EASTON, Pa. – After a nearly three-year hiatus, an Aussie cafe and general store are set to return – alongside a new wine shop, Bavarian beer hall and outdoor beer garden – at a larger location in Northampton County.
Tucker, an Australian café and provisions store that’s been in hibernation since late 2021, is expected to reopen in mid-September at 125 Northampton St. in downtown Easton, co-owner Jason Hoy said.
Kabinett Wine Bar operates at 125 Northampton St. in downtown Easton.
Hoy and his wife, Melanie Hansche, debuted Tucker in 2017 at Easton’s Simon Silk Mill before temporarily closing the business in December 2021 in preparation for its move to the larger downtown space.
Tucker’s new spot will operate next to Kabinett Wine Bar, Hoy and Hansche’s full-service restaurant with Aussie and Bavarian roots and a deep global wine list, which opened in December 2022.
It also will operate adjacent to a new outdoor beer garden, a roughly 4,000-square-foot patio offering picturesque views of the Delaware River and seating for around 150 guests, which also is expected to debut in mid-September, Hoy said.
“We’re racing toward opening, which is probably four to six weeks away,” Hoy said. “We’re just getting everything in order and waiting on the CO.”
Tucker’s new location, dubbed Tucker Garage + Grocery, will occupy a roughly 12,000-square-foot space that Hoy and Hansche have spent several months renovating.
They’ve painted the ceiling and floor, built a 50-foot wooden banquette and installed new refrigerators. The space also will feature string lights and newly constructed retail displays.
“Each day we roll up our sleeves and move closer to the extravaganza that will be an Aussie cafe, general store, wine shop, Bavarian beer hall, and beer garden,” a recent announcement on Tucker’s social media pages reads.
Tucker customers will find cafe favorites such as light and fluffy scones with cream and jam, Lamingtons (Australian sponge cakes coated in chocolate and coconut) and Australian sausage rolls and meat pies.
“We’re still going to have all of our popular cafe items, without a doubt,” Hoy said.
“There’s no way that we’d take away the things that people used to come to us for. We’re only going to be adding to these items. In fact, we’ve got a new pastry chef. So, we’ll be increasing our amount of pies, cakes and pastries.”
At the general store, Tucker customers will be able to shop essentials such as toilet paper and cleaning products, along with fresh groceries such as fruits and vegetables.
Hoy and Hansche aim to continue the community work they started at Tucker’s original location — at one point Tucker was the second largest supplier of fresh produce to food banks in the city — by creating a community-minded business model, building in opportunities for their guests to pay it forward and support local charitable programs.
Tucker offers Australian sausage rolls and meat pies.
The store also will offer premium olive oil and other boutique provisions.
“We’ll have all of the items you’d need to make a great meal at home or you could choose to have a great meal with us,” Hoy said.
In its new iteration, Tucker also will feature a retail wine store, where customers can purchase fine wines from around the world, including several options served at Kabinett.
To-go beer also will be for sale.
“Kabinett has won awards for its fine wine list, and we’ll be offering these wines for sale in the store,” Hoy said.
Kabinett Wine Bar in Easton
Hoy, an Aussie fine wine professional and Riesling specialist, and Hansche, a Bavarian native and deputy editor of Food & Wine magazine, created Kabinett’s unique dining space – complete with “a glam hunting lodge vibe, a splash of Aussie irreverence, and a touch of Art Deco elegance.”
The establishment aims to democratize premium wines without the typical high markups, and the wine list features selections from Australia, Europe and beyond.
Kabinett is a German term that refers to the location where German winemakers historically kept special bottles for themselves rather than offering them for sale.
At Kabinett, however, the team shuns such selfishness and shares the special bottles with everyone.
Kabinett Wine Bar is owned and operated by husband and wife Jason Hoy, an Aussie fine wine professional and Riesling specialist, and Melanie Hansche, a Bavarian native and the deputy editor of Food & Wine magazine.
Hansche’s Bavarian roots will shine in Tucker’s Bavarian beer hall and beer garden, which will offer popular German dishes such as pretzels, schnitzel, spaetzle and more, Hoy said.
“It’ll sort of be Tucker’s Bavarian twist, with more of a relaxed dining atmosphere than our fine dining restaurant, Kabinett, next door,” Hoy said. “The entire space will have a nice flow to it, including the outdoor beer garden. We’ll be able to host weddings and other large events.”
For the latest Tucker Garage + Grocery updates, including an official opening announcement, follow the business’ Facebook and Instagram pages.
More in Easton area
‘Duty to our community’: Lehigh Valley brewery to host free bereaved fathers event
EASTON, Pa. – A few months after hosting a well-attended Bereaved Mother’s Day Celebration, a popular Lehigh Valley brewery is once again partnering with other local businesses to present a similar event – featuring complimentary food and non-alcoholic drinks – for bereaved fathers to pay tribute to their children.
The Blendery, Seven Sirens Brewing Co.’s location at the Simon Silk Mill in Easton, will host a bereaved fathers event, 2-5 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 25.
The free event is for fathers who have experienced the loss of a child, and attendees are welcome to bring a guest should they not want to come alone.
The aim is for fathers to meet other fathers who have experienced this specific kind of loss and “to build a community around healing,” according to an event description.
Individuals are welcome to bring a photo of their child, share memories or just enjoy a free meal around other men who understand their grief. Full story here.
Seven Sirens Brewing Co.’s Blendery location operates at the Simon Silk Mill in Easton.
Easton City Council approves restaurant’s application for liquor license
EASTON, Pa. – Easton City Council approved an application for a liquor license Wednesday night after a public hearing.
The request, from applicant Amans Easton LLC, involves Aman’s Artisan Indian Cuisine restaurant located at 336 Northampton St.
Easton’s Director of Economic Development John Kingsley told council the business owners are pursuing an economic development liquor license, as they have been unable to obtain one on the private market due to expense and lack of availability.
Kingsley said the applicant has satisfied all the city’s requirements including consulting local property owners about the application and reaching out to the city’s department of planning and the police department. Read more here.
‘Let the good times roll!’: Lehigh Valley’s 2nd Sky Zone Trampoline Park opens at familiar spot
BETHLEHEM TWP., Pa. – A popular entertainment destination is bouncing back in Northampton County.
The space that previously housed FreeFall Trampoline Park, at 2800 Baglyos Circle in Bethlehem Township, is now home to the Lehigh Valley’s second Sky Zone Trampoline Park.
Tabula Rasa Holdings, which operates 17 other Sky Zone locations including Sky Zone Bethlehem at 2285 Schoenersville Road at the Westgate Mall, acquired the business and lease in Bethlehem Township, according to Gregory Schmatz, Tabula Rasa’s vice president of operations.
Tabula Rasa leadership team saw a “big opportunity to grow in the area and solidify [Sky Zone] as the trampoline park of the Lehigh Valley,” Schmatz said.
The new Bethlehem Township location, known as Sky Zone Easton, opened Aug. 7. Read more.
Sky Zone Easton recently opened at the former FreeFall Trampoline Park at 2800 Baglyos Circle in Bethlehem Township. New designs and attractions are being added to the space.
Bethlehem eats
New Bethlehem restaurant serving up cheesesteaks, smashburgers and more until midnight
BETHLEHEM, Pa. – A new Northampton County eatery is satisfying appetites during the afternoon, evening and late-night hours.
Munchies, serving made-to-order cheesesteaks, smashburgers, rice platters and other dishes, opened in late July at 1130 Pembroke Road in Bethlehem.
The restaurant, operating until midnight six days a week, occupies a renovated building that previously housed Big Daddy’s Famous Cheesesteaks.
Munchies owner Shaan Ehtram is excited to offer fresh, high-quality food to the community, which he labels “amazing and very supportive.” Full story here.
‘Vibrant flavors’: Foodies flock to new Bethlehem restaurant for unique, sweet and savory eats
BETHLEHEM, Pa. – A new restaurant is heating up the Lehigh Valley’s dining scene with Nashville hot chicken, smash burgers, dessert waffles and more.
Haaz’s, a fast-casual eatery offering freshly prepared chicken dishes, smash burgers, gyros, sides, dessert waffles and more, held a soft opening on Monday at 3217 Schoenersville Road, owner Hasnain “Haaz” Ilyas said.
Haaz’s, with seating for 58 customers, occupies a renovated space that previously housed Burgerim, a fast-casual restaurant chain specializing in customized “mini burgers,” which closed in 2022 after about three years of business. Read more here.
Pictured is Haaz’s Nashville hot chicken sandwich and chicken tacos.
Lehigh County updates
‘Almost there!’: Veteran restaurateurs nearing completion of new Scottish-Irish pub in Allentown
ALLENTOWN, Pa. – A new destination for shepherd’s pie, potato pancakes and other Irish and Scottish staples is almost ready to welcome customers in Lehigh County.
Bagpiper’s Pub, serving authentic Irish and Scottish dishes along with American favorites such as burgers and cheesesteaks, is expected to open within the next few weeks at 2101 Liberty St. in Allentown’s West End, co-owner Bill Dech said.
Dech and his wife, Sue Dech, and another couple, Bruce and Kim Campbell, have taken over the former Stooges Bar & Grille and rebranded the business as Bagpiper’s.
The partners spent the past few months renovating the space to include new ceiling tiles, pendant lighting, tile flooring and other upgrades.
They also removed two small bars and constructed a new main bar in the center of the space. Read more.
Bagpiper’s Pub, serving authentic Irish and Scottish dishes along with American favorites such as burgers and cheesesteaks, is expected to open within the next few weeks at 2101 Liberty St. in Allentown’s West End.
New Rita’s stand fills ‘Ice, Custard, Happiness’ void in Lehigh County
U. SAUCON TWP., Pa. – Gelatis, Misto shakes and other cool treats are being dished out at a new location in the Lehigh Valley.
Rita’s Italian Ice & Frozen Custard, the popular water ice and frozen custard chain with more than 550 locations nationwide, opened Wednesday at 7001 Route 309 in Upper Saucon Township, franchisee Humberto Ortiz said.
The stand occupies a renovated space near Carlo’s Pizza and Casa Toro Mexican Grill in the Fairmont Village shopping center, just north of Coopersburg. Full story here.
Berks buzz
Popeyes brings ‘unique New Orleans style menu’ to new Berks County location
SOUTH HEIDELBERG TWP., Pa. — Fans of Cajun fries, popcorn shrimp and spicy chicken sandwiches have a new eatery to frequent in Berks County.
Quick-service chain Popeyes – known for its fried chicken, biscuits and other Southern favorites – opened Monday at 4650 Penn Ave. in South Heidelberg Township.
The roughly 2,300-square-foot, newly constructed restaurant, just west of Green Valley Road, features a drive-thru and is operating 10 a.m. to midnight daily.
Popeyes, which originated in New Orleans in 1972, is part of Restaurant Brands International Inc., which also owns Burger King, Tim Hortons and Firehouse Subs. Read more here.
‘We are excited’: Popular Berks County thrift store expands with 2nd location
KUTZTOWN, Pa. – Individuals looking to spruce up their home or wardrobe on a budget have a new store to check out in Berks County.
Once Again Thrift Store, a locally owned and operated thrift store offering a “wide variety of items and treasures,” on Aug. 15 opened a second location at 318 W. Main St. in Kutztown.
Once Again Thrift Store’s original location, established in 2011, is continuing to operate as normal at 15260 Kutztown Road in Maxatawny Township, just outside Kutztown (in the Weis shopping center).
“From clothing, household items, antiques, decorations, jewelry and more… you’re bound to find great treasures in our sample size store!” a message on the business’ Facebook page reads. “We are excited to reach more of our community and offer this exciting shopping experience within a few steps of local eateries!” Read more.
Odds and ends
Off-price retailer Marshalls announces opening date for newest regional store
MAHONING TWP., Pa. – A retail chain known for offering high-quality, designer merchandise “at amazing prices” will expand its local brick-and-mortar footprint next week.
Marshalls, one of the nation’s leading off-price retailers with over 1,100 stores operating in 48 states, Washington D.C. and Puerto Rico, will hold a grand opening of its newest store 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. Aug. 22 at 1241 Blakeslee Blvd. Drive East in Mahoning Township.
The new, 25,000-square-foot store, Carbon County’s first Marshalls location, will occupy a renovated space that previously housed the Mahoning Valley 8 movie theater in the Carbon Plaza shopping center, less than a half mile southwest of Lehighton. Full story here.
‘Cherished memory’: Popular entertainment facility closing in Lehigh County
WHITEHALL TWP., Pa. – A destination for family fun in the Lehigh Valley is set to end operations later this month.
Rivals Indoor Battlefield, providing a safe indoor environment for all ages to play with Nerf guns, will hold its last day of business on Aug. 31 at the Lehigh Valley Mall in Whitehall Township, operator Yashira Caballero told 69 News on Thursday.
The facility, offering family fun with “the coolest alternative to paintball,” opened in 2022 on the mall’s second level, near Macy’s. Read more here.
‘We love you all!’: Lehigh Valley craft brewery announces upcoming closure
EASTON, Pa. – A popular business offering locally brewed porters, IPAs and other beers will soon be ending operations in Northampton County.
Böser Geist Brewing Co., a craft brewery serving up unique beers and food, is set to close on Aug. 31 at the Simon Silk Mill in Easton, general manager James Wickemeyer said.
Owner Erik Thomasik opened the brewery, at 1250 Simon Blvd. K100, in November 2017.
The brewery’s management team made the closing announcement on Friday on Böser Geist’s Facebook page.
“We’ve had some battles in recent months that are just too hard to ignore and/or overcome which puts us into the situation that we’ve had to make,” the announcement reads. Read more.