Shoppers won’t have to wait too much longer to get a cup of java and maybe a sweet treat or two as they browse the shops at Lehigh Valley Mall.
The long-awaited Dunkin’ plans to open a kiosk on the main level across from LUSH and Francesca’s. Signs went up recently saying the eatery will open on Dec. 29.
Dunkin’ is moving into the former Starbucks location, which abruptly shuttered in late August 2024. The space has sat idle ever since with the exception of The Tea Lady temporarily operating a pop-up location from November through the end of December 2024. Dunkin’ in March announced plans to use the space.
It’s unclear what took so long for the eatery to open.
Lehigh Valley Mall Director of Marketing and Business Development Shannon Palzer could not immediately be reached for comment Monday morning. Nor could Citizen Relations, the California- and New York-based public relations firm that handles communications for the mall owner, Simon Property Group.
Dunkin’ will join at least two other new dining establishments.
Nori Japan plans to move into vacant space on the mall’s main level, beside the Cheesecake Factory. An opening date is yet to be announced by mall representatives.
The eatery plans to serve up Japanese-style selections prepared with fresh ingredients. Such dishes as teriyaki beef and chicken will be prepared by chefs on a teppanyaki grill in front of patrons. Other menu items may include Tempura; sesame chicken; Kushiyaki and assorted sushi rolls.
Additionally, Drink Fresh by Djurdjura recently opened on the mall’s upper level. The business serves fresh fruit smoothies.
Blue Ridge Estate Vineyard & Winery has since filled the 2,200-square-foot anchor space previously occupied by Pocono Brewing Company at the Lifestyle Center. D’Colombia Restaurant & Bakery opened in the summer at the site previously occupied by Indian Bite.
Operations reportedly will cease at 2 p.m. Dec. 31, 2025 for Chick-Fil-A’s Lehigh Valley Mall location.APLast call
Soon it’ll be the last call for chicken sandwiches paired with waffles fries at one of the mall’s most popular and longest-lasting dining restaurants.
Chick-fil-A previously announced over the summer plans to shutter permanently on the main level. It opened in the late 1990s near the mall’s main entrance.
While chain spokeswoman Kali Caldwell then told lehighvalleylive.com Chick-Fil-A was eyeing an early 2026 departure, recent signs at that site suggests the restaurant will close even earlier.
WFMZ-69 News is reporting operations will cease at 2 p.m. Dec. 31 for Chick-Fil-A’s mall location.
The reason for the closure remains unclear. Chick-Fil-A continues to operate a nearby site on MacArthur Road in Whitehall, as well as in Pohatcong Township; Lower Nazareth Township; and Lower Macungie Township.
“It has been our pleasure to serve each and every guest at this location for the past 27 years, and we look forward to continuing to serve the surrounding community at our nearby locations,” Caldwell had said.
Chick-Fil-A isn’t the only dining establishment to recently call it quits at the mall. Several others also have previously vacated.
Dino Sweets was no longer operating early last month on the mall’s upper level and has since been removed from the online directory. The kiosk operated for five years at the mall. Dino Sweets was known for its mini doughnuts with assorted toppings, churros, and beverage selections.
Tasty Bitez, a restaurant serving up Mediterranean-style cuisine, permanently closed sometime in the fall in the space next to Chick-Fil-A.
Iron Hill Brewery & Restaurant in September closed in the former Bravo! Cucina Italiana space at the Lifestyle Center. A message on the chain’s website later indicated all locations have since shuttered.
Indian Bite shuttered for good on Oct. 6 on the main level.
Pocono Brewing Company, next to the Apple store, abruptly closed in February at the Lifestyle Center.
Dunderbak’s Market Cafe owner Bill Baker announced in the summer he would close permanently if he couldn’t find a new owner by February 2026. The cafe remains the longest continuously-operated, independently-owned business at the mall.
Sugar Bear Candy Store opened on April 12, 2025 on the main level, across from Lush and Pandora. The site previously occupied candy and gift retailer Lolli & Pops, which closed amid the coronavirus pandemic in July 2020. The sweet shop is known for its selection of chocolates, gummies, novelty candies, truffles and assorted nuts.Pamela Sroka-Holzmann | For lehighvalleylive.comFilling vacancies
The bustling shopping destination at MacArthur Road and Grape Street in Whitehall has seen its share of other changeups in recent months.
The mall bid farewell to fashion clothier Forever 21 in February on the mall’s upper level. Austin 5 on the main level also shuttered.
Some of the most recent arrivals include women’s fashion retailer, Dry Goods; Star Park Indoor Playground & Party; and Sugar Bear Candy Store, all on the main level, as well as Waikiki, a women’s boutique, on the upper level.
Additions include Address For Him; Miniso; and Carter’s/OshKosh B’gosh. Address For Him opened in early in the former spot of Jennifer’s Unique Boutique on the upper level. The boutique has since moved to the Lifestyle Center.
Aside from some of the dining departures, including the large former Ruby Tuesday space, just a few other vacancies remain at the mall.
There’s the former Face Foundrie space at the Lifestyle Center and some empty spots next to the Pink store on the main level, as well as a handful of other empty storefronts on the mall’s upper level, according to mall directory maps.