Two cheesesteak restaurants have closed in Allentown and Bethlehem, the latter of which will reopen in the future.
Co-owner Mo Taylor confirmed that Wiz Kidz permanently closed in mid-December at 751 Union Blvd. in Allentown and temporarily closed Jan. 3 at 65 E. Elizabeth Ave. in Bethlehem.
Taylor said the Allentown restaurant didn’t get the sales and foot traffic they wanted after they opened about half a year ago.
For the original Bethlehem location, which opened in 2018, he attributed that temporary closure to changes in ownership at the Bayou Boys Hospitality Group and the possibility of selling the business — Taylor himself is stepping away as co-owner. He said he’ll begin work on Monday in sales at ADP, and that he’s stepping away from the hospitality group to focus on his family and their business Taylor Candle Co.
Seeking a more stable financial situation, Taylor said, “You have a young family, you have to think about them first, so that was my decision.”
He also said he can’t speak to when Wiz Kidz would reopen in Bethlehem, though the former staff would be able to get their jobs back there when it does.
“The Bethlehem location has been consistent from the day we opened the doors, and it would be a great opportunity for someone who was looking to get a business started or get a restaurant going,” Taylor said. “It has a strong brand, it has a name behind it, and I’d be thrilled to have a new, young, entrepreneurial restauranteur … individual or individuals come in there, and I’d love to see what they could do with the space.”
Customers with leftover gift cards can use them at The Bayou, the hospitality group’s other restaurant at 702 Hawthorne Road in Bethlehem.