ALLENTOWN, Pa. – The family behind a popular produce stand is bringing another delicious concept – featuring sourdough melts, signature hot dogs and other savory eats – to the Allentown Fairgrounds Farmers Market this coming week.
The Market Grille, offering freshly prepared melt sandwiches, signature hot dogs, sides and more, is set to open Thursday, Jan. 30, at the 1825 W. Chew St. market, co-owner Bubba Swartley said.
The new eatery will be owned and operated by Swartley and his brother-in-law, Cori Citro. The pair also runs the neighboring Red Barn Family Produce stand at the market.
The Market Grille will feature seating for around 48 customers at booths, tables with chairs and an eating counter, Swartley said.
It will occupy an updated space that previously housed Scotty’s Shore Shack, which closed in November.
“The concept will focus on sourdough melts, including pulled pork, pulled chicken and pulled beef, which will be served with a hot dipping sauce that you dip the sandwich in as you eat it, kind of like you would with a grilled cheese sandwich and tomato soup,” Swartley said. “We’ll have hot sauces like barbecue that you can dip the sandwiches in.”
The Market Grille also will offer salads, sides such as fresh-cut fries and loaded fries and various types of hot dogs, including Chicago-style dogs and signature varieties with unique toppings, Swartley said.
The melts will be available on sourdough bread or Texas toast, and the partners will source fresh fruits and vegetables from their produce stand for several menu selections, Swartley said.
“We’re also going to do a patty melt instead of a traditional cheeseburger,” Swartley said.
“We’re looking to do things that nobody else at the market is doing, and we may partner with Clover Farms at the market and offer some of their specialty burgers.”
Down the line, Swartley and Citro also plan to introduce breakfast items, including breakfast bowls with scrambled eggs, hash browns and meats such as bacon, sausage and pork roll.
They also plan to introduce delivery service in the coming months, Swartley said.
Red Barn has been operating at the market since 1985, and Swartley and Citro took over operations about two years ago.
The produce stands sells a wide array of fruits and vegetables, including carrots, cauliflower, broccoli, potatoes, apples, strawberries and watermelon, sourcing locally grown items as much as possible.
“We get as much local produce as we can,” Swartley said. “It’s harder in the winter, but we carry about 75-80% local produce through the summer. We actually grow some in Lehighton, where I’m from.”
Swartley is familiar with the Allentown Fairgrounds Farmers Market, having previously worked at the Stoltzfus Amish Deli stand for about 10 years prior to taking over Red Barn with Citro. Swartley’s father also worked at the deli while he was growing up.
Citro has extensive food service experience of his own, operating his family’s longstanding Jim Thorpe eatery, Tommy’s Subs & Steaks, for the past 25 years.
“He’s a pro,” Swartley said of Citro’s culinary skills.
“He’s going to be working alongside my wife, who will also be doing a lot of the cooking at the new stand. I’ll mostly be running the produce business and doing the bookwork for both stands.”
The Market Grille is replacing Scotty’s Shore Shack, an eatery specializing in seafood dishes made with fresh fish, crab meat and more, which closed a few weeks ago after about a year of operation.
Scotty’s Shore Shack owner Scotty Adams continues to run the nearby Heckenberger’s Seafood stand, where no changes are planned.
“This year has really been a roller coaster and at this time, I need to focus on my family, health & well-being,” an announcement on Scotty’s Shore Shack’s Facebook page reads.
Adams noted that he loved cooking for customers at Scotty’s Shore Shack and will be “super sad” to let it go.
“You will still see me around at Heckenberger’s Seafood as nothing is changing there!” the post continues.
“Thank you again for all of your support every single week! We will be addressing a more mobile and flexible operation in the future, so just keep an eye out!”
The Market Grille will join more than 50 other local merchants at the market, which was established in 1953 at 1825 W. Chew St.
The Brass Rail opened a new stand at the Allentown Fairgrounds Farmers Market in 2024.
Longtime favorites include Baringer Bros. Meats, Bedway's Fresh Fruits, Charlie K's Pizza, Gannon's Gourmet and Mary Ann Donut Kitchen.
Other recent additions at the market include The Brass Rail, Vallos Bakery, Fat Guy Crepes, Cuz'n Vinny's Homemade Pasta and Soul Soup.
“We’re really thankful that The Brass Rail is here, and we’re also thankful for all of the other amazing businesses, like Vallos, Mary Anne Donuts and Loan’s Vietnamese Bistro,” said Laurie Wuchter, who operates the Allentown Fairgrounds Farmers Market with her husband, Dan Wuchter.
“To see all of these great local businesses coming to the farmers market is a testimony to the market’s strength and popularity.”
Vallos Bakery, a nearly century-old bakery at 800 Broadway in Salisbury Township, opened a second location in June 2023 at the Allentown Fairgrounds Farmers Market.
The Market Grille will operate during regular market hours: 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Thursdays, 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. Fridays and 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturdays.
“We’re very excited to open,” Swartley said. “The community has also expressed excitement, which is really awesome.”
More foodie finds
New Lehigh Valley restaurant celebrates opening with free all-you-can-eat meals
S. WHITEHALL TWP., Pa. – A new restaurant, featuring Asian specialties, interactive cooking and a vibrant atmosphere, started welcoming guests this week in Lehigh County.
LV Korean BBQ & Hot Pot, offering all-you-can-eat Korean barbecue and hot pot, held a soft opening on Thursday, Jan. 23, in the Village West shopping center, at Tilghman Street and Cedar Crest Boulevard in South Whitehall Township.
A grand opening and ribbon-cutting ceremony is set for 5 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 30, and the restaurant's bar should debut within the next couple of weeks, manager Eddie Zhang said.
To celebrate the restaurant's opening, free meals (not including tip) will be offered to the first 25 lunch and dinner customers on each day during the restaurant's soft-opening period, Jan. 23-29, Zhang said.
Lunch service will begin at noon, and dinner service will begin at 4 p.m. daily. Full story here.
'We're excited': Popular Italian restaurant moves to new Lehigh Valley location
Beginning this weekend, a well-known restaurant – serving up fresh pizza, pasta and other Italian specialties – will operate under a new name and at a new location in Lehigh County.
Arelis Italian Ristorante Pizzeria & Grill, offering made-to-order Italian and American dishes including pizza, calzones, burgers and cheesesteaks, held its last day of business at 1798 Broadway in Salisbury Township on Dec. 31.
The restaurant will reopen Sunday under a different name, Casa Di Italia, and at a new location, 6616 Ruppsville Road in Upper Macungie Township.
The restaurant’s new location will operate at the same site as Sports Factory of the Lehigh Valley, a more than 22,000-square-foot facility offering sport specific training for individuals and teams, professional athlete-led events, weight training, golf performance programs, birthday parties and more.
It also will operate alongside HiJinx Brewing Co.’s nearly year-old satellite taproom. Read more here.
Casa Di Italia is set to open Sunday on Ruppsville Road in Upper Macungie Township
New food and beverage option set to take off at Lehigh Valley International Airport
HANOVER TWP., Pa. – A new dining option will soon serve thirsty and hungry travelers at Lehigh Valley International Airport.
Zekraft, a locally owned and operated cafe concept that “makes and curates well-crafted food and kitchen items” using ingredients from the Lehigh Valley and surrounding region, on Sunday will hold a soft opening of its new location in the airport’s Wilfred M. "Wiley" Post Concourse, beyond the TSA Checkpoint, in Hanover Township, Lehigh County, according to an announcement on the business' Instagram page.
“This Sunday, the 26th...with much anticipation, our soft opening at the airport,” the announcement reads. “Almost 2 years in the making...we are about to set sail...or take off actually!”
Husband and wife operators Zeke and Elaine Zelker also operate a Zekraft cafe location inside Capital Blue at the Promenade Saucon Valley shopping center in Upper Saucon Township. Read more here.
2 more Lehigh Valley restaurant weeks serving up tasty deals in January
Following a delicious week of dining deals in Hellertown and Lower Saucon Township, dozens of other Northampton County restaurants are serving up tempting offers for the remainder of the month.
Easton Restaurant Week kicked off Sunday, Jan. 19, and continues through Saturday, Jan. 25, while Historic Bethlehem Winter Restaurant Week kicks off Sunday, Jan. 26, and continues through Saturday, Feb. 1.
Both events feature fixed-price, multi-course menus and other promotions at more than a dozen dining establishments. Read more.
Shopping destinations
Entertainment facility closes, eatery and 4 other tenants coming soon at Lehigh Valley Mall
WHITEHALL TWP., Pa. – The lineup at the Lehigh Valley's largest shopping mall is continuing to change.
The Lehigh Valley Mall, at MacArthur Road and Route 22 in Whitehall Township, is set to welcome five businesses – Joseph & Co. jewelry store, D’Colombia Restaurant & Bakery, MINISO, Carter’s/OshKosh B’gosh and Star Park Indoor Playground & Party – in the coming months.
The businesses will follow the recent openings of several other new Lehigh Valley Mall tenants, including Game Box Arcade, As Seen on TV, Spice n Shake, Fit Leggy, Furniture & Linen, Golf Galaxy, Perfume Galaxy and Perfume City.
In recent months, the mall has also bid farewell to some businesses, including Icing, Face Foundrie, Indian Bite and Hairitage Beauty Salon. Some of these departing businesses are continuing operations at other locations.
Earlier this winter, airsoft shooting gallery Battlestar also closed at the Lehigh Valley Mall. Full story here.
Newest tenant of Fairmont Village near Coopersburg to celebrate grand opening
U. SAUCON TWP., Pa. – Looking for an exciting and meaningful way to kick off 2025? A new Lehigh County business may be just the answer.
Zen Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, devoted to creating a fun and safe environment for its members of all ages and skill levels to learn practical self-defense skills, will hold a grand opening and free adult seminar at noon Saturday, Feb. 1, at 7001 Route 309 North Unit 15 in Upper Saucon Township.
The new facility occupies a renovated space near Children’s Childcare Center and Valley Express Cleaners in the Fairmont Village shopping center, just north of Coopersburg.
Zen Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, which held a soft opening in November, offers premier gi and no-gi jiu-jitsu classes for individuals of all ages and skill levels. Read more here.
Quakertown area news
‘Great addition’: Quakertown scores new burger joint, serving unique, custom varieties
QUAKERTOWN, Pa. – A new fast-casual eatery – specializing in signature and build-your-own burgers – is beefing up Quakertown’s food scene.
Burger on Broad, with a tagline of “Just. Good. Burgers.,” opened Thursday, Jan. 23, at 500 W. Broad St., owner Ann Vollmer said.
The business is operating inside Nefarious Eats Commissary Kitchen, a fully equipped professional kitchen and teaching/event space for rent by the hour, day or month, which Vollmer opened in June.
Nefarious Eats has seen much success in its first six months, attracting numerous private chefs, food truck operators and other culinary professionals, and Vollmer saw an opportunity to debut her own tasty concept at the site. Read more.
Rapidly expanding hot chicken chain opening new regional location
RICHLAND TWP., Pa – Wednesday’s temperatures may be well below freezing, but a popular restaurant chain will soon bring the heat to a new location in the Quakertown area.
A location of Dave’s Hot Chicken, a fast-casual chain specializing in jumbo hot chicken tenders and sliders, is coming soon to the Trainer’s Corner shopping center on North West End Boulevard in Richland Township.
The eatery will occupy a renovated space that previously housed a MOD Pizza location, which closed last spring.
The new Dave’s Hot Chicken restaurant has a target opening date of April, according to Poonam Patel, business development manager for The Integritty Group, which is operating the Quakertown area location. Full story here.
Owners of popular Quakertown area pizzeria, Italian market opening adjacent event venue
RICHLAND TWP., Pa. – The husband-and-wife operators of two foodie hot spots near Quakertown are looking to further bring people together with another unique venue.
Vince and Kristin Randazzo are planning to open Insieme Event Venue, an elegant and modern event space able to accommodate up to 100 guests, in March at 218 N. West End Blvd. in Richland Township.
The renovated Trainer’s Corner space previously housed Buff City Soap, which abruptly closed in September.
The Randazzos already operate two popular neighboring businesses: Mercatino Italiano, an Italian market directly next door to the forthcoming Insieme Event Venue; and Giovanni’s Pizza, an Italian eatery on the other side of Mercatino.
Kristin heads operations at the four-year-old Mercatino, while Vince oversees operations at the 45-year-old Giovanni’s, which he took over from his parents about eight years ago. Full story here.
Insieme Event Venue is coming soon to 218 N. West End Blvd. in Richland Township.
Quakertown Farmers Market blossoming with nearly a dozen new stores, restaurants
RICHLAND TWP., Pa. – New and expanding businesses – including restaurants offering soups, flatbreads, breakfast burritos and gluten-free dishes – are welcoming customers at the Quakertown Farmers Market.
The Richland Township shopping venue, affectionately known as “Q-Mart” to locals, has welcomed around a dozen new vendors in recent months, according to Sara Hoadley, the market’s marketing director.
Newly opened, recently expanded and forthcoming tenants include:
* Buds, Booms & Blossoms (Dept. 325)
The farmers market welcomed Buds, Blooms & Blossoms to Department 325 in recent weeks. Shoppers can browse a wide array of vibrant silk flower arrangements. Read more.
Northampton County updates
‘Beyond grateful’: Popular Lehigh Valley plant shop to close as owner begins ‘next chapter’
NAZARETH, Pa. – A well-known plant shop in Northampton County is ending operations, but the owner notes it isn’t goodbye as she plans to pursue “the next big thing” with a business partner.
The Curious Plantaholic, a store selling house plants, hoyas, succulents, carnivorous plants, cacti and more, will close its doors on Feb. 16 at 45 E. Belvidere St. in Nazareth, according to an announcement on the business’ social media pages.
Owner Jennifer DeLorenzo, of Moore Township, opened the Nazareth store in 2020.
In 2023, she opened The Curious Plantaholic’s sister location, Plants + Coffee, offering specialty coffee, bagels and other eats and drinks alongside a variety of potted plants, at 1458 Northampton St. in Easton’s West Ward. Full story here.
Easton Farmers Market thrives in winter months at new Northampton Street location
EASTON, Pa. - The winter months are not stopping the Easton Farmers Market.
The market re-opened for the winter earlier in January.
Instead of setting up along Larry Holmes Drive - the vendors now occupy part of Northampton Street by the Easton Public Market.
Vendors say while foot traffic may slow during the winter, it doesn't really impact the business they see! Read more here.
Berks, Schuylkill counties
New to Reading, NY restauranteur brings his love of food to Pretzel City
READING, Pa. - On a frigid January day on N. Sixth Street, a new restaurant owner says he's really starting to warm up to Reading.
"Just moved here from New York. Been here for 22 days,” said Gabino Carmona Juarez, owner of the Rio Cafe.
"I'm just falling in love with the entire city," said Juarez. "The difference between New York and Reading is that people are just extremely nice anywhere you go."
After starting out as a cook two decades ago, and two failed attempts at opening a restaurant, Juarez is hoping the third time will be the charm at the Rio Cafe with its welcoming atmosphere. Read more.
Fairlane Diner recently opened in East Norwegian Township, Schuylkill County.
Region’s newest diner serving up fresh eats at former Friendly’s site
E. NORWEGIAN TWP., Pa. – Made-to-order omelettes, burgers and other tasty eats have returned to a familiar restaurant site.
Fairlane Diner, a full-service restaurant offering breakfast, lunch and dinner daily, held a soft opening in December at 395 Pottsville St. Clair Highway in East Norwegian Township, Schuylkill County.
The restaurant occupies a former Friendly’s restaurant building near the Fairlane Village Mall, just north of Pottsville.
In conjunction with the Schuylkill Chamber of Commerce, the restaurant hosted a grand opening celebration and ribbon-cutting ceremony on Tuesday, Jan. 21.
Fairlane Diner, open 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. daily, serves starters such as Buffalo chicken wings, fried stuffed potato skins and sauteed pierogies with onions and sour cream; classic sandwiches such as grilled cheese, crab cake and roast beef; wraps such as tuna salad, chicken cordon bleu and Philly cheesesteak; and hot paninis such as chicken parmigiana, reuben and Mediterranean (grilled chicken cutlet, tomatoes, spinach, mozzarella cheese and pesto). Full story here.
