making for one, large cohesive space.
The simulator bays – currently situated alongside a wall that will be opened to the addition – will be repositioned in the new space, Randell said.
Twisted Tees, a sports bar and entertainment destination featuring golf simulators, yard games, elevated pub fare and a full bar, operates at The Outlets at Wind Creek Bethlehem.
Ryan Kneller
The TruGolf simulators feature cutting-edge, immersive technology, allowing guests to tee-off from a large library of the world’s best golf courses and receive meaningful feedback on every shot.
Individuals also can choose to play other popular sports such as baseball, hockey, soccer and dodgeball.
The Twisted Tees expansion also will feature a second bar, with seating for around 12 guests, along with additional dining tables for around 30 guests, Randell said.
Twisted Tees offers Ranch City beers along with craft cocktails, wines and pub fare.
Twisted Tees, a sports bar and entertainment destination featuring golf simulators, yard games, elevated pub fare and a full bar, operates at The Outlets at Wind Creek Bethlehem.
Food menu highlights include starters and sides such as baked wings, “Twisted Nachos,” fried mozzarella and loaded potato scoops; flatbreads such as Buffalo chicken, meat lovers and “Honey Blue Blue” (arugula, blueberry, feta, ricotta, honey and caramelized onion); and “Dirty Dogs” and sandwiches such as a “Chip Shot Cheesesteak,” “Par-fect Burger” and “Mac Caddy” dog (topped with beer mac and cheese).
People could also walk around with drinks and food while playing, Randell said.
“We’re also thinking of having someone with a cart going around offering drinks and food like hot dogs to players, at least on busy nights,” Randell said. “There will be barrels situated throughout the space so you’d have places to set down your drinks and food.”
Mitchell and Randell were originally hoping to debut Twisted Tees’ expansion by the end of 2025, but delays related to the city’s permitting process repeatedly pushed back target opening dates, Randell said.
“We’re now aiming for late spring, end of June at the latest,” Randell added.
For the latest Twisted Tees updates, including an official opening announcement for the expansion, follow the business’ pages on Facebook and Instagram. Info: playtwisted.com.
More Bethlehem buzzPopular cigar retailer planning to open ‘world’s largest cigar store’ in Bethlehem
BETHLEHEM, Pa. – A prominent cigar retailer is aiming to create the “ultimate destination for cigar lovers” when it opens an expansive new facility – housing its headquarters and an accompanying retail area and cigar bar and lounge – in Northampton County.
J.G. Petrucci Company, Inc. (Petrucci), a leading development and design/build construction firm in the New Jersey and Pennsylvania region, recently broke ground on a 58,545-square-foot headquarters facility and retail/bar/lounge experience for discount cigar retailer Cigar Page in Bethlehem, according to a news release.
Construction commenced in early February and was spearheaded by Petrucci’s in-house construction management firm, Iron Hill Construction Management.
The new facility will be located at 1010 Harvard Ave. in south Bethlehem, less than a mile north of the Interstate 78/Route 412 interchange. Full story here.
Courtesy J.G. Petrucci Company, Inc.
‘We are forever grateful’: Bethlehem shop set to close, but online operations will continue
BETHLEHEM, Pa. – A store offering a variety of tasty eats will soon end operations in Northampton County.
The brick-and-mortar location of A Couple Craves, offering locally sourced charcuterie, sliders, cheesy pretzel bites and more, is set to close on Saturday, March 28, at 3 W. Broad St. Suite 6 in downtown Bethlehem.
“We truly enjoyed our time in downtown Bethlehem — the community and the people we met over the past two years meant a lot to us and made it difficult to step away,” owner Andrew Kehm told 69 News.
“This was not an easy decision. When my sister and I took over the place fully in November of 2024 we intended to stay for the long haul but due to rising rent costs and low foot traffic on Broad Street, we had to make the call. The good news is that our online business has remained strong, and we’re actively working on keeping that going so our customers can continue to enjoy their favorite items like our charcuterie spreads, sliders, and charcuterie sushi.” Read more here.
‘Pop-up prom shop’ in Lehigh Valley to help students find the best looks at a fraction of the cost
BETHLEHEM, Pa. – Say yes to the dress without saying no to the price tag!
The YWCA Bethlehem is hosting its “pop-up prom shop” this weekend.
69 News Reporter Sydney Kay was in Bethlehem with more on how it is helping students find the best looks at a fraction of the cost.
YWCA Bethlehem Executive Director Delia Marrero said the pop-up shop is one of the most exciting events the organization has each year. The pop-up prom shop is a fundraiser for YWCA Bethlehem’s youth programs, but it’s also a community engagement event. Read more.
‘Go big or go home’: Bethlehem gets ‘Best Main Street’ nomination for 2nd year straight
BETHLEHEM, Pa. – Whether you’re satisfying a sweet tooth or shopping for sneakers to run it off, Bethlehem’s Main Street has got you covered: with unique boutiques and one-of-a-kind dining.
“We always say that within the historic district footprint, you can quite literally dine around the world,” said Evelyn Caron, assistant manager with Downtown Bethlehem Association.
“It’s a trifecta,” said Kelly Ronalds, general manager of Historic Hotel Bethlehem. “We have the UNESCO World Heritage Site, which is adjacent to Historic Hotel Bethlehem, which is the number one historic hotel in America five years in a row, sitting on the number one Main Street in America.”
That’s probably why it was just nominated for a second year in a row as USA Today’s Best Main Street. Full story here.
Barbecue spots on the move‘Best place for us’: Barbecue business nails down new digs in Northampton County
HELLERTOWN, Pa. – A business offering “low and slow wood-smoked BBQ,” including ribs, brisket, chicken and pulled pork, has found a new homebase in the Lehigh Valley.
You Got Pork’D, specializing in premium barbecue and homemade sides, is planning to depart Leaf Cigar Bar, at 90 Mort Drive in Forks Township, at the end of March and move operations in April to Dewey Fire Company’s banquet hall and social club, at 502 Durham St. in Hellertown, owner Brian Jones announced Friday on the business’ Facebook page.
Earlier this year, Leaf decided not to renew You Got Pork’D’s lease, leading Jones to seek a new location for his barbecue business.
In Friday’s announcement, Jones thanked Leaf for a “great partnership the last five years.” Read more here.
You Got Pork’D
‘Perfect for our operation’: Popular barbecue business finds new home in Lehigh County
N. WHITEHALL TWP., Pa. – A much-loved business serving up tasty, slow-smoked ribs, brisket and other barbecue specialties is making moves in Lehigh County.
Grill Life Barbecue, a food trailer offering wood-fired, slow-smoked meats and homemade sides such as creamy coleslaw, honey glazed cornbread and three-cheese smoked mac and cheese, has announced that it will move in early May to its new location at 3524 Route 309 in the Orefield section of North Whitehall Township.
Owner Joe Zellner, with help from his brother, Brandon, opened Grill Life Barbecue in June 2022 at 2562 Route 309 in the Orefield section of South Whitehall Township.
The trailer will continue operating at its original spot – located near a Sunoco gas station and across from a Burger King restaurant – until the moving date.
In regard to the relocation, the Grill Life team plans to move the business on May 3 and 4 to its new spot – about a mile up the road next to Shankweiler’s Drive-In Theatre – and reopen on May 5. Read more.
Grill Life Barbecue
Easton area news’True taste of Mexico’: Tia B’s Street Tacos to spice up Lehigh Valley food scene
EASTON, Pa. – A new destination for street tacos, tortas and other Mexican favorites is coming soon to Northampton County.
Tia B’s Street Tacos, offering authentic, hand-crafted tacos, quesadillas and other Mexican street food, is expected to open in late spring at 118 Northampton St. in downtown Easton, co-owner Bridget Lauer told 69 News.
“We’re super excited,” said Lauer, who’s operating the business with her husband, Chris Quintile. “We’ve always admired Easton. It has great events, great people and great vibes, and now we’re going to be in the middle of it all.”
Lauer established Tia B’s in spring 2022 with a single food trailer, and a second Tia B’s mobile unit was added to the operation in 2024. Full story here.
Tia B’s Street Tacos is coming soon to 118 Northampton St. in downtown Easton.
Ryan Kneller
Rutter’s convenience store project progresses with land acquisition
PALMER TWP., Pa. – Another item has been crossed off the to-do list in bringing the first Rutter’s convenience store to the Lehigh Valley.
The project’s developer, M & G Realty of York, Pa., has purchased the land in Palmer Township that will be used for the project.
The $5.28 million dollar sale was recorded on March 19.
The 13-acre parcel is undeveloped farmland now; it’s near Main Street and Carson Court, an area surrounded on all sides by heavy industrial development. There’s a Sheetz convenience store less than a half mile away. Read more here.
Salon hosts first anniversary celebration with discounts, giveaways and ribbon cutting
EASTON, Pa. – A premier personalized service salon offering haircuts, balayage, extensions and more celebrated its birthday with the Easton Business Association this week.
Creations By Laura DiMarco, a personalized, high-end service salon, will host its first anniversary ribbon-cutting celebration at 6:30 p.m. Friday, March 27, at 252 Spring Garden St. in downtown Easton.
Attendees received 20% off their first service and a complimentary bag of goodies.
Owned and operated by Laura and Paul DiMarco, Creations By Laura DiMarco specializes in elevated beauty experiences delivered in a serene environment. Read more.
Lehigh County newsSephora sets opening date for new Lehigh Valley store
U. SAUCON TWP., Pa. – A popular retail chain, selling makeup, skincare, fragrances and more, is expanding its footprint in Lehigh County.
Sephora, where shoppers can explore an “unrivaled selection of makeup, skincare, hair, fragrance and more from classic and emerging brands,” is planning to open a new retail store on April 2 at Promenade Saucon Valley in Upper Saucon Township, according to Patrick Turner, Promenade Saucon Valley’s general manager.
The new store, located near Athleta, will hold a grand opening promotion where individuals visiting on April 2, 3 and 4 could win a Sephora gift card for $100, $50 or $20 or a limited-edition makeup bags, while supplies last. Full story here.
‘Deeply grateful’: Popular Chinese restaurant to close after 40 years in Lehigh County
EMMAUS, Pa. – A decades-old destination for fried rice, lo mein, wonton soup and other Chinese specialties will soon end operations in the Lehigh Valley.
Ling Nan Chinese Restaurant, a fast-casual eatery offering Mandarin, Szechuan, Cantonese and Hong Kong cuisine, will hold its last day of business on March 31 at 1328 Chestnut St. in Emmaus, Lehigh County, co-owner Kelly Jian told 69 News.
Jian and her husband have operated the restaurant since 1986.
“After proudly serving our community for 40 years, the time has come for us to retire and close this chapter of our journey at month end (March 31st, 2026),” reads a message posted at the restaurant.
“We are deeply grateful for your support, loyalty, and friendship throughout the years. Many of you have become more than customers – you have become part of our extended family.” Read more here.
Lehigh Valley’s newest Dollar General store coming soon to former Rite Aid location
EMMAUS, Pa. – A popular retail chain, which bills itself as “America’s neighborhood general store,” is expanding its local footprint with a new store set to open later this spring.
A new location of Dollar General, which strives to make shopping “hassle-free and affordable” with more than 20,000 stores in 48 states, is slated to open within the next month at 1328 Chestnut St. in Emmaus, according to a Dollar General spokesperson.
Construction progress may alter this target opening date, the spokesperson added.
The new store will occupy an updated space that previously housed a Rite Aid location in the Emmaus Shopping Center. Read more.
Berks and Bucks counties’Vibrant dining experience’: New Reading restaurant to feature ‘craveable food,’ full bar
READING, Pa. – A new restaurant, offering a “globally inspired menu of sophisticated comfort foods,” is set to bloom later this spring in Reading.
GoggleWorks Center for the Arts on Tuesday announced the upcoming opening of Thorn Alley Kitchen, a new restaurant located at its downtown campus.
The new restaurant, set to open on April 10, will blend “culinary creativity with the spirit of art, community, and craveable food,” according to a news release.
Thorn Alley Kitchen will offer a “vibrant dining experience centered on delicious, feel-good meals that comprise a globally inspired menu of sophisticated comfort foods,” the release states. Full story here.
Spring Township could get Berks’ first Raising Cane’s
SPRING TWP., Pa. — Spring Township is inching closer to getting a new fast-food restaurant.
The township’s supervisors voted Monday night to continue a public hearing on a proposed Raising Cane’s restaurant to April 27.
Dan Becker, the township’s solicitor, said a request came in on Friday afternoon from representatives of the chicken finger chain to reschedule the hearing, which is for the purpose of discussing amendments to the tentative plan for the site.
The township planning commission was presented with an informal sketch plan in October proposing the construction of a 3,379-square-foot fast-food restaurant on the parking lot of the Kohl’s department store at Paper Mill Road and Meridian Boulevard. Read more here.
Under new ownership, popular craft brewery and restaurant to hold grand reopening
QUAKERTOWN, Pa. – After a 2.5-month hiatus, a much-loved Quakertown brewpub is under new ownership and set to welcome back beer buffs and foodies with new hours, offerings and updates to the space.
The Proper Brewing Company, a 10-year-old craft brewery and restaurant at 117 W. Broad St., will hold its grand reopening at 4 p.m. Wednesday, April 1, according to an announcement on the business’ Facebook page.
Husband and wife Brian and Kris Wilson recently sold The Proper Brewing Company, which they opened in November 2015, to employee Melissa Szymkiewicz.
The business temporarily closed on Jan. 17 as Szymkiewicz and a team of helpers implemented various renovations, including new flooring, wall paint, a host stand and more. Read more.
‘Waterfall of goodness’: New nonprofit thrift store supporting community programs
PERKASIE, Pa. – A new Bucks County thrift store is offering affordable new and gently used clothing, housewares, books and other items while helping fund a wide variety of initiatives – including community enhancement projects, support groups, a soup kitchen and more.
Revivals Thrift, a nonprofit thrift store dedicated to serving Bucks and Montgomery counties through affordable goods while supporting Revivals ministries, held a grand opening on March 20 at 520 W. Callowhill St. in Perkasie.
The store occupies a renovated 1920s building that was previously home to the Freed Glass facility.
As a nonprofit 501(c)(3), 100% of store proceeds support Revivals programs, all of which are available without financial qualification.
Programs relate to food and basic needs, mental and behavioral health, community engagement and service, education and training, coaching and athletics, creative arts and missions and discipleship. Full story here.
Easter, seasonal happeningsOver 25 Lehigh Valley area restaurants serving up egg-cellent Easter meals
Easter is right around the corner, and for individuals who wish to spend less time in the kitchen and more time with loved ones, several restaurants in the Lehigh Valley and surrounding region are offering special holiday menus.
Here are some prime spots to score honey-glazed ham, herb-roasted potatoes and other Easter favorites.
Reservations/pre-orders are required or recommended for most featured events. Read more here.
Ready for Easter: Allentown florists see business pick up as holidays approach
ALLENTOWN, Pa. (WFMZ) — While it may not feel like spring outside, local florists have been busy preparing their flowers for Easter.
Inside Phoebe Floral Shop, spring is blooming.
“As soon as we had the first warm day we had people calling ‘are pansies ready,'” said general manager Michelle Fagan.
Room upon room full of color and life, even if the weather isn’t exactly cooperating. Read more.
Batter, batter, brand-new platters! IronPigs open with all-new food, merch and cutting-edge technology
ALLENTOWN, Pa. – Batter up! On opening night Friday, as the Lehigh Valley IronPigs get ready to step up to the plate, fans will get to fill up their plates with more than a dozen brand-new food items from this year’s menu.
“We want our fans to have the best experience possible,” IronPigs Executive Chef Alessandro Buccino said. “So in order to do that, we have to come up with new ideas.”
Like the scrumptious fajita burger with guacamole and the garlic bread hotdog.
“It’s just delicious,” said Sam Jellinek, IronPigs manager of broadcasting and media relations. “It’s just like the ultimate combination flavors.” Read more.