COPLAY, Pa. — Under new ownership, a decades-old destination for drinks, fresh food and fun times with friends has entered a new chapter in Lehigh County.
Coplay Cabin, a family-run tavern, held a soft opening on Thursday at 33 N. Second Street in Coplay, owner Rick Safi told 69 News.
Safi, the longtime owner of King Kone ice cream shop in Whitehall Township, in the spring purchased the property, which was most recently home to 2nd Street Tavern.
Coplay Cabin operates at 33 N. Second Street in Coplay.
Ryan Kneller
The building also operated as the Log Cabin Tavern for roughly 30 years before being sold and renamed the 2nd Street Tavern in 2019.
Under Safi’s leadership, the property underwent a significant transformation, with renovations over the past few months including new flooring, lighting, wall paint, countertops, kitchen equipment, air conditioning units and more.
Outside, new siding was added to the building’s front façade, and Safi is looking to have new siding installed on the rest of the building by winter.
“I’m very excited,” Safi said.
“The borough of Coplay has been nothing but accommodating. They bent over backwards to help me get it open sooner than later.”
Coplay Cabin features seating for around 65 guests at a mix of high-top tables, lounge furniture and bar seating.
Ryan Kneller
Guests can enjoy starters and dips such as homemade fried mozzarella wedges, seasoned curly fries, Buffalo chicken dip, cheesesteak dip, nachos and pierogies (fried or sauteed with onions); and more than a dozen main selections such as homemade chicken strips and fries, mac and cheese, a pulled pork sandwich, blue mushroom & onion burger, lumberjack burger (half-pound all-beef patty, mac and cheese, pulled pork and barbecue sauce) and fire pit cheesesteak (steak or chicken, Cooper cheese, sauce and onions).
Other menu highlights include a variety of salads, wings (available with choice of sauce or dry rub) and kids menu options.
The updated bar serves up a wide selection of bottled, canned and draft beers, along with hard seltzers, wines and signature cocktails such as the Cabin Cosmo, Coplay Sunset and Maple Manhattan.
Happy hour food and drink specials are coming soon, Safi said.
Safi, a seasoned entrepreneur with more than 30 years of experience, is excited to debut his newest business venture and meet new friends in Coplay.
The property’s acquisition was backed by commercial financing arranged by Jeff Barber of Lehigh Financial Group, LLC, marking the fourth successful collaboration between Safi and Barber over the last decade.
“I saw the opportunity and I wanted to buy it, improve it, and really clean up that side of the street,” Safi said in a news release earlier this year.
“I used to go there when I was younger when it was the original Log Cabin, and I’ve always liked the quaint, small-town feel of Coplay.”
Safi is well-versed in major renovations.
Two years ago, he transitioned King Kone, a Whitehall staple since 1990, from a strip mall into a standalone building. The project involved extensive land development and structural upgrades.
“At King Kone, we’ve always been customer-focused with a goal of a five-star rating,” Safi said.
“I want to instill that same friendliness and high standard here. This will be a child-friendly space where families can feel welcome to relax and enjoy a meal.”
Coplay Cabin, featuring two pool tables and multiple TVs, is open 2-11 p.m. Wednesday through Monday.
For the latest Coplay Cabin updates, follow the business’ pages on Facebook and Instagram.