WHITEHALL TWP., Pa. – A much-loved, family-run business is expanding operations in Lehigh County.
SMP Mini Mart, a popular business that is part fast-casual eatery and part convenience store at 1341 Mickley Road in Whitehall Township, on Aug. 7 will open a sister location of SMP across the street at 1050 Schadt Ave., according to Chad Sankari, who operates the business with his wife, Nancy.
A second location of SMP is coming soon to 1050 Schadt Ave. in Whitehall Township.
Ryan Kneller
Increasing foot traffic and a desire to better serve the community prompted the expansion, Chad said.
“We are very excited to bring something like this to Whitehall,” Chad told 69 News on Wednesday
“Our ultimate goal at the end of the day is to have something in Whitehall that becomes a staple for the area. Just like Philly has its iconic businesses, our goal is to have something that brings people here from all over the area.”
In November, the Sankaris purchased the Schadt Avenue property, which previously housed a soccer specialty store, Soccer Post, and they’ve spent the past several months overhauling the space for a new SMP location.
The new SMP eatery will offer an improved sit-down dining experience, Chad said.
SMP’s original location operates at 1341 Mickle Road in Whitehall Township.
Ryan Kneller
At SMP’s original location, seating is available for around 25 guests at tables situated next to store shelves and other retail displays of drinks, snacks, household necessities, and other convenience items.
SMP’s new sister location will feature a distinct dining section, where tables are situated further apart, along with separate areas for ordering and convenience items, Chad said.
Chad notes that “the mini-mart style is in [SMP’s] DNA,” but the new location will do a much better job at differentiating the dining and shopping sections.
“The atmosphere and vibe inside the new location will be more clean-cut,” Chad explained.
“So, you will not be dining between refrigerators or shelves as we are right now. There still will be a small section where you can buy chips, snacks, and drinks, but it won’t be anywhere near the sit-down area. It will offer a better experience overall for the customer to dine in.”
SMP Mini Mart
Like the original SMP location, the sister eatery will operate in a fast-casual format where customers place orders at a counter.
Also similar to the original SMP location, the sister eatery will feature Philadelphia Eagles décor along with other nods to the City of Brotherly Love.
“The new location will have more of a city vibe,” Chad said.
“The one wall will have a large decal of the Ben Franklin Bridge with Philadelphia’s skyline behind it. When you look at it, it looks like you’re looking outside of a window at it.”
SMP, known for its cheesesteaks, chopped cheese sandwiches, house-breaded chicken cutlet sandwiches, and other freshly prepared handhelds, opened in November 2022.
SMP owners Chad and Nancy Sankari pose in front of their new food trailer.
Ryan Kneller
The popular spot is an outgrowth of the Sankaris’ more than decade-old wholesale business, SMP Wholesale, which distributes items to nearly 60 Lehigh Valley area gas stations and convenience stores.
SMP is named after the first letter of each of the couple’s three children – Sarina, Milana, and Pierre.
“The idea for this mini mart and eatery originated because we already had the product,” Nancy previously told 69 News.
“So, we thought, ‘Since we already have the product, why don’t we have our own store?’ We’re both also really into food and decided that adding really good sandwiches to the mix would complete the concept.”
SMP Mini Mart operates at 1341 Mickley Road in Whitehall Township.
Ryan Kneller
Initially, SMP Mini Mart offered primarily cold hoagies and sandwiches, along with a few hot breakfast sandwiches.
A few weeks after opening, however, a customer’s cheesesteak request led to the Sankaris bringing in a grill and expanding the menu to include more hot selections.
The eatery’s menu has continued to grow over the years, and the Sankaris installed another grill in 2024 to accommodate the increasing orders.
“We’re so grateful for everybody’s support,” Nancy said.
The Sankaris label the “SMP” cheesesteak (featuring onions and a mix of wiz and Cooper cheeses) as the business’s top seller, with the chopped cheese sandwich (hamburger, American cheese, sauteed onions, green peppers, special seasoning, lettuce, tomato, ketchup, and mayonnaise) coming in a close second.
SMP Mini Mart
A variety of beef and chicken cheesesteaks are available, including specialty varieties such as Buffalo ranch chicken, Western BBQ bacon chicken, and Boom Boom chicken (chicken, onions, jalapenos, pepper jack, Boom Boom sauce, lettuce, and tomato).
Customers also can enjoy other specialties such as a gyro and garlicky chicken parm sandwich, along with hoagies – made with sliced-to-order meats – such as grilled chicken, Italian, and turkey and cheese.
Other menu highlights include traditional and boneless wings, hot dogs, burgers, sliders/bowls, and breakfast sandwiches (available all day) on your choice of croissant, Kaiser roll, or bagel (everything, plain or sesame).
Hoagies, cheesesteaks, and sandwiches are available in 8- and 12-inch sizes, with rolls being delivered fresh each morning from Corropolese Italian Bakery & Deli in Montgomery County.
Rotating special sandwiches are also regularly featured, and if customer feedback on a new special is very positive, there’s a chance that item could end up on the eatery’s regular menu, Chad said.
“Whatever rolls we don’t use at the end of the night, we donate to local food banks,” Chad said.
“We also donate gift cards to local fundraisers and charities. We enjoy giving back to the community because this is our home. I grew up in North Catty, and she grew up in Whitehall. So, we want to help our neighbors and friends as much as possible.”
SMP Mini Mart
SMP also offers catering, including appetizers, pasta, salad, and sandwich trays, and a SMP food trailer makes appearances at local fairs, festivals, and other public events and is also available to rent for private functions such as weddings, birthday parties, and graduation celebrations.
“The opportunity came up, knocked on our door, and we took it,” Chad said in reference to SMP’s forthcoming sister location.
“I think by doing what we’re doing there, we’re trying to give back to our customer base that’s been awesome to us since day one. We’re excited to always serve the customers and see their smiling faces. That’s what means the most to us. Seeing the customers happy, hearing the positive feedback, and interacting with the customers means more to us than anything else.”
A second location of SMP is coming soon to 1050 Schadt Ave. in Whitehall Township.
Ryan Kneller
SMP’s new location will hold a grand opening on Aug. 7, with a ribbon-cutting ceremony tentatively set for 9 a.m., Chad said.
The eatery would then open to the public at 10 a.m., Chad added.
The sister location will operate daily, with kitchen hours of 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. most days, Chad said.
For the latest SMP updates, follow the business’s Facebook page. Info: 610-443-3002.