Lehigh Pub mixes old and new

From Topix Local News: Bethlehem, PA:


Lehigh Pub mixes old and new

Retail Watch; Scanning the Storefronts

May 17, 2009

Bridgeworks Irish Pub and Grille is changing its face after nearly 30 years of business.

The south Bethlehem establishment changed ownership in mid-March and was closed for renovations to do some updating, said co-owner Darryl McElroy.

The place reopened just days ago with some notable changes.

There are new flat-screen televisions inside, and the name will be changed to Lehigh Pub, just as soon as the business gets the OK from the city to change the signs outside the brick structure. The operating hours have been extended to 2 a.m. in hopes of attracting business from a younger crowd, particularly nearby Lehigh University.

''We are just trying to get diversity,'' McElroy said. ''Everybody knows us as a lunch and dinner place. We are just trying to get a later crowd so we can continue paying our bills.''

McElroy added that the place has retained some of the legendary Bridgeworks staff and food menu, including such longstanding items as corn beef and cabbage, baby back ribs and French onion soup.

Now, on to the battle of fast-food chains: There was a match between Popeyes and Checkers in south Allentown.

The franchisee who recently signed the deal to open the the new Popeyes Louisiana Chicken at 1756 S. Fourth St. was actually considering a Checkers at the spot instead. The franchisee, whose name was not immediately available, also has the franchise of the recently opened Popeyes on Hanover Avenue in east Allentown.

Derek Zerfass of the commercial real estate firm Colliers Lanard & Axilbund said the franchisee did consider opening a Checkers, but decided Popeyes would be a better fit for the location.

Zerfass added that the franchisee is still looking at local locations to open a Checkers.

Checkers is known for its two-sided drive-through concept and burgers and fries. The chain isn't in the Lehigh Valley and remains on the wish list.

The closest Checkers to the Valley is all the way in Philadelphia.

In other retail news: (more items at http://blogs.mcall.com/retailwatch )

The Coffee Grinder, a staple retailer in the Lehigh Valley Mall, closed up shop in early May.

The Grinder, which dates to at least the early 1980s, served beverages like espresso, cappuccino and iced treats.

The place was on the second level, just outside the Aeropostale clothing store.

Daniels BMW is looking to alter its facility in the 4600 block of Crackersport Road to add a Mini Cooper car dealership.

According to South Whitehall Township records, Daniels is seeking to alter its BMW dealership parking lot to construct a 4,992-square-foot showroom and office building.

This will be the first Mini dealership in the Lehigh Valley. This looks like an ideal fit for Daniels since Mini is owned by the BMW group.

On April 25 the Ground Round restaurant closed on Grape Street in Whitehall Township.

This location, which was owned by a franchisee, was the last remaining Ground Round in the Valley. The Ground Round location at 3730 Nazareth Pike, Bethlehem Township, closed in 2006. The chain is known for encouraging diners to throw peanut shells on the floor. Colleagues recall the floor also littered with popcorn.

Struggling coffee chain Starbucks has closed its location off Route 100 in Lower Macungie Township. The closure comes just weeks after the Starbucks on Hamilton Boulevard in Trexlertown shut its doors. The closings were no surprise, though. Let's not forget the Seattle-based company said the two locations were on the chopping block among hundreds planned to close nationwide for shoring up resources.

The former Redner's Warehouse super market at the Northampton Crossings shopping center will be a Hobby Lobby, an Oklahoma-based arts and crafts store. This is the first location for Hobby Lobby in Pennsylvania.

Armando's Pizza has finally opened at 1065 MacArthur Road, Whitehall Township. The building was once a Subway sandwich shop.

Cici's Pizza is scheduled to open on May 18 at the new shopping center right by the Sonic Drive-In on Route 248 in Nazareth.

A Subway sandwich shop will be opening on May 28 at 1525 Easton Ave., Bethlehem.

I reported in the paper a few days ago that AutoZone has been given preliminary approval by Allentown development officials to open a store at the former Ruhe Pontiac at Tilghman and 15th streets. C'mon, how many auto parts stores does an area need? With AutoZone, the tally will be at a bustling four, which are all in a very short distance of each other.

Retail Watch keeps track of new store, restaurant and bank development in the Lehigh Valley. Have a question about a retail construction project, a store opening or a chain you'd like to see come to the area? Call business reporter Tyrone Richardson at 610-820-6779, or e-mail retailwatch@mcall.com. Retail Watch appears every Sunday.