FREEMANSBURG, Pa. – A new destination for hummus, kabobs, falafel and other Mediterranean specialties is almost ready to welcome hungry foodies in Northampton County.
Olive It Mediterranean Grill, a family-run restaurant offering authentic Mediterranean cuisine, is expected to open in mid- to late July at 954 Pembroke Road in Freemansburg, co-owner Dani Awad told 69 News.
Olive It Mediterranean Grill is coming soon to 954 Pembroke Road in Freemansburg.
Ryan Kneller
The site was previously home to other dining establishments, including Portuguese eatery Europa Restaurant and Barbecue and, most recently, Peruvian restaurant La Casera.
Awad will operate the restaurant with his wife, Ghadir Awad.
“We’re very excited to serve the Lehigh Valley,” Dani said.
“We’re going to be serving really tasty, authentic Mediterranean dishes, and all of our food from will be fresh and homemade.”
Olive It will offer a variety of platters, including lamb, steak, chicken or fish over basmati rice, along with other Mediterranean favorites such as kabobs, gyros, grape leaves, kibbi, fattoush salad, hummus and baba ghanoush.
Olive It Mediterranean Grill is coming soon to 954 Pembroke Road in Freemansburg.
Ryan Kneller
Dani has many years of experience in the food service industry and previously operated another Mediterranean food business in Bucks County before selling it a few years ago.
He also operates the Fruitella Crepes stand at the Trolley Barn Public Market in Quakertown.
“At our new restaurant, we’ll also offer made-to-order crepes, acai bowls and strawberry Dubai cups,” Dani said.
“I’m also well-known for my fried cauliflower, which we also will be offering at the restaurant. We’ll have many vegetarian, vegan and gluten-free options.”
The Awads purchased the Pembroke Road property in December and have been implementing updates, including new façade paint, over the past several months.
The restaurant will feature seating for around 60 guests, and takeout also will be offered, Dani said.
Olive It Mediterranean Grill is coming soon to 954 Pembroke Road in Freemansburg.
Ryan Kneller
Additionally, the restaurant will offer catering options and will accommodate private parties.
Olive It’s social media pages, where individuals can stay updated on the restaurant’s latest announcements, are coming soon.
Bethlehem area newsLehigh Valley entertainment and dining venue expands with mini golf, arcade and 2nd bar
BETHLEHEM, Pa. – A popular destination for fresh food, flavorful drinks and family-friendly fun is leveling up with a 12,000-square-foot addition opened this weekend in Northampton County.
Twisted Tees, a sports bar and entertainment destination featuring multi-sport simulators, pool tables, yard games, elevated pub fare, a full bar and more, more than doubled in size when a new addition opened on Friday on the lower level of The Outlets at Wind Creek Bethlehem, co-owner Kyle Randell told 69 News.
Randell and his partner, AJ Mitchell, opened Twisted Tees 2.5 years ago in a renovated, nearly 10,000-square-foot space that previously housed a location of women’s fashion retailer Charming Charlie.
Twisted Tees’ expansion occupies a newly formed space – totaling around 12,000 square feet – that previously housed three smaller retail units.
It brings more ways to play, relax and have fun with a realistic, 18-hole miniature golf course; larger and more private simulator spaces; a second bar and dining area; and an arcade. Full story here.
Ryan Kneller
Thrift store chain to hold hiring event ahead of 1st Lehigh Valley location’s opening
BETHLEHEM, Pa. – A business that aims to “champion reuse and inspire a future where secondhand is second nature” is expanding its footprint with a new retail location in the Lehigh Valley.
A new Savers thrift store is coming soon to 2192 W. Union Blvd. in Bethlehem, and it’s currently building its team.
On-the-spot interviews for full- and part-time positions will be held 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday, June 23, through Thursday, June 25, at the Union Boulevard site.
The renovated space was previously home to a Big Lots store.
The new Savers location, which will be the company’s first Lehigh Valley store, is expected to hold a grand opening on Aug. 13, according to manager Steven Hill. Read more here.
A new Savers thrift store is coming soon to 2192 W. Union Blvd. in Bethlehem.
Ryan Kneller
‘Packed with wonder’: New Lehigh Valley indoor children’s playground to spark imagination
BETHLEHEM TWP., Pa. – A children’s play facility coming soon to Northampton County aims to create “both fun and developmentally enriching” experiences with more than a dozen play zones, including ball pits, slides and soft-play structures, an interactive projection trampoline, a mini stage, mini farm, mini golf course and more.
Go Go Wonderland, an imagination-filled indoor playground for children ages 1-12, is expected to open in early to mid-July at 3817 Nazareth Pike in Bethlehem Township, according to Leo Vazquez, who is helping Owner Yang Gao launch the new facility.
The playground will operate between Salon Bronze tanning salon and K-Nails nail salon in the Bethlehem Plaza.
It will occupy a renovated space, totaling more than 5,000 square feet, which was previously home to a fitness facility, Optimum Performance Center. Read more.
Go Go Wonderland is coming soon to 3817 Nazareth Pike in Bethlehem Township.
Ryan Kneller
Allentown updatesBru Daddy’s and McCall Collective announce transition of Allentown restaurant and brewery
ALLENTOWN, Pa. – The transition of a popular spot for local beer, hand-crafted pizza and other tasty eats and drinks is set to take place later this year in Allentown.
Bru Daddy’s Brewing Co. and McCall Collective Brewing Co. on Wednesday announced the upcoming transition of Bru Daddy’s downtown Allentown restaurant to McCall Collective.
Bru Daddy’s opened in November 2019 at 732 Hamilton St., across from the PPL Center, and it will continue to operate at that location through late summer, Bru Daddy’s CEO and president Rich Ryan told 69 News.
Aug. 29 will be the last day of operation for Bru Daddy’s location on Hamilton Street, and details regarding a farewell party will be announced soon, Ryan said.
McCall Collective is tentatively set to open its new location at the site a few days later, in early September. Full story here.
Brü Daddy’s Brewing Co. opened in November 2019 at 732 Hamilton St. in downtown Allentown.
Ryan Kneller
‘Incredibly bittersweet’: Popular bakery sets timeline for move to larger Lehigh Valley location
ALLENTOWN, Pa. – A much-loved bakery has outgrown its original home in Lehigh County and is planning to bring its made-from-scratch croissants, danishes and other tasty treats to a larger, nearby spot next month.
Sophistiqué – French Bakery, offering artisanal French pastries and other baked goods, is wrapping up its final week at its original location at 924 W. Walnut St. in downtown Allentown as it transitions to a bigger space a couple of blocks away at 960 Hamilton St. in downtown Allentown, owner and French pastry chef Sophie Vandecasteele announced on the business’ social media pages.
Following this final week of operations on West Walnut Street, the bakery will temporarily close for two weeks as it completes its move to Hamilton Street.
If everything goes smoothly, the bakery will hold a soft reopening at its new Hamilton Street location on July 8. Read more here.
Sophistiqué – French Bakery is planning to move to a new location at 960 Hamilton St. in downtown Allentown this summer.
Ryan Kneller
New ‘Pregame Bar & Grill’ to bring fresh eats and drinks back to familiar Allentown spot
ALLENTOWN, Pa. – A longtime spot for cheesesteaks, chilled drinks and chatter among friends is finding new life in Lehigh County.
Pregame Bar & Grill, a casual American pub, is expected to open in mid-July at 222 E. Hamilton St. in Allentown, a manager told 69 News.
The new bar and restaurant, with seating for roughly 45 guests, will operate just east of the Hamilton Street Bridge, spanning the Lehigh River.
Workers spent the past few months overhauling the property, which previously housed Freddie’s Bar & Grille, a bar and restaurant that closed earlier this year after more than three decades of operation. Read more.
Pregame Bar & Grill is coming soon to 222 E. Hamilton St. in Allentown.
Ryan Kneller
Allentown restaurant reopens after liquor license renewal
ALLENTOWN, Pa. – After resolving liquor license issues, a popular restaurant and bar is once again serving up classic and signature cocktails, wines by the glass, draft beer and more in Lehigh County.
Pennsylvania Rye Company, specializing in craft cocktails, whiskey and made-from-scratch food, reopened on Wednesday, June 17, at 536 Hamilton St. in downtown Allentown.
The business temporarily closed on May 28 as it awaited its liquor license renewal, co-owner Jesse Haik previously told 69 News. Full story here.
Pennsylvania Rye Company, at 536 Hamilton St. in downtown Allentown, features around 200 different types of whiskey.
Ryan Kneller
Father’s Day, FoodeesFest’We hope you’re hungry’: FoodeesFest bringing 40-plus food trucks, artisans to Lehigh Valley
WHITEHALL TWP., Pa. – A touring food and culture festival is bringing multiple days of diverse food offerings – including barbecue, burgers, gyros, tacos, ravioli, pierogies, mini doughnuts and much more – to the Lehigh Valley.
FoodeesFest, a touring outdoor food and culture festival “built to bring people together through food trucks, artisans, and unforgettable weekend energy,” kicked off on Friday, June 19, and will continue through Sunday, June 21, at the Lehigh Valley Mall in Whitehall Township.
Hours are 1-9 p.m. Friday, 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Saturday and 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Sunday. Read more here.
FoodeesFest
Over 20 Lehigh Valley area restaurants serving up Father’s Day specials
Father’s Day is this weekend — Sunday, June 21, to be exact.
To help celebrate the dads, grandfathers and paternal figures in your life, several Lehigh Valley area restaurants are offering special menus, promotions and meals fit for a king.
Here are some suggestions (reservations recommended or required at many locations). Read more.
Berks County buzz‘Make your day a little brighter’: New breakfast and lunch bistro shines in Berks County
CUMRU TWP., Pa. – A new family-run restaurant in Berks County is serving up a wide array of brunch specialties, from savory options such as creamed chipped beef, seafood omelettes and prime rib burgers to sweet selections such as acai bowls, Dubai chocolate French toast and Belgian waffle sundaes.
The Sunny Bistro, serving made-to-order dishes and drinks for breakfast and lunch, opened June 2 at 322 E. Wyomissing Ave. in Cumru Township, just outside Mohnton, according to Gino Billeci, who’s operating the restaurant with his wife, Alisha Billeci.
The full-service establishment occupies an updated property that previously housed Mangia! Italian Restaurant & Pizzeria, which closed in March after 16 years of operation. Full story here.
The Sunny Bistro
New barber shop opens up in Berks County
WEST LAWN, Pa. — A brand new barber shop is open for business in Berks County.
Dillan Buffa got his start in high school — working out of his basement with a barber kit and YouTube tutorials.
Now, he has his own shop in West Lawn.
They cut the ribbon at Da Gallery and welcomed the community in to see the place. Read more here.
Renovated McDonald’s in Reading now features drive-thru and updated facilities
READING, Pa. — The Big Mac is back on North 9th Street.
A ribbon cutting marked the re-opening of the McDonald’s at North 9th and Spring streets in Reading.
Mayor Eddie Moran and Grimace took part in a ceremony Wednesday morning.
The mayor toured the updated restaurant and even made an Egg McMuffin.
The restaurant has been closed for about four months while undergoing a $5.5 million renovation. Read more.
Closing notes‘Everything must go!’: Lehigh Valley footwear and apparel store set to close
ALLENTOWN, Pa. – A destination for jeans, sweatshirts, sneakers and more is bidding farewell in Lehigh County.
The One, a store selling footwear, apparel and accessories from top American and international brands, is set to close in the coming months at 802 W. Hamilton St. in downtown Allentown.
An exact closing date has not been determined, but the store will likely cease operations in late July or August, a manager told 69 News.
The One opened more than 12 years ago in Allentown, and operators Young Kwon and Alex Cho are consolidating operations at their sister store, Up II Par, which opened in late 2023 at the Lehigh Valley Mall, the store manager said. Full story here.
‘We appreciate our customers and friends’: Lehigh Valley sports bar to permanently close
HELLERTOWN, Pa. – A destination for chicken wings, cheesesteaks, burgers and beer is bidding farewell in Northampton County.
Wings on Main Sports Bar & Grille, at 605 Main St. in Hellertown, is set to close permanently on June 28, according to an announcement on the business’ Facebook page.
“We appreciate our customers and friends that have supported us in the past 8 years,” the online announcement reads.
“As of Sunday June 28, 2026 we will be closing our doors at 8:00pm for good, to venture on.” Read more here.
Wings on Main operates at 605 Main St. in Hellertown.
Ryan Kneller