MACUNGIE, Pa. — The past few years have threatened to deprive Macungie of a critical resource — good hangout spots.
The impact of the coronavirus pandemic and resulting staffing challenges on the restaurant industry was felt after the closure of the borough's Bear Swamp Diner and Pub on Main in 2020 and 2022, respectively.
But now, nearly four years after the pandemic began, the diner is back, with the pub on the way.
And people are embracing it.
Stan and Susan Harwick were enjoying a meal at Macungie Diner last week, having avoided the often-crowded breakfast rush the eatery often has.
"We've been very happy with the quality of the food here — and the quantity," Stan Harwick said with a chuckle.
The pair were planning a get-together of friends at the diner, while nearby other diners were doing the same thing.
"We're realizing it is a close-knit town. This whole section was filled, the chatter that went on — it's the way a diner should be."Martha Kasiarz, who assists in operating the diner with her husband, Omar Salazar
"We're realizing it is a close-knit town," said Martha Kasiarz, who assists in operating the diner with her husband, Omar Salazar.
Salazar co-owns the diner with his uncle-in-law, Marcelino Alarcon.
"This whole section was filled, the chatter that went on — it's the way a diner should be," Kasiarz said.
'It just felt right'
They acquired the business in November from the owners of the New Schecksville Diner.
Macungie Diner reopened in June to the excitement of residents that carried over to the new ownership as locals yearned for classic diner fare.
Kasiarz and Salazar hail from Gilbertsville, Montgomery County, while Marcelino came from Maryland with more than 20 years of diner experience.
Kasiarz said they were looking for the opportunity for about two years, and were offered to buy either Macungie Diner or the owners' other restaurant in Schnecksville.
Owners of the New Schnecksville Diner did not respond to requests for comment as to why the business was sold.
"And we saw this and we were like, wow, it's just felt right. I can't explain it. It just felt right."Martha Kasairz, who helps her husband operate Macungie Diner
"And we saw this and we were like, wow, it's just felt right," Kasiarz said. "I can't explain it. It just felt right."
She said the group still is getting its feet wet as the new owners.
They have kept the menu largely the same, but have taken up hosting events for Christmas and local group fundraising and have positioned classic photos of the borough on the wall.
She said they are excited for the borough's summer car shows and other celebrations in the nearby parks.
Owners say they are grateful to the community for their support.
Revival in a difficult landscape
The small municipality of Macungie, surrounded almost entirely by growing Lower Macungie Township, remains miles away from the commercial complexes that have come to dot nearby Wescosville, Trexlertown and Emmaus.
So for residents looking for a place to walk or gather, the restaurant closures created a noticeable gap.
Outside of the ever-present Savatore's Pizzeria, which has been open for more than four decades, the borough had only Vince's Pizza and Pub, Mad Dogs Hot Dogs, and — just outside its borders — Buckeye Tavern.
Osaka Asian Fusion and Gio Italian Grill remain further up the road on Route 100, but what was immediately accessible to most residents were just chain stops such as Wawa, Turkey Hill and McDonald's.
While the Lehigh Valley saw the opening of many chain locations such as Wawas and Lehigh Valley Mall's Cheesecake Factory over the past year, many legacy restaurants in the region have had to change hands or have shuttered.
Industry reports from the national restaurant association say that while sales are up across the industry, higher food and labor costs are a challenge. Many operators say their restaurants were not profitable in the past year.
'What I heard from a lot of people'
But things are changing for Macungie.
The Pub on Main is set to reopen under a new name this summer following a purchase by Steve Slaski, who operates CrossCountry Mortgage, and his wife Misti.
The Slaskis said they were inspired as residents of the borough to put the effort back into the bar, seeing the lantern-lined streets, new developments and other renovations, and changing hands of businesses.
"I felt like if Macungie's getting behind Macungie, we want to get behind Macungie," Steve Slaski said.
The pub, upon reopening, would join a recently revamped Mad Dogs Hot Dogs in the borough's Main Street area. Mad Dogs came under new ownership last year after a local family stepped in to prevent it from closing.
Staff at the Macungie Diner who are from the area said that it has been great to see the town come back to life over the past year, changing the landscape from one dominated by chain restaurants to a return to family-owned establishments to which people can walk.
"It's great for them that they can do things in the community, walking around in the community and come in," said Jen Stoudt, a server at the diner.
"And that's what I've heard from a lot of people, too."
