FORKS TWP., Pa. – A longstanding, family-run business is set to end operations later this spring in Northampton County, but a historic structure on the same property will find new life in a nearby state.
Leiser’s The Mower Shop, offering lawn equipment sales, maintenance and repairs along with propane tank refills, will hold its last day of business on May 26 at 2212 Sullivan Trail in Forks Township.
Ryan Kneller
Owner Rob Leiser is retiring from the business that his late father, Donald Leiser, started 78 years ago in Bethlehem.
Over the decades, multiple Leiser’s locations operated throughout the Lehigh Valley, with Rob establishing the Forks store – the last remaining Leiser’s location – in 1985 by repurposing old farm buildings and rental equipment.
The Forks location was previously known as Leiser’s Rental Barn prior to the business’ rental operations ending in early 2024.
“It’s a bittersweet farewell,” Rob told 69 News.
“My father started the business in 1948, and I’ve been here in Forks since 1985. This location was originally started as a branch of the Bethlehem store, and I bought it from my father in 1995. This was a project that I called the Don Leiser experience. He wanted me to show him that I could build and operate a store. So, I had five years to turn old farm buildings into a business and turn a profit, and I did.”
Ryan Kneller
As the Forks business winds down operations, a property hallmark – an 1860s barn that was used for workspace and storage – is being disassembled piece by piece and transported to Steubenville, Ohio, where a new owner plans to reassemble the structure and repurpose it as a wedding venue, Rob said.
The Forks property is in the process of being sold to a company seeking to construct a car wash, and Rob and his wife, Barbara, put the barn up for sale earlier this year in hopes of saving it from likely demolition.
The Forks property’s sale is expected to be finalized later this year, Rob said.
“We first were in touch with individuals from a program called ‘Barnwood Builders,’ which helps salvage old barns,” Rob said.
“They were interested in it, but they couldn’t work within our timeline. So, I then put an ad on Facebook Marketplace – ‘barn for sale, must move soon.’ It got 20,000 views, and I answered over 150 inquiries from people who were interested in it. Long story short, a company is moving it to Steubenville, Ohio, where it will find new life as an event venue. It’s really incredible to see the process. The barn was built over 150 years ago, and all of the mortises were chiseled by hand. So, it really only comes apart and comes back together one way.”
Ryan Kneller
Over the past few weeks, the barn’s roof and red siding were disassembled and moved from the Forks site, and its wooden framework is expected to follow in the coming weeks.
The decision to relocate the barn was one that the Leisers landed on after exhausting other options.
Rob said he’s tried to preserve and update the barn a few times over the years, but he’s encountered resistance from township officials.
“I’m very happy the barn is getting a new lease on life at a new spot because there was little to no hope for it to survive at its original location,” Rob said.
“The township made it clear that it doesn’t want the barn here as it will not fit current zoning regulations. For anyone who’s been interested in the property, the one sticking point is that the barn needs to go.”
Leiser’s operates at 2212 Sullivan Trail in Forks Township.
Ryan Kneller
Donald Leiser started the business – originally known as Donald W. Leiser Sales & Service – in 1948 at his family’s property at 3301 Linden St. in Bethlehem, Rob said.
The shop sold Toro lawn mowers, along with other lawn and garden items such as tractors, fertilizer, lawn seed, bird feeders and garden accessories.
The Bethlehem area store relocated a few other times, including in 1955 to 2960 Linden St. and in 1970 to 3608 Nazareth Pike, Rob said.
At its peak in the 1970s, the business had three locations – in Bethlehem Township, Palmer Township and Macungie – operating at the same time, Rob said.
Leiser’s former Bethlehem Township location closed in 2018, and the 3608 Nazareth Pike location was demolished a few years later to make way for a Wawa gas station and convenience store.
Leiser’s owner Rob Leiser is pictured inside the barn that is being disassembled at 2212 Sullivan Trail in Forks Township and moved to Steubenville, Ohio for use as an event venue.
Leiser’s
“I’m 71 years old, and I’ve been doing this type of work for over 60 years,” Rob said.
“I started putting lawn mowers together as a 7-year-old kid, and I was always at my dad’s shop because we lived right behind it in Bethlehem. The business relocated a couple of times prior to 1970, but we never moved far. It was always less than a half mile away from the previous location.”
Leiser’s business model evolved over the years, with a separate rental division being introduced in 1960.
For decades, the business offered rentals of various lawn and construction equipment as well as party tents, folding chairs and other supplies.
“The business went off into various directions over the years, but for most of our existence, the main components were lawn equipment and rentals,” Rob said.
“When it came to our rentals, we could handle any and all party needs – from a backyard kegger to a wedding of up to 500 people under a tent.”
In Forks, the rental aspect of Leiser’s ended in early 2024 as Rob began to slowly transition into retirement.
Today, the shop operates with limited hours and primarily focuses on lawn mower tune-ups, repairs and sales as well as propane tank refills.
Ryan Kneller
Inside the shop, there’s also a variety of hand tools and lawn equipment available for purchase.
While Rob has been phasing out operations over the past few years, a recent change to the business’ insurance policy led to a definitive closing date.
“Just recently, I found out that my workmans’ comp policy won’t cover the propane operation anymore,” Rob said.
“Between all of our stores – this one and our former locations, we have been pumping propane for over 50 years without a single incident. That didn’t seem to matter though as the insurance company deemed it dangerous anyway. So, while I’ve been slowly nearing the end here, that letter from the insurance company just gave me a good date to wrap everything up.”
Ahead of the business’ closure, a clearance sale is underway with all items discounted and “priced to sell,” Rob said.
A multitude of mowers and other equipment that were previously stored in the barn are now situated outside of the shop.
Ryan Kneller
There’s a collection of gently used and antique lawn mowers, including push and riding models, along with accompanying equipment and even a Ford Model T.
“When you have a barn that’s 102 feet long, you tend to not throw things away as often as you should,” Rob said with a laugh.
Until May 26, Leiser’s is continuing to offer lawn mower maintenance and repairs, equipment sales and propane refills.
Hours are 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays and Saturdays.
Rob is thankful for the community’s support over the years.
“This community has been so great to us, and it’s also grown around us,” Rob said.
“When we got here back in 1985, this was still very much a farm community. I’ve assisted thousands of people with the do-it-yourself projects beyond their skill level, and I can’t tell you how many people have rented equipment for decks, fences and other projects. The residents of Forks Township and surrounding area have been very good to us, and we’re extremely thankful.”
In an announcement on Leiser’s Facebook page, Rob shared a business update and thanked the Forks location’s customers and former employees.
“By next spring, a Shammy Shine Car Wash will occupy this address,” Rob stated in the announcement.
“… It has been a fantastic journey, and my truly happy place is working with a wrench in my hand. The last part of my life will be spent with more wrench time and no management headaches. To my customers who have asked me to help them complete DIY projects beyond their skill level, I was happy to help. I couldn’t have been successful without you. To my past employees, I have mixed messages; however, you all went forward with the skills you acquired working with us. To the citizens against everything, and the Township officials who consider squashing small businesses a game, I WIN! Thank you all, and stop in and say goodbye.”