A new venue hopes guests will enjoy events big and small at the Palmer Park Mall.
Easton Event Center is expected to have a soft opening before the end of August at the Palmer Township mall, said Sanju Choudhury, co-owner alongside his wife Renee.
The event space can host events such as weddings, birthdays, celebrations of life, workshops, bingo and stand-up comedy. Amenities will include tables and chairs, bar and buffet areas, a stage, a dance floor, and an HD projector and screen.
Choudhury lived in Idaho before moving a couple years ago to Easton to be closer to his daughters Rani and Devvani, and has previously operated businesses such as restaurants and gas stations. In the Lehigh Valley, he saw a gap to fill for local event centers that have enough parking.
“If you have an event center, there ain’t no parking. If you have parking, you cannot find an event center close by,” Choudhury said. “So that was my real lookout since then: Where can I find an established building or … fixer upper so that I can have enough parking and have the local community [not] have to go all the way to Jersey to celebrate their events?”
He’s also hoping to welcome guests such as from the Indian, Latino, Lebanese and Nigerian communities to the venue.
“I would love for them to come see me because we would like to work together and make this a place where they can sit and [say], ‘You know what, we need to be at Easton Event Center,’ ” Choudhury said.
Customers can book the event space all week, he said, and hold the events through midnight. It is located where SoldierFit used to operate, the mall’s general manager Wendy Morales said.
Choudhury expects to hold a grand opening in about three months.
An inside look at the Easton Event Center on Wednesday, Aug. 19, 2026, in Palmer Park Mall in Palmer Township. The center will open this month at the mall, where it will host events such as weddings, birthdays, corporate events, celebrations of life, Bingo and stand-up comedy. (April Gamiz/The Morning Call)
An inside look at the Easton Event Center on Wednesday, Aug. 19, 2026, in Palmer Park Mall in Palmer Township. The center will open this month at the mall, where it will host events such as weddings, birthdays, corporate events, celebrations of life, Bingo and stand-up comedy. (April Gamiz/The Morning Call)
An inside look at the Easton Event Center on Wednesday, Aug. 19, 2026, in Palmer Park Mall in Palmer Township. The center will open this month at the mall, where it will host events such as weddings, birthdays, corporate events, celebrations of life, Bingo and stand-up comedy. (April Gamiz/The Morning Call)
Easton Event Center founder and co-owner Sanju Choudhury stands in the center Wednesday, Aug. 19, 2026, in Palmer Park Mall in Palmer Township. Easton Event Center will open this month at the mall, where it will host events such as weddings, birthdays, corporate events, celebrations of life, Bingo and stand-up comedy. (April Gamiz/The Morning Call)
An inside look at the Easton Event Center on Wednesday, Aug. 19, 2026, in Palmer Park Mall in Palmer Township. The center will open this month at the mall, where it will host events such as weddings, birthdays, corporate events, celebrations of life, Bingo and stand-up comedy. (April Gamiz/The Morning Call)
An inside look at the Easton Event Center on Wednesday, Aug. 19, 2026, in Palmer Park Mall in Palmer Township. The center will open this month at the mall, where it will host events such as weddings, birthdays, corporate events, celebrations of life, Bingo and stand-up comedy. (April Gamiz/The Morning Call)
An inside look at the Easton Event Center on Wednesday, Aug. 19, 2026, in Palmer Park Mall in Palmer Township. The center will open this month at the mall, where it will host events such as weddings, birthdays, corporate events, celebrations of life, Bingo and stand-up comedy. (April Gamiz/The Morning Call)
An inside look at the Easton Event Center on Wednesday, Aug. 19, 2026, in Palmer Park Mall in Palmer Township. The center will open this month at the mall, where it will host events such as weddings, birthdays, corporate events, celebrations of life, Bingo and stand-up comedy. (April Gamiz/The Morning Call)
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An inside look at the Easton Event Center on Wednesday, Aug. 19, 2026, in Palmer Park Mall in Palmer Township. The center will open this month at the mall, where it will host events such as weddings, birthdays, corporate events, celebrations of life, Bingo and stand-up comedy. (April Gamiz/The Morning Call)
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Lehigh Valley retail and restaurant news in brief
Susquehanna Street Diner: The diner at 1701 E. Susquehanna St. in Salisbury Township announced online it would close at 9 p.m. Sunday.
J’s Steaks & Subs: The food truck has begun a soft opening at the Weyerbacher Brewing Co. taproom at 905 Line St. in Easton. Menu options include cheesesteaks, cold subs, fries, onion rings, pierogi and chicken tenders.
Zen Cafe: The owners of Donerds Donuts will open the cafe in September at 3 W. Morton. St. in Bethlehem, offering coffee provided by Devoción Coffee, tea, croissants, Japanese-style sandwiches called sandos, scones, toast and mocktails.
Hobby Lobby: The arts and crafts and home decor store is expected to open Sept. 14 at the Airport Shopping Center in Hanover Township, Lehigh County,
The UPS Store: A new location is expected to open in the fall at 7751 Glenlivet Drive West in Upper Macungie Township, spokesperson Mia Gonzales said.
Scavazzo’s Gilded Cleaver: The butcher shop is hoping to open in October at 5751 Nor-Bath Blvd. in East Allen Township, said Allison Scavazzo, co-owner alongside her husband Jeremy.
Chinchorro: The Puerto Rican-style restaurant is planned to open in September at 2600 William Penn Highway in Palmer Township, owner Yesenia Westerband-Rodriguez said. It will serve dishes from her La Frikitona food trucks such as mofongo, tostones and canoas.
Kazi’s Spot: The Nashville hot chicken restaurant has opened at 65 E. Elizabeth Ave. in Bethlehem, co-owner Asim Naveed said.
Latte Lounge & Bake Shoppe: The bakery announced online it would have a grand opening for its new location at 9 a.m. Sept. 26 at 15 Broadway in Bangor. It previously operated at 690 Allegheny Road in Upper Mount Bethel Township.
Spirit Halloween: The seasonal retail chain has begun opening stores in the Lehigh Valley, starting with one at Whitehall Mall at 1915 Whitehall Mall in Whitehall Township.
Retail Watch is a weekly column covering retail and restaurant news in the Lehigh Valley. Have a question, tip, or want to see something in the area? Contact retail reporter Graysen Golter at retailwatch@mcall.com. Sign up for our weekly Retail Watch newsletter at mcall.com/retailwatchsignup.