SPRING TWP., Pa. – A rapidly growing business known for its decadent desserts – including cobblers with ice cream, cobbler cookies, gourmet cinnamon rolls, “bigger and better” brownies, banana puddings, “pudd-n shakes” and churro stix – will soon have a presence in Berks County.
The first Pennsylvania location of The Peach Cobbler Factory, a dessert shop franchise with more than 115 locations nationwide, is expected to open in April or May at 2647 Shillington Road in Spring Township, a company representative told 69 News.
The Peach Cobbler Factory
The new shop will operate a few doors down from a Giant grocery store in the Spring Towne Centre, just outside Sinking Spring. It will occupy an updated space that previously Sneaker Villa.
“We are still in the permit stages and hopefully construction will follow soon,” the company representative said.
Founded in 2013 and franchising since 2022, The Peach Cobbler Factory has rapidly grown to more than 115 locations across 22 states, with 150-plus locations in the development pipeline.
The company, which has a tagline of “It’s a Southern thang,” bills itself as “home to the world’s most unique offering of desserts under one roof!”
The Peach Cobbler Factory offers 12 flavors of cobbler with premium vanilla bean ice cream and a “dash of cobbler magic,” including popular picks like apple walnut cobbler, blackberry cobbler, cherry cobbler and strawberry peach cobbler.
The Peach Cobbler Factory
Customers also can choose from six “bigger & better” brownies such as cherry cordial, salted caramel and peanut butter praline; 12 “bigger & better” cookies such as Chocolate Chocolate Chip (Hershey’s chocolate chunk cookie, vanilla buttercream icing and semi-sweet mini chocolate chips), Vanilla Butterfinger (peanut butter cookie, vanilla buttercream icing and crushed Butterfingers) and Red Velvet Sugar (sugar cookie, vanilla buttercream icing and red velvet crumble); and 12 flavors of banana pudding such as bourbon pecan, cherry swirl, Oreo, New York cheesecake and coconut cream pie.
Other menu highlights include six gourmet cinnamon roll varieties, including vanilla, Nutella, apple butter, maple syrup, peanut butter praline and stuffed; churro stix such as dulce de leche, strawberry and peanut butter and jelly; and various cobbler milkshakes and “pudd-n” shakes (made from premium ice cream, immersed with made-in-house banana pudding and other ingredients).
Shops also offer cobbler cookies such as apple walnut raisin, cinnamon praline peach, mango peach, honey apple and sweet potato pecan.
The Peach Cobbler Factory
The Peach Cobbler Factory is co-owned by Larry Johnston, former chairman and CEO of Albertsons Inc., and Greg George, a franchising veteran with 25 years of industry experience.
For the latest updates on the Spring Township location, follow the business’ pages on Facebook and Instagram. Info: peachcobblerfactory.com.
More foodie finds‘Great food for everyone’: New modern European restaurant takes root in Bethlehem
BETHLEHEM, Pa. – A new family-run restaurant will serve up tasty European specialties, including steak frites, mushroom bourguignon and crème brulee, beginning this weekend in Northampton County.
Cozy Cafe & Restaurant, a full-service, modern European restaurant, will hold a soft opening on Saturday, Jan. 17, at 216 E. Broad St. in Bethlehem, owner Julie Saadah told 69 News.
A grand opening and ribbon-cutting celebration is planned for March.
The renovated property previously housed other restaurants, including Sweet Indulgence Café, Street Eatz and, most recently, Zimbabwean restaurant Braii Hut, over the past decade. Full story here.
Ryan Kneller
Popular café concept coming to former Richard’s Drive-In location in Northampton County
FORKS TWP., Pa. – A one-time hot spot for burgers, ice cream and other tasty treats is finding new life in Northampton County.
Zekraft, a locally owned and operated cafe concept that “makes and curates well-crafted food and kitchen items” using ingredients from the Lehigh Valley and surrounding region, has leased the former Richard’s Drive-In property at 1550 Sullivan Trail in Forks Township for use as the business’ central kitchen, co-owner Elaine Zelker told 69 News.
A new Zekraft cafe is expected to debut at the same Forks site in late March or early April, Zelker said.
The Zekraft team prepares fresh soups, salads, meals, desserts and more daily for home delivery, farmers markets, catering orders and its two existing café locations inside Capital Blue at Promenade Saucon Valley in Upper Saucon Township and Lehigh Valley International Airport’s Wilfred M. “Wiley” Post Concourse, beyond the TSA Checkpoint, in Hanover Township, Lehigh County. Read more here.
Zekraft has leased the former Richard’s Drive-In property at 1550 Sullivan Trail in Forks Township. The location serves as Zekraft’s new central kitchen, where items are made with fresh, local ingredients for home delivery, catering orders, sales at local farmers markets and cafe locations throughout the Lehigh Valley. A new Zekraft cafe is expected to debut at the same Forks site in late March or early April.
Ryan Kneller
Easton newsLehigh Valley’s new family-run café, opening Saturday, to offer Turkish coffee, treats and more
EASTON, Pa. – A new cozy spot for homemade sweet and savory pastries, specialty coffee and tea and other tasty options will welcome guests beginning this weekend in Northampton County.
Vera Cafe, a family-run café offering a wide array of hand-crafted food and drinks, will hold a soft opening at 9 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 17, at 237 Ferry St. in downtown Easton.
The cafe is tentatively set to operate 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Saturday and 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sundays, co-owner Eren Bala told 69 News.
Bala, an Easton native, is operating the cafe with his wife, Grace Bala, and other family members including his cousin, BJ Gumus. Read more.
Vera Cafe is located at 237 Ferry St. in downtown Easton.
Ryan Kneller
Easton’s downtown welcomes new cigar bar and lounge, Legends, co-owned by Larry Holmes Jr.
EASTON, Pa. – The Greater Lehigh Valley Chamber of Commerce on Friday celebrated the grand opening of Easton’s newest cigar bar and lounge.
Legends is located at 154 Northampton Street, and it’s co-owned by Easton Native Larry Holmes Junior.
It is downtown Easton’s only cigar bar.
“Have up a cigar, a cocktail, get a quick bite to eat, and forget about their worries. That’s the whole concept of Legends,” said Larry Holmes Jr. Full story here.
Legends Cigar Bar is located at 154 Northampton St. in downtown Easton.
Ryan Kneller
Lehigh Valley’s new community pharmacy ‘ensuring that high quality care is available to all’
EASTON, Pa. — A new, full-service pharmacy held its grand opening this week in Northampton County.
Valley Health Partners (VHP) Community Pharmacy at South Side, at 440 W. Lincoln St. in Easton, on Thursday hosted a grand opening and ribbon-cutting ceremony in conjunction with the Easton Business Association, according to a news release.
The new VHP Community Pharmacy at South Side “expands access to affordable, patient centered pharmacy services for residents of Easton and the surrounding region,” the release states.
As a full-service pharmacy, the facility offers prescription medications, direct pharmacist consultations, refill reminders, and support navigating medication affordability regardless of insurance status. Read more here.
Fitness and fun’Feel confident’: Lehigh Valley’s new women-only gym aims to create safe, motivating atmosphere
MOORE TWP., Pa. – Women looking to lead a healthy lifestyle in the new year have a new fitness facility just for them in Northampton County.
BBB Fitness & Wellness, a women-only gym created to help woman of all ages, shapes and sizes achieve their dream bodies while gaining confidence in themselves and becoming the healthiest versions of themselves, held a grand opening on Jan. 3 at 2453 Plaza Court in Moore Township.
Founder and owner Brianna Lubarsky established BBB, which stands for Bri Builds Bodies, in 2022 as a mobile operation, training clients at various Lehigh Valley area gyms.
Business has flourished, leading her to open a dedicated BBB facility, offering one-on-one personal training, group classes, customized programs, open gym access, nutrition guidance and more. Read more.
BBB Fitness & Wellness owner Brianna Lubarsky poses inside her newly opened fitness facility at 2453 Plaza Court in Moore Township.
Ryan Kneller
New Lehigh Valley children’s play facility encouraging ‘imagination, movement and laughter’
BUSHKILL TWP., Pa. – A new destination for children to let loose while enjoying interactive activities is offering a fresh lineup of fun – including a Music & Movement Class and Play with Elmo Day – in Northampton County.
Little Steps Soft Play Land, a new soft play facility for young children, has debuted new children’s events and programs at 196 W. Moorestown Road in Bushkill Township, owner Renee Szaro said.
Little Steps Soft Play Land held a grand opening in October in an updated space that previously housed The Growing Tree, a store selling new and gently used children’s clothing, shoes, books and other items, which closed over the summer.
Little Steps Soft Play Land features multiple playrooms for babies, toddlers and preschoolers up to age 5, Szaro said. Full story here.
Little Steps Soft Play Land
Retailer updatesWhat’s new at Promenade? Sephora, Norman’s Hallmark coming soon, 2 other tenants moving
U. SAUCON TWP., Pa. – Following a successful year and holiday season, a creative hub is expanding operations at Promenade Saucon Valley.
Smartivities Showcase, a woman-owned and family-operated artist market and creative space offering handmade gifts, art supplies, pottery classes and more, later this winter will move from its current Promenade location – totaling around 3,000 square feet – to a larger location that spans more than 4,000 square feet, owner April Tennille Khalil told 69 News.
Smartivities will continue operating in its current Suite 803 space until late January, and Khalil anticipates the business reopening at its new Suite 103 spot, next to L.L.Bean, in mid-February.
Suite 103 was previously occupied by Dolly’s Dressing Room, a business offering a stylish, trend-driven selection of prom dresses, wedding apparel and more, which is also making moves at Promenade Saucon Valley. Read more.
A new location of Norman’s Hallmark is coming soon to Promenade Saucon Valley.
Promenade Saucon Valley
‘When one door closes another door opens!’: Lehigh Valley store to open at new, larger location
WALNUTPORT, Pa. – A nonprofit-run store, providing free clothing, household goods and other items to local individuals in need, will soon be welcoming customers to its new “bigger, brighter” home in the Lehigh Valley.
Caring Hearts Clothing Closet and More recently vacated its nearly four-year-old location at 7935 Route 873 in Washington Township, with plans to reopen next month at its new, larger location at 241 Lehigh Gap St. in Walnutport, according to Denise “Neicee” Martinez, founder, CEO and president of Caring DAM Hearts, the shop’s nonprofit operator.
A grand opening celebration at its new Walnutport location will be held 5-8 p.m. on Feb. 11. Full story here.
Caring Hearts Clothing Closet and More is moving to a larger location at 241 Lehigh Gap St. in Walnutport.
Caring Hearts Clothing Closet and More
Popular retailer coming soon to MacArthur Commons in Whitehall
WHITEHALL TWP., Pa. – The tenant mix is changing at a prominent shopping center in Lehigh County.
A Whitehall Township location of Five Below, a leading high-growth retailer offering “trend-right, extreme value, high-quality products loved by the kid and the kid in all of us,” is tentatively scheduled to open on Feb. 13 at its new location at the MacArthur Commons shopping center, a company spokesperson told 69 News.
The opening date is “subject to change,” the spokesperson added.
The new Five Below store will represent a relocation of an existing Whitehall Five Below store that operates a little more than a mile south at the Whitehall Mall. Read more here.
The MacArthur Commons shopping center is located on MacArthur Road in Whitehall Township.
Ryan Kneller
Berks and Bucks counties‘Monumental milestone’: Popular brewery announces ownership change, upcoming ‘temporary pause’
QUAKERTOWN, Pa. – After 10 years of operation, the owners of a much-loved craft brewery in upper Bucks County are passing the torch to a new operator.
Husband and wife Brian and Kris Wilson have sold The Proper Brewing Company, which they opened in November 2015 at 117 W. Broad St. in Quakertown, to employee Melissa Szymkiewicz.
The brewery, which operates in the historic Palace Theatre building that also once housed Dimmig Electric, has created a large and loyal following over the past decade thanks to its freshly brewed beers and friendly service.
As part of the transition, the business will temporarily close this weekend. Read more here.
The Proper Brewing Company operates at 117 W. Broad St. in Quakertown.
Ryan Kneller
‘We are deeply grateful’: Cigar lounge bids farewell in Berks County
WEST READING, Pa. – A destination for premium cigars, cocktails and food has ended operations in Berks County.
Legacy Cigar Lounge has permanently closed at 559 Penn Ave. in West Reading, according to an announcement on the business’ Facebook page.
“We are grateful!” the closing announcement reads.
“What began as a cigar lounge became a culture, a community, and a shared experience that extended far beyond cigars. Legacy was a place where guests became friends — and friends became family. So many were introduced to a lifestyle that values slowing down, meaningful conversation and intentional connection. And through those connections, dreams came true. Some guests and members earned college degrees, started and expanded businesses, and some others secured new jobs and careers.” Read more.
WFMZ-TV
Closing notesEatery’s Allentown location permanently closes, Bethlehem spot in ‘holding pattern,’ co-owner says
A fast-casual restaurant known for its tasty cheesesteaks and nostalgic vibes is in the midst of a transitional period in the Lehigh Valley.
The Allentown location of Wiz Kidz, a 1980s- and ’90s-themed restaurant offering cheesesteaks, fries, pierogies and more, permanently closed in December at 751 Union Blvd., while the business’ original Bethlehem location is temporarily closed at 65 E. Elizabeth Ave., co-owner Mo Taylor told 69 News.
“We’ve been working over the last six months on restructuring the ownership and things of that nature, and we just ultimately decided that that [Allentown] location was one that we were not going to continue,” Taylor said.
Taylor and his partners – Cristian Duarte, Jerry Straub and Matt Weaver – opened the first Wiz Kidz location in 2018 at 65 E. Elizabeth Ave. in Bethlehem. Full story here.
Wiz Kidz
Following ‘series of highs & lows,’ Lehigh Valley chef announces restaurant’s closing date
S. WHITEHALL TWP., Pa. – A family-run eatery will soon end operations in Lehigh County.
The Wicked Chef, a fast-casual restaurant offering “fresh homemade food with a twist,” will hold its last day of business on Jan. 30 at 279 Cetronia Road in South Whitehall Township, according to an announcement on the business’ Facebook page.
“2025 has been a series of Highs & Lows to say the least,” chef and owner John Walter Moniak wrote in the online announcement.
“My biggest low, the passing of my father in November. This life event has made me re-evaluate life, restaurant and the future for my family. With that being said, I am closing The Wicked Chef, the last day is January 30, 2026. Thank you, to all our customers for your support, friendship and allowing me to feed you.” Read more here.
The Wicked Chef owner John Walter Moniak poses inside his restaurant at 279 Cetronia Road in South Whitehall Township in July 2024.
Ryan Kneller