MACUNGIE, Pa. — Renovations are well under way at Macungie's former Pub on Main.
After buying the building at 102 E. Main St. in December, Steve Slaski of CrossCountry Mortgage and Misti Slaski have signed a lease for a new undisclosed operator.
They also have reconstructed the porch and took on the project to restore a family restaurant and pub to the borough's main strip.
Now, an opening is in sight.
"I think I would safely say this summer," Steve Slaski said of a potential opening date.
The Slaskis posted a poll on Facebook for renaming the establishment.
The three choices are The Trading Post on Main, The Trading Post & Pub on Main or The Trading Post Pub.
Renovating the building
Joined by members of their family and R&S Hoffman Builders, the Slaskis also have taken to remodeling and renovating the former pub and apartments inside the complex's units.
"Then we decided we were gonna go bigger with the renovation and as that got bigger, it's snowballed into bigger, bigger, bigger."Pub on Main co-owner Steve Slaski
Those driving by on Route 100 over the past month could see the porch reconstructed, and work continue inside.
"Originally, we were thinking we would be open like mid-March, and then we decided we were gonna go bigger with the renovation and as that got bigger, it's snowballed into bigger, bigger, bigger," Steve Slaski said.
"Now we're going to rip apart the entire kitchen. We're going to start completely fresh there."
Slaski said they want the interior safely in place for people to see inside before announcing the restaurant owner and plans.
He hopes an announcement can take place in mid-March.
He said the leaseholder has 18 years of restaurant experience, and already has a menu structure of American and Mexican offerings.
Inspired to contribute to the borough
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
"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 reopened Macungie Diner and recently purchased Mad Dogs Hot Dogs in the borough's main street area.
The Slaskis say many in the community have stopped to see the work done, and voiced excitement that the location will return as a bar and restaurant.
On Facebook, dozens of people have voiced excitement at the couples' updates, excited to see something return to the favorite local hangout spot.
Now, as they work toward reopening, design considerations are coming into play.
They said the structure of the bar would remain the same, but the colors could change. What also will shift is the outside of the building, which the pair said they plan to paint a black peppercorn.
For the 1840s building, they said they wanted to stick with the farmhouse feel, while still having large screens available for it to act as a sports bar for those in the area.
Other classic iconography, such as the pair of bear statues outside and an original bell, will be kept with the restaurant.
"Just fun little things like that," said Misti Slaski, who is taking the lead on the redesign. "You definitely want to wink and nod to what it originally was, and just breathe life into it and make it a little better."
She said that as the demolition and restoration continue, they will have a better idea of colors and design on the inside.
On the outside, the owners say they are working to gather the history of the building, tracing it to the 1840s to post on the wall above the bears, and are considering places for outdoor seating.
