From new apartment approvals to restaurants reopening and ready to serve, this is your weekly roundup of what’s happening with businesses in your neighborhood.
CRG SERVICE MANAGEMENT WAREHOUSES: 905 Pennsylvania Ave., Plainfield Township
The traffic study for two proposed warehouses was questioned during a town planning commission meeting, with congestion on Route 512 being the primary issue.
CRG plans two large buildings, one covering 786,000 square feet and the other around 296,000 square feet. The total square footage would be 1.1 million, or about 25 acres. Developers say the two buildings would create between 500 and 600 jobs. Read the full story.
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FIAMMA ITALIAN GRILL: 2118 Schoenersville Road, Bethlehem
The remodeling of the restaurant is progressing, according to Fiamma’s Facebook page. New equipment will arrive next month, and then some paperwork will be required before reopening.
The Italian restaurant has been closed for nearly nine months after a fire damaged the building. Fiamma is looking to hire staff for various positions.
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FREEMAN JEWELRY: Palmer Park Mall, Palmer Township
The 114-year-old family business has moved, but inside the Palmer Park Mall. The full-service jeweler is now just inside the front entrance in a space vacated by Victoria’s Secret.
Freeman now has more back room to operate in, owner Ed Siegfried said. The location has an updated look but with some vintage touches, including chandeliers, a visual reference to the original Freeman’s store in downtown Allentown.
Freeman sells and buys jewelry, deals in antique jewelry, and offers repairs and cleanings, along with help in designing a one-of-a-kind piece. The store also sells Add-A-Pearl items. Know more.
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HOUSING DEVELOPMENTS: Upper Macungie Township
Upper Macungie Township, with an estimated population of 25,000, may have many more residents in the future. The planning commission has 476 housing units under review in three developments.
The largest is called Sunset Orchards, with 216 proposed homes on Schantz and Ruppsville streets. Trexler Pointe is a proposal for 128 townhomes on Route 100 near Weilers and Schafer Run roads, and Twin Ponds is seeking to place 132 apartments in 22 buildings at 8739 Hamilton Blvd. Read More
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LEHIGH HVAC: 80 Savercool Ave., Pen Argyl
Lehigh HVAC co-owner Mohammad Yaseen is moving his business to North Easton after purchasing a 6,000-square-foot property in Pen Argyl. Yaseen and his brother-in-law Waqas Ahmad started their business in New York before moving it to the Lehigh Valley, where he operated out of rented space in Easton.
The new location, the former Tru-Colors Restoration site, has office and warehouse space. The purchase price was not disclosed. Lehigh Financial Group of Allentown arranged the financing for the deal. The company provides heating and air conditioning services. Get the full story.
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SPOT AND TANGO: 7520 Morris Court, Upper Macungie Township
The new pet food plant in Lehigh County builds on the region’s strength in pet food manufacturing. New York-based Spot and Tango has opened a new plant covering 66,000 square feet to make its all-natural pet food that is sold directly to consumers.
Spot and Tango will manufacture its UnKibble dry food at the new plant. It received $500,000 in state incentives to operate locally, and the company invested $20 million in the operation. The pet food maker will employ about 100 people and will reach its maximum employment level in three years. Read more.
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KIMBERTON WHOLE FOODS: 810 Knitting Mills Way, Wyomissing
The grocery store plans to open on Monday, October 31, and hold a grand opening weekend November 11-13, with giveaways and promotions.
Terry and Pat Brett founded what became Kimberton in 1986 on a farm in Chester County. The company bets on local products.
“Kimberton Whole Foods sells truly local produce from farms we know and trust, with whom we have developed relationships over the past 30 years,” Terry Brett said on the company’s website. Know more.
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SUPPORT CONCEPTS: 3929 Perkiomen Ave., Exeter Township
An adult day care center is proposed for a former office building next to what used to be the Promenade at Exeter Plaza, now vacant property of the municipality.
The proposal would not require any construction or development of the land, but the change in use requires planning commission approval. Township supervisors will make the final decision on the plan. Read the full story.
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HV BANCORP: 2005 S. Easton Road, Doylestown
HV Bancorp, the parent company of Huntington Valley Bank, will become part of Citizens Financial Services Inc. in a transaction valued at $67.4 million. For Citizens Financial, parent company of First Citizens Community Bank, the acquisition expands its presence in Montgomery, Bucks and Philadelphia counties, South Jersey and Delaware.
The combined company will have about $2.78 billion in assets. Get more details.
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SAINT ROCCO DELIGHTS: 6026 Easton Road, Plumstead Township
Two brothers who lost their college internships during the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 turned their spare time into a business.
Kolby and Kaleb Rush founded Saint Rocco’s Treats, which makes all-natural, human-grade dog treats. Saint Rocco is the patron saint of dogs.
The brothers saw a need for high-quality dog treats, tested recipes and gave away free samples. They now have a physical location and sell products at their Plumstead Township location, online, and in stores. Know more.
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CANNABIS BUSINESS DISCUSSIONS: Frenchtown Elementary School, 902 Harrison St., Frenchtown
The small township along the Delaware River in Hunterdon County is meeting today to discuss the future of marijuana businesses in the city. Recreational marijuana is legal in New Jersey, and the municipality wants to establish guidelines before cannabis businesses open.
The Frenchtown cannabis committee will hold a public meeting today from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. at the township elementary school, and a second meeting will be held Tuesday from 9 p.m. to 9 p.m., also at the elementary school. Read more.
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