Jennifer O’Neill is trading her corporate software sales career for something more personal: opening Circle Cafe on Main in a historic stone building at the heart of Nazareth’s Center Square.
The longtime Nazareth resident purchased the property at 2 N. Main St. and is converting the former salon into a cozy cafe inspired by European establishments.
O’Neill hopes to open by Christmas with what she calls a soft launch.
“It was everything I never knew I always wanted,” O’Neill said about discovering the historic building. “The windows, the views, the aesthetics of the building just spoke to me. I knew this was the place.”
The career change came after more than 20 years in corporate software sales and was sparked by a family trip to Europe and O’Neill’s desire for more meaningful work. The building’s location across from the Moravian Church and near community landmarks like the post office and farmers’ market made it ideal for a cafe.
O’Neill secured financing through an SBA loan arranged by Lehigh Financial Group LLC, with Jeff Barber guiding her through the process.
The cafe will feature what O’Neill describes as a “boho, historic vibe” with deep peacock walls, a velvet couch, and natural lighting. She plans minimal structural changes while adding new flooring, fresh paint, and a fully equipped kitchen with a convection oven, commercial refrigerator, and other professional-grade appliances.
Circle Cafe on Main will serve homemade quiches, soups, flatbreads, and pastries, plus convenient take-home dinners. The menu will exclude deep-fried items and include deli-style pasta and potato salads inspired by O’Neill’s New Jersey roots. Beverages will feature seasonal homemade iced teas, lemonade, and coffee brewed from Electric City Roasting beans.
“It’s about high-quality, convenient food that brings people together,” O’Neill said. “I want it to be a place where people feel at home, whether they’re stopping in for a quick lunch or spending an afternoon with friends.”
Renovation began last week, with A&E Drafting overseeing the buildout and managing subcontractors. O’Neill hopes to complete construction in time for the town’s holiday celebrations.
“Opening by Christmas is the dream,” she said. “It would be amazing to open our doors when the town lights the tree and welcome people in for coffee and warmth.”
Updates on the cafe’s progress will be available through the Circle Cafe on Main Facebook page.
Generative AI was used to structure and organize information for this story, based on data provided by Lehigh Financial Group LLC. It was reviewed and edited by lehighvalleylive.com staff.
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