{"id":117642,"date":"2026-02-19T01:47:10","date_gmt":"2026-02-19T01:47:10","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-pa\/117642\/"},"modified":"2026-02-19T01:47:10","modified_gmt":"2026-02-19T01:47:10","slug":"lehigh-valley-restaurateur-to-open-new-dining-establishment-at-former-tgi-fridays-site-eat-sip-shop","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-pa\/117642\/","title":{"rendered":"Lehigh Valley restaurateur to open new dining establishment at former TGI Fridays site | Eat, Sip, Shop"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>ALLENTOWN, Pa. \u2013 Freshly prepared eats and drinks will return to a prominent restaurant site in Lehigh County.<\/p>\n<p>Lehigh Valley restaurateur Donny Petridis has signed a lease for 395 S. Cedar Crest Blvd. in Allentown.<\/p>\n<p>The freestanding building, in The Shops at Cedar Point, was previously home to a TGI Fridays restaurant, which <a href=\"https:\/\/www.wfmz.com\/features\/eat-sip-shop\/difficult-decision-tgi-fridays-only-lehigh-county-location-permanently-closes\/article_5746560e-85b9-11ef-a48c-eb020b2a641f.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">closed in 2024<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>Petridis, who owns and operates The Shelby restaurant in Lower Macungie Township, has plans to open a new, yet-to-be-decided dining concept at the Allentown property.<\/p>\n<p>                        <img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"data:image\/png;base64,iVBORw0KGgoAAAANSUhEUgAAAAQAAAADCAQAAAAe\/WZNAAAAEElEQVR42mM8U88ABowYDABAxQPltt5zqAAAAABJRU5ErkJggg==\" alt=\"tgi fridays 3.jpg\" class=\"img-responsive lazyload full blur\" width=\"1898\" height=\"1092\" data- data-\/><\/p>\n<p>             <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-pa\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/69964dbd0ecd8.image.jpg\" alt=\"\" aria-hidden=\"true\" loading=\"lazy\" height=\"115\" width=\"200\"\/><\/p>\n<p>A building that previously housed a TGI Fridays restaurant is pictured in The Shops at Cedar Point at 395 S. Cedar Crest Blvd. in Allentown.<\/p>\n<p>                                    Ryan Kneller<\/p>\n<p>It would be a brand-new concept and not a second location of The Shelby.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cWe\u2019re working through concepts and plans of what we\u2019re going to do,\u201d Petridis told 69 News. \u201cSo, we haven\u2019t quite decided yet.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Petridis is a seasoned restaurateur, who\u2019s launched a variety of well-known, full-service concepts in the area over the past 20-plus years.<\/p>\n<p>He is a co-founder and former co-owner of Blue in Bethlehem Township and Melt in Upper Saucon Township, and he also was the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.wfmz.com\/business\/restaurant-announced-as-first-tenant-at-two-city-center-in-allentown\/article_7b359515-3aa9-5fbc-ac34-5e71fd0d07fa.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">original owner of the former Hamilton Kitchen &amp; Bar<\/a> in downtown Allentown.<\/p>\n<p>In 2017, Petridis opened The Shelby, a new American restaurant with the tagline of \u201ceat drink cheers,\u201d at 707 N. Krocks Road Suite 104 in Lower Macungie.<\/p>\n<p>                        <img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"data:image\/png;base64,iVBORw0KGgoAAAANSUhEUgAAAAQAAAADCAQAAAAe\/WZNAAAAEElEQVR42mM8U88ABowYDABAxQPltt5zqAAAAABJRU5ErkJggg==\" alt=\"shelby.jpg\" class=\"img-responsive lazyload full blur\" width=\"2004\" height=\"1034\" data- data-\/><\/p>\n<p>             <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-pa\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/69964df2a1735.image.jpg\" alt=\"\" aria-hidden=\"true\" loading=\"lazy\" height=\"103\" width=\"200\"\/><\/p>\n<p>The Shelby, a new American restaurant with the tagline of \u201ceat drink cheers,\u201d opened in 2017 at 707 N. Krocks Road Suite 104 in Lower Macungie Township.<\/p>\n<p>                                    Ryan Kneller<\/p>\n<p>The Shelby, located at the Hamilton Crossings shopping center, invites guests to enjoy a fresh take on beloved American classics, where global influences and farm-fresh local ingredients come together to create memorable dining experiences.<\/p>\n<p>Lunch and dinner highlights include starters such as house-cured wings, pomodoro mussels, beef birria poutine and roasted cauliflower fritters; salads such as beet, Greek, roasted broccoli and kale and squash; and sandwiches such as a hot crispy chicken, beer battered cod, turkey burger and Shelby burger (two 4-ounce beef patties, Shelby sauce, American cheese, lettuce, tomato, onions and pickles on a brioche bun).<\/p>\n<p>A dozen main-course selections include pan-seared salmon, 16-ounce ribeye, bone-in pork chop, Italian sausage rigatoni and coconut tofu curry, among others.<\/p>\n<p>Guests also can enjoy weekend brunch, with options such as churro French toast, strawberry shortcake waffle, lobster and asparagus Benedict, short rib hash, morning ramen and a breakfast chimichanga.<\/p>\n<p>In 2024, The Shelby added a new, expansive outdoor dining area featuring lush greenery and a portion that can be enclosed during cold months.<\/p>\n<p>                        <img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"data:image\/png;base64,iVBORw0KGgoAAAANSUhEUgAAAAQAAAADCAQAAAAe\/WZNAAAAEElEQVR42mM8U88ABowYDABAxQPltt5zqAAAAABJRU5ErkJggg==\" alt=\"shelby 3.jpg\" class=\"img-responsive lazyload full blur\" width=\"2078\" height=\"998\" data- data-\/><\/p>\n<p>             <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-pa\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/69964fa6e9bfa.image.jpg\" alt=\"\" aria-hidden=\"true\" loading=\"lazy\" height=\"96\" width=\"200\"\/><\/p>\n<p>The Shelby, a new American restaurant with the tagline of \u201ceat drink cheers,\u201d opened in 2017 at 707 N. Krocks Road Suite 104 in Lower Macungie Township.<\/p>\n<p>                                    Ryan Kneller<\/p>\n<p>\u201cWith its cozy atmosphere, friendly staff, and a menu bursting with mouthwatering dishes, it&#8217;s the perfect place to unwind and savor a delightful meal,\u201d reads a restaurant description. \u201cOur diverse menu caters to every palate, whether you&#8217;re looking for a leisurely dinner with loved ones, a quick lunch catch-up with friends, or a solo meal at the bar.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>In Allentown, Petridis\u2019 new restaurant is in its early stages.<\/p>\n<p>Renovations have not yet started at the former TGI Fridays spot, and Petridis is unsure when the new establishment would debut.<\/p>\n<p>Still, he\u2019s eager to bring a new dining concept to the Lehigh Valley.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cWe\u2019re very excited that we have it,\u201d Petridis said in regard to the Allentown property.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cWe think it\u2019s a great location for another concept, and we\u2019re working through everything as we speak to come up with a concept that we believe will work very well in that area.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>                        <img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"data:image\/png;base64,iVBORw0KGgoAAAANSUhEUgAAAAQAAAADCAQAAAAe\/WZNAAAAEElEQVR42mM8U88ABowYDABAxQPltt5zqAAAAABJRU5ErkJggg==\" alt=\"tgi fridays.jpg\" class=\"img-responsive lazyload full blur\" width=\"1994\" height=\"1040\" data- data-\/><\/p>\n<p>             <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-pa\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/69964dbf70d09.image.jpg\" alt=\"\" aria-hidden=\"true\" loading=\"lazy\" height=\"104\" width=\"200\"\/><\/p>\n<p>A building that previously housed a TGI Fridays restaurant is pictured in The Shops at Cedar Point at 395 S. Cedar Crest Blvd. in Allentown.<\/p>\n<p>                                    Ryan Kneller<\/p>\n<p>A reference to the forthcoming restaurant <a href=\"https:\/\/www.wfmz.com\/news\/area\/lehighvalley\/lehigh-county\/allentown-area\/liquor-license-requested-for-former-tgi-friday-s-property-in-lehigh-county\/article_39831b02-d077-480a-bf0a-b4a8f8d413c8.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">came a couple of weeks ago at the Feb. 4 Allentown City Council meeting<\/a>, where Council President Santo Napoli announced that the city had received a request for the transfer of a liquor license to The Felix Restaurant LLC at 395 S. Cedar Crest Blvd., the former TGI Fridays location.<\/p>\n<p>A public hearing on the liquor license transfer has been scheduled for 6 p.m. March 4, which will be followed by a regular City Council meeting where a decision is expected.<\/p>\n<p>The former Allentown location of TGI Fridays opened as part of the Shops at Cedar Point\u2019s debut in 1996.<\/p>\n<p>The shopping center is home to other restaurants and foodie hot spots, including Bamboo Asian Cuisine &amp; Sushi Bar, Pho*Nom1nal Vietnamese Cuisine, Pines Dinner Theatre and Menchies.<\/p>\n<p>                        <img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"data:image\/png;base64,iVBORw0KGgoAAAANSUhEUgAAAAQAAAADCAQAAAAe\/WZNAAAAEElEQVR42mM8U88ABowYDABAxQPltt5zqAAAAABJRU5ErkJggg==\" alt=\"zahra 2.jpg\" class=\"img-responsive lazyload full blur\" width=\"1933\" height=\"1073\" data- data-\/><\/p>\n<p>             <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-pa\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/6994c11dc0c3b.image.jpg\" alt=\"\" aria-hidden=\"true\" loading=\"lazy\" height=\"111\" width=\"200\"\/><\/p>\n<p>Zahra, a Middle Eastern\/Mediterranean concept, is <a href=\"https:\/\/www.wfmz.com\/features\/eat-sip-shop\/after-downtown-allentown-markets-closure-popular-eatery-to-find-new-life-at-new-location\/article_c3cfbc8d-dfeb-47a0-800d-2b4f6e3d4bd1.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">expected to open at the shopping center in March<\/a>, and a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.wfmz.com\/news\/area\/lehighvalley\/lehigh-county\/allentown-area\/drive-thru-only-coffee-shop-gets-plan-approval-on-former-boston-market-site\/article_d9fd869c-1a70-48a7-8e72-8edb161f5c36.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">Seven Brew Coffee drive-thru coffee shop is also planned<\/a>.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"ALLENTOWN, Pa. \u2013 Freshly prepared eats and drinks will return to a prominent restaurant site in Lehigh County.&hellip;\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":117643,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[10],"tags":[119,121,120,55868,55869,977,433,157,55870,976,51047,55872,55871],"class_list":{"0":"post-117642","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-allentown","8":"tag-allentown","9":"tag-allentown-headlines","10":"tag-allentown-news","11":"tag-donny-petridis","12":"tag-felix-restaurant-llc","13":"tag-food-and-dining","14":"tag-lehigh-county","15":"tag-lehigh-valley","16":"tag-lehigh-valley-restaurateur","17":"tag-restaurant","18":"tag-tgi-fridays","19":"tag-the-shelby","20":"tag-the-shops-at-cedar-point"},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-pa\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/117642","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-pa\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-pa\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-pa\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-pa\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=117642"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-pa\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/117642\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-pa\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/117643"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-pa\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=117642"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-pa\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=117642"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-pa\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=117642"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}