BETHLEHEM, Pa. – A new destination for fresh produce, snacks, frozen food and other groceries is welcoming shoppers in Northampton County.
U&T Asian Market, carrying a wide array of Asian groceries including rice, noodles, snacks and refrigerated and frozen foods, opened earlier this month at 123 E. Third St. in Bethlehem, manager Alice Gatsch said.
The market is a sister business of U&Tea, a full-service restaurant offering authentic Chinese cuisine, operating directly next door.
U&Tea has built a large and loyal following over the past decade, and operator and head chef Kam Tsui saw an opportunity to build on the restaurant’s success with a sister business, carrying many of the ingredients used in the restaurant’s dishes, Gatsch said.
Tsui is operating the market with his sister-in-law, Wen Zhou.
Inventory will continue to expand in the coming weeks, but current offerings include fresh produce such as bananas, pomelos and potatoes; canned and jarred items such as bamboo shoots, mushrooms, jackfruit and lychee; snacks such as cookies, chips, rice cakes and nuts; and refrigerated and frozen food such as rice balls, spring rolls, green soybeans, seafood and chicken pork patty links.
Customers also can shop spices, chocolates and candy, cooking supplies such as vegetable oil and cooking wine, condiments such as soy and teriyaki sauces; specialty teas such as mango and lychee green tea and peach and passion fruit black tea; and refrigerated beverages such as milk, juices, soda and coffee drinks.
There are also desserts and sweet treats such as ice cream, fruit pops and crepe cakes.
“We have a lot of specialty items that you can’t find at regular grocery stores,” Gatsch said.
“Customers will find a lot of imported Chinese and Taiwanese groceries, including various types of rice, ramen and other noodles, frozen dumplings, sesame balls and pre-cooked seafood.”
During its soft-open phase, the market is open 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. daily. Hours may expand in the new year, Gatsch said.
More Northampton County news‘Prices you just can’t beat’: Lehigh Valley’s new liquidation store welcomes bargain shoppers
PALMER TWP., Pa. – The holiday shopping season is in full swing, and individuals looking to score deals on clothing, home décor and other items 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, held a soft opening on Dec. 6 at 3143 William Penn Highway in Palmer Township, owner Lisa Carvalho told 69 News.
“The feedback has been really great,” Carvalho said.
“A lot of people are finding the perfect Christmas gifts, and everyone’s loving the prices because they’re prices you just can’t beat. We have a lot of brand-new appliances at 60% off their sale prices. So, we sold a lot appliances this weekend, along with household items, toys and cleaning products.” Full story here.
Last Call Closeouts
National restaurant franchise’s 1st Lehigh Valley location opens
BETHLEHEM, Pa. – A growing restaurant franchise, with more than 50 locations across the country, 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, held a soft opening at 11 a.m. Friday at 21 E. Third St. in Bethlehem, franchise owner Grace Sun said.
Taichi Bubble Tea, established in 2015, blends authentic Asian flavors with modern twists and has grown to more than 50 locations across the United States over the past 10 years.
In south Bethlehem, Taichi Bubble Tea occupies an updated space that previously housed other fast-casual eateries, including Toastique and, most recently, Café Crewy. Read more here.
Ryan Kneller
‘Exactly what we need!’: Following rent increase, Lehigh Valley store finds new location
WALNUTPORT, Pa. – A nonprofit-run store, providing free clothing, household goods and other items to local individuals in need, has found a new “bigger, brighter” home in the Lehigh Valley.
Caring Hearts Clothing Closet and More is planning to move from its nearly four-year-old location at 7935 Route 873 in Washington Township to a larger location at 241 Lehigh Gap St. in Walnutport, according to Denise “Neicee” Martinez, founder, CEO and president of Caring DAM Hearts, the shop’s nonprofit operator.
In October, Martinez announced that the Washington Township store was at risk of closing due to rising rent being implemented by the property’s new owner.
Caring Hearts Clothing Closet and More’s forthcoming Walnutport location is an updated space that is a better fit for the business financially, Martinez said.
The Walnutport location, which previously housed a Verizon store, is nearly double the square footage of the business’ current spot and offers ample parking in a paved lot. Read more.
Caring Hearts Clothing Closet and More is moving to a larger location at 241 Lehigh Gap St. in Walnutport.
Caring Hearts Clothing Closet and More
‘Next chapter’: Craft brewery to bounce back with new Lehigh Valley location
TATAMY, Pa. – A week after announcing that its original Allentown taproom would close in late December, a longstanding craft brewery has signed a lease for a new location in the Lehigh Valley.
HiJinx Brewing Company, offering a wide array of hand-crafted, freshly brewed local beer, will open a new location at Tatamy Volunteer Fire Company, 164 Bushkill St., Tatamy.
The new location, expected to open sometime in January, will occupy a soon-to-be renovated space that previously housed the fire company’s social hall, HiJinx owner Curt Keck said.
Earlier this month, Keck announced plans to close HiJinx’s original taproom on Dec. 20 at 905 Harrison St., Suite 111.
Brewing operations at the same site, located inside the Allentown Economic Development Corporation’s Bridgeworks Enterprise Center, are set to cease Dec. 31. Full story here.
HiJinx Brewing Company
Chrin Commerce Center gets preliminary OK from Palmer planners
PALMER TWP., Pa. – The plan for a proposed mixed-use retail center that spans Palmer Township and Tatamy Borough received preliminary land development approval in Palmer Township Tuesday night.
The proposal, offered by the Charles Chrin Real Estate Trust, is known as “Chrin Commerce Center.” The property contains 17.5 acres, with 4.55 in Palmer and the remaining in Tatamy. The Palmer Township parcel is located on Trolley Line Drive and Main Street.
On the Palmer side, a revised plan calls for one quick-service restaurant, a driveway, and stormwater management facilities. On the Tatamy side, the proposal consists of a 120,000-square-foot warehouse, a quick-service restaurant and two retail buildings. Read more here.
The Palmer Township Planning Commission meets on Dec. 9, 2025.
WFMZ-TV | Steve Althouse
Bethlehem planners advance 7-story apartment building approved for former Wells Fargo building
BETHLEHEM, Pa. – Bethlehem’s Planning Commission on Thursday approved a land development plan for a seven-story apartment building at the former Wells Fargo building at 46–52 W. Broad St.
The building would offer 61 apartment units, the applicant said.
“It’s a large undertaking and a big project for our downtown in an area where more and more improvements are occurring,” Planning Commission Chair Rob Melosky said.
The Wells Fargo building, constructed about 100 years ago, is a block off Main Street. It stands out because of its ornate facade, tall columns and friezes in the Greek Revival architectural style.
Todd Chambers, with MKSD Architects, said the building will be preserved for retail space with residential development above. Read more.
A former Wells Fargo bank building is pictured on West Broad Street in downtown Bethlehem.
Ryan Kneller
Lehigh Valley multi-sport training complex holds grand reopening following upgrades
E. ALLEN TWP., Pa. – A popular sports and athletic training facility is welcoming back community members after undergoing extensive renovations, including three new hardwood courts and six ceiling-retractable, height-adjustable basketball hoops, in Northampton County.
Push The Rock, a non-profit global sports ministry based in the Lehigh Valley since 1997, held a grand reopening of its In The Zone Athletics facility on Thursday, Dec. 12, at 6870 Chrisphalt Drive in East Allen Township, just outside Bath.
The renovations were made possible by capital donations from several Lehigh Valley businesses and individuals. Full story here.
Push The Rock
Lehigh County updatesTractor Supply Company sets opening date for new Lehigh Valley store
WHITEHALL TWP., Pa. – A rural lifestyle retailer is growing its footprint in the Lehigh Valley.
Tractor Supply Company — serving the needs of recreational farmers, ranchers, homeowners, gardeners, pet enthusiasts and all those who enjoy living “life out here” — is planning to open a new store at 3581 W. Columbia St. in Whitehall Township.
The new store will be located just off MacArthur Road (Route 145), near Weis Markets.
A soft opening will be held on Jan. 3, and a grand opening will be held on Jan. 10, a Tractor Supply Company spokesperson said.
Special features of the new location will include a pet wash, garden center and feed center, the spokesperson said. Read more here.
Tractor Supply Co. Storefront
By PORTER-CABLE, Tractor Supply Company
‘I want people to feel at home’: Whitehall woman fulfills dream with new Lehigh Valley cafe
ALLENTOWN, Pa. – A new cozy spot for specialty drinks and hand-crafted sweet and savory treats “made with love and creativity” is welcoming guests in Lehigh County.
The Cozy Crumbs Cafe, a cafe serving specialty coffee drinks, authentic Mediterranean pastries, bubble tea and more, held a soft opening on Thursday at 21 N. Seventh St. in downtown Allentown.
The cafe, owned and operated by Tala Madanat of Whitehall Township, occupies an updated ArtsWalk space that previously housed The Hive, a market showcasing hand-crafted items from than 130 Lehigh Valley area vendors, which expanded operations with a larger location at Promenade Saucon Valley earlier this year. Read more.
Ryan Kneller
Allentown restaurant relaunches with new chef, cuisine and redesigned dining and bar areas
ALLENTOWN, Pa. – A staple of downtown Allentown’s dining scene has undergone a refresh just shy of its 11th birthday.
The Dime, the signature restaurant inside the Renaissance Allentown Hotel in downtown Allentown, has relaunched with a new culinary concept — elevated American cuisine — led by its newly appointed director of culinary and restaurant operations Nick Vogel, according to a news release.
The restaurant’s refreshed direction includes expanded regional sourcing along with redesigned dining, bar and event spaces to serve hotel guests, local residents, visitors and eventgoers at the connected PPL Center. Full story here.
The Dime in Allentown has a new lounge.
The Dime
New Lehigh Valley children’s gym to support physical, cognitive and social development
L. MACUNGIE TWP., Pa. – A new facility in Lehigh County will help kids build the developmental skills and confidence needed at each stage of childhood.
The Little Gym, a premier children’s enrichment and physical development center, is set to officially open on Dec. 15 at 6900 Hamilton Blvd., Unit 29, in the Trexlertown section of Lower Macungie Township, according to a news release.
Preview classes began earlier this month.
The facility aims to offer “serious fun” while supporting children’s physical, cognitive and social development, the release states. Read more here.
The Little Gym of Trexlertown is located at 6900 Hamilton Blvd., Unit 29.
Ryan Kneller
Berks County buzzNew Berks County eatery serving up Philly-style cheesesteaks, hoagies and more
MUHLENBERG TWP., Pa. – A new family-owned restaurant is “bringing the taste of Philly to Reading.”
Philly Style Subs, serving up Philadelphia-style cheesesteaks, hoagies, breakfast sandwiches and more, opened Nov. 14 at 3400 Plaza Drive in Muhlenberg Township, Berks County.
The eatery occupies space that previously housed Jimbo’s Steaks and Hoagies, which closed in October following the owners’ retirement.
Philly Style Subs offers “a real taste of Philadelphia,” according to its logo, and a wall mural depicts Philadelphia scenes, including the Center City skyline, Rocky statue, LOVE Park’s LOVE statue and Philadelphia professional sports teams’ mascots, including Phillie Phanatic, Gritty, Swoop and Franklin the Dog. Read more.
Philly Style Subs
Unique, family-owned Leesport antique store operates out of former car dealership
LEESPORT, Pa. – A family-owned antique store with a unique history sits along Route 61 in Leesport.
The building has been in the family for decades and used to be a car dealership.
“We bought it in ’64. I’ve been here 60 years,” said Faye L. Dundore, owner of Leesport Antique Mart.
Dundore, 91, says she deals with all the seasons but right now the store feels like a magical Christmas wonderland. Full story here.
IHRA acquires Maple Grove Raceway in Berks County
BRECKNOCK TWP., Pa. – The International Hot Rod Association (IHRA) announced today its acquisition of Berks County’s Maple Grove Raceway, a destination for drag racing enthusiasts far and wide.
IHRA officials say this marks a significant milestone for the sport.
Established in the early 1960s, Maple Grove is nationally recognized as one of the fastest and most respected drag racing venues in the United States.
Under the leadership of the Koretsky family, the track’s heritage has been well preserved while positioning the location for long-term growth. Officials say the Koretskys will continue to play an active role throughout the transition and in guiding Maple Grove’s future direction. Read more here.
Seasonal, holiday happeningsFirst-ever Saint Nick’s Shopping Spectacular lights up Phillipsburg community spirit
PHILLIPSBURG, N.J. – Holiday spirit took over Phillipsburg Thursday night, as Sullivan’s Mercantile held the first ever Saint Nick’s Shopping Spectacular.
The event held at Shappell Park brought together vendors, shoppers, and entertainment.
“Our little village that we have at our storefront, we have a lot of vendors, and we just thought it would be wonderful to bring them all together and the word spread to other vendors and everybody just joined everybody,” Mack Sullivan, owner of Sullivan’s Mercantile says.
Organizers say giving back is at the heart of the event. Proceeds and donations will be given to the local 4 The Kids community youth outreach group. Read more.
Musical in Bethlehem brings some Christmas magic to Lehigh Valley
BETHLEHEM, Pa. – The holiday spirit is taking center stage in Bethlehem Wednesday, as Miracle on 34th Street – the musical – kicks off at the Wind Creek Event Center.
69 News Reporter Sydney Kay was there with a look at the show that’s bringing Christmas magic to the Lehigh Valley.
The show, which kicked off Wednesday and continues through Sunday in Bethlehem, is about a girl, Susan Walker, who was raised not to believe in Santa Claus or magic.
The real Kris kringle teaches the girl and her mom how to see the love, magic, and healing in Christmas. Full story here.
‘Dear Santa’ store on Main Street Bethlehem delights visitors with unique handcrafted holiday gifts
BETHLEHEM, Pa. – Nestled in the Christmas City is a little shop devoted to everything holly and jolly. The store, Dear Santa, not only allows visitors to shop for unique holiday gifts, but enjoy a Christmas experience.
It is owned by Santa himself. Manager Karen Dodge said, “My brother-in-law has been the Christmas City Santa in this area for about seven years now and every Christmas he talked to our family about opening a Christmas store.”
That dream finally came through when the perfect spot on Main Street opened up right across from Hotel Bethlehem. Dodge said, “He jumped on it.” Read more here.
‘We’re beyond excited’: Ski resort in Poconos kicks off season Friday, as it celebrates its 50th anniversary
SMITHFIELD TWP., Pa. – The cold weather is creating perfect skiing conditions in the Poconos, giving one resort the green light for its season opener.
69 News Reporter Sydney Kay stopped by Smithfield Township and has more with how Mother Nature is helping Shawnee Mountain ring in its 50th anniversary.
A freezing chill is in the air at Shawnee Mountain and it’s welcomed with open arms.
“We do like the cold!,” said Josh Urciuoli, the Operations Manager at Shawnee Mountain Ski Area. Read more.
Winter sports enthusiasts flock to Bear Creek Mountain Resort
LONGSWAMP TWP., Pa – Don’t tell her teachers, but somebody is missing from class.
“I love the terrain park here. I love the jumps, the trails here. It’s not that bad of a drive. Skip school and try to get some jumps in,” said Vanessa Larosa, a snowboarder.
She’s not alone, as fellow winter sports enthusiasts fill the slopes at Bear Creek Mountain Resort in Longswamp Township to ski, snowboard and have fun in the snow and cold, bitter weather. Full story here.