U. SAUCON TWP., Pa. – Three new dining destinations – offering a diverse selection of dishes that includes burgers, gyros and lobster rolls – are set to satisfy appetites in the coming months at Promenade Saucon Valley.
The forthcoming restaurants – The Great Greek Mediterranean Grill, Mason’s Famous Lobster Rolls and Five Guys Burgers & Fries – are among a host of other changes at the Upper Saucon Township shopping center.
Pandora, a popular jewelry brand that designs, manufactures and markets hand-finished jewelry made from high-quality materials, is expanding and more than doubling its current space, according to a Promenade Saucon Valley announcement.
Additionally, Rally House, a specialty sports store chain, offering an expansive selection of apparel, gifts, home decor and other types of merchandise representing local NCAA, NFL, NBA, MLB, NHL and MLS teams, is tentatively set to open July 26 next to Barnes & Noble.
Promenade Saucon Valley tenants opening earlier this year include J.Crew Factory, a fashion retailer known for its fun, classic and colorful styles for women, men and children; Slime Time II, a family-friendly entertainment venue allowing children of all ages to make their own slime; and Fulton Bank, a Lancaster-based bank offering a broad array of financial products and services in Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Maryland, Delaware and Virginia.
The Great Greek Mediterranean Grill
The Great Greek Mediterranean Grill, serving a variety of authentic Greek dishes created from family recipes passed down through generations in Greece, is expected to open in early August, according to co-owner Chris Nagy.
The 2,550-square-foot eatery, between Komé Fine Japanese Cuisine and Lashes by Gab, will be the chain’s first Pennsylvania location.
Nagy is operating the Upper Saucon eatery with his wife, Marcia Nagy.
“I’m a big fan of Mediterranean food, and I visited The Great Greek Mediterranean Grill in New Jersey while going to my son’s tennis match, and I just loved the food,” Chris said. “The whole concept – with the service that they provided, the type of food on the menu and the way everything looked and tasted – was something that I knew would be perfect for the Lehigh Valley.”
Known for its timeless flavors and legendary service, The Great Greek serves a variety of authentic Greek dishes, including appetizers such as dolmades (stuffed grape leaves), hummus, tzatziki and avgolemono soup (Greek lemon chicken soup with rice).
Customers also can enjoy hearty salads and bowls, including a classic Greek salad (featuring crisp romaine hearts, fresh tomatoes, cucumbers, red onions, Kalamata olives, Greek feta, fresh herbs, homemade Greek vinaigrette and optional add-ons such as falafel, dolmades, gyro meat, chicken breast, steak tenderloin, jumbo shrimp, leg of lamb and Atlantic salmon) and “The Great Greek Rice Bowl” (featuring rice pilaf with shredded lettuce, tomatoes, red onions, cucumbers, marinated garbanzo beans, Kalamata olives, crumbled feta, side of tzatziki sauce and choice of chicken breast, leg of lamb, gyro meat, steak tenderloin, jumbo shrimp, falafel or Atlantic salmon).
“I really like our hummus,” Chris said. “I put our hummus on everything. I think it’s a really great recipe. We make it from scratch in-house every day. I also enjoy our salads, which you can put any type of protein you want on them. The biggest seller is the gyro, and there are a lot of different modifications that you can make to the gyro as well.”
Other menu highlights include beef/lamb or grilled chicken gyros, an Athenian burger (half pound grilled Angus beef with lettuce, tomatoes, red onions, tzatziki and feta) and entrees such as a falafel and gyro plates and various souvlaki platters (grilled chicken, grilled steak, Australian lamb or garlic shrimp).
Entrees are served with a side Greek salad, tzatziki and pita.
“Designed for foodies with discerning palates, The Great Greek focuses on fresh ingredients, spice blends sourced from the Mediterranean, and sauces and marinades made in house,” a news release states. “Each dish is prepared fresh, making The Great Greek a healthy alternative to traditional fast casual restaurants.”
The Great Greek Mediterranean Grill, a member of the Starpoint Brands family (a division of United Franchise Group), was founded in 2011 by two Greek-Armenian, third-generation restaurateurs.
In January 2016, Nick Della Penna and Trent Jones took over the first Great Greek Mediterranean Grill, expanding the brand to include franchised locations from coast to coast in the ensuing years.
There are more than 80 locations of The Great Greek Mediterranean Grill open or coming soon across the country, according to the chain’s website.
The Promenade Saucon Valley location, serving lunch and dinner daily, will offer dine-in service for 50-60 guests, take-out and catering. A few outdoor tables also will be available for customers.
“The Great Greek is a fast casual eatery offering a variety of customizable Mediterranean meal options with big, bold flavors and healthy ingredients – including olive oil, whole grains, lean proteins, tomatoes, fresh vegetables and spices like cardamom, mint and sumac – an incredible combination that the American Heart Association, famous TV doctors, and chefs everywhere have promoted as the most healthful way to eat,” a company description reads.
Mason’s Famous Lobster Rolls
Mason’s Famous Lobster Rolls, the largest brick-and-mortar franchise “known for its indulgent yet accessible Maine-sourced seafood,” is expected to open next to Slime Time in late summer.
The new 1,500-square-foot restaurant, the chain’s first Pennsylvania location, will operate daily for lunch and dinner.
“Promenade Saucon Valley has made a number of significant changes in recent months, adding several new tenants, changing its name, and updating its seating, gazebo and signage,” said Jaclyn Palmeri, vice president of leasing for the shopping center, in a news release.
Masons
“With the addition of yet another popular and highly coveted new restaurant, we’re elevating the experience our guests have while gathering and spending time at the center and making Promenade Saucon Valley one of the area’s most desirable shopping, dining and entertainment destinations.”
Mason’s Famous Lobster Rolls, with more than 30 locations nationwide, serves up classic New England menu items made with simple recipes using the highest quality lobster meat sourced straight from Maine waters, according to the release.
Part of Mason’s appeal is the fast-casual restaurant environment that welcomes guests to “an authentic Maine experience with taste-tantalizing lobster at fair prices,” the release continues.
The menu features Mason’s signature lobster rolls as well as other entrees, soups, sides, desserts, drinks and a children’s menu.
The restaurant was founded in 2014 by Dan Beck after he worked as a restaurant seafood buyer.
The relationships Beck built with lobstermen in Maine during this time remain core to the company’s food quality and ability to expand.
“Mason’s is thrilled to dock at Promenade Saucon Valley, offering a taste of the Northeast’s celebrated seafood tradition,” said Beck, founder and CEO of Mason’s.
“We’re excited to join this charming community and to bring our renowned lobster rolls to seafood lovers everywhere, combining the simplicity of our dishes with the sophistication of our flavors.”
Five Guys Burgers & Fries
Five Guys Burgers & Fries, a family-owned and operated franchise restaurant group known for its hand-crafted hamburgers made from never-frozen beef and fresh-cut, boardwalk-style fries cooked in 100% peanut oil, is expected to open at Promenade Saucon Valley in the fall.
The new 2,407-square-foot Five Guys restaurant, located between European Wax Center and uBreakiFix, will offer another option for a quick lunch or dinner, a feature that “guests have been asking the center to add,” according to a news release.
Five Guys Burgers & Fries is expected to open in the fall at Promenade Saucon Valley in Upper Saucon Township.
Five Guys, based in Lorton, Va., is known for its freshly prepared burgers that can be customized with free and unlimited toppings, including lettuce, tomatoes, pickles, jalapeno peppers, grilled mushrooms, grilled onions, relish and barbecue and hot sauces, among others.
The chain uses only fresh ground beef, and there are no freezers at restaurants, just coolers.
The company, which also sells milkshakes, hot dogs and fresh BLT, veggie and grilled cheese sandwiches, got its start in 1986 when Jerry and Janie Murrell offered sage advice to three of their sons: “Start a business or go to college,” according to the chain’s website.
The business route prevailed and the Murrell family opened a carry-out burger joint – serving hand-formed, cooked-to-order burgers and fresh-cut fries – in Arlington, Va.
During the 1980s and 1990s, the Murrell family fine-tuned their simple concept, making Five Guys a go-to destination for fresh, juicy burgers with all of the toppings you could stuff between fresh-baked buns.
Two more brothers joined the team and as the family grew, so did the business. Four additional restaurants were opened in the Washington, D.C. metro area to accommodate the growing clientele, and in 2003, Jerry, Janie and their “five guys” began offering franchise opportunities. More than 300 units were sold in less than 18 months.
Today, more than 30 years after the first Five Guys restaurant opened, there are more than 1,700 locations worldwide, including about a dozen regional outposts in the Lehigh Valley, Poconos and Berks and Bucks counties.
A location at 2409 MacArthur Road in Whitehall Township opened last year.
A Five Guys eatery operates at 2409 MacArthur Road in Whitehall Township.
Another 1,500 units are in development, according to the company’s website.
“We are proud and excited to open our newest Five Guys location in Center Valley,” said Drew Smith, franchise owner/operator for the new Five Guys.
“This will be the 66th Five Guys location in Pennsylvania. With our new location at the beautiful Promenade Shops at Saucon Valley, we are making it even easier for guests throughout the Lehigh Valley to stop in for a bite.”
Rally House
Rally House, a specialty sports store chain offering an expansive selection of apparel, gifts, home decor and other types of merchandise representing local NCAA, NFL, NBA, MLB, NHL and MLS teams, is planning to open its new Promenade Saucon Valley location on July 26, according to the company’s website.
The new 5,903-square-foot Rally House will be located between Barnes & Noble and J.Crew Factory.
“We are excited to welcome Rally House to our fast-growing retail lineup,” said Jaclyn Palmeri, vice president of leasing for the shopping center. “And we know our Steelers, Eagles, Penguins, Pirates, Phillies and other fans will appreciate the ease with which they can now support their favorite teams.”
Rally House is coming soon to Promenade Saucon Valley in Upper Saucon Township.
Rally House has one of the largest selections of officially licensed team gear and local gifts, with its product assortment including fan favorites like jerseys, headwear, drinkware, home decor, collectibles and more.
The popular retailer also provides customers with a way to show their local support with an array of exclusive products celebrating beloved area destinations and landmarks featured on items like apparel, drinkware and hats.
In recent months, Rally House has been expanding its regional footprint, opening locations on the Lehigh Valley Mall’s lower level (near Macy’s) earlier this month and at 244 N. West End Blvd. in Richland Township in March.
Rally House traces its origins to 1989, when Tim and Mabel “Peg” Liebert started “Mabel’s Kitchen,” a catalog featuring Kansas-related apparel, gifts and other merchandise.
Mabel’s Kitchen evolved into another business, “Kansas Sampler,” which featured five Kansas City area stores selling Kansas Jayhawks, Kansas State Wildcats, Kansas City Chiefs and Kansas City Royals gear.
The company experienced great success, and the Lieberts eventually decided to expand the business to other markets under the “Rally House” name in 2008, according to a company description.
Today, the Kansas-based Rally House has more than 200 locations across 19 states.
In addition to the new Whitehall and Quakertown area stores and the forthcoming Upper Saucon store, there are more than a dozen other regional locations, including a Lehigh Valley shop in Lower Macungie Township, two other Bucks County stores and several locations in Montgomery County.
Rally House stays true to its roots by providing “an impeccable selection of local and team-related apparel and gifts, including exclusive designs available only at Rally House,” according to the company’s website.
Regional stores offer a wide array of merchandise, including clothing, blankets, glassware and signs, featuring logos and designs of local NCAA, NFL, MLB, NBA, NHL, and MLS teams in addition to locally inspired apparel, gifts and food.
Customers can browse apparel such as T-shirts, sweatshirts, coats and shorts, along with footwear and fashion accessories such as slippers, hats, scarves and jewelry.
A wide variety of other gifts and home decor include items such as coasters, stickers, magnets, wall plaques, license plate frames, plush toys, socks and baby items.
Pandora
Pandora, a popular jewelry brand that designs, manufactures and markets hand-finished jewelry made from high-quality materials, is expanding and more than doubling its current space, according to a Promenade Saucon Valley announcement.
The new store, set to open in early fall in Suite 616 between Altar’d State and Sleep Number, will feature the latest EVOKE design. This innovative layout includes a central island surrounded by wall fixtures that beautifully showcase Pandora’s collections.
The current Pandora store will remain open until the new space is complete.
“A standout addition to the new store will be an Engraving machine, a customer favorite that offers custom personalization,” the announcement reads. “Pandora will continue to carry their beloved charms and bracelets, along with Pandora Lab-Grown Diamonds and the new Essence collection.”
Pandora is world-renowned for its hand-finished and contemporary jewelry. Pieces are made from the highest quality, ethically sourced, 14k gold, 18K gold-plated sterling silver, sterling silver and Pandora Rose metals, and every single stone is hand set by a dedicated and skilled team of craftsmen.
Customers can shop a wide array of charms, bracelets, rings, earrings and necklaces.
Pandora jewelry is sold in more than 100 countries through 6,700 points of sale, including more than 2,600 concept stores.
Another Lehigh Valley Pandora store operates at the Lehigh Valley Mall in Whitehall.
Headquartered in Copenhagen, Denmark, Pandora employs 33,000 people worldwide and crafts its jewelry at three crafting facilities in Thailand using mainly recycled silver and gold.
“Pandora is committed to leadership in sustainability and is sourcing recycled silver and gold for all of its jewellery, just as the company has set out to halve greenhouse gas emissions across its value chain by 2030,” a company description reads.
Joining a growing roster
Promenade Saucon Valley, which debuted in 2006 with more than 70 tenants, in April announced a “brand refresh” that included changing its name from its original moniker, “The Promenade Shops at Saucon Valley.”
The new name drops the word ‘Shops’ from its moniker to reflect the center’s expanding tenant mix and evolving focus on becoming an increasingly popular community hub and gathering place, according to a news release.
The brand refresh also comes with a new color palette as well as a series of upgrades that include new soft seating in Town Square and at The Patio and breezeway; an upgrade to the gazebo; a freshly painted star at the pop jet fountain; shades over the outdoor amphitheater seating; and new property-wide signage upgrades coming in the fall.
Restaurants and stores joining the roster in 2024 join a string of other new Promenade Saucon Valley tenants, including 2023 additions such as Club Champion, a custom golf club fitting company; Turning Point, a breakfast and lunch restaurant; FD Market, a sustainable-goods and refillery store; Batch Microcreamery, offering super premium, hand-crafted ice cream; and Love Obsessed, offering women’s clothing, jewelry, accessories and unique gifts.
Additionally, Lehigh Art Alliance, a local nonprofit fine art organization focused on exhibiting and promoting the art of its members, on June 14 held an opening reception for its new pop-up gallery at Promenade Saucon Valley.
The gallery, in Suite 819 (across from L.L. Bean, will be open Fridays through Sundays throughout the summer for guests to explore and purchase beautiful artwork by local artists.