WHITEHALL TWP., Pa. – Following its recent acquisition by a Florida-based real estate investment firm, a prominent shopping plaza in Whitehall Township is getting a new lease on life with a refreshed look and new crop of tenants set to fill large spaces previously occupied by Bed Bath & Beyond, buy buy Baby and Michaels. The first major new tenant is set to open later this month.
Whitehall Plaza, formerly known as Whitehall Mall, in the spring was acquired by Miami-based Mishorim Gold Properties.
Over the past few years, the more than 400,000-square-foot shopping center, at Grape Street and MacArthur Road, has seen several tenants come and go under previous owner Washington Prime Group.
Recent additions include new locations of specialty hard-surface flooring retailer Floor & Decor (2023), indoor rock climbing gym franchise The Gravity Vault (2025) and convenience store and gas station chain Wawa (2026).
Tenants departing the Whitehall Plaza over the past couple of years include footwear retailer Shoe Carnival, women’s plus-size clothing retailer Lane Bryant and high-growth value retailer Five Below, with the latter relocating to Whitehall’s MacArthur Commons shopping center in February.
Now, under Mishorim Gold’s control, Whitehall Plaza is finding new life by filling longstanding vacancies, including large spaces that previously housed retailers Bed Bath & Beyond, buy buy Baby and Michaels, the latter of which moved across Grape Street to the Lehigh Valley Mall in 2020.
More than 100,000 square feet of space is under contract, with off-price retailer Forman Mills set to open at 9 a.m. Sept. 24 at the former Bed Bath & Beyond space, totaling 43,971 square feet.
Additionally, indoor entertainment facility Lululand Adventure Park and Ziyad Market, offering a wide array of international groceries, are also coming soon.
A seasonal location of Spirit Halloween, the largest Halloween retailer in North America with over 1,500 seasonal locations offering costumes, decor and more, opened last month in the former Shoe Carnival spot.
The new Forman Mills store, part of a national chain offering brand-name clothing and other merchandise at a fraction of traditional retail prices, will represent a relocation of Whitehall Forman Mills store that previously operated less than a mile away at 2150 MacArthur Road.
The former MacArthur Road location closed on July 5 to facilitate the move.
At its new 1223 Whitehall Mall spot, Forman Mills will occupy an updated space that previously housed a Bed Bath & Beyond store, which closed in 2023.
For its grand reopening on Sept. 24, the first 100 adult customers in line will receive a free gift card valued from $5 to $50 (your luck decides).
Forman Mills, known for offering designer and everyday fashions at “ridiculously low prices,” operates 49 stores nationwide, including a new store that opened in May on Cottman Avenue in Philadelphia, according to a news release.
Four additional Forman Mills stores are expected to open by the end of the year in Massachusetts, New York and Indiana, according to the business’ website.
Forman Mills customers can find discounts of up to 80% off regular department store prices across a wide assortment of categories including men’s, women’s and children’s fashions; school uniforms, backpacks and supplies; footwear and accessories; toys and licensed character merchandise; health and beauty essentials; home decor and more.
Nationally recognized brands include Adidas, Champion, Reebok, Ed Hardy, Von Dutch, Juicy Couture, Barbie, Disney, Baby Phat, Clorox, Tide and Fabuloso, among others.
Joining a growing lineup
Across the parking lot from the soon-to-open Forman Mills store, indoor entertainment facility Lululand Adventure Park is set to occupy a newly formed space, totaling more than 53,000 square feet, which previously comprised two separate units – one that was home to buy buy Baby and another that was home to Michaels and later seasonal Spirit Halloween and Spirit Christmas stores.
Additionally, Ziyad Market, offering a wide array of international groceries, is set to occupy a 7,200-square-foot space that most recently housed Five Below.
Ziyad Market is expected to open at the Whitehall Plaza by the end of the year, while the new location of Lululand – an expansive indoor entertainment facility – will likely take a little longer to complete, according to Keagan Haflich, Mishorim Gold’s national property manager.
Lululand, with more than a half dozen locations open or coming soon in multiple states, features trampoline and foam pit areas, multi-level play structures, ninja courses, aerial gliders, climbing walls, arcade games and more.
“We’re not just another indoor trampoline park; we’re a community hub built on the belief that active play has the power to create magical family memories,” reads a message on Lululand’s website. “Our mission is simple: to provide a fun, safe, and clean environment where children can jump, explore, and grow, while parents enjoy complete peace of mind.”
A new location of Lululand Adventure Park is coming soon to the Whitehall Plaza in Whitehall Township.
Ryan Kneller
As specialists in commercial real estate and retail real estate, Mishorim Gold revitalizes shopping centers and underutilized retail properties throughout North America.
The company’s strategic approach leverages smart investment, innovative design and community-focused development to drive strong returns and neighborhood revitalization.
With over 20 years of experience in commercial real estate, the business’ team is passionate about unlocking the value of properties and “transforming aging retail spaces into vibrant community destinations,” according to a business description.
Mark Gold, president of Mishorim Gold, oversees more than 6 million square feet of commercial real estate across North America, and his leadership is defined by an ability to convert distressed shopping centers into thriving hubs.
A notable success was the Jacksonville, Florida-based Regency Court Shopping Center, where Gold increased occupancy from 30% to 85%, injecting new vitality into the local retail environment.
Haflich labels Gold a “real true visionary.”
“[Gold] comes in and just does really big things with amazing ideas,” Haflich told 69 News in May.
“A lot of people and tenants follow him wherever he goes. It’s a pleasure for us to both learn from him and work with him.”
Haflich is relocating to the Whitehall area for at least a year to help spearhead the Whitehall Plaza’s revitalization.
Renovations are currently underway on various retail spaces as well as the shopping center’s façade and interior portion.
Mishorim Gold has already tapped top architects and designers to bring a refreshed look to the center, Haflich added.
The overhaul also will include lighting upgrades, new landscaping and improvements to the parking lot.
“I work within a company that will take over a property like this and have it at 100% occupancy pretty darn fast,” Haflich said.
“We do a lot of big things. So, the whole place is going to get a very serious facelift – new paint job for the whole shopping center, and the interior of the mall is going to get a really big facelift as well. We don’t like to waste time. We like to flip things upside down quickly and create really awesome spaces for the community.”
Whitehall Mall opened along Whitehall’s Grape Street in 1966 with more than 50 stores, including then-popular retailers Woolworth and Zollinger’s department store.
Other former prominent tenants include Leh’s, Clover and The Plaza movie theater.
In 2020, the mall also bid farewell to longtime tenants Sears and Old Country Buffet.
About a dozen tenants currently operate at the shopping center, including Kohl’s, Men’s Wearhouse, Comic Masters and Bellisima Nails, among others.
More in Whitehall‘Global force in pop culture’: Toy and entertainment company opens 1st Lehigh Valley store
WHITEHALL TWP., Pa. – The company behind the popular Labubu dolls and other designer toys is continuing to grow its brick-and-mortar footprint with a new store in Lehigh County.
The first Lehigh Valley location of Pop Mart, a market-leading character-based entertainment company and a global champion of designer toy culture, opened on Friday, Aug. 28, at the Lehigh Valley Mall in Whitehall Township, a store manager told 69 News.
The new store is located on the mall’s lower level near Boscov’s.
It occupies an updated space that was previously home to Sugar Bear, a candy store now known as Sugar Dynasty, which relocated to the former Francesca’s space. Full story here.
National sandwich shop chain’s 2nd Lehigh Valley location almost ready to open its doors
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 month or two at 2221 MacArthur Road in Whitehall Township, manager Ryan Seibert recently told 69 News.
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.
A new location of Capriotti’s Sandwich Shop is coming soon to 2221 MacArthur Road in Whitehall Township.
Ryan Kneller
Foodie findsFirst look: New Lehigh Valley restaurant sets opening date at former sports bar site
HELLERTOWN, Pa. – A new family-run restaurant will soon serve breakfast, lunch and dinner at the site of a recently closed sports bar in Northampton County.
Gigi & Alex Restaurant, a full-service restaurant offering freshly prepared American cuisine, will hold soft opening events from 4 to 9 p.m. on Friday, Sept. 11, and from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 12, at 605 Main St. in Hellertown, according to an online announcement.
The restaurant’s grand opening will be held from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Sunday, Sept. 12, with a ribbon-cutting ceremony scheduled for 9 a.m.
The restaurant, with seating for around 100 guests, will occupy an updated space that was previously home to Wings on Main Sports Bar & Grille, which closed on June 28. Read more.
1st Lehigh Valley location of Dave’s Hot Chicken sets opening date in Northampton County
LOWER NAZARETH TWP., Pa – A rapidly expanding restaurant chain will soon heat up the Lehigh Valley’s dining scene.
The first Lehigh Valley location of Dave’s Hot Chicken, a fast-casual chain specializing in jumbo hot chicken tenders and sliders, will hold a soft opening on Sept. 17 at 3812 Easton-Nazareth Highway in Lower Nazareth Township, Northampton County, according to Galen Grimberg, vice president of Kings Point Ventures, the restaurant’s franchise group.
A grand opening is planned for Sept. 18, Grimberg said.
The new Dave’s Hot Chicken restaurant will occupy a renovated end unit that previously housed a Saladworks location in the Nazareth Crossing shopping center. Full story here.
A new Dave’s Hot Chicken restaurant is coming soon to 3812 Easton-Nazareth Highway in Lower Nazareth Township.
Ryan Kneller
Weyerbacher, J’s Steaks & Subs to join forces at forthcoming restaurant and brewhouse
ALLENTOWN, Pa. – A delicious new concept is set to bring together two iconic Lehigh Valley food and beverage brands.
J’s Original Steaks and Subs restaurant and brewhouse is expected to open in late 2026 at 448 N. 17th St., co-owner Ed Lozano told 69 News.
Lozano is CEO of Savant Beverages LLC, which purchased Weyerbacher in 2022, and the new J’s concept will open at the site currently occupied by Weyerbacher’s Allentown Taproom & Biergarten.
The year-old taproom operates next to the Fairgrounds Hotel, a full-service restaurant known for its fresh seafood dishes, and the new J’s concept will be a collaboration between Lozano and Fairgrounds Hotel owner Dominic Germano, Lozano said. Read more here.
J’s Steaks & Subs restaurant and brewhouse
Easton, Phillipsburg updates‘We have missed you’: Newly rebuilt McDonald’s to hold grand reopening in Lehigh Valley
EASTON, Pa. – Fans of Big Macs, Chicken McNuggets and Filet-O-Fish sandwiches will soon have a newly constructed restaurant to be “lovin’ it” in Northampton County.
A newly rebuilt McDonald’s restaurant at 201 S. Third St. in Easton will open at 11 a.m. Sept. 14, according to an online announcement from the restaurant’s owner, Jamen McDonald’s Group.
A grand reopening and ribbon-cutting ceremony is planned for Sept. 22.
A former McDonald’s structure at the same site was demolished in April to make way for construction of the new building with enhancements. Read more.
Finishing touches are being made on a newly rebuilt McDonald’s restaurant at 201 S. Third St. in Easton ahead of a planned grand reopening later this month.
Ryan Kneller
‘Incredibly grateful’: Middle Eastern restaurant bids farewell as owners pursue new concept
PHILLIPSBURG, N.J. – A local dining establishment offering falafel, shish kebabs and other Middle Eastern specialties has ended operations, but its owners are looking to open a new restaurant concept at a new location.
Amasi Restaurant, a full-service restaurant featuring Middle Eastern and American cuisine, has closed at 596 Elder Ave. in Phillipsburg, according to an announcement on the business’ website.
“Thank you for your support,” the online message reads.
“After much consideration, Amasi Restaurant will be closing its doors, effective 8/31/26. We are incredibly grateful to all of our customers for your support, loyalty, and the many memories you’ve shared with us over the years. While this chapter is coming to a close, we’re excited to share that we are currently pursuing a new restaurant concept that we hope to open soon at a new location.” Full story here.
Ryan Kneller
After flooring repairs, Lehigh Valley Dunkin’ location reopens
EASTON, Pa. – A Dunkin’ eatery is once again serving coffee and doughnuts in Northampton County.
Following a weeks-long temporary closure due to flooring issues, the Dunkin’ restaurant at 54 Centre Square in downtown Easton reopened on Wednesday, an employee told 69 News.
The flooring has been repaired, and the location is once again operating as normal daily, the employee said.
Following a routine inspection, the Easton Health Bureau on Aug. 12 closed the Centre Square Dunkin’ restaurant until further notice due to the flooring issues, Easton health administrator Jarrad Schantzenbach previously told 69 News. Read more here.
A Dunkin’ location operates at 54 Centre Square in downtown Easton.
Ryan Kneller
Phillipsburg businesses forced to close as bridge detour drives away customers
PHILLIPSBURG, NJ. – Detour blues in Warren County are pushing downtown businesses and residents to the brink.
Two Phillipsburg storefronts are closing, and some neighboring shop owners fear they could be next.
“It’s horrible. It’s horrible.”
After nearly three years, Salvaged Sip Cafe has officially closed its doors for good. And across the South Main Street bridge, Party & Pop Balloon Co. says it will be closing its physical store at the end of September. Read more.
Bethlehem buzz’Very excited!’: Brooklyn-based bakery expanding with new Lehigh Valley location
BETHLEHEM, Pa. – A bakery offering specialty cakes, sweet breads and other treats is coming soon to Northampton County.
A new location of Guadalupana Bakery, a family-owned and -operated Mexican bakery, is expected to open in October at 836 Linden St. in Bethlehem, co-owner Amy Rojas told 69 News.
The Bethlehem bakery will be a second location of Guadalupana, which Rojas and her family have operated in Brooklyn for nearly three decades. Full story here.
Guadalupana Bakery
New Bethlehem Vintage & Harvest Market to feature 75-plus vendors, fall-inspired food and fun
BETHLEHEM, Pa. – An inaugural Bethlehem event will feature thousands of vintage items and collectibles along with a DJ spinning vintage vinyl, crafts, family activities, and food vendors.
Historic Bethlehem Museums & Sites will host the new Bethlehem Vintage & Harvest Market from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 19, at the historic Burnside Plantation, 1461 Schoenersville Road, Bethlehem, according to a news release.
Admission is $3 in advance and $4 at the gate. Children under age 14 receive free admission. Tickets are on sale now at HistoricBethlehem.org.
Growing out of the Apple Days event that previously took place at Burnside, the new Vintage & Harvest Market will feature more than 75 vintage vendors from throughout the Mid-Atlantic Region highlighting collectibles, antiques, heirlooms and unique finds. Read more here.
Courtesy of Bethlehem Vintage Market
Lehigh Valley eatery, known for its Canadian comfort food, to close current location, relocate
BETHLEHEM, Pa. – A popular business specializing in poutine is preparing to close its six-year-old restaurant in Northampton County, but another chapter is on the horizon as the owners seek a new home for the eatery.
The Flying V Poutinerie, a fast-casual eatery offering Canadian comfort food at 201 E. Third St. in south Bethlehem, will hold its last day of business at its current location on Sunday, Sept. 6, according to an announcement on the business’ social media pages.
The owners are looking to relocate the business. Read more.
Berks, Bucks counties‘Thank you for your continued support’: Fashion retailer closing only Berks County store
WYOMISSING, Pa. – A longstanding destination for jeans, skirts, sweaters and other fashions is ending operations in Berks County.
An Express store is set to permanently close on Sept. 20 at the Berkshire Mall, 1665 State Hill Road, Wyomissing, according to a posted notice.
“We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause,” the notice reads. “We invite you to visit our nearest retail stores located at Park City Center in Lancaster and at the King of Prussia Mall. Thank you for your continued support.” Full story here.
Bucks County-based retailer expanding with new store at former Bon-Ton location
RICHLAND TWP., Pa. – A growing business is breathing new life into a former department store.
A new PA Home Surplus store, offering a wide array of building materials and home improvement supplies, will hold a grand opening on Sept. 8 at 749 S. West End Blvd. in Richland Township, Bucks County.
The site previously housed a Bon-Ton department store, which closed in 2018, at the Richland Plaza.
The new Quakertown area store will offer a wide selection of kitchen cabinets, bathroom vanities, flooring, doors and more.
It will supplement a sister Bucks County location, PA Home Store, that’s operated for the past 15 years in Feasterville, manager Rachel Styczynski told 69 News. Read more here.
15 years later, Habitat for Humanity’s Restore moves across town to new location
MUHLENBERG TWP., Pa. – Habitat for Humanity’s ReStore in Muhlenberg Township is planning a move to a new location.
“So we had this great opportunity to come over here, and we were able to make that happen for us,” said Tim Daley, Habitat’s executive director.
Daley says after 15 years of growth, the store is moving to Wyomissing… next to the Works.
“So what we’re seeing is an opportunity now to improve our location,” said Daley. Read more.
‘Burger lover’s paradise’: Taste of Hamburg-er Festival to take over downtown Hamburg this weekend
HAMBURG, Pa. – Whether it’s well done, medium rare, or even plant based, it’s the season of burgers this summer and one festival in Berks County is giving you a taste of the dish.
69 News Reporter Sydney Kay was in Hamburg with a preview of Saturday’s event.
The Taste of Hamburg-er Festival will run from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., rain or shine, according to the event website. The beer and wine gardens are open until 7 p.m. It’ll be spread out over eight blocks in downtown Hamburg. Full story here.
Reading IMAX to honor Dolly Parton’s legacy
READING, Pa. – From the music charts to the big screen, Dolly Parton left a big mark on the world, and this weekend, the Reading IMAX is honoring her legacy.
The theater has announced that it’s donating a portion of proceeds to Parton’s Imagination Library, which provides free books to children around the world.
Dolly has said her Imagination Library was inspired by her father’s inability to read. Read more here.
Closing notes‘Thank you all for your continuous love’: Lehigh Valley’s last gay nightclub abruptly closes
ALLENTOWN, Pa. – A safe haven for the LGBTQ+ community has ended operations in Lehigh County.
Vogue Lounge, a nightclub catering to the LGBTQ+ community, has closed at 28 N. 10th St. in Allentown, Vogue bartender Jack Monteiro confirmed on Monday.
“To All of our Patrons, we thank you all for your continuous love and support throughout the years!” reads an announcement posted Monday on Vogue’s social media pages. “We will see each other again.”
The business held its last day of operation on Sunday, hosting the “Pride After Party,” which followed the Lehigh Valley Pride festival, an annual event celebrating the local LGBTQ+ community. Read more.
Closing time: Schuylkill County golf course winding down operations
RYAN TWP., Pa. – Closing time is coming soon for a golf course in Schuylkill County.
Mountain Valley Golf Course at 1021 Brockton Mountain Dr. in Ryan Township will cease operations next month.
The closure was announced back in March, when the owners released a statement saying the 2026 season would be the course’s last, with the property being sold “for future commercial and industrial business use.”
A newly filed WARN (Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification) notice issued by the Pennsylvania Department of Labor indicates 111 employees will be impacted by the closure.
The notice lists a closing date of October 31. The statement previously issued by the owners said the course would close during the second week of October. Full story here.
Photo credit to Mountain Valley Golf Course