![\"The](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-pa\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/STT-L-GOODNESSBOWLS-022326-02.jpg\")
The future Goodness Bowls location at 434 Lackawanna Ave. in downtown Scranton on Monday, Feb. 23, 2026. (REBECCA PARTICKA\/STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER)\nGoodness Bowls opening in Scranton<\/p>\n
The local restaurant scene is heating up with new restaurants opening or moving to new locations. But nothing is hotter right now than the hot chicken trend.<\/p>\n
New businesses
\nThree hot chicken restaurants open in Luzerne County<\/p>\n
Shams Hot Chicken\u2019s opening of a new location in Kingston on Feb. 1 was so anticipated that people camped out to be the first to experience it \u2014 helped along by a raffle of a PlayStation video game system, 55-inch TV, cash and other gift cards.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s going really well. We constantly have many customers. Every single day, it\u2019s been pretty packed,\u201d 21-year-old owner Shams Said said.<\/p>\n
This success could be expected as the business did so well since its opening last year in the Sunoco Gas station at Wyoming Avenue and Northampton Street in Kingston that this larger location had to be found at the former Dagwood\u2019s Deli at 418 Market St., Kingston.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s unique. The flavor is what matters and the experience we try to give them,\u201d Said said of his recipes. \u201cI try to make every platter look in a way I would want to eat it, too, and it goes out picture perfect.\u201d Said explained he makes his chicken featuring a unique Pakistani flavor with a variety of levels of spice from mild to inferno.<\/p>\n
Tariq Shah, who also is opening a hot chicken sandwich shop in Luzerne County, noted, \u201cHot chicken is very popular in Wilkes-Barre and in places like New Jersey and New York.\u201d<\/p>\n
His Asad\u2019s Hot Chicken is opening in March in the Wilkes Plaza at 200 Wilkes-Barre Twp. Blvd., Wilkes-Barre Twp., in the former Little Mexico storefront.<\/p>\n
Shah has a lot of experience in the chicken business as a former longtime employee of Crown Fried Chicken on South Main Street in Wilkes-Barre and opening his own location on the Sans Souci Parkway in Hanover Twp. in fall 2020. Now he is throwing his hat in the ring with a hot chicken location.<\/p>\n
\u201cWilkes Barre Twp. is a busy location. We think we will have a good response,\u201d Shah said.<\/p>\n
Mike\u2019s Hot Chicken, which opened Super Bowl Sunday at 295 Wyoming Ave., Wyoming, is seeing its share of success as well.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe just wanted to sell a few sandwiches a day. It turned into 100s overnight,\u201d the restaurant posted on Facebook recently. \u201cThank you NEPA for the chance to serve you right.\u201d<\/p>\n
Mike\u2019s Hot Chicken, which has been offering several promotions since its opening, including gift card giveaways and hosting a wing contest, points to frying in 100% beef tallow for added favor and specialty offerings like chicken and waffles as features that set it apart from other restaurants.<\/p>\n
These three Luzerne County restaurants join national chain Dave\u2019s Hot Chicken, which opened at 700 Commerce Boulevard in Dickson City in May 2025.<\/p>\n
The future Goodness Bowls location at 434 Lackawanna Ave. in downtown Scranton on Monday, Feb. 23, 2026. (REBECCA PARTICKA\/STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER)
\nGoodness Bowls opening in Scranton<\/p>\n
If you are looking for something on the lighter side, your wait is almost over, as Goodness Bowls is set to open in late March at 434 Lackawanna Ave., Scranton.<\/p>\n
Jeff and Erin Costanzo, of Clarks Summit, discovered Goodness Bowls on vacations to Avalon, New Jersey, and liked it so much they asked its operators if they were interested in expanding to the Scranton area. The business already has locations in Greater Philadelphia along with the flagship store in New Jersey.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe\u2019re hoping to fill a need,\u201d Jeff said. \u201cI feel like there is a big desire for healthy foods, and I feel like options are really limited, especially in the downtown area. We\u2019re hoping to provide more natural, healthy, lighter eating options.\u201d<\/p>\n
Jeff teased the possibility of opening additional locations in the area \u2014 potentially Dickson City, Clarks Summit or Honesdale \u2014 depending on the response in Scranton.<\/p>\n
Goodness Bowls specializes in a variety of smoothies along with a\u00e7ai, pitaya, banana, green, coconut and specialty bowls; salads and wraps and specialty coffees.<\/p>\n
Italian Pub Meatball & More opens two locations<\/p>\n
A taste of Italy is coming to Northeast Pennsylvania through two new eateries in Lackawanna County.<\/p>\n
Benny Dzurlic opened Italian Pub Meatball & More at 414 Biden St. in downtown Scranton in early February and plans to open a second location at 978 Main St., Blakely, in March.<\/p>\n
The restaurants will offer four types of homemade meatballs \u2014 beef, pork and beef, seafood and vegetarian \u2014 served with a choice of marinara, spicy tomato, mushroom sherry wine cr\u00e8me or vodka sauce with penne, rigatoni or linguine. Dinners cost $14 to $18. Pasta and chicken dishes, as well as fresh clams and seafood, also are on the menu.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m just looking to give something to the people that is a little more cost effective. Good food and at a reasonable price, so they\u2019re more comfortable going out,\u201d said Dzurlic, a restauranter for more than 30 years who also operates Scranton restaurants Catch 21 Seafood & Steak, Sambuca Italian Grille & Bar, and Mangia Bistro & Bar.<\/p>\n
Cilantro Bar and Grill opens in Hazle Twp.<\/p>\n
Cilantro Bar and Grill, which opened Feb. 12 at 620 Hillside Dr., Hazle Twp., offers fine dinning with an international flair.<\/p>\n
The restaurant boasts a multi-cultural menu with items from around the world, designed by 30-year chef Carmelo Maria, who descends from the Dominican Republic. Dishes include grilled octopus, handmade gnocchi and churrasco skirt steak and more. There also is an extensive list of drinks and cocktails, paired with a tapas menu, prepared by Jose Fetterolf, general manager and bartender with 38 years of experience.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt was important to my brother and me that we give a great restaurant option to the Latino community here,\u201d said Yhoandy Del Jesus, one of the owners of Cilantro alongside his brother, Alver. \u201cWe saw there was a real hunger for high-end cultural food in Hazleton, and we think we\u2019ll be ready to fill it.\u201d<\/p>\n
Del Jesus hopes the restaurant becomes a place for the community to gather, where guest can relax in the art deco dinning room.<\/p>\n
\u201cOn Friday and Saturday evenings, this place will be a lounge for people to unwind in. Then, on weekend mornings, we\u2019ll be open with a brunch menu for people to start the day with us, too.\u201d<\/p>\n
Toastee Bagels expands to Lackawanna County<\/p>\n
A new eatery serving made-from-scratch, boiled and baked Jersey-style bagels will provide another breakfast and lunch option in the Abingtons.<\/p>\n
Neil Patel \u2014 who launched a Toastee Bagels location along Route 315 in Plains Twp. in January \u2014 intends to open the South Abington Twp. store on Northern Boulevard at the former Rainbow Market site by late May or early June.<\/p>\n
In addition to about a dozen varieties of bagels, ranging from plain to blueberry and jalape\u00f1o cheddar, the business also features many spread flavors, including strawberry, scallion, vegetable, lox and cinnamon raisin. It also serves breakfast sandwiches.<\/p>\n
Patel, who opened his first store in 1996 in New Jersey, said Toastee Bagels is a family-run business as his wife, Stephanie, a Catawissa area native, and their two older daughters, Zoe and Mercedes, prove critical to the operation. He hopes his son, Jaxson, 12, will express interest in helping out down the road.<\/p>\n
Patel owns a bagel shop in Mountain Top that will eventually convert to the Toastee Bagels brand and he plans to open a a Toastee Bagels in the Dallas\/Shavertown area later this year.<\/p>\n
Location changes and comebacks
\nGhigiarelli\u2019s plans to reopen in Old Forge<\/p>\n
There are plans to reopen Ghigiarelli\u2019s Restaurant, the popular Old Forge staple that closed nearly 10 years ago.<\/p>\n
The planned reopening marks not just the return of an eatery serving up its signature pizza and other Italian food, but the overcoming of a history marked by the 2017 murder of the family\u2019s beloved patriarch Robert Baron, which forced the restaurant\u2019s closure.<\/p>\n
The case remained unsolved until Justin Schuback was arrested in March 2023, after authorities cracked the case with cellphone data that showed his phone at key locations at the time of Baron\u2019s murder. A jury convicted Schuback of first degree murder, burglary and robbery in connection with the killing.<\/p>\n
No date has been set for the reopening, which the family announced recently on Facebook.<\/p>\n
\u201cThank you for your continuous support throughout the years even while we\u2019ve been closed! Keep an eye out for updates on an opening date for take out,\u201d the post read.<\/p>\n
Ace Hardware returns to Hanover Mall<\/p>\n
Ace Hardware will return to the Hanover Mall along the Sans Souci Parkway in Hanover Twp. in April. A R&H Ace Hardware store operated in the mall for several years before closing in January 2013.<\/p>\n
The newest Gerrity\u2019s Ace Hardware will be the seventh franchise opened in the region by the Fasula family, which also owns and operates Gerrity\u2019s Supermarkets in the area, including one in the Hanover Mall a few storefronts down from the new hardware store. Other Gerrity\u2019s hardware stores are located in Carbondale, Clarks Summit, Peckville, Scranton, Shavertown and West Pittston.<\/p>\n
\u200bThe 16,000-square-foot store is in the location occupied by Goodwill for several years. The Goodwill store is relocating to a nearby long vacant storefront once occupied by Weis Markets.<\/p>\n
The hardware store is tentatively scheduled to open on April 6, with a grand opening celebration planned for later in the month.<\/p>\n
\u201cMy favorite part of opening a new store is when we do the ribbon cutting, we do it hardware store-style. We get a two-by-four, paint it red, and cut it with a chainsaw,\u201d said Joe Fasula, owner of Gerrity\u2019s Ace Hardware.<\/p>\n
Adelina\u2019s closing Wilkes-Barre eatery, returning to Mountain Top<\/p>\n
Adelina\u2019s Restaurant and Pizzeria, which has operated in a temporary location in Best Western Plus Genetti Hotel and Conference Center in Wilkes-Barre for the past several months, is returning to its original location in Mountain Top.<\/p>\n
A May 2025 fire forced the popular Wright Twp. eatery to close and Gus Genetti, a longtime customer, offered space in his downtown hotel until the owners could rebuild.<\/p>\n
\u201cSince being in Wilkes-Barre, we have met so many amazing new friends and they already have become family. We have been blessed to serve them over these past few months,\u201d the owners said in a post on the restaurant\u2019s Facebook page.<\/p>\n
Adelina\u2019s last day in Wilkes-Barre will be March 14. Gift cards not redeemed in Wilkes-Barre will be accepted at the Mountain Top location.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe can\u2019t wait to see everyone back on the mountain,\u201d the owners said. \u201cAnd to all of our new Wilkes-Barre friends, we truly hope to see you on the mountain as well.\u201d<\/p>\n
Januzzi\u2019s closes Exeter location, plans to open elsewhere<\/p>\n
Januzzi\u2019s Pizza, which operated a shop at 1100 Wyoming Ave. in Exeter for 20 years, closed the day after Valentine\u2019s Day, giving customers one last chance to get the shop\u2019s popular heart-shaped pizza.<\/p>\n
\u201cSome things just aren\u2019t meant for forever. After spending 20 business years on Wyoming Avenue, we will be moving,\u201d the shop posted on Facebook.<\/p>\n
Januzzi\u2019s plans to reopen in the area but a new location hasn\u2019t been announced. Januzzi\u2019s also operates shops in Wilkes-Barre and Mountain Top.<\/p>\n
Former Brunetti\u2019s deli in Green Ridge getting new operator<\/p>\n
A recently posted Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board placard at the former Brunetti\u2019s Pizza and Deli on Sanderson Avenue in Green Ridge says a transfer of the establishment\u2019s liquor license to One Kripa LLC is underway for an \u201ceating place\u201d there.<\/p>\n
Brunetti\u2019s had long been a Green Ridge mainstay and landmark, having celebrated 62 years days before the COVID-19 pandemic spurred a statewide business shutdown. Brunetti\u2019s later did some front-door pickups but never fully reopened, ultimately closing in July 2020.<\/p>\n
Later, Dutchie\u2019s, a take-away business offering subs and pizza, operated at the location under Scranton-native Jim Mayer before closing in November 2025<\/p>\n
Efforts to reach One Kripa LLC were not immediately unsuccessful.<\/p>\n
Closings
\nEddie Bower closing in Wilkes-Barre Twp.<\/p>\n
Eddie Bauer in the Arena Hub Plaza is closing after the retail operator filed for bankruptcy last month. An employee said closure was set for April but may be earlier depending on the amount of inventory remaining. Signs say gift cards must be used by March 12.<\/p>\n
The operator of roughly 180 stores across the U.S. and Canada filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection, blaming declining sales, according to the Associated Press.<\/p>\n
While the store continues operation it is offering sales of at least 40% to 60% off.<\/p>\n
Two Gals Pizza & Subs closes in Wilkes-Barre<\/p>\n
Super Bowl Sunday was the final day of business for Two Gals Pizza & Subs, located at 171 E. Main St. in Wilkes-Barre.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe want to thank every one of our customers that supported us over 31 years. The time had come to retire and maybe begin a new journey. It was a hard decision, but it\u2019s a bittersweet ending,\u201d the owners said in a post on Facebook.<\/p>\n
Wilkes-Barre Councilman Bill Barrett said the shop has been in the neighborhood as long as he can remember.<\/p>\n
\u201cEvery time I drive by, there are always cars there with people getting takeouts,\u201d Barrett said. \u201cThey have good pizza, good stromboli; everything they make is good. They\u2019re going to be missed.\u201d<\/p>\n
Owner Karen Halliday didn\u2019t immediately return requests for comment<\/p>\n
![\"Owner](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-pa\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/STT-L-FLORAL-0228-01.jpg\")
Owner Bern Giovannucci at her store B\u2019s Floral Design in downtown Scranton on Friday, Feb. 27, 2026. (REBECCA PARTICKA\/STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER)
\nB\u2019s Floral Design closing in Scranton<\/p>\n
B\u2019s Floral Design on Penn Avenue in Scranton is closing.<\/p>\n
Owner Bern Giovannucci, 74, decided to retire to travel, enjoy hobbies and spend time with family after being a part of so many other families\u2019 holidays, weddings,\u00a0 graduations and other celebrations.<\/p>\n
\u201cI get to know their names and I get to know the person. And then when you see their face coming in, they\u2019re smiling and they\u2019re happy,\u201d Giovannucci said. \u201cKnowing that you just made somebody\u2019s day, that\u2019s the best part of this job.\u201d<\/p>\n
Giovannucci got her start working at Greg Novak Floral Design, learning the business and ultimately taking over in 2005 and renaming it B\u2019s Floral Design. During that time, she has been very active in the community, creating a golden broom that was passed from businesses to business as an award for keeping their businesses in pristine condition, noted Leslie Collins, president and CEO of Scranton Tomorrow.<\/p>\n
Giovannucci is having a retirement sale offering deals on vases, candles and season decoration and other shop items until around mid-March.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"The local restaurant scene is heating up with new restaurants opening or moving to new locations. But nothing…\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":136184,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[15],"tags":[18056,18057,201,803,28,178,180,179],"class_list":["post-136183","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-scranton","tag-biz570","tag-biz570-news","tag-lackawanna-county","tag-luzerne-county","tag-pennsylvania","tag-scranton","tag-scranton-headlines","tag-scranton-news"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-pa\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/136183","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=136183"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-pa\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/136183\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-pa\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/136184"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-pa\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=136183"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-pa\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=136183"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-pa\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=136183"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}