![\"Chris,](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-pa\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/CVC-L-JUICED-0503-4.jpg\")
Chris, left, and Bill Kroski, Co-Owners of Juiced Fuel NEPA. (JASON ARDAN \/ STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER)
\n![\"Scott](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-pa\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/HZS-L-fineline-0508-05_5cf14d.jpg\")
Scott Wagner, Brant Morris, Brian Wolford and Jason Edmonds of Fine Line Homes in the new design studio at 596 Susquehanna Blvd. on Thursday, May 7, 20206. (John Haeger \/ Staff Photographer)<\/p>\n
Several new businesses have launched in the region, offering everything from ice cream and cupcakes, to hot dogs and Mexican food, coffee and spirits, and gasoline and home building products.<\/p>\n
Cocktails from CK\u2019s Cantina in Dallas now come in ready-to-drink cans<\/p>\n
A Dallas eatery, which began offering margaritas to go during its COVID closure and transition to takeout, is turning the practice into a new business.<\/p>\n
\u201cPeople were coming just for that \u2014 margaritas to go,\u201d Cody Kyttle, an owner of CK\u2019s Cantina and Grill recalled. \u201cPeople were coming up and buying them as fast as we could make them \u2014 $12 for a 24-ounce.\u201d<\/p>\n
Kyttle, 40, through a separate company, Kyttle\u2019s Cocktails, has launched a ready-to-drink canned version of his adult beverage, CK\u2019s Classic Margarita.<\/p>\n
He\u2019s joining a growing trend across the nation.<\/p>\n
The Distilled Spirits Council of the United States recently reported ready-to-drink cocktails, such as Surfside and High Noon, represent the fastest-growing product in the spirits category, with an \u201cimpressive\u201d 16.4% growth in sales last year. Sales of other spirits were down 2.2% collectively.<\/p>\n
\u201cConsumers are showing a strong preference for ready-to-drink cocktails because they\u2019re made with real spirits, offer great convenience and flavor, and include lower-alcohol options,\u201d Chris Swonger, president and CEO of the council, said in the group\u2019s annual report.<\/p>\n
Kyttle said the ingredients in the canned cocktail are nearly identical to what\u2019s used to make the popular margaritas at the restaurant.<\/p>\n
\u201cThere\u2019s no artificial sweetener. We use cane sugar. There is no artificial color. Everything is based on natural flavors,\u201d Kyttle said.<\/p>\n
The drink is manufactured and canned by a Hershey-based beverage company for Kyttle, based on his recipe.<\/p>\n
In addition to CK\u2019s Cantina, CK\u2019s Classic Margarita cans are now available to go at Lakeway Beverage in Lehman Twp., Wyoming Valley Beverage in Edwardsville, and Patrick\u2019s Foodmart in Lake Twp. Spare Time Pizza in Dallas sells them for in-house consumption. The list is likely to grow, Kyttle said, as sales have been very brisk.<\/p>\n
Borthwick brothers open new cidery in downtown Scranton<\/p>\n
Three brothers transformed a downtown Scranton property into a new cidery while preserving some of the city\u2019s past in the process.<\/p>\n
Tom, Mike and Alex Borthwick \u2014 through their firm Mod Real Estate LLC \u2014 purchased the building at 503 Linden St. in May 2024 for $500,000, according to a deed recorded in Lackawanna County.<\/p>\n
The location previously housed the Judge and Jury and the Irish Wolf Pub, and most recently an after-hours club.\u00a0 After opening the original Electric City Ciderworks location on South Main Street in Old Forge in July 2022, the Borthwick brothers turned their attention to downtown Scranton.<\/p>\n
Following extensive renovations, the brothers opened Electric City Ciderworks\u2019 Scranton location in April, Tom Borthwick said.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhen we bought it, the windows were shot out, the ceilings were collapsing, and there were leaks everywhere,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
In the renovation they kept classic features like exposed brick and utilized trim from the former Lincoln-Jackson Elementary School and slate chalkboards from the former John Marshall school.<\/p>\n
In addition to multiple ciders on tap throughout the year, the establishment also partners with several local breweries \u2014 including Groove Brewing and Mutant Brewing in Scranton, Pittston-based Blind Cat Beer Co., Scott Twp.-based Last Minute Brewing, and Palmyra Twp.-based Hopping Eagle Brewing Co., Borthwick said.<\/p>\n
Borthwick stated the ciders they offer differ from others served in the region and beyond.<\/p>\n
\u201cOur ciders run on the drier side. We use champagne yeast, so everything is going to be a little lighter and a little bit more bubbly than maybe what people are used to,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
Coney Island Lunch and new ice cream parlor set to open soon<\/p>\n
Nothing says summer like hot dogs and ice cream, so it\u2019s good news that developer John Basalyga soon plans to reopen the Coney Island Lunch building, 515 Lackawanna Ave., along with a new ice cream parlor next door.<\/p>\n
In 2023, Basalyga\u2019s JBAS Realty purchased the Coney Island Lunch property from C.I.L. Associates and Pete and Bob Ventura for $300,000. Basalyga also acquired the lot and outer western wall attached to the Coney Island Lunch building from the Scranton Redevelopment Authority. The Venturas, who ran the restaurant for nearly 50 years and had been involved much longer, decided to retire and closed the landmark shop in December 2023. Their grandfather Steve Karampilas launched the business on Cedar Avenue in 1923, and their stepfather, John Karampilas, moved the eatery to 515 Lackawanna Ave. in 1988.<\/p>\n
A new ice cream parlor, Raegan\u2019s, named after Basalyga\u2019s younger daughter, in a former vacant lot next door at 513 Lackawanna Ave., will add a new element to the longtime eatery.<\/p>\n
Basalyga envisions bright, vibrant signage outside the restaurant and ice cream parlor, similar to eateries in large metropolitan areas. But even as Basalyga adds modern touches to the restaurant, he remains committed to maintaining the character customers came to appreciate throughout the decades, including adding fabric awnings like the ones that once hung over the windows. Basalyga also stated the restaurant will feature a big counter, similar to the old design, just on the other side to create more space. He also purchased new red vinyl bar stools and booths to replicate the old ones, and designed a white-and-black checkerboard floor.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s going to have a really cool, old, authentic feel with really good vibes when you walk in the door,\u201d Basalyga said. \u201cHopefully you\u2019ll be transported to an early 1900s time.\u201d<\/p>\n
Both businesses are expected to open in late July.<\/p>\n
Reading & Northern Railroad launches its own coffee brand<\/p>\n
The hum of a locomotive will soon be paired with the aroma of coffee.<\/p>\n
Port Clinton-based Reading & Northern Railroad \u2014 which serves customers throughout Berks, Bradford, Carbon, Columbia, Lackawanna, Luzerne, Northumberland, Schuylkill and Wyoming counties and runs popular excursions to Jim Thorpe \u2014 welcomed more than 410,000 passengers in 2025 and recently announced a partnership with Berks County-based Firehouse Coffee to offer riders an added perk.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe\u2019re going to have a tasting tent set up in Jim Thorpe, and we\u2019ll have it available at our location there,\u201d said Russ Scianna Jr., administrative director for Reading & Northern Railroad\u2019s passenger department, adding the new enterprise began May 22. \u201cEventually, the idea is to roll it out to all the passenger trains we operate.\u201d<\/p>\n
Thus, Iron Horse Coffee Company was born.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe operate steam train trips that we call Iron Horse Rambles \u2014 which is a phrase that dates back to the days of the old Reading Company,\u201d Scianna said. \u201cThey operated steam-powered passenger trips in the 1960s, to various places, mostly in the coal regions.\u201d<\/p>\n
In 2022, Reading & Northern restored to operation one of the steam locomotives previously used on those trips, Scianna said.<\/p>\n
Described as distinctive, satisfying and easy to enjoy, railroad officials noted the Colombian coffee features a \u201cclean brightness upfront which unfolds into a smooth, medium body layered with notes of chocolate and toffee before finishing with a soft touch of vanilla.\u201d<\/p>\n
Iron Horse also will offer a decaffeinated option along with seasonal offerings that will rotate throughout the year.<\/p>\n
Drums ice cream shop opens second location<\/p>\n
Pecora\u2019s Creamery, a family-owned ice cream shop in Drums, held the grand opening of its second location on May 16.<\/p>\n
Situated at 588 Susquehanna Blvd., Hazle Twp., Pecora\u2019s expansion project is across the street from the Laurel Mall.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe\u2019re really happy with where the new location is located, in some ways it turned out better than we\u2019d hoped. Since it\u2019s along a main road and so close to the mall, we believe that it\u2019ll draw in a lot of street traffic,\u201d said Alexis Fellin, a manager at Pecora\u2019s Creamery. \u201cThe owners, Veronica and Tyler Pecora, have been wanting to expand for a while now, but have been waiting to see how well the Drums location did before committing.\u201d<\/p>\n
Pecora\u2019s Creamery opened its first location in Drums in 2019, then called the Milkhouse Creamery, and later opened a second in Berwick in 2021. In 2024, the Pecora family decided to sell the Berwick location and rebrand the Drums location as Pecora\u2019s.<\/p>\n
The new location was formerly the office of RWB Construction & Roofing, which later moved to 1350 N. Church St. Fellin said the Pecora family selected it for its proximity to the Laurel Mall.<\/p>\n
New restaurant planned for former Wilkes-Barre Friendly\u2019s<\/p>\n
A new Mexican restaurant is planned for the former Friendly\u2019s on Kidder Street near the Wyoming Valley Mall.<\/p>\n
The owners of the Burrito Loco Mexican Grill and Milan Coal Fired Pizza & Grill at the Shoppes at Yalick Farms on state Route 415 in Dallas Twp. intend to open a new restaurant in Wilkes-Barre. The Friendly\u2019s location closed in January 2025.<\/p>\n
The owners include Eric Morales, his parents, Jose Morales and Blanca Tecotl, his sister, Jessica Tecotl, and her husband, Jorge Fuentes. The family opened Burrito Loco Mexican grill in 2021 and then Milan Coal Fired Pizza & Grill next door this past December.<\/p>\n
They also operate the Burrito Loco Cantina & Grill at 1126 Commerce Boulevard in Dickson City.<\/p>\n
Hazleton cupcake baker seals her goods with a kiss<\/p>\n
A self-taught Hazleton baker\u2019s been making her mark on the area as she looks to expand her baking business.<\/p>\n
Samantha Kronstadt, who grew up in the Lehigh Valley, has been developing Sealed with a Kiss Cupcakes, a gourmet baking business, over the last year in partnership with the Hazleton Kitchen Incubator program. Now she produces baked goods for sale at other area businesses and for seasonal food events.<\/p>\n
\u201cI initially got interested in baking during my junior year at Nazareth High School. I\u2019d picked Home Ec as my elective for that year, but they didn\u2019t teach us much beyond scrambled eggs. That made me pretty frustrated, so I taught myself how to bake to spite it, and ended up making a pretty successful business out of it,\u201d explained Kronstadt.<\/p>\n
Kronstadt said that her business is currently split into two facets. One part involves providing baked goods to local businesses, such as Haunt Coffee, and the other focuses on creating goods for personal sale at pop-up events.<\/p>\n
Much of the work involves designing new flavors to match with other items on offer, from seasonal coffees to regional wines.<\/p>\n
Kronstadt is partnered with the Hazleton Kitchen Incubator Program, which is dedicated to promoting food equity in the Greater Hazleton area by giving aspiring local chefs access to commercial-grade equipment. She currently prepares her commercial sale items at the Hazleton Art League Kitchen, but she hopes to one day own a bakery to call her own.<\/p>\n
\u201cEven if it takes me a few years to do, though, having a store or food truck to call my own is something I\u2019m really looking forward to,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
Juiced Fuel NEPA delivers gas right to your car<\/p>\n
One brother is a military doctor. The other is a civil engineer. Now, they pump gas.<\/p>\n
But they don\u2019t work at a gas station. They deliver fuel directly to customers wherever they are \u2014 whether it\u2019s a residential home or a commercial business with a small fleet of vehicles.<\/p>\n
Pittston natives Chris and Bill Kroski recently launched a franchise of Charleston, South Carolina-based Juiced Fuel.<\/p>\n
The concept is simple: \u201cWe bring the fuel to you,\u201d said Chris Kroski, the engineer.<\/p>\n
Juiced Fuel is often referred to as the DoorDash of the gasoline industry. It\u2019s motto is: \u201cSkip the gas station forever. With Juiced Fuel, you get on-demand fuel delivery that fits into your routine and keeps your day moving.\u201d<\/p>\n
Chris Kroski, 43, of Duryea, said he started working full-time hours with the company after realizing the popularity and potential of the business.<\/p>\n
His business partner and brother, Bill, 46, of Yatesville, continues to work full-time as a doctor for the Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center in Plains Twp. He runs the business during off-work hours.<\/p>\n
The business is located on Stephenson Street in Duryea. The fuel delivery vehicles are hard to miss with their trademark orange paint scheme. There are various fuel delivery packages available on the company\u2019s website.<\/p>\n
Customer and neighbor Will Beekman said the business offers a great convenience.<\/p>\n
\u201cOur personal and professional lives are so busy that on-demand conveniences are important to us. Juiced Fuel saves us valuable time and money and gives us one less errand to run,\u201d Beekman said. \u201cIt\u2019s like Instacart or DoorDash for your vehicle. I\u2019m so glad they are here.\u201d<\/p>\n
Fine Line Homes opens new design studio in Hazleton<\/p>\n
Fine Line Homes opened a new home design studio located adjacent to its main office at 596 Susquehanna Blvd., Hazleton.<\/p>\n
The family-owned homebuilder has served the Hazleton region since the early 1990s when Harris Homes was acquired by their parent company.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis state-of-the-art space was created with our buyers in mind,\u201d said Fine Line Homes Vice President of Sales and Marketing Bryan Hamilton. \u201cIn the design studio, you will be able to see, touch and experience the premium standard materials that we include in every Fine Line home as well as a selection of sought-after upgrade options.\u201d<\/p>\n
The company has been crafting site-built homes in Harrisburg since 1972. Since then, Fine Line Homes has grown to six regional offices in New York, North Carolina and Pennsylvania, including their Hazleton location.<\/p>\n
According to Hamilton, the company\u2019s Hazleton office is the busiest location which made it a natural choice to enhance their services.<\/p>\n
\u201cOur new design studio in Hazleton reflects our commitment to making the homebuying journey as stress-free as possible \u2014 giving buyers the ability to easily visualize how their home could look and to find the best materials to match their unique vision,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
Some of the materials they officer include Yorktowne Cabinetry, counter tops, tile, flooring, interior and exterior lighting, faucets, stone and siding, to name a few.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"Chris, left, and Bill Kroski, Co-Owners of Juiced Fuel NEPA. (JASON ARDAN \/ STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER) Scott Wagner, Brant…\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":215262,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[15],"tags":[201,182,803,28,178,180,179,729],"class_list":["post-215261","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-scranton","tag-lackawanna-county","tag-local-news","tag-luzerne-county","tag-pennsylvania","tag-scranton","tag-scranton-headlines","tag-scranton-news","tag-uncategorized"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-pa\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/215261","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=215261"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-pa\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/215261\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-pa\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/215262"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-pa\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=215261"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-pa\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=215261"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-pa\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=215261"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}