BETHLEHEM, Pa. – A rapidly growing restaurant franchise, blending authentic Asian flavors with modern twists, will soon be welcoming foodies in Northampton County.
The first Lehigh Valley location of Taichi Bubble Tea, offering hand-crafted bubble tea, poke bowls, ramen and rice boxes, is expected to open within the next few weeks at 21 E. Third St. in Bethlehem, franchise owner Grace Sun said.
A location of Taichi Bubble Tea is coming soon to East Third Street in south Bethlehem.
Ryan Kneller
Taichi Bubble Tea, established in 2015, has grown to more than 50 locations across the United States over the past 10 years.
Restaurants operating within close proximity to the Lehigh Valley include those in Glen Mills, Delaware County; and Exton, Chester County.
In south Bethlehem, Taichi Bubble Tea occupies an updated space that previously housed other fast-casual eateries, including Toastique and, most recently, Café Crewy.
“I’ve wanted to open my own restaurant for many years,” Sun said.
“I dreamed of owning my own ramen or noodle house, and I love bubble tea as well. So, when I discovered Taichi, I fell in love with it because I think it’s the perfect blend of so many great flavors and items. I’m excited to bring it to the Lehigh Valley and give the people around here more high-quality options.”
Taichi Bubble Tea
Taichi offers a wide array of customizable, made-to-order dishes.
For example, guests ordering a poke bowl start by choosing their rice (white, brown, white rice with sesame or brown rice with sesame) before then picking their protein (salmon, tuna, shrimp, chicken, bacon, spicy tuna, spicy salmon, crab meat or organic tofu) and other components such as lettuce, red cabbage, spinach or kale.
Additional add-ins include your choice of at least one flavor (spicy mayo, wasabi sauce, Thousand Island, ponzu, eel sauce, yuzu, Thai sweet chili, mango sauce or chili hot sauce) and up to 16 other ingredients (pickled radish, cucumber, cream cheese, avocado, red onions, green peppers, cherry tomatoes, mushroom, white onions, jalapeno, edamame, black beans, corn, olives or carrots).
There are also optional topping selections such as masago, mango, wasabi, green onion, seaweed salad, ginger and cilantro; and crunch options such as fried onion, fried garlic, fried wonton noodle and teriyaki seaweed.
Taichi Bubble Tea
“We also have a lot of ramen options, like miso, tonkotsu and spicy tonkotsu, as well as rice boxes with veggies and your choice of protein, including chicken, beef, shrimp and eel,” Sun said.
Other menu highlights include appetizers such as shrimp tempura, vegetable spring rolls and popcorn chicken; milk tea such as brown sugar, coconut, honeydew, matcha and taro; and fruit tea such as kiwi, lychee, mango, passionfruit, pineapple and strawberry.
Drinks can also be customized with ice amount and toppings such as tapioca pearls, herb jelly, fruit jelly, passionfruit boba, crystal boba, pudding and red bean.
“With 50+ locations across the U.S., we’re proud to offer a vibrant, customizable experience where every meal and drink brings people together,” reads a message on the business’ website.
The new Bethlehem location will offer seating for around 40 guests at booths, counters and tables with chairs.
Ryan Kneller
Take-out service also will be available, and customers will be able to place orders in-person at the counter or at a digital kiosk, Sun said.
Taichi will join a growing number of Asian dining spots on East Third Street, including Shang Wei Szechuan, U & Tea, 24 East Asian Bistro, Hocaa Bubble Tea, Hi Pot and Mister Lee’s Noodles (temporarily closed).
More foodie findsUnder new ownership, historic Lehigh County tavern to reopen with new name, look, menu updates
U. SAUCON TWP., Pa. – New owners are breathing new life into a scenic, early 19th century tavern, set to reopen soon in Lehigh County.
Ye Olde Spring Valley Tavern, a full-service restaurant and bar known for utilizing fresh ingredients such as trout from its spring-fed pond, was sold to new owners over the summer and will reopen as Spring Valley Tavern within the next few weeks at 1355 Station Ave. in Upper Saucon Township, according to Richard Islam, who’s operating the tavern with his family.
The tavern closed in early August under previous owners Donna and Warren Walters, and Islam and his family have been implementing interior and exterior renovations over the past few months in preparation for its reopening. Full story here.
‘Beyond excited’: New Promenade Saucon Valley tenant serving up tasty eats and drinks
U. SAUCON TWP., Pa. – Just in time for the holidays, a new spot to relax, refuel and reconnect with old friends over hand-crafted beers, spirits and food is now open in Lehigh County.
Barley Creek Brewing Company, a popular Poconos-based microbrewery offering Pennsylvania-made craft beer, spirits and wines, on Friday announced the opening of its new Barley Creek Taproom Saucon at Promenade Saucon Valley in Upper Saucon Township.
“We’re beyond excited to open our doors in the Lehigh Valley,” said Stephanie Rath, CEO of Barley Creek Brewing Company, in a news release.
“Our team has worked hard to create a space that brings the spirit of Barley Creek to a brand-new community — just in time for the holidays. Great food, great beer, and great people — that’s what we’re all about.” Read more here.
Barley Creek Taproom Saucon
‘Caffeine-fueled joy’: Popular Lehigh Valley mobile cafe expands with brick-and-mortar location
MACUNGIE, Pa. – The holiday season is in full swing, and individuals looking for a jolt of energy or just a spot to decompress have a new cafe to frequent in Lehigh County.
Roasties, a newly opened mobile cafe serving a variety of specialty coffee drinks, has expanded operations with its first brick-and-mortar location, which opened Wednesday, Nov. 26, at 17 N. Poplar St. in Macungie.
The space, near Macungie Memorial Park, was previously home to Mad Dogs Hot Dogs and Sugar Shack. Read more.
Roasties
‘Feel at home’: Lehigh Valley pizzeria gets new name, owners and updated menu
EASTON, Pa. – A longtime spot for pizza, pasta and other Italian specialties is undergoing changes, including new late-night weekend hours, in Northampton County.
Campus Corner Pizzeria is now operating at the site of the former Vinny V’s Pizzeria at 208 Cattell St. in Easton.
Business partners Keith Pagan and Will Walls took over operations of the College Hill pizzeria on Oct. 6 and recently changed the exterior signage to Campus Corner, Pagan said.
Some new menu items have already debuted, and an official updated menu will be introduced within the next few weeks, Pagan said. Full story here.
Campus Corner Pizzeria operates at 208 Cattell St. in Easton.
Ryan Kneller
Retail updates‘We’re back’: After 5-month hiatus, Bethlehem shop to reopen with free merch on Small Business Saturday
BETHLEHEM, Pa. – Following a summer setback that temporarily halted operations, a family-run retailer will welcome customers to its new location in the Christmas City just in time for holiday shopping.
The Gemeral Store, offering natural home decor, gemstones, minerals and more, will hold its grand reopening 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 29, at its new location at 216 W. Broad St. in Bethlehem.
The grand reopening event will feature free merch for the first 30 customers and a free tumbled stone for everyone.
The business’ first brick-and-mortar location opened on June 28 at 707 N. New St. in Bethlehem, but the shop temporarily closed a little more than a week later following a fire that broke out in the building. Read more here.
The Gemeral Store will soon reopen at its new location at 216 W. Broad St. in Bethlehem.
Ryan Kneller
‘Who doesn’t like a deal?’: New Lehigh Valley liquidation store to offer ‘ultimate treasure hunt’
PALMER TWP., Pa. – As the holiday shopping season kicks into high gear, individuals looking to score deals on clothing, home décor and other items will soon have a new destination to check out in Northampton County.
Last Call Closeouts, offering a mix of deep discounts on brand-name overstock alongside unique estate furniture and other finds, is expected to open within the next few weeks at 3143 William Penn Highway in Palmer Township, owner Lisa Carvalho told 69 News.
James Balliet and Benjamin Diaz of The James Balliet Property Group represented the landlord in the deal.
Customers will be able to browse a rotating selection of high-quality liquidation items, including furniture, bedding, housewares, kitchenware, small appliances, children’s toys, pet products, sporting good, tools and garden accessories and lawn items, Carvalho said. Read more.
Last Call Closeouts
‘Quality products, service and value’: Footwear retailer opens new regional store
MAHONING TWP., Pa. – Just in time for holiday shopping, a company offering shoes, slippers and other footwear for the whole family has expanded its local brick-and-mortar footprint.
A new location of Shoe Dept., featuring name-brand footwear and accessories for men, women and children, opened Friday at 1241 Blakeslee Blvd. Dr. East, Suite 5 & 6, in Mahoning Township, Carbon County.
Shoe Dept carries a wide assortment of footwear, including athletic shoes, casual shoes, dress shoes, work shoes, boots, slippers and sandals.
Popular brands include adidas, Clarks, Converse, Crocs, HEYDUDE, New Balance, Nike, PUMA, Skechers, Timberland and Vans. Full story here.
Holiday happeningsVendors bring holiday cheer to Easton Centre Square with the first day of the Winter Village
EASTON, Pa. – It’s starting to look like a winter wonderland in Northampton County.
Easton Centre Square has transformed into the city’s Winter Village, a holiday market with dozens of vendors.
“I’m literally running around this morning trying to get all the last-minute things together,” said Jeffrey Wetzel with Mad Catter Coffee Roasters. Read more here.
‘Heart of the community’: Local shops gear up for Small Business Saturday
BETHLEHEM, Pa. – While everyone was hunting for those Black Friday deals, local shops were already gearing up for their big moment during Small Business Saturday.
69 News Reporter Sydney Kay has more with what some hometown stores in Lehigh County have planned and how it is critical for their business.
Hard at work behind the counter, 8-year-old Raegan is eager to welcome guests into Let’s Go Coffee Company in Emmaus. Read more.
Families flock to Northampton Co. tree farm for Black Friday tradition of tree picking
NORTHAMPTON COUNTY, Pa. (WFMZ) — Malls and stores aren’t the only spots where people spent cash on Black Friday.
69 News saw family after family come through Unangst Tree Farm to find that perfect Christmas tree.
Since the moment the farm opened to the public Friday morning, they’ve been on a roll. Full story here.
Schuylkill Co. tree farm wins national recognition with tree selected to decorate Vice President Vance’s home
AUBURN, Pa. (WFMZ) — Christmas comes once a year but for the Shealer family who own Evergreen Acres Tree Farm in Schuylkill County, prepping their trees is a 365-day process.
“What a lot of people don’t realize is that Christmas trees don’t just magically look like a perfect Christmas tree. It is a year round business to get them to look like this,” Pam Shealer told 69 News.
The fourth-generation farm started with humble beginnings. Read more here.
Berks County buzz‘Made fresh with passion’: Foodies flocking to new Mexican restaurant in Berks County
BIRDSBORO, Pa. – A new destination for tacos, tostadas and tropical margaritas is welcoming customers in Berks County.
La Familia Mexican Restaurant & Bar, offering authentic Mexican cuisine, held a grand opening on Nov. 23 at 200 W. First St. in Birdsboro.
“From tacos and fajitas to burritos, enchiladas, and seafood — each dish is made fresh with passion and flavor in every bite!” a message on the business’ website reads.
“… At La Familia Mexican Restaurant & Bar, every guest is treated like family – welcomed with warmth, delicious food, and genuine hospitality for a truly memorable experience.” Read more.
La Familia Mexican Restaurant & Bar
Dirty sodas make their way to Berks County: New business brings the trend to town
BERKS CO., Pa. – A new business is aiming to bring a trending concept to Berks County, and that concept includes dirty sodas.
“We opened in September of 2025, so we’ve really only been at it about five weeks,” says Honey Belle co-owner Meghan Krick.
“We are using a soda as our base, with flavored syrups and topped with sweet cream or cold foam. And then once those mix together, you get a completely different flavor than the base soda that you’re expecting. So, it’s a nice surprise,” adds Honey Belle co-owner Erin Knarr. Full story here.
Bidding farewellWendy’s restaurant permanently closes in Lehigh County
SALISBURY TWP., Pa. – Fans of the Baconator, Dave’s Triple and Frosty have one less restaurant to visit in the Lehigh Valley.
A location of Wendy’s, the fast-food chain known for its made-to-order square hamburgers, has closed at 3390 Lehigh St. in Salisbury Township.
A Wendy’s spokesperson did not immediately return a message seeking more information, including a reason for the restaurant’s closure.
Signage on the restaurant’s door and drive-thru window notes that the location is closed and advises customers to visit a nearby Wendy’s location at 1980 S. Fourth St. in Allentown.
Additional signage indicates that the 3,100-square-foot, quick-service restaurant building is available for lease. Read more here.
A Wendy’s restaurant has closed at 3390 Lehigh St. in Salisbury Township.
Farewell to the Ranch House: Long-vacant barroom demolished
UPPER NAZARETH TWP., Pa. – A long-vacant barroom in Northampton County is no more.
Tuesday morning, demolition crews began the task of knocking down the former Ranch House Bar and Grill at 373 East Lawn Road in Upper Nazareth Township.
By lunchtime, the building was gone, and large piles of debris were all that remained on the site.
The Ranch House closed two decades ago. Complaints about the condition of the deteriorating building have been mounting over the years. Read more.