Couple's diner celebrates a year of community love and dreams in Whitehall

After a year of operation, love has kept a Whitehall Township diner going — love between the two owners, love for their work, and love from the community to see it through.

Maraschino Diner recently celebrated its first anniversary at 1162 MacArthur Road in Whitehall Township, said co-owner Juanita Mejia, who opened the diner with her husband Cesar in October 2024.

Their menu, still growing, includes eggs benedict, French toast, waffles, wraps, meatloaf, chicken, ravioli, burgers, sandwiches, salads, chili, wings and quesadillas.

Juanita explained that both she and her husband have over 25 years of experience in the restaurant industry, and that she was the one who pushed to open after “putting a lot of my energy and time into helping others succeed in the restaurant business.”

“I just realized what I was giving to someone else, I could be doing for myself,” she said.

“I just love my wife being … driving with this restaurant,” Cesar said. “That’s what she loves to do, it’s been her dream and she’s so happy.”

The property has changed names several times over the years, including Lehigh Valley Diner, Salt & Pepper Family Restaurant, Mayuri Indian Cuisine and Jordan Parkway Diner.

After the property, then Jordan Parkway Diner, was damaged by fire in early 2023, Juanita said it became vacant and forgotten. As a Whitehall resident born and raised in Allentown, she wanted to be close to Allentown and called the MacArthur Road property a “no-brainer.”

Juanita called the local community “outstanding” for their support and welcoming response.

“They’re just so happy for us,” she said. “They love to se us busy and they are … just like, ‘Just stay with us forever, don’t leave us.’ Because of the last few restaurants that have been here, they’re so afraid that it’s going to close again.”

“It’s been fantastic with everything,” Cesar said. “It’s been a blessing, everything is just great.”

The diner helps support the community in turn. Juanita says it has a “pay-it-forward” board where struggling residents can use customer-paid gift cards for meals. On Thanksgiving, the diner and a group of volunteers will go out to serve platters for people who are homeless.

“We have a larger group going out this year and we’re excited about it, that people want to get involved and people care,” she said.

The diner operates 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. all week.

Married couple Juanita Mejia and Cesar Mejia stand inside their...

Married couple Juanita Mejia and Cesar Mejia stand inside their diner, Maraschino Diner, on Wednesday, Nov. 5, 2025, in Whitehall. Maraschino Diner recently celebrated its first anniversary after opening in Oct. 2024 in Whitehall Township, bringing back to life a property that hosted Lehigh Valley Diner, Salt & Pepper Family Restaurant and Jordan Parkway Diner. (April Gamiz/The Morning Call)

An ABE hamburger featuring bacon, over-easy egg, lettuce, tomato, cheese with French fries, pickle and coleslaw is a popular popular menu item Wednesday, Nov. 5, 2025, at Maraschino Diner in Whitehall Township. The restaurant recently celebrated its first anniversary after opening in Oct. 2024, bringing back to life a property that previously hosted Lehigh Valley Diner, Salt & Pepper Family Restaurant and Jordan Parkway Diner. (April Gamiz/The Morning Call)

A French toast tower featuring fresh strawberries and bananas with drizzled hazelnut chocolate is a popular menu item Wednesday, Nov. 5, 2025, at Maraschino Diner in Whitehall Township. The restaurant recently celebrated its first anniversary after opening in Oct. 2024, bringing back to life a property that previously hosted Lehigh Valley Diner, Salt & Pepper Family Restaurant and Jordan Parkway Diner. (April Gamiz/The Morning Call)

Sizzling chicken fajitas served with Mexican rice, black beans, onions, peppers, queso fresco cheese, crema, and three corn tortillas Wednesday, Nov. 5, 2025, at Maraschino Diner in Whitehall Township. The restaurant recently celebrated its first anniversary after opening in Oct. 2024, bringing back to life a property that previously hosted Lehigh Valley Diner, Salt & Pepper Family Restaurant and Jordan Parkway Diner. (April Gamiz/The Morning Call)

A look at Maraschino Diner on Wednesday, Nov. 5, 2025, in Whitehall Township. The restaurant recently celebrated its first anniversary after opening in Oct. 2024, bringing back to life a property that previously hosted Lehigh Valley Diner, Salt & Pepper Family Restaurant and Jordan Parkway Diner. (April Gamiz/The Morning Call)

A look inside the Maraschino Diner on Wednesday, Nov. 5, 2025, in Whitehall Township. The restaurant recently celebrated its first anniversary after opening in Oct. 2024, bringing back to life a property that previously hosted Lehigh Valley Diner, Salt & Pepper Family Restaurant and Jordan Parkway Diner. (April Gamiz/The Morning Call)

A look inside the Maraschino Diner on Wednesday, Nov. 5, 2025, in Whitehall. Maraschino Diner recently celebrated its first anniversary after opening in Oct. 2024 in Whitehall Township, bringing back to life a property that hosted Lehigh Valley Diner, Salt & Pepper Family Restaurant and Jordan Parkway Diner. (April Gamiz/The Morning Call)

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Lehigh Valley retail and restaurant news in brief

A new Giant supermarket will open at 8 a.m. on Nov. 21 at South Mall at 3300 Lehigh St. in Salisbury Township.

The convenience store A1 Quick Shop will most likely open by the end of December at 1225 N. New St. in Bethlehem.

The barbershop Sharkey’s Cuts for Kids will offer $7 discounts and a free haircuts sweepstakes for its grand opening on Nov. 22 at 355 S. Cedar Crest Blvd. in Allentown.

The Worthy Dessert shop will open Nov. 15 at the Trolley Barn Public Market in Quakertown.

The Gemeral Store postponed its original Saturday reopening date for further permit approval at 216 W. Broad St. in Bethlehem.

“The city is working with us to get this resolved quickly and once we get the green light, we’ll announce the NEW Grand Reopening date right away!” the store said online.

The Afro-Dominican-European-style bakery From Lino held a grand opening Nov. 1 at 802 Spring St. in Bethlehem.

In other news

USA Today nominated the annual Christkindlmarkt and Peeps chick drop in Bethlehem for its 10BEST Readers’ Choice Awards.

The Shoppe at Hotel Bethlehem now offers a new collectible tin with Bazzini peppermint bark at 437 Main St. in Bethlehem, depicting the hotel and the Moravian star.

The restaurant franchise group Lehigh Valley Restaurant Brands expanded into Texas by acquiring four franchised Red Robin restaurants from Mandes Restaurant Group in the cities of Cedar Hill, Garland, Flower Mound and Arlington, a news release announced.

Several local restaurants won awards for The Lehigh Valley Vegan Chef Challenge, as announced online. They include Da Judah-s Kitchen at first place, Forks Mediterranean Deli at second place and Curious Goods at the Bake Oven Inn at third place.

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.

Couple’s diner celebrates a year of community love and dreams in Whitehall

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