Lehigh Valley Style February 2024 by Innovative Designs & Publishing, Inc.

Jared Isaacman

The In f luential

Men E di tion

FOUNDER & CEO OF SHIFT4

PIZZA!

13 LOCAL FAVORITES

Aman's

ARTISAN INDIAN CUISINE

FEBRUARY 2024

Get your heart checked for them, too.

Dr. Eric Elgin

When it comes to your heart and vascular care, nothing but the best will do. At Lehigh Valley Heart and Vascular Institute, you get the best in state, from complex to routine. That’s the best heart attack care, the best technology and less invasive procedures for everything from irregular heartbeats to breakthrough limb-saving procedures. Here, you get ... better.

LVHN.org/heart

DREAM • RESEARCH • PLAN • BOOK AT THE EXPO WITH EXCLUSIVE ONE-DAY SAVINGS & OFFERS* ATTEND VACATION SEMINARS**

ADVENTURE THEATER 10:30 We are Alaska: By Land, By Sea, By Experts; presented by Holland America’s On-Stage Alaska Team 11:30 The Best Value in Luxury Cruising with Regent Seven Seas 12:30 Discover the Great Land of Alaska with Princess Cruises

Sunday, February 25 FREE ADMISSION– no tickets required!

10 :0 0 A M to 5 : 00 P M WIND CREEK BALLROOM 77 Wind Creek Boulevard, Bethlehem

OPEN TO THE PUBLIC • MEET WITH TRAVEL VENDORS • REGISTER TO WIN PRIZES* • VISIT with Travel Experts including ocean & river cruise lines, U.S. & worldwide rail & tour companies, travel insurance, passport/visa services, airport & airline representatives, Caribbean & Mexico Hotels & Tourist Bureaus, & local drive resorts & getaways. • BOOK AT THE EXPO & SAVE. Meet with a knowledgeable Travel Advisor to book your trip with special savings!** RECEIVE A SPECIAL GIFT** when you book the day of the Expo. • LEARN ABOUT the discounts, rewards, benefits & services that come with your AAA membership***. SIGN-UP at the Expo. • PARTICIPATING TRADE SHOW VENDORS (subject to change): AAA Digital Tourbooks • AAA Member Choice Vacations • AAA Membership & AAA Insurance • African Travel • Allianz Travel • AmaWaterways • American Cruise Lines • Amtrak Vacations • Barcelo Resorts • Cape May Tourism • CIE Tours • Corning Museum of Glass • Cruises by Pleasant Holidays • Expedited Travel RUSHMYPASSPORT • Featured Vacations & Group Travel • Greater Miami & Miami Beach • Happy Valley Adventure Bureau • Holland America Line/Seabourn • HX | Hurtigruten Expeditions • Iberostar Hotels & Resorts • I Love New York, New York State Get Away Deals • Impressive Resorts & Spas • J & J Luxury Transportation • Lehigh Valley International Airport (ABE), & Allegiant Air • Norwegian Cruise Line • Palladium Hotel Group • Pleasant Holidays/Journese • Princess Cruises • Railbookers • Red Roof • Regent Seven Seas • Rocky Mountaineer • Royal Caribbean International • Sandals & Beaches Resorts • Tauck • TheParkingSpot • The Shawnee Inn & Golf Resort • T-Mobile • TTC Brands: Trafalgar, Brendan Vacations, Costsaver & Contiki & Insight • Uniworld Boutique River Cruises • Visit Barbados • Viking Cruises • Visit Bucks County • Visit Luzerne County *No purchase necessary. Must be 18 or older to win. Winner need not be present. **Savings and gifts are restricted to new bookings only and vary by vendor. Minimum $1,899 purchase required for gift. Restrictions apply. ***Member benefits and offers are subject to change without notice and certain restrictions and conditions may apply. © 2023 AAA East Central. All Rights Reserved. AAA East Central is a member club affiliated with the American Automobile Association (AAA) national federation and serves members in Kentucky, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania and West Virginia.

Visit www.AAA.com/VacationExpo for more details

1:30

Travel Beyond Ordinary with Tauck; celebrating 100 years of life-changing journeys worldwide

2:30

Viking Cruises: River, Ocean & Expedition

3:30

We are Alaska: By Land, By Sea, By Experts; presented by Holland America’s On-Stage Alaska Team

QUEST THEATER 10:30 Italy, Switzerland & Beyond by Train with Railbookers 11:30 Unforgettable Rail Journeys through the U.S. & Canadian Rockies, by Rocky Mountaineer 12:30 Expedition cruising to Antarctica, Galapagos & Beyond with HX | Hurtigruten Expeditions 1:30

Cruise local; Sea the World & Updates by Royal Caribbean International

2:30

The Great Waterways of America await you with American Cruise Lines & their fleet of U.S. built & owned ships

3:30

National Parks & Beyond by Rail with Amtrak Vacations

EXPERIENCE THEATER 10:30 Featured Vacations – Small Group Tours to America’s National Parks 11:30 AAA Members get exclusive rates on expedited U.S. passports & Global Travel Visas, & new requirements for 2024 by RushMyPassport 12:30 Featured Vacations – Small Group Tours to America’s National Parks 1:30

Where to Next? Mexico, Europe, the U.S., Caribbean, Cruising, Hawaii, South Pacific, South Africa & more by Pleasant Holidays & Journese

2:30

Irish Heritage & Taste of Scotland & Ireland AAA Group Tours for 2024: Choose from 6 dates by CIE

3:30

TBD

WORLD THEATER 10:30 Sail on the highest rated luxury brand of river cruises -AmaWaterways 11:30 Switzerland’s Hidden Trails & Majestic Peaks Small Group Tour – Never more than 24 passengers – by AAA Member Choice Vacations 12:30 Travel to Ireland, Scotland, England, Wales & more. Choose your travel style – guided or small group tours, custom private drivers or self-drive independent travel by CIE 1:30

Destination Spotlight on Tuscany, Italy Tour. Stay in the comfort of one hotel, by AAA Member Choice Vacations

2:30

Lehigh Valley International Airport (ABE)/Allegiant Air/TSA updates

3:30

Small Ship Cruising: The Americas, Arctic/Antarctica, Europe/Mediterranean, Greek Isles, South Pacific & more with Atlas Ocean Voyages, Iceland ProCruises, Windstar, Paul Gauguin, Aranui & Celestyal Cruises by Pleasant Holidays

INSPIRATION THEATER 10:30 Embark on a virtual safari with African Travel – passionate experts & specialists on the destinations & experiences in Africa 11:30 Luxury River Cruising with Uniworld Boutique River Cruises 12:30 AAA Exclusive, impactful travel itineraries featuring Spain & Italy with Trafalgar Tours 1:30

Protect your trip investment for cancellation, travel delays, & emergencies away from home & more by Allianz Travel

2:30

Experience New Ships & Destinations on Norwegian Cruise Line

3:30

Sandals – 5-Star Luxury Included Resorts in the Caribbean

Belle Terre

Melrose Lane

Overbrook Manor

Distinguished, refined, established. It is a rare pleasure to encounter such a stunning residence with timeless appeal. A gated entrance and long driveway are introductions to the 13,000 square foot stone manor house centered on 22 acres. 5 bedrooms, 6 full baths, 14,808 sqft in all buildings. $6,950,000

Custom home builder Myron Haydt will work with homeowners who will settle for nothing less than extraordinary quality, location and design to create their dream home with materials gifted by nature and honed by fine craftsmen. Protective covenants include 4,500 sqft minimum. Packages starting at $2,899,500

It’s love at first sight when you turn down the gravel driveway, cross the wooden bridge over Rapp creek, and peek around the corner at a fairy tale come to life. Set on 7.5 acres and complete with its own stone turret! 5 bedrooms, 4 full baths, additional guest cottage. $1,125,000

Weyhill Cottage

Viola Lane

The Manor on Apollo

In a world-class neighborhood, this gracious home is within walking distance to the Weyhill Golf Course of the Saucon Valley Country Club. This luxury detached condo has an exterior of stone and cedar, and is part of a lovely six home enclave. 3 bedrooms, 3.5 baths, 3,112 sqft. $1,050,000

Sycamore Hollow

Own a piece of history in this stunning stone home circa 1823. Exposed beams, deep silled windows & random width wood floors meet modern amenities for the ultimate in luxury country living. Surrounded by acres of tall trees & bordered by farmland, Sycamore Hollow is a rural retreat. 4 bedrooms, 2 full baths, 14 acres. $730,000

In a quiet mature neighborhood in Lower Saucon rests this traditional colonial. With 9’ ceilings throughout, Viola Lane’s spacious floor plan offers many recent upgrades such as a 22KW Generac generator, 2021 HVAC and 2021 50-year roof. 5 bedrooms, 4.5 baths, 1 powder room, 4,531 sqft. $850,000

Lanark

A tranquil country setting with the convenience of modern amenities. Here at Lanark you’ll find period touches that call to mind times gone by, while enjoying the updates and enhancements that make this home suitable for a weekend getaway or a full time residence. 4 bedrooms, 3 full baths, 3,136 sqft. $499,000

An enticing glimpse of an earlier age of elegance, this all brick manor home built in 1992 is an amazing reproduction of the best in period architecture and craftsmanship. From the curved front staircase to the intricate exterior details, this custom design boasts grace and grandeur. 4 bedrooms, 4 full baths, 4,174 sqft. $799,000

Hope Road

Pride of ownership is evident in this well-maintained residence in the Bethlehem Area school district. Set on a third acre parcel, the convenient location is a stone’s throw to St. Luke’s Anderson campus, bustling shopping centers, and essential Lehigh Valley thoroughfares. 4 bedrooms, 2.5 baths, 2,277 sqft. $449,000

CONTENTS PHOTO BY ALISON CONKLIN

FEBRUARY

12 STYLE SCENE

Events | Benefits Galas | Parties

16 THIS MONTH’S PICKS What We’re Loving Right Now

19 TRENDING NOW

News, Notes & Quotes

24 GET THE GOODS

The Sound Parcel

29 ASK THE EXPERT

Bring Your Fitness into Focus

34 5 THINGS

Date Night Restaurants

39 INSIGHT

Jared Isaacman

42 LEHIGH VALLEY STYLE’S INFLUENTIAL MEN OF THE YEAR 50 PIZZA, PIZZA, PIZZA! 13 Local Favorites

58 INSIDE DISH

Aman’s Artisan Indian Cuisine

64 EAT THIS

Japanese Hot Dog

ON THE COVER

Discover what’s new at Aman’s in Easton, pg. 58

4 F E B R U A R Y 2 0 2 4 : L E H I G H VA L L E Y S T Y L E . C O M

The 2024 Influential Men of the Year, shot by Andrew Tomasino

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EDITOR’S LETTER BTS pizza fun with graphic designer Eleanor Anderson and photographer Alison Conklin

3 THINGS our publisher, Pam Deller, is looking forward to this month! pdeller@lehighvalleystyle.com

Andrew Tomasino photographing our Influential Men of the Year at Six Fifteen Waterfront

FEBRUARY As we celebrate our third annual Influential Men of the Year feature, we are exceptionally proud of the people who call the Lehigh Valley home and of the work they’re doing to shape our community. Year after year, through your reader nominations, we are introduced to more individuals who dedicate their time to making a difference in the Lehigh Valley. In this edition, we are thrilled to recognize Dr. Hasshan Batts, Stephen Flowers, Dennis Hower, AJ Suero, Lyell Scherline and William Sanders. Read their stories on pg. 42. Then, turn to pg. 50 for 13 local pizza recommendations! From the crispy to the doughy, to best ordered plain or with whole clams on top, made savory or sweet, there’s something for everyone to slice into here. Get to know Jared Isaacman, founder and CEO of Shift4 on pg. 39; go inside The Sound Parcel on pg. 24; discover five local restaurants perfect for date night on pg. 34; and more this month.

Getting to know the stories behind our Influential Men of the Year.

Trying a new place for pizza!

Working off that pizza with advice from Evan Howard!

Cheers!

KRISTEN WAGNER

kwagner@lehighvalleystyle.com lvstylekristen The LV Edit

6 F E B R U A R Y 2 0 2 4 : L E H I G H VA L L E Y S T Y L E . C O M

discover the difference

SPECIALIZING IN THE TOP 20% OF THE LEHIGH VALLEY AND UPPER

BUCKS COUNTY HOME MARKETS SOLD

MILLBROOK FARMS $889,000 LOWER MACUNGIE TWP. Updated colonial, gourmet kitchen, modern amenities, finished lower level, hardwood floors. 4 bedrooms, 3 full bath.

POCONO MOUNTAINS $600,000 HAMILTON TWP. Stunning Tudor-style home, hardwood and tile floors, sunroom, spa, updated chef’s kitchen. 4 bedrooms, 2 full/1 half bath.

SOLD

ROSEMONT MANSION $1,095,000 BETHLEHEM CITY Three-story Federal-style Colonial. Gourmet kitchen, primary suite, in-ground pool, landscaping. 7 bedrooms, 4 full/1 half bath.

PRESTIGIOUS ESTATE $1,895,000 UPPER SAUCON TWP. Weyhill Woods. Grand foyer, chef’s kitchen, expansive first floor suite. Over 5,200 sq ft. 4 bedrooms, 4 full/3 half bath. SOLD

STONE COLONIAL

$429,000 LEHIGH TWP. Spacious home, open kitchen and family room, grand 2-story foyer, primary suite, space to entertain. 4 bedrooms, 2 full/1 half bath.

MOUNTAIN VIEWS $945,000 LOWER SAUCON TWP. Primary suite, gourmet kitchen, finished lower level. In-ground pool, spa, outdoor kitchen. 4 bedrooms, 4 full/1 half bath.

direct 484.280.6212 office 610.282.4444

REBECCAFRANCISREALTORS.com ©BHH Affiliates, LLC. An independently operated subsidiary of HomeServices of America, Inc., a Berkshire Hathaway affiliate, and a franchisee of BHH Affiliates, LLC. Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices and the Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices symbol are registered service marks of HomeServices of America, Inc.® Equal Housing Opportunity. Information not verified or guaranteed. If your home is currently listed with a Broker, this is not intended as a solicitation.

HOW DO YOU SAY CARB LOADING IN ITALIAN?

Everyone’s watching their carbs. But if you’re craving handmade pasta with a delicious modern twist, we can help. You’ll find plenty of pasta choices, along with gourmet pizzas and other Italian dishes, in an expansive menu. All impeccably served in an inviting, stunningly beautiful atmosphere. Melt. Italian cuisine, totally worth every carb. meltgrill.com 610-798-9000 A PAXOS RESTAURANT

Living Locally and Serving the Lehigh Valley Real Estate Market with a Global Perspective

4328 Cider Press Rd. 4 br | 3.1 ba | 38.5 Acres | 4,589 sq ft | Internationally Recognized and Renowned Breeding Farm for Competition Sport Horses S L AT I N G T O N , PA

$ 2 , 2 0 0,0 0 0

Ryan Cortez

Global Real Estate Advisor c. 215.800.6874 ryanscott@kurfiss.com

Katie Werner

Global Real Estate Advisor c. 215.802.1933 kwerner@kurfiss.com

Michael Strickland Global Real Estate Advisor c. 610.324.1457 strickland@kurfiss.com

Petrina Unger

Global Real Estate Advisor c. 484.903.0650 petrina@kurfiss.com

N E W H O P E | R I T T E N H O U S E S Q U A R E | C H E ST N U T H I L L | B R Y N M AW R K U R F I S S .C O M | 2 1 5 .7 9 4 . 3 2 2 7 © 2023 Affiliates LLC. All Rights Reserved. SIR® is a registered trademark licensed to SIR Affiliates LLC. An Equal Opportunity Company. Equal Housing Opportunity. Each Office is Independently Owned and Operated.

STAFF SPEAKS

My favorite way to enjoy a slice of pizza is…

VOLUME 26, ISSUE 2

President/CEO Paul Prass Vice President/COO Lisa Prass

The Josh’s Bianca at Sette Luna is a MUST. I would have never thought that an egg on a pizza could be this amazing!

I am in love with the Campania specialty pizza at Gio Italian Grill in Macungie. Thin slices of pear, goat cheese, EVOO and arugula. Heaven on a crust! I have been enjoying Switchback Pizza Company lately. My husband, Geoff, makes the best pizza at home. He worked for a pizza chain in high school and now has all the skills in throwing dough. My favorite toppings are green olives, charred cherry tomatoes and bell peppers. Truly any veggie topping will do.

Publisher Pamela Deller Editor-in-Chief Kristen Wagner

I love ordering from Jack’s Slice in Allentown!

Director of Creative Services Mike Matuczinski Graphic Designers Eleanor Anderson, Thomas Körp, Elaine Wyborski Corporate Marketing & Events Manager Jen Fronheiser Marketing Advisors Caroline Adams, Denise Lichty, Arielle Solliday, Pam Taylor Contributing Writers Susan Gottshall, Paul Kita, Amy Unger, Daisy Willis Contributing Photographers Marco Calderon, Matthew Cannon, Alison Conklin, Andrew Tomasino

For me, nothing beats a good Grandma pizza. My personal favorite can be found at Tuscana Pizza & Pasta in Nazareth. My husband, Paul, and I like our pizza with a very thin crust and cooked well done. He likes it with garlic and I like it with onion. Our favorite place is Pizza Village V in Egypt. I’m a big fan of thin crust, well done with a topping of mushrooms!

Proofreader Lori McLaughlin Accounting Donna Bachman, Karina Ocasio, Sarah Varano

In partnership with:

10 F E B R U A R Y 2 0 2 4 : L E H I G H VA L L E Y S T Y L E . C O M

Lehigh Valley Style (ISSN 1540-0867) is published monthly by IDP Publications, 3245 Freemansburg Ave., Palmer, PA 18045-7118. Annual subscriptions are $19.95 (Canadian and foreign one year rate is $40, U.S. funds only). Single copy price $3.95. Postage paid at Easton, PA 18045 and additional mailing offices. POSTMASTER: send address changes to Lehigh Valley Style, P.O. Box 293142, Kettering, OH, 45429. All contents copyright © 2024 Lehigh Valley Style. Nothing contained herein may be reproduced in whole or in part without the expressed written consent of the publisher. The publisher disclaims all responsibility for omissions or errors. Lehigh Valley Style and its owners are not liable for claims made by any advertisers or any inaccuracies or intentional copyright infringements. All rights reserved. This magazine welcomes, but cannot be responsible for, unsolicited manuscripts, contributions or photographs. Unsolicited materials cannot be returned unless accompanied by a self-addressed, stamped envelope. Printed in USA.

MAKING THE MAGAZINE

ALISON CONKLIN Contributing Photographer

I loved shooting the pizza feature for this month’s edition. First of all, the smell in the office from all of the different pizzas was so divine. Secondly, pizza. I don’t think more needs to be said.

firstcomcu.org

MARCO CALDERON Contributing Photographer

Both The Sound Parcel and Forward Thinking Fitness were excellent locations to shoot. Super eye attractive!

CO N N EC T YO U R I N N E R + O U TE R G LOW

I was swept away by the warmth of the restaurant family at Aman’s and their invitation to tour the kitchen. Standing next to the tandoor and tasting a piece of garlic naan straight from the oven was a hot highlight for this foodie.

O f f e r i ng a w i de r a nge of ae s t he t i c se r v i ce s c o mb i n e d w i t h c u s t o m i ze d I V v i t a m i n t he r a py

, D R

3 0 2 6 W. T I LG H M A N S T. S U I T E 10 3 , A L L E N TOW N 4 8 4 . 8 8 2 . 07 2 0 • R E P L E T E D R I P LO U N G E .C O M

Contributing Writer

N P, C R N P

SUSAN GOTTSHALL

ILIA BERM

L E H I G H VA L L E Y S T Y L E . C O M : F E B R U A R Y 2 0 2 4

STYLE SCENE PHOTOGRAPHY BY VLAD IMAGE STUDIO

Style Insider Happy Hour Located at Sports & Social Allentown

1 | Wendy Keim and Kelly Pitts 2 | Joe Wickel, Tom Gallagher and Eric Wilby 3 | Jen Fronheiser and Kristen Wagner 4 | Joseph McDermott, Chris Doocey and Richard Plinke 5 | Christe Konopitski, Devon LeCompte, Mairin Egge and John Wilchek 6 | Tiernan Gilbert and Johnny Espinoso 7 | Jennifer Mioduski, Heidi Szekula, Michael Pierce, April Bergstrom and Sheri Bayne 8 | Steve Walden, Lauren McChesney and Paul Williams 9 | Jeff and Marta Countess 10 | Connor Abrams and Christopher Alexander

12 F E B R U A R Y 2 0 2 4 : L E H I G H VA L L E Y S T Y L E . C O M

Were you photographed at an event? Find your photo online at lehighvalleystyle.com/partypics

design a

NEW BEGINNING FOR YOUR HOME

BOOK A COMPLIMENTARY SESSION WITH AN INTERIOR DESIGNER TODAY

Specialty Dinners at historic hotel bethlehem

France vs. Italy THURS | 01.18.24

Galentine’s Day Rosé

THURS | 02.15.24

The Great Scotch Tasting

THURS | 03.21.24

Into The Beast: Wine Dinner with Cellar Beast

ROARING 20’S BALL It will be the bee’s knees!

THURS | 04.18.24

MARCH 23, 2024 | 5 - 9PM $150/person | $300/couple includes taxes & gratuities

Musical Stylings of Alexis Connolly & Dolcetto 4 Hour Open Bar & 3-Course Dinner Special Overnight Room Rate $199 plus tax

Call 844.774.9670 for reservations.

Call 877.327.9402 for reservations.

Seating is limited. Events are for 21+. HOTELBETHLEHEM.COM

437 MAIN STREET

HISTORIC BETHLEHEM, PA 18018

L E H I G H VA L L E Y S T Y L E . C O M : F E B R U A R Y 2 0 2 4

STYLE SCENE PHOTOGRAPHY BY VLAD IMAGE STUDIO

Historic Bethlehem Museums & Sites Gala Located at ArtQuest Center at SteelStacks

14 F E B R U A R Y 2 0 2 4 : L E H I G H VA L L E Y S T Y L E . C O M

FAMILY LAW SERVICES INCLUDE: • • • • • • • • •

KINGSPRY’S FAMILY LAW PRACTICE GROUP

From left, standing: Richard Shiroff, Paige Gross, Family Chair Donald Spry, Adoption/ART Chair Dorota Gasienica-Kozak From left, seated: Avery E. Smith and KingSpry Managing Partner Jessica Moyer

Divorce, Equitable Distribution and Alimony Custody and Child Support Prenuptial and Postnuptial Agreements Legal Issues for Non-traditional Families Protecton from Abuse Orders Adoptions/ Assisted Reproduction Name Changes Legal Issues for Military Families Estates and Trusts

KingSpry’s Family Law Practice Group is named a Best Law Firm by Best Lawyers©, Metropolitan Tier 1 for 2024

1 West Broad St., Suite 700, Bethlehem 610.332.0390 | kingspry.com

POWER ’ EVERYONE S

DEVICES Ultra-reliable INTERNET up to 1.5 GIG available. Plus, now we have MOBILE!

4526 M_Style Mag Ad.indd 1

L E H I G H VA L L E Y S T Y L E . C O M : F 1/4/24 E B R U A R Y 9:58 2 0 2 4 AM

THIS MONTH’S PICKS

NARNIA

Kabinett Wine Bar recently debuted Narnia, a private dining room that guests enter through a wardrobe closet in the restaurant. Narnia is available exclusively for groups of 12–14 people. The experience entails a set four-course menu as well as a dedicated Kabinett team member as host. kabinettwinebar.com

PHOTO BY ALISON CONKLIN

SHOP QUEEN CITY

A NEW LOOK

Have you checked out Union & Finch’s sister brand Queen City yet? The apparel line celebrates the culture and history of Allentown and the Lehigh Valley with trucker hats, hoodies, T-shirts and more.

Ross Plants & Flowers in Orefield has a new look! The full-service florist, greenhouse and gift shop celebrated its makeover by Spundesign with a reveal party in December.

rossplantsandflowers.com

queencitypa

A Cheesy Collaboration

Guests can now enjoy The Aging Moon’s charcuterie creations with their pampering at Oliver’s Salon and Spa in Allentown. Handmade to order, options include a charcuterie box (a hearty snack for one!) or a lighter charcuterie cup.

oliverssalonspa.com

LOCAL’S NIGHT

Ironbound Farm and Ciderhouse has dubbed Thursday as Local’s Night. Join them in the Tasting Room every Thursday from 5–10 p.m. and enjoy $5 draft cider pours, small plates and live music.

ironboundhardcider.com

16 F E B R U A R Y 2 0 2 4 : L E H I G H VA L L E Y S T Y L E . C O M

Kids Menu

Plants + Coffee excited Eastonians of all ages with the launch of their Kids Menu, promising fun creations like their Fruity Pebble cream cheese on a rainbow bagel pictured here. plantsandcoffee.com

LIMITED TIME SAVINGS

ENJOY YOUR FIRST MONTH FREE FOR $300 IN TOTAL SAVINGS!*

SCAN HERE TO CLAIM THIS SPECIAL OFFER *VALID ON ADULT ANNUAL MEMBERSHIPS. EXCLUSIONS APPLY. SEE CLUB FOR DETAILS. OFFER EXPIRES 2/29/24.

Locally-Owned • 80+ Group Fitness Classes Per Week 3 Heated Indoor Pools • Suspended Track • Brand New Fitness Center Saunas, Whirlpools, Steam Rooms & Towel Service • Massage Therapy Childcare • Swim Lessons & Family Swim • Personal & Group Training

250 CETRONIA RD. STE 100, ALLENTOWN 610.973.1500 • STEELFITNESSPREMIER.COM CHECK OUT OUR BETHLEHEM LOCATION, STEEL FITNESS RIVERPORT

KEEPING PEOPLE WARM S I N C E 1 9 82 Your destination to complete your fireplace upgrade. Our knowledgeable sales staff is here to help guide you through the process. Kring’s offers sales, service and installation of gas, wood, and pellet fireplaces, stoves and inserts.

www.KringsOnline.com

610.224.5050 4405 Pennsylvania Dr., Schnecksville 834 Route 100 North, Bechtelsville

WHERE QUALITY SPEAKS FOR ITSELF

BEFORE

AFTER

A LEHIGH VALLEY COMPANY WITH OVER 20 YEARS EXPERIENCE INTERIOR & EXTERIOR PAINTING SERVICES • EPOXY FLOORS CUSTOM MOLDING INSTALLATIONS & RESIDENTIAL RENOVATIONS FOCAL ACCENT WALLS / GEOMETRIC ACCENT WALLS

610.248.2817 18 F E B R U A R Y 2 0 2 4 : L E H I G H VA L L E Y S T Y L E . C O M

ROCHEPAINTING.COM

TRENDING NOW CREATIVE COCKTAILS

P H O T O B Y D A N N Y D I G I TA L

SOL & SPIRITS MOBILE BAR CO.

“The whole inspiration behind it really stemmed from September 2020,” says Jessica Remmey, who owns Sol & Spirits with her sister-in-law Kelli Remmey. “Kelli and my brother, Jon, got married in their backyard and, with the help of my dad, Paul, we converted their old tool shed into a gorgeous bar.” As they worked together to re-plan Jon and Kelli’s special day due to the pandemic, they discovered a passion for the small details, a handcrafted bar and thoughtful cocktails. Years later, they revisited that passion. With Jessica’s bartending and hospitality experience, Kelli’s eagerness to start a new venture and the family’s craftsmanship in construction, the business was a no-brainer. They spent most of the summer building their bars and their brand, and they had their first event in September 2023. Sol & Spirits specializes in weddings, backyard parties and corporate events but is also a great option for intimate dinners, tailgates, showers, graduation parties and more. From mocktails to cocktails, they offer packages for every occasion. “One of our most popular cocktails is our Lavender Lemonade, made with fresh-squeezed lemonade, homemade lavender syrup and garnished with fresh thyme from our very own garden.”

solandspirits

After touring the location, Moyer and Romero decided to team up!

MEXICAN COMFORT FOOD

LA MAYA

With years living in places like New York City and Philadelphia under their belts, owners CJ Moyer and Rogelio Romero partnered to bring a timeless and trendy spot to the Lehigh Valley. “The food scene in these locations is unbeatable,” says Moyer, “from cuisine, to service, to overall brand and experience.” La Maya’s aesthetic will be lush, with lime-washed pink distressed walls featuring blown-up black-and-white photos. There will be comfortable bar seating, aromas of spices, herbs and citrus in the air and old, soulful Mexican music playing through the speakers. Guests can enjoy a boozy brunch as well as grab-and-go lunch options. “Burritos, tacos, crunch wraps, quesadillas,” lists Moyer. Their soulful dinner menu promises a strong focus on pairings, while the dessert menu offers a creative take on the classics. “Yes, you can expect churros and an espresso martini.” Moyer and Romero say they’re excited to flex their creative muscles within the restaurant industry. “It’s been a dream of ours,” says Moyer. La Maya will also have a food truck, which can be booked in tandem with Moyer’s existing Presley’s Mobile Cocktail Bar business.

650 Main St., Hellertown | lamayarestaurant.com

THROWBACK

PHOTO COURTESY OF RETRO BURGER

RETRO BURGER

When owners Cara Paredes and Juan Carlos Paredes (the team behind local favorites like Tapas on Main, Cachette Bistro, Urbano Mexican Kitchen, The Flying Egg and Peculiar Wine Bar) took over The Mint, they knew it needed a rebrand with a cohesive theme that put burgers at the forefront of their menu. “Burgers were the top seller,” they say. “With the addition of shakes and house-made fries, we had a solid concept. Finding the new chef, Jason Spesak, with fresh ideas helped us form the current menu.” The restaurant boasts a throwback feel, celebrating decades of the past. Designed with a ’50s vibe, they also show love to the flower power of the ’70s and play music that continues into the ’80s. Bright shiny red seating and checkerboard patterns are prominent and they hope to finish building a children’s play area with toys, arcade games and seating. Their Retro Burger, a classic beef burger with house-made retro sauce, is the most popular order. The Ramen Burger, featuring a ramen bun, beef burger, fried egg and kimchi is another must-try. Guests are also loving the milkshakes, especially the Kitchen Sink, which is as deliciously loaded as it sounds.

1223 W. Broad St., Bethlehem | 610.419.3810 | retroburgerbethlehem.com L E H I G H VA L L E Y S T Y L E . C O M : F E B R U A R Y 2 0 2 4

TRENDING NOW PHOTO BY KRISTIE BULL PHOTOGRAPHY

CURATED TABLESCAPES

SPOON + SALT

Entertaining and styling has always been part of each of their lives, but when Courtney Curzi Murray and Amy Tomlinson met at Bucknell University, they joined forces in their party planning endeavors. “As roommates in an off-campus house, we looked to entertain our friends whenever we had the chance,” they say. Now, years later, the duo has teamed up once again. Tomlinson’s successful merchandising and project management background had her dreaming of curated tablescapes, while Curzi Murray’s public relations business (paired with being a mom to a young child) inspired her to want to take the dishes and laundry out of the equation. Spoon + Salt launched in August 2023 after two years of thoughtful planning. “We wanted to develop a way to take the guesswork out of tabletop design for most any occasion and have the look reflect the party’s intention,” they share. “The goal here is to make the process much easier; we have thoughtfully curated looks, and we do the dishes for you.” From traditional, to modern and vintage mix-and-match, they have styles for everyone. Spoon + Salt is ideal for bridal showers, engagement parties, holidays and corporate events with under 40 guests. Check out their Valentine’s (or Galentine’s) Day look dubbed “Don’t Wait Up” and use code WELCOME10 for 10 percent off your first rental.

908.818.0400 | thespoonandsalt.com

Women have different needs than men when it comes to the heart.

That’s why the Women’s Heart and Vascular Program was created. The program is home to one of the largest groups of female cardiology and vascular experts in the country who work to prevent, treat and manage cardiovascular conditions during all ages and stages of a woman’s life. Learn more at LVHN.org/womensheart. Back row: Yasotha Rajeswaran, MD, Nidhi Mehta, MD, Cheri Silverstein Fadlon, MD, Hiwot Ayele, MD, Courtney Bennett, MD Front row: Deborah Sundlof, DO, Kailyn Mann, DO, Alison Wand, MD, Ellina Feiner, MD

PHOTO BY WINSTON ZHOU

A CULINARY DESTINATION

BAR TORINO & BOTTLE SHOP

Two decades ago, partner and executive manager Marc Devlin embarked on a journey of establishing his consulting business, catering to a highend clientele, procuring exceptional, highly allocated wines and spirits from across the globe for their private collections. Simultaneously, he was traveling between New York City and the Lehigh Valley to regularly visit family. “During that time, I sensed a transformation unfolding in Easton,” he says, “an undeniable energy.” Devlin lists establishments like Mick Gjevukaj’s River Grille, Ocean, Three OAK and Townley House along with Josh Palmer’s Sette Luna and Maxim’s 22 as pioneers that turned the city into a downtown dining destination and set the stage for Bar Torino & Bottle Shop. “My vision was to establish a haven where friends and family could gather, immersing themselves in the enjoyment of unexpected flavor experiences,” says Devlin. “Bar Torino is a place where you feel a part of the neighborhood and can try thoughtfully crafted dishes complemented by a selection of cult and classic wines, spirits and beers—some of which you may have never encountered before.” Devlin lists the restaurant’s artisanal pizzas from their Pavesi oven as the menu item he’s most excited about.

56 N. 3rd St., Easton | bar-torino.com

ONLINE THIS MONTH

LVS ONLINE Head to lehighvalleystyle.com to find out what’s happening each week in the Lehigh Valley! Want to see your event included in the roundup? Email editor@lehighvalleystyle.com

PHOTO BY MARCO CALDERON

BE PART OF THE STORY!

Do you know an individual who should be considered for our 2024 Influential Women of the Year feature? Nominate them at lehighvalleystyle.com/share-with-us

DID YOU KNOW?

You can view the entire issue for free online at lehighvalleystyle.com

Win It

Enter to win two weeks of unlimited personal training at Forward Thinking Fitness, a $250 value, and a 30-minute therapeutic massage from BeWell, a $69 value. Head to lehighvalleystyle.com/ share-with-us to enter!

Subscribe and listen to our editorin-chief’s podcast, The LV Edit, to go behind the scenes at the magazine, hear conversations with contributors and celebrate life in the Lehigh Valley!

SCAN TO LISTEN CONNECT W ITH ST Y LE:

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DON’T AGONIZE

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Compassionate Care. Lasting Impact. Serving Lehigh Valley Since 2015 Holistic health models for diverse needs Community-driven leadership Explore the differences at the heart of our service. 41 Community Drive Easton, PA 18045 www.lvaspa.com (610) 438-5827

L E H I G H VA L L E Y S T Y L E . C O M : F E B R U A R Y 2 0 2 4

GET THE GOODS

DAVID LAVIGNA

Owner/Founder

The Sound Parcel PHOTOGRAPHY BY MARCO CALDERON

The Sound Parcel strives to showcase the unique and the innovative in music industry equipment, catering to sonic explorers who are looking for something different from the typical big-box guitar shops.

DAVID LAVIGNA

Owner/Founder

Tell us about your journey to opening The Sound Parcel Music Showroom in Easton! I’ve been a musical hobbyist for as long as I can remember. At a young age my parents signed me up for piano lessons, and in middle school I transitioned to acoustic and electric guitar. I was always drawn to sound design and music production and enjoyed experimenting with different equipment, including effects pedals and synthesizers. In my early twenties I started “flipping” music equipment on eBay, and this eventually inspired what would become The Sound Parcel. In summer 2016 the website launched. At that point I was running the business out of my house— shop inventory was stored in the attic and the basement was converted into a makeshift shipping and logistics hub.

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By 2019, the business had grown and we moved into our current space at the Simon Silk Mill in Easton. What can locals expect to find in-store? The selection at The Sound Parcel includes everything from high-end guitars to hand-wired amps, boutique effects, Eurorack synths, Pro Audio, accessories and other musical oddities. What are some of the best sellers and/or soughtafter items? In our brick-and-mortar storefront, we bring the digital side of our business to life. One of the most popular areas of the showroom is our “trending” shelf. There you can find the most in-demand effects pedals based on online sales over the last few months. Current top picks for our customers include the Benson Delay, based on a karaoke effects chip from the 1990s, the DryBell Vibe Machine for classic uni-vibe modulation and the Hudson Broadcast in an exclusive TSP colorway. We’re also particularly proud of a uniquely curated selection of American-made guitars and amps from manufacturers such as Heritage, Nash, Magnatone and Milkman. Describe the overall vibe of the store. I’ve always loved going to guitar shops but many times found stores to be a bit intimidating. When designing the showroom, my goal was for the space to be relaxed,

comfortable and inviting. The lighting had to be right. The space feels more like a gallery than it does a store. Funny enough, the thing customers comment most on is the shop’s smell. There’s a pleasant woody scent as soon as you walk through the doors. Tell us about your partnership with Korg Brew Music! We’ve been a retail partner for Korg since we got started. When their team invited us to co-host an event in the Lehigh Valley, we jumped at the opportunity. TSP supplied the gear, Korg flew in their product specialists and Seven Sirens The Blendery poured the beers. It was a great evening with local customers and we all had the opportunity to make some bleeps and bloops on the synths. What are you looking forward to in 2024? We’re excited to be rolling out a re-envisioned customer loyalty program for our local and online customers. It’s a project we’ve been working on for almost two years and I’m excited to finally share the details and benefits! Is there anything else you’d like to note? We love our local musicians, and feel it is a privilege to serve such a vibrant community here in the Lehigh Valley. Next time you need a pack of strings or a cable for an upcoming gig we hope to see you at the showroom.

669 N. 13th St. Suite A101, Easton 484.291.4327 | thesoundparcel.co

SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION

PROFILES: MEN IN BUSINESS

SCOTT ROTHENBERGER Designer & Owner | PLACE

From childhood fascination to turn-key solutions, Scott Rothenberger’s story brings design knowledge and experience in the form of results to each PLACE.

PHOTO BY MARCO CALDERON

Scott Rothenberger, designer and owner of PLACE, has harbored a lifelong aspiration to be a designer. This passion has driven him since his earliest memories. Reflecting on his childhood, Scott fondly recalls gardening with his mother and grandmother. As a teen, Scott diligently saved money to purchase plants, using them to enhance the landscape of his mother’s yard. Graph paper became a useful tool on his drawing table, where he honed his skills designing floor plans, houses and planting layouts. College years were spent at Northampton Community College and Arizona State University where Scott received a degree in architecture and business marketing. Later came horticulture courses from Rutgers and more than 30 years of real life experience working in various design fields inside and out. As the force behind this international award-winning design/ build company, he takes pride in transforming clients’ dreams into tangible realities, creating PLACEs to share with family and friends. PLACE, now entering its 15th year, specializes in a design/ build/maintain relationship with its clients. With 75 percent of the business focused on outdoor living spaces and landscaping, the remainder encompasses interior design, event planning, holiday decorating and more. Scott observes a growing industry trend, that clients increasingly seek horticultural services due to their busy lifestyles. Many desire a hands-off approach, relying on experts to ensure their spaces remain beautiful and thriving. This service also allows the aging population to stay in their cherished lifelong family homes. PLACE is also committed to giving back to the community through many charitable organizations. The most notable causes near and dear to Scott are childhood cancers and animal rescue.

1780 Route 100, Bally | 610.428.1801 | designbyplace.com

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SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION

CEO, Lehigh Valley Adult Services Pennsylvania Integrative Clinical Services Lehigh Valley Older Adult Day Center Vinco Academy Johnathan Jones, a mental health expert with 20+ years' experience, leads LVAS, PICS, OADC and Vinco, promoting integrative health models. Committed to community well-being, he serves on boards, leveraging leadership and administrative expertise for quality health services.

Johnathan Jones, a seasoned mental health expert, offers consultation and strategic connections for those aiming to make positive impacts in health and human services. Holding a Bachelor of Arts in Theology from Alvernia University, Johnathan embarked on a 20-year journey in quality management and operations for both for-profit and nonprofit entities across Pennsylvania. As the Chief Executive Officer of Lehigh Valley Adult Services (LVAS), Pennsylvania Integrative Clinical Services (PICS), Lehigh Valley Older Adult Day Center (OADC) and Vinco Academy (Vinco), Johnathan oversees compliance with local and federal regulations. His responsibilities extend to governing the daily operations of residential facilities, an outpatient mental health clinic and an academic child center. With expertise in managing intellectual and developmental disabilities and dual diagnoses, Johnathan focuses on promoting integrative health models that holistically treat individuals. Beyond his professional roles, Johnathan serves on the Wilson Area Schools’ Board of Directors, the Advisory Board for Northwestern Human Services and the Lehigh Valley Supports Coalition. Committed to community health, he utilizes his leadership, administrative and fundraising skills. Married to Andria, Johnathan, and his family, including four children, find joy in spending time with their two dogs, four chickens, hog and beta fish. His mission is to contribute to the well-being of his community through quality health services.

41 Community Dr., Easton | 610.438.5827 | lvaspa.com L E H I G H VA L L E Y S T Y L E . C O M : F E B R U A R Y 2 0 2 4

PROFILES: MEN IN BUSINESS

JOHNATHAN C. JONES

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ASK THE EXPERT

BRING YOUR FITNESS INTO FOCUS

Evan Howard

CO-FOUNDER, FORWARD THINKING FITNESS trainftf.com

BY DAISY WILLIS | PHOTOGRAPHY BY MARCO CALDERON

While endless harebrained treatments and biohacking strategies trend in pop culture, a free, accessible and proven activity has always been at our fingertips. “Exercise is the best and most underutilized longevity drug on the planet,” says Evan Howard, co-founder of Forward Thinking Fitness. Here’s his best advice on how to jumpstart your fitness for a longer, happier life.

ADJUST EXPECTATIONS The biggest obstacle to sustained success is in our mentality. We tend to overthink decisions, partly because there are so many options. All you need to get started are some flexible clothes to move in, and Howard recommends barefoot shoes, which allow the foot’s musculature and proprioception to operate unhindered. Slow down and trust the process. Give yourself a consistent month to notice mental improvements, and two for physical changes. “The fitness journey isn’t linear,” Howard says. “Instead of being frustrated with plateaus, use them as motivation to push through to the other side. Too many people are impatient with their progress and think they should see end results in a matter of days, despite it taking years to slip to the unhappy place they’re currently in.”

L E H I G H VA L L E Y S T Y L E . C O M : F E B R U A R Y 2 0 2 4

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That said, there are ways to exercise that are going to leave you feeling like a hamster struggling at the wheel. At Forward Thinking Fitness they streamline and personalize workouts to be as efficient as possible, utilizing strength and functional training based on the latest research to optimize their clients’ time. Instead of making aspirational goals to lose a set amount of weight, it’s more effective to make tangible goals of the activities that yield body composition changes. For example, set a goal to work out four days per week, practice yoga twice per week and get eight hours of sleep every night for the next eight weeks. Put that time in and you’ll move better, feel better and live longer, at a weight that reflects your body’s needs.

TIME, THOUGH Howard would ask anyone concerned that they can’t make the time for exercise to consider that the average American spends almost three hours a day on social media. It’s our right to do so, but is it improving quality of life, or, notoriously, not? “We’ve got time for that but we don’t have time to invest in the only body we’re ever going to have?” he asks. “Nonsense.” Think of time scarcity as a matter of priorities. If you tend to put in extra hours at work, consider moving that down the priority list. “You will be replaced tomorrow morning if you dropped dead tonight,” Howard promises. “The work-first culture in our country needs to end. Take care of yourself before you take care of everything and everyone else.”

WHOLE HEALTH

PHOTO BY COLIN COLEMAN

30 F E B R U A R Y 2 0 2 4 : L E H I G H VA L L E Y S T Y L E . C O M Photo Credit: Colin Coleman

Howard’s clients devote two percent of their total week to coming in for workouts, but in order to see great progress, they have homework. Getting eight hours of sleep every night is essential. “Without that minimum,” he says, “you are impaired cognitively and physically whether you realize it or not.” As far as dietary advice, most people Howard sees are eating too many carbs and not enough protein.

“Protein has an increased thermogenic effect, which means your body burns about 20–30 percent more calories through the digestion process,” he says. Cold water boosts thermogenesis, too, for a more active metabolism. With increased intake of protein and water, you’re looking at higher performance during and better recovery after workouts as well as a host of health benefits, including stress and blood pressure reduction. On that note, Howard is a proponent of intentionally practicing gratitude on a daily basis to keep symptoms of anxiety and depression at bay while amplifying satisfaction in life.

The choice is yours to make time for your health now…

START WITH SUPPORT To get moving without worries about injury, inefficiency or what modifications might be right for you, input from coaches like those at Forward Thinking Fitness will set you up for success. Their intake process examines health history, lifestyle habits, schedule and goals, tailoring their services to meet clients where they are. Motivation is a fleeting means to make the changes we want. “Given that it will come and go, it needs to be replaced with one of two things,” Howard says. “Discipline or accountability.” Discipline, or doing the necessary things we don’t feel like doing, is hard, especially when modern technology actively trains us to expect instant gratification. The most effective form of accountability is an expert who can assure you that you’re doing the right things the right way, but even a workout buddy helps your chances. “Living healthy is hard in the present, but living unhealthy now is going to be way harder for you in future,” Howard warns. “The choice is yours to make time for your health now or be forced to make time for illness later.”

PA HOUSE LOWKEY PREMIUM RESTAURANT wood fired oven & craft cocktail bar

662 Front Street Hellertown, PA thepahouse.com @thepahouse

L E H I G H VA L L E Y S T Y L E . C O M : F E B R U A R Y 2 0 2 4

Prepare your child for a GREAT FUTURE!

ST. THOMAS MORE SCHOOL Preschool - 8th Grade Enroll Now for the 2024-2025 School Year!

Our students perform within the 90th percentile overall on National Standardized Testing. ACADEMICS

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St. Thomas More School / 1040 Flexer Avenue, Allentown, PA 18103 / stmschoolpa.com / 610-432-0396

Where Little Minds Blossom and Curiosity Thrives Our Program About Vinco Academy

The Vinco Difference

Innovative early-learning for ages 2-5. Play-based, secure, experienced educators. Enroll today!

Education excellence, dedicated team, seamless daycare-preschool blend, holistic development with therapies.

21 Community Drive Easton PA 18045

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vincoacademy.com

Early Learning Curriculum Providing developmentally suitable educational activities and lessons fostering cognitive, social, and physical growth.

info@vincoacademy.com

The perfect balance of learning and play® 3355 High Point Blvd., Bethlehem 2201 Emrick Blvd., Bethlehem 325 Lehigh Street, Catasaqua

• Safe, nurturing environment • Enthusiastic and caring teachers • Links to Learning curriculum • Ongoing parent communication

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Grades 6-12 & PG Day & Boarding Pennsburg, PA perkiomen.org/virtual-admissions

L E H I G H VA L L E Y S T Y L E . C O M : F E B R U A R Y 2 0 2 4

5 THINGS

DATE NIGHT RESTAURANTS BY DAISY WILLIS

Share a romantic evening any time of year with intimate atmosphere and incredible cuisine at these celebrated spots.

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1.TRE SCALINI

221 E. Broad St., Bethlehem | 610.419.1619 | trescalini.net

Stray a few blocks east of Bethlehem’s Main Street to find this softly lit venue for fresh, flavorful pasta and Italian food. The menu is inspired by Chef Santo’s native Palermo, Sicily, and each bite a delight. Be sure to make a reservation and BYOB for a night out that’s cozy and quaint while packing a powerful impression.

SAVORY GRILLE 2934 Seisholtzville Rd., Macungie 610.845.2010 | savorygrille.com

IT’S TIME TO MUSCLE UP YOUR BODY AND MIND AT NUHOUSE, WHERE OVERALL WELLNESS TAKES ON A BOLD AND EMPOWERING NU MEANING.

Located in a beautiful and historic stone inn outside Macungie, Savory Grille is worth the hike to the fringes of the Valley as a special treat because of its fabulous fare. Culinary experts with a wealth of experience let their creativity shine with a sumptuous menu. The duck does not disappoint, and the crème brûlée is to die for.

OAK 3.THREE STEAKHOUSE

323 Northampton St., Easton 610.559.5510 | threeoaksteakhouse.com

From the mouthwatering menu to the modern, jaw-dropping interior design, Three OAK crafts an experience that communicates in no uncertain terms: awesome date night. Expect steak cooked to perfection and an extravagant wine list, located in a central spot to facilitate postdinner frolics in Downtown Easton.

4. SWITCHBACK PIZZA

Welcome to the forefront of a wellness revolution, where a dedicated league of practitioners are spearheading a movement for men’s health. While the doors of NuHouse are always open to anyone seeking holistic well-being, this year, they are rolling out services tailored specifically to address the unique needs of men. Embark on a journey where simplicity unlocks profound healing, guided by passionate experts providing comprehensive holistic healing through individualized treatment plans geared to relax, rejuvenate and restore body, mind and soul. Bruce Rambo is dedicated to the relentless pursuit of client recovery and athletic excellence. He specializes in Piezo, laser and cryotherapy treatments. He passionately crafts personalized plans addressing injuries, from surgical to minor, aiming to renew and rebuild the best version of each individual. With a focus on unlocking the path to peak performance, Bruce is committed to enhancing well-being.

Dr. Christian Pedretti empowers individuals through acupuncture and facial movements, emphasizing the transformative power of self-care to combat weight management, anxiety, depression, fatigue, and autoimmune conditions. Dr. Pedretti offers more than treatments—he provides a blueprint for self-discovery and lasting empowerment.

Dr. RJ Swingle, NuHouse’s dedicated chiropractor, is renowned for his hands-on approach and commitment to excellence. Specializing in spinal correction, Dr. Swingle utilizes x-ray guided adjustments along along with custom orthotics and advanced techniques like Piezo therapy and decompression. He focuses on long-term solutions, providing alignment from head to toe.

525 W. Jubilee St., Emmaus 610.928.0641 | switchbackpizza.com

On the more casual end of the spectrum, and no less of a gem, this Emmaus eatery offers wood-fired pizza with toppings from the classic to the unconventional, the perfect size to share with a sweetheart. Toast to each other with Switchback’s own hard ciders, not too sweet and very pretty in a sparkling flight.

MODERN 5. NOTCH KITCHEN & BAR 5036 Hamilton Blvd., Allentown 610.841.4610 | notchmknb.com

For a menu full of infallible Asian fusion and unusual drinks that will keep you sampling, Notch is a date night for fans of flavor. A sister restaurant of the exemplary White Orchids Thai Cuisine, this spot sports colorful takes on bao buns, rice bowls and ramen, as well as elevated entrées to sink your teeth into for a decadent date night.

nuhouse 19 SOUTH BANK STREET EASTON PA 1804 5

61 0. 4 3 8 .1 76 5

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PHOTO BY ERIC FORBERGER

PROFILES: CAUSES IN THE VALLEY

SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION

ALLENTOWN RESCUE MISSION Rescue, Rehabilitate and Restore Homeless Men The Allentown Rescue Mission is the largest men’s homeless shelter in the Greater Lehigh Valley, providing services to hundreds of men each year, like Jonathan (pictured above). But it is much more than a shelter. The Mission offers three distinct programs to address each man’s unique needs. The Emergency Shelter provides the most urgent needs, including safe shelter, nutritious meals, hot showers and free medical care. Men in search of greater change and healing can join the eight-week Transformation Program, which teaches guests life skills and Bible classes. The day after guests graduate from the Transformation Program, they are eligible for employment on the Mission’s Clean Team Workforce Development Program. By the time the men leave the Clean Team Workforce, they’ve typically saved enough money for an apartment, secured permanent housing and have ended their homelessness. The Mission could not continue to rescue, rehabilitate and restore homeless men, like Jonathan, without the help and generosity of private donors and community supporters throughout the Lehigh Valley.

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The Allentown Rescue Mission is almost exclusively non-government funded, relying on the support of individuals and local businesses. To make a monetary or in-kind donation or to learn more about the Allentown Rescue Mission and ways to help, visit their website and be sure to follow the Allentown Rescue Mission on Facebook or Instagram.

355 Hamilton St., Allentown 610.740.5500 | allentownrescuemission.org

SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION

PROFILES: CAUSES IN THE VALLEY

PHOTO BY AMANDA MURPHY PHOTOS BY GARY WEISEL

LEHIGH VALLEY HUMANE SOCIETY + VET CLINIC A 24/7 organization providing food, medical care, foster homes, adoption services, community outreach and more Save animals. Serve community. That is the motto of the Lehigh Valley Humane Society (LVHS). LVHS has undergone dramatic changes in the last five years, with new leadership, new programs and a beautiful new facility. In addition to rescuing and rehabilitating abandoned and abused animals, the LVHS also strives to provide affordable programming to thousands of local pet owners who have historically had little access to the kinds of services that keep animals happy, healthy and out of shelters. These include services through the Community Vet Clinic, pet grooming studio and dog training program. In 2023, animal shelters across America took in 245,000 more pets in need than in 2022. The LVHS is no exception, having received 600 more pets in 2023 than in the year previous, for a total of 3,000 animals rescued. They also performed more adoptions than ever before, and treated double the amount of pets through their affordable veterinary clinic than in 2022. Also in 2023, the LVHS was able to accomplish important wins for animals through legislation in Allentown, like advocating to ban the retail sale of puppies, kittens and rabbits in pet stores as well as the banning of cat declawing in the City of Allentown. For these efforts, the Lehigh Valley Humane Society was named Pennsylvania Shelter Partner of the Year by the Humane Society of the United States in 2022.

There are always exciting things going on at the LVHS, and there are so many ways people can help! Visit lehighhumane.org and follow @theLVHS on Facebook and Instagram to see how to get involved.

640 Dixon St., Allentown 610.797.1205 | lehighvalleyhumanesociety.org L E H I G H VA L L E Y S T Y L E . C O M : F E B R U A R Y 2 0 2 4

PROFILES: CAUSES IN THE VALLEY

SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION

ARTSQUEST

Providing access to art, culture and educational programs for the diverse residents of the Lehigh Valley and others who seek access to our community Mission-focused, ArtsQuest has its eye on the future with a brand-new, state-of-the-art Cultural Center slated to be built in 2025 in addition to the renovation of the historic Turn & Grind Shop, located next to the Bethlehem Visitor Center on the SteelStacks campus. The Cultural Center will serve as a visible and creative gateway to Bethlehem’s SouthSide; provide much needed space, new programs and advanced technology that will double the number of students and families ArtsQuest currently serves; implement new partnerships as a Communications Career Pathway Program with the BASD; and further foster economic development and tourism across the Lehigh Valley, which will improve property values and further civic pride. The Turn & Grind Shop will allow ArtsQuest to significantly expand its private event space to further accommodate corporate events, weddings, proms and additional functions. Its beautiful and historical location and structure will significantly further travel and tourism to the Lehigh Valley.

ArtsQuest is a nonprofit with a mission of providing access to the arts for all. Its programs reach more than 1.9 million people annually. Fundraising events, sponsors and community partners allow ArtsQuest to provide over half of its programming free to the public with scholarships available for individuals facing financial hardship. 25 W. 3 rd St., Bethlehem | 610.332.1300 | artsquest.org

HAVEN HOUSE: RESTORING HOPE, RENEWING LIVES By creating a stigma-free community in which those with barriers can thrive towards independence and accomplishment

Members of the Haven House leadership team

Haven House is committed to empowering individuals to overcome barriers in their lives and provide them with support and an opportunity to reach their full potential. To support Haven House, or to learn more about their different programs, visit haven-house.com.

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The need for community-based mental health services from organizations like Haven House has grown post-pandemic. Looking in from the outside, one wouldn’t know that over 70 staff members are working to keep seven distinct programs and countless partnerships running to support around 3,000 individuals in Lehigh and Northampton counties. Haven House continually searches for new opportunities to expand and improve access to services to fulfill their mission. In addition, Haven House takes every opportunity to further educate the public around mental health to foster a stigmafree environment. This year, Haven House plans to resume poverty simulations, grow group therapy options and host a gala-type event in order to reach new and different audiences regarding community mental health. Please follow them on Facebook or subscribe to their newsletter to avoid missing any of their exciting updates. 1411 Union Blvd. Allentown 610.433.6181 haven-house.com

INSIGHT

Jared Isaacman Founder & CEO of Shift4 BY AMY UNGER | PHOTOGRAPHY BY ALISON CONKLIN

It all started in a basement. Or a garage. Or a bedroom. Or maybe even a closet. Inauspicious beginnings seem to be a common denominator among many mega success stories in the business world: think Amazon, Apple, Google and Microsoft. The Lehigh Valley has a link to another one of those astonishing nothing-to-something tales you might read about in Forbes. It’s true that Jared Isaacman wasn’t born in the Valley—and neither was Shift4, his Lehigh County-based payment processing company that’s now worth billions of dollars. But he’s made a home here for himself, his family and his business as he continues to—quite literally—soar to new heights. Isaacman keeps a relatively low profile in the region. Before he made headlines in 2021 as the commander of SpaceX’s first all-civilian spaceflight, a mission dubbed Inspiration4, many Lehigh Valley residents were likely unaware that a young billionaire lived among them. He doesn’t seek out the spotlight, even though he’s an adventure and adrenaline junkie. It was a sense of restlessness and wanting more in his teen years that first motivated him to start thinking beyond the usual trappings of adolescence. His older siblings had already moved out of the family home in Somerset County, NJ, when Isaacman was still a student at Ridge High School. “They were out enjoying their lives. I was trapped in high school,” he says.

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But, unlike the stereotypical slacker who needs to be pulled out of his parents’ basement, Isaacman’s first real career ambition was launched in that basement. At 16 years old, he left high school to get a GED and secured a job with a credit card processing firm called Merchant Services, Inc. “I was lucky to get hired into an industry that was very immature and had a lot of opportunities for improvement,” says Isaacman. He wasn’t there long before he left to start his own payments company. He named it United Bank Card because he thought it sounded like something an established financial institution would call itself. Isaacman logged a lot of hours in that New Jersey basement, growing his company. But he realized he was missing one of his first loves: flying. “I had a passion for aviation history, especially World War II,” Isaacman recalls. “I started playing flight simulators as a kid on a computer.” And, like a lot of 1980s kids, he was enamored with the movie Top Gun. In 2004 when Isaacman was about 21 years old, he began taking flying lessons at Lehigh Valley International Airport, which he describes as the perfect setting for an up-and-coming pilot. “You would never want to learn [to fly] in New York or LA where it’s just chaos at all times. Allentown is the perfect balance. It’s a busy airport but it’s not too busy. It gives you a lot of the experiences that I think are important when you’re first learning to fly.” Isaacman’s passion for aviation was the catalyst for a new endeavor: a civilian air squadron that would perform aerial acrobatics at shows across the country. The Black Diamond Jet Team’s gigs included headlining the Lehigh Valley Airshow in 2013 and 2014. At the same time, Isaacman was working on building up a fleet of fighter jets for what would become Draken International, a contractor that trains pilots for the military and defense industries. All of that was after Isaacman and a copilot found time in 2009 to set a new world record for flying around the globe in a light jet. And all the while, the payments processing company that would become Shift4 was growing. In 2012, he decided the time had come to cross the border into

Pennsylvania. Isaacman chose a spot outside Allentown to relocate. “Selfishly, I was flying out of the Lehigh Valley airport, and I wanted to be closer to the airport.” It also helped that many employees already lived in Pennsylvania. Another plus: “I was already an Eagles fan, so that helped,” he jokes. The company moved in 2012, and Isaacman and his family followed two years later. His wife, Monica, whom he married in 2011, was a former middle school classmate. They rode the same bus, Isaacman says, but didn’t get to know each other until years later, when she was looking for a summer job: “She was really employee 12 at Shift4.” The couple shares two daughters: 10-year-old Mila and 7-year-old Liv.

It’s access to technology and experiences that can change your direction in life.

Shift4, which employs about 600 people in the Lehigh Valley, moved to a bigger space in Upper Saucon Township last year. “It’s been a huge morale boost,” Isaacman says. The company can boast of more than 200,000 customers across nearly a dozen industries, including hospitality, nonprofit, retail and sports and entertainment. There are certainly a number of boldfaced names to be found on that lengthy list of clients, such as Marriott, Burger King and Disney, as well as a number of professional sports teams like the Miami Dolphins and Cleveland Cavaliers. Shift4 provides what it calls an “end-to-end payment ecosystem”; meaning, whether customers are swiping, tapping scanning or clicking around online, Shift4 takes care of the technology, software and hardware to make the process as seamless—and secure—as possible. If all goes according to plan, Isaacman will be back in space soon. At the time of this interview in November of 2023, Isaacman was hopeful for an April 2024 launch of Polaris Dawn, the first of three missions he will command for SpaceX’s

Polaris program. This time around “everything is way more intense. Much bigger objectives,” Isaacman says. The four-person crew will spend five days in space, and, unlike the Inspiration4 mission, the Polaris team will attempt a spacewalk. They’ll also be gathering data and conducting research to better understand how space travel impacts the human body and overall health. Another objective is testing SpaceX’s Starlink laser-based communications, which SpaceX sees as vital for future missions to the moon, Mars and beyond. Isaacman is aware that a certain segment of the population views this and other dalliances in space as a colossal waste of money. “I certainly think that like 99.9 percent of our resources should be spent on making life better here on Earth, but there should be a small portion of it that is spent on unlocking the secrets of our solar system and our universe,” he says. “It would be absolutely crazy not to. It’d be like looking out on the ocean and saying, ‘I’ll get to it at another point.’ We have to cross the oceans and seas and climb the mountains and explore because we don’t know what we’re going to find.” And Isaacman certainly is not neglecting some of those bigger needs on Earth, like supporting pediatric patients and their families. Both the Inspiration4 and Polaris missions are mega fundraisers for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. Isaacman previously raised money for the Make-A-Wish Foundation. In October of last year,

St. Luke’s University Health Network unveiled the Isaacman Family Children’s Emergency Room at its Children’s Hospital in Fountain Hill. Isaacman says that project was especially important to him in demonstrating to his young daughters the importance of paying it forward to others in the community, especially to those who—through no fault of their own—are dealing with challenging circumstances. “I know I’ve been very lucky in life,” he says. “You don’t get to where I am without a lot of things going right, the ball bouncing your way many times.” Isaacman likes making the big philanthropic gestures. He says he focuses on ways he can move the needle, rather than smaller efforts that might not have as much of an impact. In 2022 Allentown’s Da Vinci Science Center announced the launch of the Isaacman Next Generation Science Institute. That same year he wrote a 10 million dollar check for a new training center at the U.S. Space & Rocket Center in Alabama. The center is meant to train the next generation of astronauts, pilots and engineers. “These are experiences kids can’t get at high school or middle school or anywhere else,” Isaacman says. “It’s access to technology and experiences that can change your direction in life.” He would know; he attended space camp there as a child. And it seems like everything turned out OK for him.

shift4.com L E H I G H VA L L E Y S T Y L E . C O M : F E B R U A R Y 2 0 2 4

In f luential

BY AMY UNGER PHOTOGRAPHY BY ANDREW TOMASINO ON-SITE AT SIX FIFTEEN WATERFRONT

Men Year of t he

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Let’s hear it for the gents! Lehigh Valley Style is once again recognizing a crop of exceptional guys as our 2024 Influential Men of the Year. Read on to hear how these six are making our community a better place, just by doing what they do.

DR.H asshan BATTS Executive Director Promise Neighborhoods of the Lehigh Valley

Who is Hasshan Batts? He’s a father, a grandfather, a husband and a son. Dig deeper, and the list of descriptors grows: prison survivor, healer, mentor and changemaker. At one time, he was also a kid for whom success was not assured. “I’m from Brooklyn, the Brooklyn of the ’80s, as we say, which was a rough place,” Batts says. He moved as a teenager first to the Poconos and then to Allentown, where he began to make his way as an entrepreneur, which laid the foundation for what he calls tri-sector work: “How do we get the business community to work in partnership with government to work in partnership with nonprofits?” Batts is the executive director of Promise Neighborhoods of the Lehigh Valley, a grassroots organization dedicated to creating safe, inclusive and enriching communities for young people. Members chase that mission on multiple fronts, focusing on health and wellness, leadership building and anti-violence initiatives. “The secret sauce is really engaging with and actively listening to community,” says Batts. And Promise Neighborhoods’ presence is growing. Last year, the group helped to spearhead an effort to open a food and wellness center for families in need inside Allentown’s Hays Elementary School. In 2022, Cure Violence, a collaboration between Promise Neighborhoods and Lehigh Valley Health Network that treats community violence as a public health problem, was awarded a nearly $2 million state grant. Although much of the success of Promise Neighborhoods depends on a team of community members working in concert, Batts has been singled out for his leadership. Last year he was named a Fulbright Specialist by the U.S. Department of State, enabling him to share his expertise and experience with a global audience overseas. Batts is also the head of the Batts Development Group, as well as an author, podcast host and philanthropist. In all of his endeavors, there is one unifying thread: “I learned that service and giving to the world is where the change is going to come,” says Batts.

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… giving to the world is where the is going to come.

c hange

S tetephen

Owner

Suddenly Samantha

FLOWERS

The Easton community is off-the-hook

amazing.

A haircut can be a transformative experience, and not just for the person in the chair. Stephen Flowers would know. He opened his salon, Suddenly Samantha, in Easton in 1996. He enjoyed the work, but a chance encounter some 13 years later gave him a new perspective on what was possible. Flowers says he was walking his dog on Christmas Day when he encountered a homeless man. Flowers bought the man some food and took him back to his shop, where he cleaned him up a bit and gave him a haircut. “A few days later I ran into the guy, and he said that was the best Christmas he ever had,” Flowers recalls. Thus began a new Christmas Day tradition for Flowers: opening his shop to give haircuts to the homeless. Eventually the event grew in size and scope, with lessfortunate families invited to enjoy food and gifts above the salon, which is inside the Grand Eastonian Hotel and Suites. Flowers was just getting started. He got an idea for a back-to-school event after giving free haircuts to the children of a mother who couldn’t afford to pay for them. Not long after that, he helped to organize Beards for Breasts, an annual fundraiser for Cancer Support Community—Greater Lehigh Valley in which men who are willing to part ways with their carefully cultivated facial hair are auctioned off to the highest bidders. 2023’s event raised more than $14,000. Finally, Flowers also launched Deck the Walls, inviting local artists to put their own creative spin on skateboard decks that are auctioned off to benefit Safe Harbor Easton. Although Flowers was instrumental in getting each of the events off the ground, he’s since ceded control of some, and brought in more manpower to help run others. “My goal is for people to see what I do and take it to the next level,” he says. And he’s quick to share the spotlight. It was never about him, he says. “All of these events couldn’t have happened without my staff and the community’s input. The Easton community is off-the-hook amazing.”

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D ennis

President

Teamsters Local 773

HOWER

… we do whatever we can to

h elelpp...

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Dennis Hower is hard to miss during the month of October. Just look for the guy with the very long, very pink beard. He’s dyed his beard for the past five years to raise money for the American Cancer Society’s Men Wear Pink campaign. In 2023, Hower’s fuchsia follicles raked in more than $121,000 for breast cancer research, advocacy and patient support. That made him the third highest individual fundraiser in the entire country for the campaign. Hower, the president of Teamsters Local 773 since 2013, got involved with the campaign at the behest of some union members who were battling breast cancer. They were hoping he could raise $2,500; he was thinking bigger. “We got to $10,000 before October even started,” he says. “It just took off.” The decision to reach for the pink hair dye (he eschews the easier-to-apply spray) was an easy one, he says: “Everybody’s family knows somebody who has had cancer.” And that includes his own. His father, Claude, succumbed to bile duct cancer in 2007, only a few weeks after his initial diagnosis. Hower cites his father as his greatest teacher of the importance of selflessness and supporting those who are down on their luck. He saw this kindness reciprocated when Claude was seriously injured in a workplace accident. Hower was a student at Whitehall High School at the time. “We received so much help from the people in his union and the community,” Hower says. “I learned through that experience and learned by his example that we do whatever we can to help out those around us in any situation.” In addition to the American Cancer Society, he’s helped with campaigns for other nonprofits, including the United Way of the Greater Lehigh Valley, and Big Brothers Big Sisters. He’s on the board of the Pediatric Cancer Foundation of the Lehigh Valley. He also served two terms as a Whitehall Township Commissioner. You might even spot him playing bass with his band Union Jack at a local fundraising event. “Whatever I can do to help out in the community, I’m here for,” Hower says.

 J SUERO

Chair

Hispanic Chamber of the Lehigh Valley

Brooklyn native AJ Suero remembers feeling a little bit like a fish out of water when he and his wife, Sandra, moved to the Lehigh Valley 20 years ago. But that’s no longer the case. “Over the past couple of decades, we’ve seen how vibrant the Valley has become and it really has become home,” Suero says. It all comes down to having a connection with the community; Suero feels it, and he wants to make sure everyone else does, too. He currently works in communications for PPL; it’s a career path he began charting several years ago, first with the American Red Cross. “I feel that’s where I started connecting with the community and really building up that desire to want to help in a more profound way,” says Suero. “Being able to have direct interaction with people allows them to sense your heart.” Since July of 2022 he’s served as the chair for the Hispanic Chamber of the Lehigh Valley, which seeks to not only support Latinx-owned businesses in the region, but also develop deeper relationships with the larger community. Their slogan, Suero explains, is “Somos Familia,” which translates to “We Are Family,” in English. In 2023 the Chamber launched a podcast and radio show called Somos Lehigh Valley (“We Are Lehigh Valley”) to give a voice to local Latinx luminaries. His role as a business leader for the Chamber landed him on the Pennsylvania Latino Convention’s 2022 list of “Who’s Who in Latino Pennsylvania.” “It was a profound honor,” Suero says. “I think it’s also an opportunity to continue building bridges and building awareness.” It’s also another opportunity for Suero to continue to lead by example. “The best way to be a great neighbor is for us to walk alongside the people who we live with, who we go to school with, who we worship with, and really see what their needs are and step in wherever we can to help,” he says.

… walk alongside the people who with … we

live

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Wil liam

Artistic Director Civic Theatre of Allentown

SANDERS

William Sanders’ gig at Allentown’s Civic Theatre was supposed to be a one-anddone: direct one play, and then move on. That was 1989. Plot twist: that’s not how it worked out. Minus a brief detour to New York City, Sanders has served as Civic’s artistic director since 1991. He recently took on the role of managing director as well. Sanders says he knew he was in the right place when, inspired by a friend’s battle with AIDS in the early ’90s, he sought approval from Civic’s board to put on Larry Kramer’s The Normal Heart, a play about the AIDS crisis and the public’s perception of it. The board said yes, even though, Sanders says, its subject matter was still somewhat taboo for the time. “That sort of turned a key in me that this is a place where I think I can make a home, if they’re willing to do that kind of work.” Sanders has continued to seek out and push for productions from diverse voices. Sure, there are the “toe tappers,” as he calls them—mainstream musicals like 9 to 5 and Billy Elliot that are great fun, but Civic’s playbill over the years has also welcomed Trouble in Mind, Angels in America (Parts 1 and 2) and The Color Purple. “One of the things I felt really strongly about when I came into this position was to make the theater accessible to as many people as possible, as many artists as possible as well,” says Sanders. Recently, Theatre 514, the smaller venue across the street from Civic’s main stage, launched a program called The Hub, which gives a stage to emerging artists seeking a place to explore and fine-tune their work. As its name suggests, The Hub is meant to be a community gathering place. It’s an opportunity to connect for those who are new to Civic, those who grew up in the floodlights, and everyone in between. “We work really hard to create that energy where people feel welcomed, feel accepted, feel appreciated and feel part of something bigger than themselves,” Sanders says.

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We work really hard to create that energy where people feel

welelccomed...

L yell

Owner

Jay’s Local & The Scherline Group

SCHERLINE

It’s like a second

h ome...

Lyell Scherline wasn’t intending to open a restaurant when he purchased a corner property next to Allentown’s Muhlenberg College. “I didn’t really know what I was going to do with the space, I just liked the location,” he says. By the fall of 2019 he had figured it out with the opening of Jay’s Local, a casual eatery catering to Muhlenberg students and denizens of the West End. Fast-forward to 2024, and the restaurant has morphed into much more than just a place to grab a quick bite and a cup of coffee. And that’s been Scherline’s hope all along. Scherline is the owner of real estate management and development company The Scherline Group. The “Jay" of Jay’s Local is his father, the late attorney and philanthropist Jay Scherline. “He gave so much back to the community and it’s important for me to follow in his footsteps as best as I can and support the community as best as I can,” says Lyell of his father. During the pandemic, Jay’s Local, like so many other eateries, had to rethink its business model. Scherline wanted to support other small local businesses that were trying to weather the storm. Jay’s Local began to offer workshops, a kitchen rental program, pop-ups and a space for vendors to sell their wares, everything from arts and crafts to hot sauce. Children’s story time is a more recent addition to the events calendar; Jase, the young daughter of Scherline and his wife, Tracey, is a frequent attendee. “It’s like a second home and everyone in the family has a part in it,” Scherline says. That also includes his mother, Lorrie. Now the family is trying to deepen its commitment to supporting the community with the creation of the Jay and Jase Foundation. “We’re trying however we can to support people in the Lehigh Valley that are looking to start a business, or grow a business.” That can mean many things: mentorship, helping with contacts or finances, or using the Jay’s Local space to test and launch products. The way Scherline sees it, it’s all just part of being a good neighbor. “This is where we live, and this is where we’re raising our family. I want it to be as best it can.”

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13 LOCAL FAVO RITE S By Paul Kita | Photography by Alison Conklin

The Lehigh Valley is home to some really good pizza— both on and off this list—but these 13 seek to add an extra zing to your ‘za. From crispy thin crusts to pillowy dough, we hope you’re up for a cheesy adventure.

C Hellertown

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rossroads H

otel

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&S iz za

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ou tti H

S et t

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Plain

Hellertown Crossroads Hotel

Like a Brass Rail cheesesteak or a Yocco’s hot dog, Crossroads pizza tastes like the Lehigh Valley. The establishment, opened in 1952, is under new ownership since 2016, but they kept the pizza for a reason. The pie is crisp and hits that sweet spot of saucy-and-cheesy-and-can-I-get-another-slice.

1443 Main St., Hellertown | 610.838.8278 | hellertowncrossroads.com

WORTH THE

DRIVE

White Pizza

Moonlight Pi zza

This spot’s offerings often sell out due to limited hours and demand, but if you cal l early and show up on time, you’ll not jus t enjoy their pizza, you’ll behold it. Moon light ferments their dough at room temp, which is pizza ge ek for crusts that take on an almos t eth ereal lightness. Adorn ed with seven cheeses, roasted garlic , olive oil and herbs, Mo onlight’s white pizza is a flavor sonata.

301 S. Robinson Ave., Pen Argyl | 610.654.1020 moonlightpizza.wixsite.co m/penargyl

POPPING UP

all over

Coppers Jam

Tré Wood- Fired

This mobile piz za kitch en roves local brewerie s, wineries and events. When you track it down, try this wil d-but-works combination of smok ed pork, Eight Oaks bo urbon BBQ sauce, pickled red on ion and a one-t wo ch eesy punch of cheddar and mozzarel la. It’s the good kind of dif ferent.

610.674.0164 | tre610.com

Sausage and Broccoli Rabe Andrew Rogers’ Pizzeria

The pie’s meaty crumbles intermingle with the sautéed bitter greens beneath a warm blanket of cheese. The toppings are in harmony, but it’s the crust—airy, tender and flecked with char—that really holds everything together. The vibe of the place, operating out the first floor of B.W. Social, is relaxed, quiet and removed, too.

1984 Waldheim Rd., Hellertown |

Andrew Rogers’ Pizzeria

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48 Hellertown |

4.8

Grandma Pie

The Brick

Not quite as thick as a traditional Sicilian, yet more substantive than a thin-crust, a rectangular Grandma pizza is so much more than a novelty. Especially at this Broad Street staple, where their pie is an Instagram-worthy dappling of mozzarella, sauce and basil. Cooked crisp in a wood-fueled brick oven, it may just replace your favorite circle-shaped pie.

1 W. Broad St. Suite 101, Bethlehem | 610.419.1141 | thebrickpa.com

Mac Daddy

The Tavern on Liberty That’s ground beef, special sauce (okay, Thousand Island dressing), cheese, lettuce, pickles, onions and some sesame seeds… on a crust. The Micky D’s-inspired pizza plays peek-a-boo on the menu, so grab it while you can. Find a table near the kitchen and you might even witness the chefs spinning and stretching the dough for you.

2246 W. Liberty St., Allentown 484.221.8765 | thelibertytaproom.com

The Cure

Birthright Brewing Co.

The wood-fire blistered pizzas that emerge from this brewery’s domed oven are all powerfully delicious. And that’s in part because Birthright has a history of sourcing their cured products from nearby Nello’s Specialty Meats, a family-owned butcher shop. Taste them in all their flame-licked glory on this pie, which is adorned with deeply rich capicola and faintly nutty prosciutto.

57 S. Main St., Nazareth | 610.365.2225 birthrightbrewingco.com

Famous Colonial “Upside Down” Pizza Colonial Pizza & Spaghetti House

That’s mozzarella cheese on the bottom; sauce on top. And after you bite through the crisp-tender crust to behold the world-turning powers of this inverted pizza, you’ll need to right-size yourself with a cold one from their unsung and expansive craft beer selection.

136 Spring Garden St., Easton | 610.252.3033 | colonialpizzaeaston.com

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Amalfi Coast Sette Luna

Where some pies shine with creative toppings, others sing with simplicity. On this pizza, fresh-plucked clams swim in homemade marinara sauce with little more than some snipped Italian parsley and a spritz of lemon juice. Order it with a Caesar salad and a bottle of white and bask in the beauty of an uncomplicated meal.

219 Ferry St., Easton | 610.253.8888 | setteluna.com

Blue Moon Switchback Pizza Company

This funk-tastic pie has been a staple on Switchback’s menu since the railroad-adjacent restaurant opened in 2012. Roasted portabella mushrooms deliver deep umami flavors. Caramelized onions lend sweetness. And Gorgonzola brings everything together in a creamy, tangy embrace.

525 W. Jubilee St., Emmaus | 610.928.0641 | switchbackpizza.com L E H I G H VA L L E Y S T Y L E . C O M : F E B R U A R Y 2 0 2 4

INSIDE DISH

Aman’s

Artisan Indian Cuisine FOOD, FAMILY AND FAITH DRIVE THIS RESTAURANT’S PURSUIT OF EXCELLENCE BY SUSAN GOTTSHALL | PHOTOGRAPHY BY ALISON CONKLIN

SUKI JAS GAGAN

DAD (BALDEV)

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BALLY AMAN

MOM (AMARJEET)

Patrons drive two hours from Manhattan to dine at Easton’s Aman’s Artisan Indian Cuisine. California parents of Lafayette College students make reservations here a year in advance to ensure a table the next time they’re in town. Add an OpenTable Diners’ Choice award every year since 2019 and Tripadvisor’s “Best of the Best World Top 10% Restaurant” awards in 2020 and 2022, and it’s pretty clear Aman’s has a following. For good reason. The Bansal family followed a vision and passion for food from their previous venture, Aman’s Indian Bistro, to Easton’s city center in 2019 when they launched this BYOB. They wanted to build a restaurant that “elevates the experience of Indian cuisine,” says Jasmeet Bansal, kitchen manager, chef and marketing lead—a restaurant offering an experience that rivals those found in world-class cities. For Aman’s, that starts with serving the best food possible—its foundation based in “fresh-batch cooking,” as CEO Baljeet Bansal puts it, or cooking food from scratch when it’s ordered. Because Aman’s food is “all about flavor,” says Sukhjeet Bansal, front-end operations manager, maximizing flavor goes hand in hand with the freshly cooked fare. To that end, spices— cumin, coriander, cinnamon and cardamom, to name just a few—are roasted and ground fresh in house; Aman’s garam masala is blended on the premises. There’s no food coloring or artificial ingredients, and meat and vegetables are cut in the restaurant’s kitchen. Freshness is key. “What we are really proud of is the authenticity

Lamb Korma

in a creamy onion sauce, topped with cashews and raisins

of the food,” says Baljeet. “We pride ourselves on making everything in house.” The commitment to freshly made food is a critical part of Aman’s identity, reflected in the “artisan” portion of the restaurant’s name. Dining here is a journey of delights. The menu offers North Indian Punjabi cuisine based on generational family recipes. There are curries and kormas and tikkas along with tandoori dishes. Baljeet points out that Indian food is about bold flavor, not spicy heat; all dishes can be ordered according to heat preference. More than a dozen vegetarian offerings feature paneer, chickpeas, lentils and vegan mock meats. Vegetarian dishes are cooked separately in the kitchen, using differentiated oils, fryers, ladles and baking ovens. Because the family lived in the Indian diaspora in Kenya—their grandparents were brought to Kenya by British colonialists to help build the infrastructure there—some dishes feature African influence. The starter maru bhajia is one of those: slices of potatoes in garbanzo and cilantro batter are fried to crisp outside yet tender inside. Fresh tomato chutney brightens the earthy chickpea essence. Cauliflower fritters (lasuni sweet gobi), sautéed in sweet

NEW! Dad’s Tandoori Wings Entrée

Tandoori wings marinated in Dad’s special blend of spices, baked fresh in a clay oven, served hot and sizzling (GF)

garlic glaze, are crunchy around the edges, bringing lovely textural counterpoint to the toothsome vegetable inside. Sticky-sweet sauce adds warmth that lingers on the palate with pleasant mellow zing. Deep golden onion sauce brings exciting flavor to lamb korma, topped with cashews and raisins, bold but not spicy hot. Boneless chunks of chicken stewed in the restaurant’s signature butter tomato sauce melt in the mouth; what a delectable rendition of ubiquitous butter chicken. Mattar pulao, dry-spiced basmati rice sautéed with garden peas, is lovingly seasoned with cinnamon and cloves. Excellent on its own as a study in flavor subtlety, it’s also a fine base for absorbing sauces as accompaniment to dishes such as butter chicken. Dad’s Mishkaki, an IndoKenyan delicacy, serves up boneless chicken pieces marinated in a special blend of spices, hot and sizzling from the tandoor. Spicy with medium heat, intense flavor infuses every bite of the moist, tender chicken.

Maru Bhajia

Sliced potatoes in a crisp garbanzo and cilantro batter served with fresh tomato chutney

Garlic Naan

Clay oven bread, baked with garlic and coriander

INSIDE DISH Clay-oven-baked garlic naan, dusted with coriander, is earthy and chewy, heady with the aroma of roasted garlic. Mango lassi, that simple combination of fresh mango pulp and yogurt, refreshes a meal’s full flavors with sweet tart counterpoint. A perfect finale, the house special orange kulfi features the pulp, zest and juice of fresh oranges in hand-churned ice cream, frozen in the orange rinds. Additional interesting ice cream flavors demand a return visit: carrot cardamom, ginger gulab jamun and pineapple pepper. Recognizing that elevating the experience of Indian food requires more than just stellar fare, the Bansal family sought to create upscale ambience at Aman’s—since they’ve not found many Indian restaurants that fit this category. To meet that goal, they planned the décor’s theme with intention to reflect the name: “Aman” in Punjabi means “the light of peace.” Elements of nature form the foundational design, which seeks to calm the soul, says Sukhjeet. One wall features 3D acrylic tiles mimicking waves flowing across the surface like water. Walnut panels throughout the restaurant, cut from the same piece of wood, establish symmetry and consistency of pattern. Finally, wallpaper in soft mint green calls up the color of grass and forests. To bring their culture into the dining experience, elements of the décor show the influence of Sikh art and the architecture of the Golden Temple in Amritsar, the holiest shrine in Punjab. These include Indian-style arches in the restaurant’s windows and a “meenakari” pattern (a technique like

enameling metal), designed by Jasmeet, on lighted interior columns. The food and ambience have certainly succeeded in elevating Aman’s dining experience, but it’s the story behind the food and ambience that really sets this restaurant apart. Yes, the family is driven by passion for food, but there is an equally fervent passion for hospitality—and both are grounded in and guided by deeply held values. Aman’s brings new meaning to “family restaurant.” Usually indicating a child-friendly establishment, this restaurant expands that definition exponentially. Here the family is the restaurant. Three brothers, along with their parents and their wives, operate Aman’s. Baljeet was a senior IT business systems analyst at PPL Electric Utilities for 17 years. Sukhjeet is an architect and interior designer, and Jasmeet is a filmmaker. Each contributes their previous professional skill and training to Aman’s operation. The family matriarch grinds spices and makes appetizers; the patriarch specializes in barbecue dishes. Baljeet’s wife (an interior designer) is a front-end manager who also develops recipes and desserts. Sukhjeet’s wife (a 3D animator) expedites in the kitchen, manages human resources, and develops recipes and desserts. Not only does this family work together, they live together, too (yes, all of them), which was convenient as they planned the décor. Decorating choices—like wallpaper and curtains, wall panels and flooring—were voted on by the brothers and their wives, and the majority always ruled. Aman’s family values extend to patrons and staff. “When

Mango Lassi

Classic Panjabi yogurt smoothie made with Alphonso mangoes

Aman’s Artisan Indian Cuisine 336 Northampton St., Easton 484.298.0400 | amanseaston.com

HOURS you walk in the door you are family,” says Amandeep Bansal, Baljeet’s wife. “We stop at every table,” she says; “We ask, ‘Did you enjoy your meal? If not, what can we do to fix it?’” A 20 percent service charge on final bills ensures that Aman’s wait staff gets paid a living wage, and the restaurant closes at 9:30 p.m. because most of the staff have families. These family values no doubt take root in the Bansals’ devotion to the Sikh faith, which guides their lives and their work, says Baljeet. One of the Sikh tenets—to share with everyone—is Aman’s inspiration for giving back to the community. During the first part of the pandemic, which hit six months after Aman’s opened, the restaurant became a food pantry that delivered 2,000-

plus dry-goods packages to families in need in the Greater Lehigh Valley. Through continuing partnerships with organizations such as Second Harvest and others, the restaurant has donated 5,000plus meals to fight hunger in the region. “We have seen food insecurity,” Sukhjeet says. When his family lived in Kenya, there were times the parents had no food, but the children always ate. “We know the value of food and what a hot meal is.” When everyone in the family got COVID simultaneously in February 2021, the restaurant was shuttered for three weeks. “I thought when we had to close, it was over,” says Baljeet, who feared the loss of the life savings invested in the restaurant.

What they learned, though, was that they got back all that they had shared. While they were sick, people messaged them on Facebook: “Can we give you food, bring you food?” “We received a lot of love; the love came through so strong,” Amandeep says, “so we knew what we are doing is right.” When they reopened, “People came back in droves,” she says, “and that cemented in us” the drive to come back full force. Could it be, that along with the pungent, aromatic spices that infuse the fare, there’s something else that flavors Aman’s success? Amandeep remembers a customer who once said the restaurant’s food is “like a warm hug from the inside.” Perhaps that’s because, as she describes it, “The food is seasoned with love.”

Tues.–Thurs.: 4–9 p.m. Fri.: 4–9:30 p.m. Sat.: noon–9:30 p.m. Sun.: 2:30–8:30 p.m. Closed Monday Cost: Starters $11–$16 Mains $18–$34 Parking: Easton’s Fourth Street Parking Garage is only a three-minute walk from Aman’s; metered on-street parking also available. Reservations: Reservations recommended, especially on weekends.

WHAT TO ORDER Don’t miss lasuni sweet gobi; cauliflower may have never tasted so good. Mattar pulao is complex in composition, yet so simple in its final singular flavor. Taste the texture addition of cashews and raisins to deeply flavored lamb korma. And treat yourself to orange kulfi, as refreshing as fresh-squeezed juice on a summer morning. L E H I G H VA L L E Y S T Y L E . C O M : F E B R U A R Y 2 0 2 4

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SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION

WEATHERED VINEYARDS

MADELINE’S

Exceptional, locally-handcrafted wines and a relaxed ambiance make this winery a perfect stop for sweethearts. Enjoy scenic vineyard and farm views while experiencing warm hospitality and an authentic tasting experience.

This Valentine’s Day, indulge in a romantic dinner at Madeline’s—an upscale haven for intimate dining. Explore a diverse wine selection or savor a handcrafted cocktail. Enjoy a delectable feast with the finest ingredients, perfect for celebrating with loved ones.

7670 Carpet Rd., New Tripoli | 610.984.2867 | weatheredvineyards.com

1250 Turnstone Dr., Fogelsville | 484.277.2250 | madelinesfogelsville.com

WEATHEREDVINEYARDS

TWO RIVERS BREWING TWORIVERSBREWING

MADELINESRESTAURANT

EIGHT OAKS FARM DISTILLERY EIGHTOAKSDISTILLERY

A casual pub featuring artisan brewed beer and house-made food, Two Rivers Brewing specializes in fresh cuisine. They have plenty of outdoor seating to accommodate guests and their pets, as well as a cozy atmosphere in one of Easton’s most distinctive historic buildings.

At Eight Oaks, “We Grow What We Drink”: award-winning Pennsylvania craft whiskeys and spirits. Made using grain grown right here in the Lehigh Valley, Eight Oaks’ original American spirits are crafted to revive the tradition and lift the spirits of everyone who shares in their enjoyment.

542 Northampton St., Easton | 610.829.1131 | tworiversbrewing.com

7189 Route 309, New Tripoli | 484.387.5287 | eightoaksdistillery.com

62 F E B R U A R Y 2 0 2 4 : L E H I G H VA L L E Y S T Y L E . C O M

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THEWILBURMANSION

MAMA NINA FOCCACHERIA MAMANINASFOCCACHERIA

The Wilbur Mansion: Where special occasions come to life. Indulge in delicious dining for dinner and brunch, complemented by handcrafted cocktails, an exciting wine selection, and happy hour bites. Gather with friends, embrace local excellence!

Celebrate Valentine’s Day at Bethlehem’s award-winning Italian restaurant! Voted the Lehigh Valley’s Favorite Italian Restaurant by readers of Lehigh Valley Style, Mama Nina’s has been serving the town since 2007 at the same location. Open daily from 11 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. Reservations recommended.

201 Cherokee St., Bethlehem | 610.419.1101 | wilburmansion.com

546 Main St., Bethlehem | 610.867.9802 | mamaninabethlehem.com

THREEBIRDS COFFEE HOUSE THREEBIRDSCOFFEE

McCOOLE’S

AT THE HISTORIC RED LION INN

MCCOOLESREDLIONINN

“Want to grab a cup of coffee?” So many romances have started with those words. Whether celebrating an old flame or kindling a new one, ThreeBirds is the most romantic, intimate and beautiful coffee shop in the Lehigh Valley.

Located at the historic Red Lion Inn in uptown Quakertown, McCoole’s blends a rich history and warm atmosphere with high-quality food to deliver a unique, upscale dining experience.

226 Bushkill St., Easton | 484.544.0737 | threebirdscoffee.com

4. S. Main St., Quakertown | 215.538.1776 | mccoolesredlioninn.com L E H I G H VA L L E Y S T Y L E . C O M : F E B R U A R Y 2 0 2 4

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THE WILBUR MANSION

EAT THIS

JAPANESE HOT DOG BY KRISTEN WAGNER | PHOTOGRAPHY BY MAT THEW CANNON

THE OTHER

FISH

“We like to keep our ears to the ground when it comes to new trends in Japanese food,” says Matthew Reichard, sushi chef and owner of The Other Fish in Bethlehem. “We started hearing about these Japanese hot dogs that were really popular on the Japanese street-food scene so we decided to give it a try!” Bite into the deep-fried, all-beef hot dog on a potato roll, topped with marinated shiitake mushrooms, seaweed salad, tempura crunch, scallions, spicy mayo and katsu sauce. “We put a lot of pride into everything we serve and the hot dog is no different,” Reichard explains. “It’s a little out there but we always ask people to keep an open mind and give it a try. You won’t be disappointed!” Typically only available on their summer menu, Reichard says they’ve decided to offer their original dog this winter— along with a seasonal one that, at time of press, was still in the works. “We have people ask for it all year long so we decided to run it during the winter as well,” says Reichard. “It’s a great option on a cold winter night!” No matter the time of year, Reichard recommends pairing the hot dog with a refreshing light beer.

59 E. Broad St., Bethlehem 484.821.1370 | The Other Fish

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Curt Snyder, Lancaster Products President

BUSINESS STRATEGY

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• LEADERSHIP • GOVERNANCE • TRANSITION • FINANCIAL GAPS • NEXT CHAPTER

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