The twin brothers who run King of Kings Gyros and the CheeseSteak Factory plan to close – and sell – the business.
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All of your dining needs will be covered with the opening of several new eateries serving up everything from coffee, bagels and breakfast to sandwiches, barbecue and hot chicken. There’s even a restaurant that offers a bit of goth with your dinner and a coffee shop with an inspirational story that will brighten your day even more than the treats it serves.
The House Noir offers a little something different in Pittston
Mood lighting is just the start when it comes to The House Noir, located at 73 S. Main St. in Pittston. Dark red lighting and candles dripping wax shine on the room, casting an ethereal glow as greenery crawls up the walls and spills across the ceiling, as if the building has been overtaken by a gothic garden.
The restaurant invites guests into a space between modern reality and another world, evoking emotions of love, nostalgia and a melancholy that still feels sweet. The House Noir is a gothic steakhouse crafted with 18th century church artifacts and gothic architecture that complete the experience.
Dinner may include the “Flesh & Fire,” a 36-ounce rib eye for two, with the steak cranked high onto a metal hook to finish cooking table side by the flame from a torch; a burger stamped with The House Noir’s imprint that burns creativity into the meal or Martini glasses that drip red over the side, filling the glass with dark romance and a sweet taste.
The establishment is the brain child of 47-year old Zach Neil and 36-year old Josh Balz, who created this restaurant with the hopes of bringing more soul to the local dining scene.
“In today’s modern world with chain restaurants there’s no feeling or soul in these places whatsoever. Restaurants used to house the most important moments of people’s lives so we wanted to give it a soul,” Neil said.
Neil has been in the food industry for many years, opening 37 restaurants since his first in 2004. Founder of Hallow Global, Neil has revolutionized the pop-up restaurant movement in the United States, helping create the Will Ferrell pop-up bars “Stay Classy.”
Balz, a former member of metalcore band Motionless in White, spent years in the music industry before launching the The Strange & Unusual in Kingston, which closed early this year and Noir Dark Spirits in Scranton, which closed in 2025.
Coffee Inclusive opening in Scranton
Coffee Inclusive, a program of the nonprofit PA Inclusive, will open a new location in September at United Neighborhood Centers of Northeastern Pennsylvania’s CEDAR Center at 526 Cedar Ave. in South Scranton.
Based in Pittston, PA Inclusive provides support services for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities. The new coffee shop in Scranton will create meaningful employment opportunities for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities while offering specialty coffee, baked goods, sandwiches and more to the public, UNCNEPA said in an announcement.
“We are thrilled to welcome Coffee Inclusive to the CEDAR Center and to support the expansion of their important work,” UNC President/CEO Lisa Durkin said. “This partnership reflects the kind of community-centered collaboration that strengthens our neighborhood, creates opportunities and brings people together.”
The CEDAR Center, in a rehabilitated former bank building, serves as a community anchor for programs and neighborhood activity, including adult education, English language learning, career readiness, multicultural wellness programming and the year-round South Side Farmers Market on Saturdays.
Angry Chickz opens in Kingston
July 31 marked the grand opening party of Wyoming Valley’s newest Nashville hot chicken restaurant.
Angry Chickz, a growing chain from Southern California, opened its first East Coast restaurant in the United Penn Plaza, 152 S. Wyoming Ave., Kingston.
The restaurant features Nashville hot chicken ranging from no heat “Country” to the brand’s fiery “Angry” spice level, along with Angry Mac, seasoned fries and signature Angry Chickz sauce.
“We’re excited to open our first Angry Chickz in Kingston,” said franchisee Eric May. “Bringing a brand I truly believe in to the community that’s supported me over the years is incredibly meaningful. We’re excited to create local jobs, serve great food and become a place where friends, families and neighbors come together. We can’t wait to welcome everyone through our doors.”
Angry Chickz was started in 2018 and has grown from a 900-square-foot storefront in Los Angeles’ East Hollywood neighborhood into a multi-state franchise system. The Kingston location marks the brand’s 45th restaurant.
Work begins on new Sheetz in Butler Twp.
Construction has begun on the area’s newest Sheetz, which will have a drive-through and spaces for 12 cars to fill their tanks on Route 309 at Woodmere Drive near the Interstate 80 junction in Butler Twp.
The convenience store and restaurant will open by early next year and will employ 30 people.
The new location will feature Sheetz’ customizable menu, indoor and outdoor seating, touch-free restrooms, Wi-Fi and free air for tires.
In addition to the mobile pickup window, Sheetz offers an app with which customers can order and pay ahead.
“Our newer stores feature enhancements designed to elevate the restaurant-style experience for our customers and help our employees best deliver on Sheetz’ menu offerings, including additional self-service kiosks, made-to-order stations and self-checkout options,” Nick Ruffner, Sheetz public affairs manager, said in a statement.
Toastee Bagels comes to Lackawanna County
A new Toastee Bagels shop opened in South Abington Twp. on Northern Boulevard at the former Rainbow Market site on July 30, a little later than expected following construction delays.
Neil Patel launched a Toastee Bagels location on Route 315 in Plains Twp. in January and previously announced plans to establish a spot in the Dallas/Shavertown area later this year or early next year.
The Mountain Top resident previously worked in the bagel business and returned to the kitchen following a move to Northeast Pennsylvania.
Patel opened his first store in 1996 in New Jersey before working in the corporate world for about 25 years, including running restaurants for other companies.
Patel stressed Toastee Bagels epitomizes the essence of a family-run business as his wife, Stephanie, and two older daughters, Zoe and Mercedes, prove critical to the operation.
In addition to about a dozen varieties of freshly made bagels — ranging from plain to blueberry and jalapeño cheddar — the business also features many housemade spread flavors, including strawberry, scallion, vegetable, lox and cinnamon raisin. Toastee Bagels also serves breakfast sandwiches, consisting of pork roll and other meats, cooked to order on a griddle, Patel said.
Dunmore Corner Blend brings coffee, smoothies to borough
A new coffee shop opened at 200 E. Drinker St. in Dunmore, in the same building as Building the Kingdom of God, a longtime borough business selling religious gifts.
The new Dunmore Corner Blend serves espresso, smoothies and açai bowls and protein peanut butter balls along with the traditional cup of joe. The shop may add summer refreshers and frozen hot chocolate in the winter, based on feedback from customers.
Patrick Ahern, of Clarks Summit, owner of Dunmore Corner Blend, noted Joe and Kimberly Marchese, owners of the religious gift shop, developed a quality business over the past decade-plus and he looks forward to the continued working relationship.
“The Kingdom of God has been there 12 years,” Ahern said. ‘It’s well established and well loved. It’s more of a partnership where they always wanted a coffee shop and I wanted to do a smoothie bowl shop. It kind of married those two concepts together.”
“We basically did this to improve the (foot) traffic,” Joe Marchese said. “It’s very different clientele coming in. … Hopefully they buy some gifts.”
Dunmore Mayor Max Conway said the arrangement should work well for both businesses.
“It seems like it’s a win-win for both parties on that one,” he said. “The Kingdom of God has been there for a very long time, so for them to get creative and spur on a new business, it’s great to see.”
Tidy’s Table opening in Mountain Top
Mountain Top will have a new restaurant by the end of summer as the former Januzzi’s Pizza at 74 N. Mountain Blvd. will soon become Tidy’s Table.
Vicky Page, owner of Mountain Top Kids daycare, and her business partner Kim Rosania are working feverishly to transform the former pizza and hoagie shop into a welcoming restaurant where patrons can enjoy breakfast and lunch.
When the two decided to open a new business the type of business hadn’t been decided. They thought about what the community needed most and since Rosanio has restaurant experience with her family once operating Ma’s Family Restaurant, they decided a restaurant that focused on breakfast and lunch would fit that criteria.
“We’re not trying to compete with the rest of Mountain Top. We’re just trying to add to what’s needed so that’s why we decided to do just breakfast and lunch,“ Page explained.
The restaurant is named after Page’s late pet, a Great Dane named Titan, who she nicknamed Tidy.
Tidy’s Table signs are up outside and the kitchen equipment and restaurant furnishings are in place for an anticipated opening at the end of summer.
Former Twigs transitions to Smoak & Spirits
The former Twigs Restaurant & Cafe, which operated on Tioga Street in Tunkhannock for nearly 30 years, transitions into Smoak & Spirits this month.
Robert Bear, the new general manager and executive chef, said the restaurant will serve high quality meats and international comfort food.
“I smoke most of my meats and then I take international comfort foods like ramen, or even something as simple as a burrito, and try to refine and elevate them,” said Bear, who previously operated Smoak BBQ Grill & Meatery in Lake Winola.
Bear said the food will be paired with exceptional hospitality where guests feel welcome and wanted — much like the vibe Twigs exhibited.
“I like people to come in here and feel like they are with friends, with family, can sit comfortably, eat comfortably and have a good time,” Bear said.
Former owner Jerry Bogedin, who operated Twigs for 27 years, thanked customers for their continued patronage through good times and challenging ones.
“It has truly been an honor to serve this community,” he said. “I hope you’ll extend that same support to the new owners as they begin this next chapter. You’ll continue to receive the same great service and be welcomed by the same outstanding staff you’ve come to know.”
Twigs gift cards will be accepted at Smoak & Spirits.
King of Kings Gyros and Cheesesteak Factory closing in Wilkes-Barre
One of downtown Wilkes-Barre’s best known food shops plans to sell.
After 16 years, the twin brothers who run King of Kings Gyros and Cheesesteak Factory plan to close and sell the business.
“It is with heavy hearts that we announce our decision to sell the business and close our doors, with our final day of operation expected to be sometime during the first or second weekend of September,” the family announced recently.
Jason Negron and his twin brother, Eric, ran the business for many years. In January 2021, after nearly 10 years of sharing space with Frank’s Newsstand on Public Square, the brothers combined the King of Kings Gyros and the Cheesesteak Factory into one location at 17 E. Market St., near Wilkes-Barre City Hall.
The twin brothers said lack of business was not the reason to retire the business.
“We want you to know that this decision has absolutely nothing to do with our customers or the downtown community that has supported us so faithfully. This community has been nothing short of amazing, and we will forever be thankful for the love and support you’ve shown us” the company wrote in a statement online.