Small Business News

The Allentown Fairgrounds Farmers Market officially added The Brass Rail to its list of merchants Thursday morning — the first time the eatery has been in operation since it shuttered on Lehigh Street in June 2022.

The North Street spot has been known locally for its affordable, yet classic, early morning and lunchtime eats, including pork rolls, pancakes, cheesesteaks and more. The news of the sale comes after 41 years of business.

Even though independent, family-owned hardware stores may seem harder to come by in the days of Aces and Home Depots, Center City has had a homegrown, “personal service store” down on the corner for decades.

It might feel early, but some local farms are gearing up to begin their fall festivities. Most pumpkin patches, corn mazes and hay rides open to the public this month. Find out when.

Four years into his massage therapy career, Jared Skinner set out to master a relatively "new" technique to the practice — rolfing. It's a 10-step practice on a weekly basis that aims to relieve the body naturally of pain for upwards of five to 10 years. Only 2,000 body workers professionally practice it worldwide.

Lana's Comforting Pawsibilities offers training for pets in the Lehigh Valley via positive reinforcement, saving owners of cats and dogs alike from having to give up their precious furry friends.

Both this year and last year, in its “April in Paris” shopping event, Marché Maison was joined by Phoebe Floral with its “Parisian-inspired” flower cart for shoppers to build fresh bouquets.

The Lehigh Valley's newest bagel shop is officially in full swing, holding its grand opening Wednesday Aug. 28. Customers have continuously raved about the bagel spot since its soft opening mid-July.

Easton City Council held a parking summit Tuesday night, inviting the public to share their own ideas on how to address one of the city's biggest issues for residents and visitors alike.

Stuffed Puffs, founded in Bethlehem, filed a WARN notice in August with the Pennsylvania Department of Labor. On Tuesday, a Texas-based food manufacturing company announced it acquired Stuffed Puffs.

Howie Day, whose 2004 song "Collide" sold four times platinum and helped his album "Stop All the World Now" reach platinum sales, will perform at the free annual Harvest Fest street fair. The event will be noon to 5 p.m. Oct. 20 at Main and Broad streets.

Giacomo's owner Sal Famularo said it’s been a long road, but the new Giacomo’s Italian Market and Grille will open at 11 a.m. Saturday at 4041 William Penn Highway — in the old Miller’s Paint & Wallpaper building in Palmer Township.

A vacant Allentown restaurant soon could be full of life again, but not for hungry diners. Instead, it will offer household plants, including some exotic varieties, as well as accessories such as soil, plant food and growing lights.

Melani and Jason Hansche are aiming to open Tucker Garage & Grocery in Easton this October, providing the public with a community café and grocery store. They just need a little help, and they're more than willing to offer some fun rewards in order to get to the finish line.

Earlier this month, the group announced its sixth Pennsylvania Historic Preservation Award, this one for construction-rehabilitation at the former Laros Silk Mill, now known as Laros Lofts, along the eastern end of Broad Street.

Herr’s Fruit Farm has been operating Dan Schantz Greenhouse since the spring, after the Schantz family closed up shop in December. On Friday the Herrs announced they have bought the property and intend to keep it open as a greenhouse and farm market.

A West Easton smoke shop sold a jackpot-winning Match 6 ticket for the Wednesday, September 25, 2024 drawing, earning the purchaser $1.68 million, and the store owner a $10,000 bonus.

The Bethlehem Co-op Market at 250 E. Broad St. will be a first of its kind in the Lehigh Valley, with 4,500 square feet of shopping space open to the public, free water, community room with Wi-Fi, pet area and bus stop and bike rack outside.

The International Cultural Festival will he held at J. Birney Crum Stadium in Allentown from noon to 6 p.m. on Sunday, Sept. 22.

Cut the Scrap! opened in June on North 19th Street in the West End of Allentown. Crafters can trade in secondhand art supplies, shop for goods or take an art class.

Mad Catter Coffee Roasters celebrated its grand opening at the Allentown Economic Development Corporation’s Bridgeworks Enterprise Center.

Colonial Intermediate Unit 20 in Forks Township celebrated the grand opening of Colonial Cafe 71, a coffee shop which helps teach employment and life skills.