Small Business News

The Pub on Main in Macungie, which closed in 2022 citing staffing issues, has been sold to a new owner that hopes to return a new bar and restaurant to the space.

Take a look at stories that ran throughout the week of which we are most proud, had a profound impact on readers or that you might want to look at again.

Northampton Community College, Lehigh Carbon Community College and 13 other institutions have yet to receive operating funds authorized in the fiscal-year budget lawmakers approved over the summer.

Emmaus' Old Fashioned Christmas on Saturday will ring in the holiday season for many participating businesses and nonprofits. It will be joined by other nearby festivities in the East Penn area.

Portnoy's "One Bite" series features a rave review of the Pen Argyl pizzeria.

After decades of celebrating the holidays and serving as a call for love and camaraderie in the world, the Peace Candle was lit in Easton on Saturday night.

Emmaus is among many Lehigh Valley communities to host Small Business Saturday events, to encourage residents to support locally-owned businesses.

Pennsylvania saw a nearly 50% increase in Hispanic-owned businesses between 2012 and 2019, according to Census data. Non-Hispanic businesses increased by 9.3%, which means Latinos are creating businesses at a higher rate than their non-Hispanic peers.

Museum Store Sunday brings three local museums together to support local artisans and crafters.

Jimmy's Hot Dogs has operated in the 25th Street Shopping Center in Palmer Township since 1991. Its original partners worked for Jim's Doggie Stand in Phillipsburg and its owner Jimmy Makris, who established the roadside stand in 1910.

Ms. Velvet’s Café, a walk-up eatery serving breakfast and lunch, held a grand opening Sept. 20 at 239 N. Fourth St. in downtown Allentown. The business is named in memory of owner Carlos Marrero's late sister, Ruby Marrero, who died as a result of a hit-and-run accident a few blocks away from the eatery in 2017.

There's room for everybody, one business owner says.

After the March 2020 pandemic shutdown of non-life-sustaining businesses, more than 42,000 businesses applied to the Wolf Administration to stay open.

Gov. Tom Wolf has called for an increase as all six states that border the commonwealth offer higher minimum wages.

Come Memorial Day capacity limits will be lifted in Pennsylvania. Keeping everyone safe seems to still be the top priority.

As part of our occasional series on how local businesses are overcoming the challenges presented by the past year, consider this local theatre that found, even in the pandemic, the show must go on.

As part of our occasional series on how local businesses are overcoming the challenges presented by the past year, a local entrepreneur tells his story about launching a new brewery amid the pandemic.

WLVR’s occasional “Pivoting in Pandemic” series shares stories of how some local businesses have survived the challenges of COVID-19.

A recent federal study found roughly 200,000 businesses nationwide closed due to the pandemic. In the Lehigh Valley, it’s hard to get an accurate number of just how many businesses closed, though local experts say coronavirus’ impact on the economy has been mixed.

Along with the cooler, shorter days, Autumn brings changes in what fresh local produce is available in the Lehigh Valley. Local tomatoes are just a memory, but now is prime time for local apple varieties.

Jobs and the economy were the biggest talking points during a second debate between Susan Wild and Lisa Scheller.

Democratic Governor Tom Wolf is asking the Pennsylvania Supreme Court to intervene in his dispute with legislative Republicans who are trying to end pandemic restrictions he imposed in March to slow the spread of the new coronavirus.