Lehigh Valley Style July 2021 by Innovative Designs & Publishing, Inc.

Hidden Spring

The house features random width floors, antique hardware, and many architectural details. This private paradise loses touch with the world just below the hills, yet is 15 minutes to I-78, Rte 309 & the PA turnpike. 4 bedrooms. $1,195,000

Open Sky Farm

Set on a quiet road in Tinicum Twp, this expansive 33 acre subdividable parcel is surrounded by preserved land and just a short drive to NJ, Doylestown, charming river towns, and is easily commutable to New York City and Philadelphia. $999,000

Seasonal Views on Providence

Sophisticated touches and thoughtful upgrades are the hallmarks of this spacious home. Outdoor amenities include a patio, fenced vegetable garden, koi pond with waterfall, perennial garden, and views of the valley below. 5 BRs. $879,000

Sonoma Drive

Newport Ridge offers meadows & forest embraced by rolling green hills. Within minutes of Saucon Valley Country Club & the vibrant Allentown and Bethlehem downtowns. This 2.68 lot is designed to accommodate homes over 4,500 sq.ft. $300,000

Highspire

The home provides an abundance of privacy while being close to needed amenities. The location is convenient, with shopping and dining just a few minutes away, and easy access to commuter routes to both Philadelphia and New York. 4 BRs. $1,250,000

Country Colonial

Classic design & a timeless floor plan are the hallmarks of this stone and vinyl colonial in Haycock Township. Set on 4 acres with over 3,700 sq.ft. of living space, minutes to essential commuter routes. 4 bedrooms, 3.5 baths. $679,999

Saratoga Manor

A classic home with custom upgrades, Saratoga Manor is modern living at its finest. Built by Tuskes and based on their Preakness model, the expanded floor plan is brimming with amenities to suit all lifestyles. 6 BRs, 5.5 baths. $1,100,000

Melrose Lane

Wide curving roads lead to 2 cul-de-sacs in this 11-lot enclave. This expansive 6.65 acre lot has been designed to provide room for a sprawling home. Build your dream home with the help from top custom home builder, Myron R. Haydt. $350,000

Pineville Manor

A quiet country road in Buckingham Township is the setting for this spacious home. Resting on over 2 acres and nestled against farmland, Pineville Manor is the perfect blend of rural charm and modern amenities. 4 bedrooms. $1,250,000

Aquetong Road

Resting on over 2 acres near the scenic New Hope-Ivyland railroad, this quaint country home is a quiet oasis. Hardwood floors, crown molding, and an abundance of windows are the hallmarks of this 1970s colonial. 4 BRs, in-ground pool. $650,000

Long Meadow Lot

This 89 acre parcel offers rarely available acreage with a conservancy easement in place to preserve nature’s splendor & a building envelope sheltered from view. Tucked in the Bucks County countryside, minutes to I-78, NJ, Doylestown. $1,100,000

Newport Ridge Construction

Wide curving roads lead to 2 cul-de-sacs within minutes of the Saucon Valley Country Club and Allentown & Bethlehem downtowns. Lots are designed to accommodate 4500 sqft homes, starting at $300,000. Construction package offered for $1,889,000

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ALL SUMMER LONG

COMING 2022 THE LEHIGH VALLEY’S MOST CELEBRATED WEDDING DESTINATION

Has It All ONE RESORT

Three magnificent ballrooms

If you’re looking for one luxurious resort that offers all you need to create your perfect wedding, look no further than Wind Creek Bethlehem. We’re the Lehigh Valley’s only resort to offer a full range of on-site amenities to enjoy before, during and after your event.

From in-house chefs and menu planning to our full-service spa, we make it easy to take care of every detail. Then, you and your guests can stay for the weekend and continue the celebration with exciting gaming, shopping, dining and nightlife experiences, all right here. TO GET STARTED, PLEASE CONTACT US AT (484) 777-7497

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New 270-room luxury hotel Upscale lobby bar Rooftop pool On-site spa

Wedding

T H E H E I G H T O F E L E G A N C E F O R YO U R

Coming 2022 The Lehigh Valley’s Most Celebrated Wedding Destination

The dedicated staff and on-site amenities make planning your event easy and convenient.

When it comes to your wedding, details make the difference. From your engagement party and shower to bachelorette and bachelor parties, the staff at Wind Creek Bethlehem will handle every detail to make your dream event a reality.

With on-site accommodations at the Wind Creek Hotel, the fun doesn’t end with your event.

Premium Amenities, All In One Place In 2022, Wind Creek Bethlehem will take your wedding to the next level with a majestic new hotel tower—featuring three magnificent ballrooms, beautifully outfitted guest rooms, a high-end lobby bar, custom art installations, spacious pool areas and a luxurious new spa.

Culinary options are coordinated and prepared in-house, and the full-service spa is perfect for on-site pampering, formal up-dos, professional makeup application and more.

Make a Weekend Out of It

Your celebration will continue, and more memories will be made with family and friends, as you share an unforgettable weekend. You and your guests can play, shop, dine and visit the spa right on property, so you’ll have more time to enjoy the moment. Get started on planning your event by calling (484) 777-7497, or learn more at WindCreekBethlehem.com.

Best of all, Wind Creek Bethlehem is the only resort in the Lehigh Valley to offer everything a bride and groom need for their big day, all under one roof.

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K ET

EN T U

A G

M A R

HAVE YOU BEEN THINKING ABOUT SELLING?

STYLISH TOWNHOME, CAREFREE LIFESTYLE, SAUCON VALLEY

SENSATIONAL GOLF CLUB LOCATION, UPPER SAUCON TWP

This one has it all! Exceptional home in Southern Lehigh SD on a private lot. Hardwood floors, 2-story great room and wellequipped kitchen help complete this stunning home. 4 bedrooms, 3 full/1 half bath. $540,000

Located near the beautiful fields of Lehigh University, this elegant carriage-style townhome provides luxurious, maintenance-free living with a gourmet kitchen and custom millwork throughout. 3 bedrooms, 3 full/1 half baths. $619,900

Luxurious nearly brand-new home on lush grounds, in a unique European-style setting across from Saucon Valley Country Club & Saucon Rail Trail. Condominium ownership, 4 bedrooms, 3 full/ 1 half bath, 2 offices. $1,195,000

A G

EN T

PRISTINE COLONIAL, BEAUTIFUL VIEWS, UPPER SAUCON TWP

With market KNOWLEDGE & EXPERIENCE that are unrivaled, The Rebecca Francis Team is recognized in the TOP 1% of Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices agents nationwide. We serve BUYERS & SELLERS of HIGH-VALUE properties throughout the Lehigh Valley, Bucks County & surrounding communities, and are the Exceptional Choice for YOUR Exceptional Property. Contemplating a move? Connect with our team today! We know the area, the homes in it, and what it takes to sell your property.

ELEGANT AND REFINED CARRIAGE HOUSE, SAUCON VALLEY

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SPECTACULAR RIVER VIEW RETREAT, LEHIGH VALLEY

Luxuriously-appointed carriage home located adjacent to the cross country trails of the scenic Lehigh University Athletic Fields. Featuring an open floor plan, 1st & 2nd floor master suites, home office & gym. 3 bedrooms, 3 full/1 half bath. $725,000

This beautiful 19+ acre lot has undergone preliminary engineering for a 3- or 4-lot subdivision, or create an enviable estate home or gentlemen’s farm with plenty of land for grazing. Just minutes from major commuter routes. 19.33 acres. $419,900

Stunning views of the Delaware River. Easy commute to NYC & NJ. Full time or weekends. In-ground pool, tennis court, barn. Large building with 2nd floor loft for cars and yoga/art studio. 4 bedrooms, 3 full baths, 135 acres. $2,249,000

For a FREE, NO OBLIGATION MARKET EVALUATION, call us today at 484.280.6212.

Luxury Sales Specialists 484.280.6212 m • 610.282.4444 o Rebecca.Francis@foxroach.com www.RebeccaFrancisLuxuryHomes.com

BACK ROW, LEFT TO RIGHT: Elizabeth Bowers; Shanna Sigmans; George Heslin; FRONT ROW, LEFT TO RIGHT: Debra Protchko, MBA; Rebecca L. Francis, MBA

©BHH Affiliates, LLC. And independently operated subsidiary of HomeSerivces 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.

AGAIN!

#1 Major Teaching Hospital in the Country! St. Luke’s University Health Network received multiple 2021 IBM® Watson Health awards and recognitions: One of the 15 Top Health Systems in the USA One of the 20 Top Small Community Hospitals – (St. Luke’s Miners Campus) One of the 20 Top Medium Community Hospitals – (St. Luke’s Anderson Campus – 3rd time) #1 Teaching Hospital in the Country! (St. Luke’s University Hospital, Bethlehem & Allentown Campuses) Learn more at stlukes100top.org

Watson Health awards are based entirely on an independent, scientific review of objective data. Hospitals do not apply for selection and winners do not pay to market this honor.

CONTENTS

PHOTO BY ALISON CONKLIN

July 18 THIS MONTH’S PICKS

What We’re Loving Right Now

21 TRENDING NOW

News, Notes & Quotes

26 GET THE GOODS LEARKE

29 LIVING WELL

Eco-Friendly Swaps for a Cleaner & Greener Summer

36 5 THINGS

Do More Outdoors

38 INSIGHT

Yusuf Dahl

41 BEST OF THE LEHIGH VALLEY Recognizing the Best of the Best

79 DINING GUIDE

Where to Go to Please Your Palate

COVER PHOTO

80 DRINK THIS Aperol Fizz

The Shombo, photographed by Alison Conklin. Mary Ann Donut Kitchen took home the win for Best Doughnut! pg. 56

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1 2 3 4

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EDITOR’S LETTER

3 THINGS

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

Shopping at LEARKE.

Cleaning up my summer essentials.

Our Best of the Best photographers behind the lens of our Best Of feature—Alison Conklin and Marco Calderon.

Best of the Best Here at Lehigh Valley Style, we like to think of ourselves as cheerleaders of our community. Whenever we notice a person or a business or an organization doing something extraordinary, we work to recognize it here in the magazine or online at lehighvalleystyle.com. There’s been no shortage of inspiration this past year, but at times, it’s felt as though there were not enough pages on the planet to acknowledge everyone doing something extraordinary. As we celebrate the 2021 reader-voted Best of the Lehigh Valley winners, the same rings true— in a community filled with people, businesses and organizations doing what we feel is the

very best, the faces and names recognized on pg. 41 are simply the Best of the Best. And because we are still living in unprecedented times, new opportunities to be the best at something have continued to surface. This year, you’ll see new categories like Best Curbside Pick-Up, Best Cocktails to Go (who could’ve predicted that’d be a thing two years ago?), Best Virtual Fitness Class, Best Virtual Performance and more. We welcome you to join our unofficial—but very spirited—cheer squad as we applaud the Best of the Best. Be sure to follow on social media to see how you can join the celebrations all month long!

Warmly,

KRISTEN L. RINALDI krinaldi@lehighvalleystyle.com lvstylekristen

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Supporting as many Best Of winners as possible! Congrats to all!

THINK OF A GRILL WITH A RESTAURANT BUILT AROUND IT.

Our grill is the heart of blue. After all, everything tastes better when it’s grilled. And our ability behind the grill is off the charts. We built an entire menu around it and built a reputation as one of the area’s top restaurants. Sure, we boil, bake and broil. But when it comes to grilling, we’re so hot, no one can touch us.

bluegrillhouse.com 610-691-8400

A PAXOS RESTAURANT

PARTNER CONTENT

Eight ideas

for summer adventures

inspiration from lehigh valley locals

@citycenterallentown

@okletseat_

Live music, ArtsWalk Pocket Park

Cocktails, Bar Bix at the Townley House Hotel

Ahhh, summertime. The season of road trips, extended hours of daylight, and much too short weekends. We often think of summer as a time to get away on an adventure or two, but who says you have to go far? Often the best adventures aren’t planned in advance. They’re the spontaneous meet-ups on a Sunday afternoon or the times you play tourist in your own town.

Experience Rock the Walk every Thursday at ArtsWalk Pocket Park from 4 to 9 p.m. or check out Live at the Falls on Thursday nights at Scott Park; head to the patio at The Promenade Shops at Saucon Valley on select Saturdays from 1–4 p.m.

1. Enjoy (free) movies across our parks.

4. Find a new art gallery.

2. Listen to live (free) music.

5. Head to a local u-pick.

Jam all summer long at the impressive selection of outdoor concerts, from downtown twilight concerts to picnic in the park presentations. Count on the Levitt Pavilion Summer Concert Series most Saturdays & Sundays through Sept. for sounds boosting from the historic Blast Furnaces.

Talk about farm to table! ‘Tis the season for berries, cherries, produce, and more—and it’s a perfect time to try your hand at DIY harvesting at farms across Lehigh Valley.

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3. Explore a new park or trail.

6. Shop at one of the 16 local farmers’ markets.

PARTNER CONTENT

@asyouwishlaser

@cabbagethrowfarm

Movie night, Levitt Pavilion SteelStacks™

Cabbage, Find at the Easton Farmers’ Market

@sette_luna Trail exercising, Upper Saucon Community Park

@fit4momlehighvalley

Outdoor dining, Sette Luna

7. Map out an outdoor food & beverage tour. Gather up a group of friends to dine and sip outdoors at area restaurants, breweries, distilleries, and wineries.

8. Sip cocktails at hotel bars & patios. Hotel bars and patios aren’t just for tourists, they’re for locals who want a touch of local luxury. At the Townley House Hotel’s Bar Bix, history meets updated vibes. Indoor seating flows right out onto their patio, with lounge seating, umbrellas, and live music every Friday & Saturday from 5 p.m. until 11 p.m., all paired with an impressive cocktail list. You’ll also enjoy the expansive views and selections from 1741 on the Terrace at the Historic Hotel Bethlehem.

share your #LVMadePossible moments! @LehighValleyPA

Find these & more summer inspiration

DiscoverLehighValley.com

L E H I G H V A L L E Y S T Y L E . C O M : J U LY 2 0 2 1

STAFF SPEAKS VOLUME 22, ISSUE 7

President/CEO Paul Prass

Excited to see Todd’s Island Seafood as a winner this year—best shrimp and lobster I’ve ever had!

A Best Of winner I’m especially excited about is...

Vice President/COO Lisa Prass Publisher Pamela Deller Editor Kristen Rinaldi Art Director Elaine Wyborski

Over the past year, my husband and I have discovered The State Cafe. It’s become a frequent Saturday morning ritual to walk to Downtown Easton, enjoy breakfast and make the trek back home. Feeling less guilty about indulging in their delicious seasonal pancake options!

Director of Creative Services Erica Montes

Ch eck li s t o f ou t t h e f u l B est o rea d er - v l ot e d f the winne Lehigh Va l r s on pg. 41 l e y !

Having recently moved to the Allentown area, we’ve been enjoying frequent takeout nights with family from Notch Modern Kitchen & Bar. They do such a great job—it was exciting to see them win our new takeout category!

Graphic Designer Thomas Körp Senior Sales & Marketing Account Manager Kellie Bartholomew Sales & Marketing Account Managers Denise Lichty, Kelsey Rodocker, Pam Taylor Marketing & Events Manager Kelli Hertzog Web Design Specialist Taylor Van Kooten

The Cup is and always has been the BEST ice cream in town. They are a Lehigh Valley institution!

Contributing Writers Alison Conklin, Carrie Havranek, Morgan Kornfeind, Annie McCarthy, Amy Unger, Daisy Willis

I’m very excited to check out The Curious Plantaholic in Nazareth. I recently moved back to the Nazareth area, and I love supporting the small businesses in the downtown. Plus, as someone who’s never heard of a rhaphidophora decursiva or a Philodendron Dark Lord, I clearly have a lot of learning to do!

Contributing Photographers Marco Calderon, Alison Conklin, Shelbie Pletz, Andrew Tomasino Proofreader Lori McLaughlin Accounting Donna Bachman, Sarah Varano Circulation Manager Andrea Karges

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I am so excited for all of the incredible Easton businesses winning for the first time. The Easton Antique Emporium is such a unique find and ThreeBirds Coffee House honestly has some of the best coffee in the Valley!

In partnership with:

WORKING ON THIS ISSUE

Let’s create health and happiness in your home. There are certain spaces in our homes where we create health and happiness. Enjoy bath, kitchen and lighting products in room settings that help you envision them in your home. Working displays allow you to choose with confidence. Frank Webb Home’s friendly experts delight in helping you make these spaces your own.

ANDREW TOMASINO Contributing Photographer Yusuf and his daughter had an amazing chemistry in front of my lens. Their love and friendship was clear, and it was such a great experience to listen to their story and make these images. The proof is in the pictures.

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ALISON CONKLIN Contributing Photographer I am totally obsessed with The Curious Plantaholic and loved shooting the shop. Not only do they have amazing plants, but the owners and staff were the coolest. Inside my home will soon be like the secret garden.

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PARTNER CONTENT

SHADEN ELDAKAR-HEIN, MD Senior Associate Dean Temple/St. Luke’s School of Medicine

Leading by Example ST. LUKE’S UNIVERSITY HOSPITAL IS RANKED #1 NATIONALLY BY IBM WATSON HEALTH As the senior associate dean of Temple/St. Luke’s School of Medicine, Shaden Eldakar-Hein, MD, is both an educator and a caregiver. So she’s either teaching future doctors or treating patients – though sometimes she’s actually doing both. “I want to teach our students about the delivery of high quality, compassionate care by modeling it myself,” Dr. Eldakar-Hein said. “Leading by example is part of St. Luke’s culture." Dedicated to advancing medical education since 1872, St. Luke’s University Hospital in Bethlehem is the preeminent teaching hospital in central-eastern Pennsylvania. In partnership with the Lewis Katz School of Medicine at Temple University, St. Luke’s established the Lehigh Valley’s first and only four-year regional medical school campus. It also operates the nation’s oldest, continuously operating School of Nursing, established in 1884, and 38 fully accredited graduate medical educational programs with 347 residents and fellows.

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PARTNER CONTENT

LISTED AMONG THE TOP 15 HEALTH CARE SYSTEMS NATIONALLY This year, IBM Watson Health ranked St. Luke’s University Hospital the No. 1 major teaching hospital in the United States. What does this mean? It means the doctors, nurses, therapists and technicians of tomorrow are learning from the example set by some of the best providers of today – right here in the Lehigh Valley. IBM Watson Health’s 100 Top Hospitals, established in 1993, is unarguably one of the health industry’s most prestigious honors. Unlike many other health care awards, IBM Watson Health awards are based entirely on an independent, scientific review of objective data. IBM Watson Health researchers evaluated 2,675 short-term, acute care, non-federal U.S. hospitals. All research was based on the following public data sets: Medicare cost reports, Medicare Provider Analysis and Review data, and data from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services Hospital Compare website. Hospitals do not apply for awards, and winners do not pay to market this honor.

“We’re all working together as a team with a common mission.” This year, IBM Watson Health also introduced a measure of hospitals’ contributions to community health with a focus on equity, developed by a team of experts at the Johns Hopkins Center for Health Equity and the Bloomberg American Health Initiative at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health. “Hospitals save lives both by caring for individuals who are sick – and by working to keep their communities healthy,” noted Joshua M. Sharfstein, MD, Vice Dean for Public Health Practice and Community Engagement and Director of the Bloomberg American Health Initiative at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health. St. Luke’s University Hospital’s recognition in the Major Teaching Hospital category this year is its seventh time in a row and the ninth time overall. It is the only hospital in the Lehigh Valley ever named one of the nation’s 100 Top Hospitals in the Major Teaching Hospital category. While honored by these accolades, it’s what they represent that actually matters, Dr. Eldakar-Hein said. “At St. Luke’s, we’re all working together as a team with a common mission: providing the very best care to our patients and community.”

In 2021, St. Luke’s University Health Network became a first-time winner of the 15 Top Health Systems award, part of the Watson Health 100 Top Hospitals national benchmarks series. St. Luke’s is the only health system in the Lehigh Valley to receive this award – and one of only two health systems in Pennsylvania. Sponsored by IBM Watson and published by Fortune magazine, the 15 Top Health Systems awards employ a rigorous, objective evaluation of health systems across the country with multiple hospitals. The annual top health system list identifies top performance benchmarks for fully integrated health systems. It recognizes excellence in, among other measures, clinical outcomes, patient experience and operational efficiency through effective system integration. “The IBM Watson 15 Top Health Systems award recognizes St. Luke’s University Health Network’s ability to provide fully integrated services and the highest level of quality care at a lower cost than any hospital network in our region,” said St. Luke’s President & CEO Richard A. Anderson. “This recognition is especially significant at this time, considering the vital and fundamental role of health systems in the battle against COVID-19,” Anderson said. “I am proud of and grateful for the efforts of our outstanding physicians, nurses and our entire team, including their dedication and commitment to superior patient care during this challenging time.” L E H I G H V A L L E Y S T Y L E . C O M : J U LY 2 0 2 1

Your Center for Oral Surgery & Dental Implants ALLENTOWN • BETHLEHEM • EASTON • STROUDSBURG 610.865.8077 stlukesoms.com

Thank you for your continued support!

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THIS MONTH’S PICKS

BEST SELLERS In celebrating this year’s Best Of competition, we asked a few of the reader-voted winners to share the thing locals can’t get enough of. Check out these best-selling, BestOf-winning offerings!

Vegan Treats, voted Best Cake, says their best-selling cake flavor combination is, hands down, their chocolate peanut butter mousse cake encased in Belgian chocolate. Whether it be their three-inch peanut butter bomb, their six-inch peanut butter mousse Tandy cake (made by adding a layer of vanilla cake) or something larger for a special occasion with all the bells and whistles, their signature, decadent, moist chocolate cake and coveted peanut butter mousse finished in Belgian chocolate is at the heart of these creations. vegantreats.com

Domaci takes home the prize for Best Home Décor! Year to date, the store’s best-selling product is their Domaci Signature Lemon & Lavender candle. Think sweet, sugared lemons blended with fresh lavender blooms in a locally-made, hand-poured soy candle. domacihome.com

Voted Best Local Distillery, Eight Oaks Farm Distillery’s best-selling spirit is their bourbon whiskey, which is aged to perfection in hand-selected American white-oak barrels and features notes of vanilla, smoke and nutmeg for a toasty finish. eightoaksdistillery.com

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Winner of Best Eco-Friendly Goods, FD Market has a few best sellers. Their deodorant, lip balms, shampoo bars and makeup line are all on the list, as well as their bulk refills, which include dishwasher pods and laundry liquid. fdmarketco.com

Hello Beautiful Salon & Boutique, named Best Women’s Boutique, says their best seller this summer has been the Reverie dress by Z Supply. They recommend pairing it with an ADA wrap belt! shop.hellobeautifulsb.com

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BOULDER LODGE

Built in 2006, this five bedroom home features a new concept of the open floor plan. The kitchen with granite counters and island has stainless steel appliances, a breakfast area and walls of glass that look out at the semi-circular patio and lush landscaping. From the kitchen, the living room with vaulted ceilings and stone fireplace and the formal dining area, are all within a turn of the head. Located in a beautiful setting and is just a short drive to Downtown Bethlehem. $989,000

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Call (610) 944-1333 for a free Virtual or In-Home Design Consultation or visit us online at closetfactory.com 7 Willow Street, Fleetwood, Pa 19522 the art of organization ©2021 Closet Factory. All rights reserved.

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LVS3_21

*Please check each business’s website for information on current operating hours and procedures.

BY MORGAN KORNFEIND

TRENDING NOW

INDOOR LIVING THE URBAN JUNGLE PLANT INTERIORS

Easton | 484.781.8000 theurbanjungleplantinteriorsllc.com

Head to Carera Organix’s website to check out their “No List” of ingredients they never use.

Photo by Emily Nadine Photography

The Urban Jungle Plant Interiors offers plant-focused interior design services, providing lasting health benefits and a natural atmosphere for all to thrive. “My mission is to provide the Valley with a design resource that both educates and beautifies, while working within the constructs of any budget,” says owner and designer Alyssa Higgins. “I want my neighbors to know there is always a way to incorporate plants into your life regardless of your financial position.” Higgins hopes her clients feel as though they are part of a community while working with her team—and long after the project is completed. Services include one-on-one consultations, potting, fertilizing and plant sourcing, commercial, small business and residential design.

Clean Beauty CARERA ORGANIX

Carera Organix recently opened its doors in Nazareth, offering natural and organic skin, home and pet products. “My mission here at Carera is to bring clean and chemical-free products to the market for people to use daily, weekly or whenever they need,” says owner Amie Eckert. Eckert has incorporated locally sourced ingredients into her line of more than 230 products, which includes moisturizers, serums, perfumes and candles, and strives to minimize the amount of chemicals customers put into their bodies and also into the environment. Eckert has worked in the industry for more than 20 years, and believes that her passion for making others look and feel good comes through in her products. 131 S. Main St., Nazareth | 484.626.2529 | careraorganix.com

NEW LOCATION CAPTURED LV

Captured LV Escape Room promises summer thrills and adventure with a new second location at Tilghman Square—and a Bethlehem location that recently celebrated its fifth anniversary. After playing their first escape room back in 2016, co-owners Lori and Jeremiah Warsing and Angela and Marcelo Morales, who is also the lead designer, launched Captured LV and, within the first two years, transitioned from a 1,000-square-foot space to a 3,000-square-foot space. “Captured LV is designed to offer guests a truly unique experience, stimulating your mind with puzzles, and testing your ability to work with others,” says the team of four. The venue features eight thrilling experiences to choose from, ranging from Mayan Temple to Haunted Theatre. Players have one hour to find clues and complete the escape before the clock runs out. 4640 Broadway, Allentown | 610.351.2026 | capturedlv.com L E H I G H V A L L E Y S T Y L E . C O M : J U LY 2 0 2 1

VOICES OF THE VALLEY

Amresse Farrow COMMUNICATIONS DIRECTOR

Watch the Unscripted with Russo podcast video with Amresse Farrow at lehighvalleystyle.com.

Co-owner and director of communications and marketing for Lab Two Twelve, Amresse Farrow prides herself on being a creative professional with expertise in a variety of media markets— and she identified her dreams early on. “I believe it was clear to myself and everyone around me that I would grow up to spend my time using communication as a guiding force in my career,” says Farrow. “Being a diverse and multidimensional person made me not want to limit myself but to become an expert in multiple fields, so I would have the flexibility and adaptability to make a difference anywhere.” Farrow spent years working in politics and issue advocacy before experiencing her aha moment, which solidified her inevitably successful career. “I grew up an underrepresented woman of color in a white, male-dominated area and even at a young age I hoped there was more out there that would represent people like me,” she says, calling it the driving force in her desire to travel and learn more about the world. “When I was about 15, I was invited to the White House

Find your way to your greatest adventure. She’s the Lewis to your Clark. He’s the Norgay to your Hillary. Together, you’ve set out to see the world and find your place in it. Your future together is stretched out towards a bright horizon, and we can help you chart a steady financial course. After all, a lifetime of adventures should eventually lead to a comfortable retirement, and it’s never too early to start planning for whatever comes next. Contact Magellan today and discover how you can live the life you want without financial constraints.

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J U LY 2 0 2 1 : L E H I G H V A L L E Y S T Y L E . C O M

for a community leaders briefing and, in the same year, I attended the Women’s Leadership Summit and met Michelle Obama. Having the opportunity to represent my community and connect with so many brilliant minds over the years has made me realize that I wanted to spend my life communicating and fighting for a better community back home.” Farrow brought her devout love for education and communications to her startup, Lab Two Twelve. Lab Two Twelve is a results-driven team that coordinates with community partners for content creation, video production, aerial drone work and digital media marketing. “Lab Two Twelve’s singular goal has always been to raise up artists, companies and brands, both locally and globally, on the pedestals they deserve to be on, so that they can continue to make their products. To that end, we hope each client we work with walks away uplifted and bolstered by the resources we provide,” says Farrow. “Education and communication are how we pave the way towards a more diverse and full community.”

NEW IN TOWN

FASHION FOR ALL ELLE’S CONTEMPORARY CLOSET Elle’s Contemporary Closet on Main Street in Bethlehem offers contemporary women’s clothing in sizes XS–3XL as well as accessories, handbags and shoes—all available at price points under $100. “I want to make each shopping experience personal for the women who come into Elle’s,” says owner Laura McGovern. “I enjoy learning what each customer is looking for… I love getting to know people, their personal style, their favorite colors, what types of accessories are their favorite and anything else they want to share.” McGovern wants her customers to succeed as well as those in the community. “I want to make sure I’m giving back to the community which has been so supportive of Elle’s, so each month I will be donating a portion of profits or partnering with a local nonprofit to be a drop-off location for donations.” 551 Main St. Suites 203 & 204, Bethlehem 570.856.9005 | ellescontemporarycloset.com

PHOTO BY HOME SPOT MEDIA

Cell: (484) 294-8185 Office: (610) 766-7200

IRONVALLEYREALESTATE.COM THEERICLEADBETTERTEAM.COM L E H I G H V A L L E Y S T Y L E . C O M : J U LY 2 0 2 1

ONLINE THIS MONTH

Just here for the food Photo by LG Photography

Head to lehighvalleystyle.com to check out our favorite local wedding Instagrams of the week! Want to see your post featured? Use #lvstyleweddings to catch our attention.

Win It

BE PART OF THE STORY!

Photo by Marco Calderon

Is there a category you’d like to see added to next year’s Best of the Lehigh Valley competition? Email editor@lehighvalleystyle.com.

DID YOU KNOW? Enter to win a premium men’s haircut and a fine men’s massage from BB DeCheine Fine Men’s Salon & Beauty Co., a $120 value. Visit lehighvalleystyle.com/share-with-us to enter!

CO N N E C T W I T H S T Y L E :

J U LY 2 0 2 1 : L E H I G H V A L L E Y S T Y L E . C O M

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

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L E H I G H V A L L E Y S T Y L E . C O M : J U LY 2 0 2 1

GET THE GOODS

PHOTOGRAPHY BY MARCO CALDERON

Find unique, one-of-a-kind and eco-friendly goods at LEARKE, a small shop with lots to offer in Historic Downtown Easton. .

MOLLY GODFREY

Owner Tell us about your journey to opening LEARKE in 2019! For as long as I can remember, I wanted to have my own business. Over the years, the type of business venture varied in my mind, but the desire to have a business to call my own never faded. LEARKE, pronounced L-A-R-K, is a portmanteau of our children's names. The business began on a whim when a beautiful space became available in the Historic District of Easton, hence the pronunciation of LEARKE. Thankfully there wasn't much time to think about what I was doing, so I dove right in and figured it out! With no retail history or guidance as to how to even run a store, the shop somehow came together.

Pronounced L-A-R-K, LEARKE is a portmanteau of owner Molly Godfrey's children's names.

LEARKE

J U LY 2 0 2 1 : L E H I G H V A L L E Y S T Y L E . C O M

Describe the range of offerings available at the shop. LEARKE is just under 400 square feet. Although tiny, I've managed to fit as much as possible into the space. Curating the merchandise is something I truly love and it gives the shop such a great atmosphere. The range of offerings is vast; my goal is for anyone to walk into the shop and find something they love for a price they can afford. At LEARKE, we carry plants, home goods, kitchenware, bags, accessories, jewelry, record players, cards, stationery and more!

A lot of what you offer is one-of-a-kind and handmade. Tell us the importance of that! Upon opening LEARKE, it was imperative to reflect on what is important and how the shop can be set apart from other similar stores. First and foremost, LEARKE is a place for anyone and everyone. Being that each of us is so beautifully unique, it only makes sense to have unique products as well. Much of the charm of having a small business is stocking it with items you aren't going to find at a typical big-box store. Is there anything better than truly one-of-a-kind handmade items? Having a husband who makes custom furniture, I can attest that there is nothing better! John, my husband, is much of my inspiration for carrying one-of-akind items. The sheer joy of seeing an artist—no matter what kind of art they choose—have someone recognize their value, ability

and hard work appreciated is an amazing feeling. With that said, at the shop, you will find many items by local artists that include furniture (J.Godfrey Craftsman), paintings (by Lauren Kindle), art (coming soon by Kailey Atkinson), collaborative nail polish with Taylor Made Polish, laser-cut garden stacks (by Knecht), and headbands, eye pillows, eco-friendly food wraps (by Ana Moser, owner of Unearth Your Vibe). Tell us about your desire to offer eco-friendly products. When looking for products to carry in the shop, eco-friendly items and/or items that do something for the betterment of the world are high priority! Eco-friendly items are gaining momentum and so it feels wonderful to be a part of that and to be able to supply shoppers with those items! Is there one product that just continually flies off the shelf? Inventory is forever changing at LEARKE, but I'd say the products that move the quickest are plants and cards.

What is something that customers might be surprised to find in the shop? I think a lot of the items we carry would surprise customers— it isn’t just a home goods store! Customers may be surprised to find that I have an area with men’s goods. Tell us about the overall shopping experience at LEARKE! The shop is very small so you'll most likely have to do a couple laps to see everything that is available. What I love about that is it encourages everyone to slow down and enjoy the experience. As soon as you open the door, you can smell the mixture of candles and soaps that create an amazing aroma. There is always good music playing and a big welcome when you walk in. It’s the best vibe! What are you looking forward to at the shop this summer? In all honesty, I'm looking for normalcy. Since the shop opened six weeks prior to the COVID-19

shutdown, last summer really wasn't experienced. I'm looking forward to seeing people out and enjoying themselves! What do you love about being based in Easton? Everything! I was born and raised in Easton and have a deep love for the city. I've seen the progress it has been making over the last several years and it is so rewarding to see how awesome it has become and how it continues to grow. I love the feel of being downtown. Seeing people. Admiring the beautiful architecture. Meeting small-business owners. The list goes on. One of the best things about Easton is the community. It's refreshing to see others want everyone to succeed—whether that be the city, the Easton Main Street Initiative/The Greater Easton Development Partnership or the local businesses, it truly feels like everyone is rooting for you! 65 N. 4th St., Easton 610.704.4354 | learke.com L E H I G H V A L L E Y S T Y L E . C O M : J U LY 2 0 2 1

KIDS & FAMILY FUN

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• Safe, nurturing environment • Enthusiastic and caring teachers • Links to Learning curriculum • Ongoing parent communication 28CBA_LehighValleyMagazine_Feb21_7.625x4.875.indd J U LY 2 0 2 1 : L E H I G H V A L L E Y S T Y L E . C O M

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BY S US A N BI A NCHI, MS , HE A LT H & W EL L NE S S COA CH

Summertime speaks to outdoor fun, backyard barbecues and time in the sun. This summer, we can make some simple shifts inside and out to enjoy a healthier season for ourselves, our families and our environment.

SUN PROTECTION

As we look for protection from harmful UVA and UVB rays, we want to make sure our sunscreen isn’t doing more harm than good. There are two categories of sunscreens: mineral and chemical. Mineral sunscreens, containing zinc oxide or titanium dioxide, act by sitting atop the skin, shielding and reflecting damaging rays. Meanwhile, chemical sunscreens can get absorbed into the skin and act more like a sponge in absorbing the UV rays. The critical piece with chemical sunscreens is skin absorption. Recent FDA tests showed that after one application of a chemical sunscreen, active ingredients continued to be absorbed into the skin days later. Of particular concern are some of the active ingredients in the chemical sunscreens that get absorbed into the skin, namely oxybenzone. Oxybenzone has been shown to be allergenic, is a potential endocrine disruptor and may also be damaging to the environment. Oxybenzone, along with other UV-filtering ingredients, has been detected globally in almost all water sources as well as detected in various fish species worldwide. According to the Environmental Working Group, only zinc oxide and titanium dioxide have been

LIVING WELL

Eco-Friendly

Swaps for a Cleaner & Greener

SUMMER

Simple shifts indoors and out, along with educated, informed purchases, can help reduce the toxic load on you and your family.

L E H I G H V A L L E Y S T Y L E . C O M : J U LY 2 0 2 1

LIVING WELL

OWNER, H OW I E M A N T E AG E 4

BUILT FOR YOUR HEAVY DEMANDS FOR

YEARS TO COME

classified as GRAS (Generally Recognized As Safe) by the FDA, while oxybenzone and other UV-filtering chemicals require further testing. If you are unsure of what to choose, the Environmental Working Group suggests opting for sunscreen products made with zinc oxide or titanium dioxide along with incorporating simple practices to reduce potential for UV skin damage. These practices include wearing clothing and hats that protect skin from excess exposure, planning activities early in morning and late afternoon when the sun is lower, finding shade or creating it, protecting your eyes with sunglasses and checking the UV index before planning your outdoor activities. Remember, sun isn’t all bad— it is our best source of vitamin D for the body— but we must be smart with our exposure.

NIX THE SWEETENERS

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Jenny’s Kuali Vegan Cookbook—now on Amazon

30 J U LY 2 0 2 1 : L E H I G H V A L L E Y S T Y L E . C O M

While your thirst for something tasty and refreshing heats up during the summer, it’s time to eliminate the artificial sweeteners for good. While the allure of sweetness with zero calories may sound like a win, these sweeteners have been linked to increased weight gain, increased insulin and blood sugar levels, high blood pressure and diabetes—not to mention their potential cancer risk. In addition, artificial sweeteners are several hundred times sweeter than sugar. As a result, your taste buds and brain get altered by overstimulating sweet receptors in the brain, having you crave greater degrees of sweetness and become desensitized to natural levels of sweetness in whole foods. The result is often being less satisfied with healthy fruits and vegetables and turning to highly sweetened foods. If you are working to get off artificial sweeteners, products that contain stevia may be a better option, but ultimately allowing your taste buds to return to normal will enable you to taste and be more satisfied with the natural sweetness in foods.

As we track in all that dirt from outside, our cleanup inside can be greener and cleaner too. There can be a whole host of toxic chemicals sitting right underneath your sink. The warning labels on your cleaning solutions give you a clear indication of how toxic they are for you and for the environment. Greener cleaning products are big business and it can be an overwhelming and confusing prospect in choosing what is truly safe. Unfortunately, simply looking for the labels

“non-toxic” or “eco-friendly” is not enough, as there are no standards for either and, therefore, they have no real meaning as to the safety or toxicity of the product. Some things to watch out for in the ingredients are petroleum-based ingredients or solvents, like ethylene or butyl glycol, phosphates and phthalates. Phthalates are often a part of synthetic fragrances and are damaging hormone disruptors. If choosing a cleaning product with a fragrance, check that the fragrance is from organic essential oils. If all of that seems too much to discern, you can find comfort in knowing some of the best natural cleaning products are already right in your pantry. Baking soda, vinegar and dish soap are a few items that, when used in various combinations, can scrub pots, be an all-purpose cleaner or get your windows sparkling. Add a few drops of a favorite essential oil and now you have your own personal fragrant, truly eco- and wallet-friendly cleaning line. Head to lehighvalleystyle.com to find some of these all-natural recipes!

Esther Salata and her dog, Benny

MOSQUITO SPRAYS AND INSECTICIDES

Nobody likes to be bitten by pesky mosquitoes— there’s the annoying itchiness, the welts and the potential diseases they can carry. However, using chemical sprays and insecticides also kill bees, pollinators and predatory insects that actually feed on mosquitoes. Bees and other pollinators play critical roles in not only our food supply but are also vital in the natural ecosystem and how it functions. After spending so much time outside last year, Esther Salata of Allentown became acutely aware of the mosquito, flea and tick issues in her yard; she also became aware of the lack of lawn treatment products that would be safe for her dog, Benny, her family and the environment. “It was then that I knew we could develop something better and make a positive impact,” says Salata. With a degree in environmental science, Salata launched Benesafe Solutions in May 2021. Made from citronella oil and cedarwood, the product is completely safe for pets, children and the environment—and it’s made right here in the Lehigh Valley.

serenity

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of custom countertops

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L E H I G H V A L L E Y S T Y L E . C O M : J U LY 2 0 2 1

LIVING WELL

LET’S BUILD IT TO LAST

Additionally, Salata suggests incorporating plants and flowers that naturally repel mosquitos and harmful insects—while also adding beauty—into your garden or patio space. Marigolds, often referred to as nature’s insecticide, are a star in this category as they naturally contain pyrethrum, which is a compound used in repellants. You can also try rubbing mint leaf onto your skin for added protection, and rosemary and sage can be tossed into your fire pit to help ward off those evening pests.

With 25 years of experience— from design and installation to maintenance and curation for both residential and commercial clients—you can trust Brian

CHECK YOUR LAWN

Hursh and his landscaping team to create the perfect patio or walkway for your home.

PA040143

stay connected

12 issues for $12

You Deserve the #1 Mortgage Lender in the Lehigh Valley In this real estate market, you need the best, and according to Lehigh Valley residents, that’s GOLD Credit Union. With loan options to fit your needs and our Mortgage Consultant as your guide, you can relax knowing you’re in good hands at GOLD.

goldcu.org/mortgage 1 GOLD Credit Union was voted the #1 Mortgage Lender in the 2020 Lehigh Valley Business Reader Rankings Awards. 3 Not all applicants will qualify for approval, based on credit review. Credit union eligibility and Membership are required prior to opening a loan. Other fees, terms, and conditions may apply. See credit union for details.

32 J U LY 2 0 2 1 : L E H I G H V A L L E Y S T Y L E . C O M

Delivered right to your door!

Subscribe today at LEHIGHVALLEYSTYLE.COM

A green lawn can be a great source of pride but also a source of highly toxic chemicals for humans and the environment. Whether it’s through your lawn care service or scoping out your garage, it is important to check what is actually going into and onto your lawn. In addition to harmful chemicals, many commercial fertilizers also contain lead and aluminum, which are especially dangerous to children. As children spend more time in direct contact, their developing organs and immune system are more susceptible to the harmful effects of these chemicals. These chemicals also enter into our water supply, damaging ecosystems. Excessive use of commercial fertilizers on your lawn or garden also makes the soil more acidic, destroying the microorganisms in the soil that are necessary for converting plant material into the essential nutrients the plants and grasses need. It then becomes a vicious cycle as the “dead” soil now requires even more supplemental nutrients. Healthy soil is the source of healthy grass. Some alternative ways to nourish your lawn and keep it healthy include reusing the grass clippings to provide nutrients back into the soil, composting or introducing clover, which is excellent in fixing nitrogen back into the soil. If purchasing fertilizer, choose organic, from natural sources like manures and fish by-products, as these also release nutrients more slowly over time, keeping your plants and grasses healthy. Reducing our exposure and use of harmful chemicals is an ongoing process. Simple shifts indoors and out, along with educated, informed purchases, can help reduce the toxic load on you and your family. Each step you take can have a positive impact on the environment and in some cases even lighten the load on your wallet. benesafesolutions.com

PARTNER CONTENT

Closet Factory - Home Theater

Closet Factory - Project to $20,000

HoudenHAL - Project to $10,000

HoudenHAL - Project to $30,000

Erwin Forrest Builders - Home to $700,000

Erwin Forrest Builders - Home Over $1.5M

Erwin Forrest Builders Home to $1.5M

Erwin Forrest Builders - Home Over $600,000

Erwin Forrest Builders - Home to $600,000

Jarrett Design - Basement Over $75,000

Jarrett Design - Bath to $50,000

Jarrett Design - Interior Remodeled to $150,000

Jarrett Design - Remodeled Kitchen to $50,000

Jarrett Design - Remodeled Kitchen Over $125,000

The Lehigh Valley Builders Association sponsors the Annual Awards for Professional Excellence for its membership. This year marks the 30 th anniversary of the program, but unlike our traditions in other years, winners were announced virtually. Despite the conditions and limitations we have all faced for so many months, the quality of submissions did not disappoint. All of this year’s entrants represented the association well. Judges were selected from outside the area so anonymity of the entrants ensured fair reviews. This year was a difficult year for decisions, as all entries were excellent and were all capable of winning. However, as with all competitions, there is one winner per category—join us in congratulating them.

CHUCK HAMILTON EXECUTIVE OFFICER

Congratulations to the winners of the 30th Annual Lehigh Valley Builders Association Awards for Professional Excellence! CLOSET FACTORY Bob Focht bob.focht@closetfactory.com closetfactory.com THE DESIGN STUDIO AT HOUDENHAL Robin Ruhmel robin@designstudiohh.com designstudiohh.com ERWIN FORREST BUILDERS, LLC Keith Hoeing keith.hoeing@gmail.com erwinforrest.com JARRETT DESIGN, LLC Jill Jarrett jill@jarrettdesignllc.com jarrettdesignllc.com LOVE YOUR ROOM Jennifer Bonner jennifer@loveyourroom.com loveyourroom.com MASTERPLAN OUTDOOR LIVING Joshua Gillow josh@masterplanpa.com mymasterplan.com MONOGRAM CUSTOM HOMES & POOLS Anthony Caciolo tony@monogramcustomhomes.com monogramcustomhomes.com PAPPAS LANDCARE & CONSTRUCTION Gregory Pappas gpappas@pappaslandcare.com pappaslandcare.com

POSAVEK CONSTRUCTION, INC. William Posavek, Jr. bposavek@posavek.com posavek.com RUHMEL CONTRACTING, INC. Hersh & Robin Ruhmel info@ruhmelhomes.com ruhmelhomes.com *with Stofanak Custom Cabinetry info@stofanak.com stofanak.com CURTIS E. SCHNECK, INC. Judy Rau cesinc@ptd.net c-schneck.com SHAFER CONSTRUCTION Bill Shafer shaferco@hotmail.com shaferconstructionllc.com SPUNDESIGN Amy Bloom Coleman amy@spundesign.com spundesign.com STUDIO26 HOMES Brain Baker & Scott Baker info@studio26homes.com studio26homes.com TUSKES HOMES Michael Tuskes marthac@tuskeshomes.com tuskeshomes.com

For more information, visit lvba.org/awards 34 J U LY 2 0 2 1 : L E H I G H V A L L E Y S T Y L E . C O M

PARTNER CONTENT

Jarrett Design - Remodeled Kitchen to $125,000

Love Your Room - Decorative Interior Design

Love Your Room - Interior Remodeled to $75,000

Love Your Room - Interior Remodeled Over $150,000

Love Your Room - Interior Remodeled to $150,000

masterPLAN - Hardscaping to $20,000

Monogram - Hardscaping Over $50,000

Pappas Landcare - Addition to $150,000

Pappas Landcare - Hardscaping to $50,000

Pappas Landcare - Landscaping to $20,000

Pappas Landcare - Project to $50,000

Posavek Construction - Sunroom

Ruhmel Contracting - New Home Kitchen to $50,000*

Ruhmel Contracting - Home to $300,000

Ruhmel Contracting - Project Over $100,000

Ruhmel Contracting - Project to $100,000

Curtis E. Schneck - Commercial Project

Shafer Construction - Bath Over $50,000

Spun Design - Interior Space Utilization

studio26 homes - Home to $1.2M

studio26 homes - Home to $500,000

studio26 homes - Home to $600,000

studio26 homes - Home to $800,000

Tuskes Homes - Lehigh Valley Community

THANK YOU TO OUR SPONSORS:

Tuskes Homes - Model Home

L E H I G H V A L L E Y S T Y L E . C O M : J U LY 2 0 2 1

5 THINGS

BY DAISY WILLIS

Outdoors DO MORE

Each SUP class begins with board instruction and a peaceful paddle to the location.

Photo by Marty Desilets

Adventure, art, food, history— you can get it all outside with this fun variety of events and activities! Step out of the air conditioning and enjoy the fresh air and—hopefully— sunshine of a Pennsylvania summer.

J U LY 2 0 2 1 : L E H I G H V A L L E Y S T Y L E . C O M

1. PADDLEBOARD YOGA

VARIOUS AREA LOCATIONS | 484.819.0380 | MISSMELANIEYOGA.COM

Stand-up paddleboarding challenges your balance, your patience and your core! Miss Melanie Yoga offers unique yoga and fitness classes with the refreshing touch of a body of water mere inches away from your paddleboard. Locations include the Lehigh River as well as Lake Nockamixon, so take your savasana to the serenity of a natural setting.

2. GLAMP

1660 BLUE MOUNTAIN DR., PALMERTON 610.826.7700 | SKIBLUEMT.COM

Get away from it all without going fully feral at one of Blue Mountain’s 25 unique glamping spots, from shady wood to sunny field. These sites sport canvas tents safely ensconced on wooden platforms. Enjoy a cozy campfire from your Adirondack chair after a day ziplining, biking or otherwise enjoying the elements.

EASTON . HERITAGE DAY

Make your staycation one to remember...

DOWNTOWN EASTON 610.250.6533 | HERITAGEDAY.ORG

History comes alive on July 11 in Easton’s downtown for a celebration of the reading of the freshly penned Declaration of Independence in the city’s square in 1776. Feast on festival fare, peruse the creations of period crafters and learn about the Colonial Era surrounded by Easton’s amazing historical architecture.

Your one-stop source for CUSTOM POOL DESIGN, INSTALLATION & MORE including patios, outdoor kitchens, fireplaces and more!

61 0.965. POO L

PA000981 // NJ13VH04418500

bbcustompools.com

4. BERRY PICKING

5681 BERRY DR., NEW TRIPOLI 610.298.2591 | SCHMIDTBERRYFARM.COM

Berries never taste better than they do right off the bush, and you can make the best pies, smoothies, fruit salads and more with pints picked yourself from George Schmidt Berry Farm. You’ll find ripe raspberries through early July, and plump blueberries in the latter half of the month. Peaches and blackberries await you in August!

PENNSYLVANIA . SHAKESPEARE FESTIVAL

“Dr. Holli Warholic is honest, up front and treats me with respect,” explains Caitlin Ayre. “I immediately felt comfortable when I met her.”

THE PROFESSIONAL THEATRE AT DESALES UNIVERSITY 2755 STATION AVE., CENTER VALLEY 610.282.9455 | PASHAKESPEARE.ORG

The summer lineup at the renowned Pennsylvania Shakespeare Festival delights on a new outdoor stage this year as well as in the traditional theaters and virtual options— the show must go on! Come see fairies and fools in A Midsummer Night’s Dream presented under the summer stars, or bring youngsters to experience Charlotte’s Web.

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INSIGHT

BY AMY UNGER | PHOTOGRAPHY BY ANDREW TOMASINO

Yusuf and his daughter, Chloee, became official Lehigh Valley residents in 2017.

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Yusuf Dahl has no problem speaking candidly about his life, whether he’s talking about the good parts, like his daughter, Chloee, or the more difficult parts, like the time he spent behind bars as a teenager and young man in his native Milwaukee, Wisconsin. He owns all of it. Perhaps that’s because every success and every setback have helped to shape the educator, entrepreneur, father and man he is today. Of course, Dahl had no way of knowing there would be a second act for him when he was coming of age in Milwaukee in the 1990s, traveling down the poverty-to-prison pathway that unfortunately was trodden by many young Black men before him. Dahl says his community had one of the highest rates of Black incarceration in the United States; half of all Black men were either behind bars or out on parole by the time they reached the age of 30. His older brother became part of that statistic, and Dahl later followed at the age of 14 when he was sent to juvenile detention on a robbery charge. “It was very much a prison, just for younger people,” he says. His downward spiral was inevitable in many ways; Dahl says his mother struggled with addiction and chemical dependency issues, and his neighborhood was lacking in positive male role models. “I had clearly fallen in with the bad crowd,” he says. “I wasn’t a bad person. I was just making bad decisions.”

Unfortunately, those bad decisions continued after his time in juvenile detention ended. “My master plan was to sell drugs as a result of it,” recalls Dahl. He had served as a rapt audience as another young man at the facility had extolled the benefits of peddling illegal drugs on the outside—money, power, prestige. “I’m thinking, ‘OK, this guy is providing a service that people want to pay for.’” Dahl says he viewed getting involved with the drug business as a way he could contribute to his family. Within a year of his release from juvenile detention he was operating a network of drug houses in Milwaukee. Some of his mother’s friends were his first customers.

I was fortunate to be arrested and sentenced to prison. I could have been killed in the streets.

Dahl was arrested again in 1998 at the age of 18, and this time he was an adult in the eyes of the law, so there was no juvenile detention. Dahl was sentenced to 10 and a half years in prison, and ultimately would serve about half of that. But surprisingly, he has no bitterness about the turn of events that again landed him at square one.

“I was fortunate to be arrested and sentenced to prison,” he says. “I could have been killed in the streets.” It was also during this time that Dahl decided something had to give; he had to change his ways. While he was behind bars, Dahl began to teach himself computer skills and software development. He was able to earn a certification from Microsoft that enabled him to land his first post-prison job—no easy feat for a young Black man with a criminal record. Then, another personal victory: he purchased his own home—the first in his immediate family to do so. But then the foreclosure crisis hit, and his neighborhood in Milwaukee was hit particularly hard. Dahl says he watched his block deteriorate around him. He had a choice to make: step up and accept a new challenge, or cut his losses and get out. Dahl picked the former. “It was just a downward spiral of blight. If I didn’t take a stand for my community, who the hell was going to?” he says. He began to purchase properties that needed more than a little TLC, starting with the one next door to his own home. He immersed himself in DIY books and YouTube videos to learn everything he could about fixing up homes. In 2008, he founded his own affordable housing development and management company, Milwaukee Metro Management. Within five years he had more than 200 properties within

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his portfolio. “It was never my master plan to become a landlord,” Dahl says. “It was just one of these things that happened.” He also took a deeper interest in policy issues and was elected president of the Apartment Association of Southeastern Wisconsin, one of the largest such groups in the state. Years of tenacity, grit and hard work were opening up new opportunities; he was no longer scraping to get by or struggling to get his foot in the door—he was the guy building the doorway. “I was in a position to do what I wanted to do, as opposed to what I had to do,” Dahl says. And the next thing Dahl wanted to do was beef up his academic credentials to have a greater impact on the world around him. By that time, he already had a bachelor’s degree in information technology from Ottawa University, and an MBA from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee’s Lubar School of Business under his belt. Next stop? The Ivy League. Dahl was awarded a scholarship to attend graduate school at Princeton University. He and his daughter packed up and headed to the East Coast in the summer of 2015. Dahl says adapting to life in a new zip code was a challenge, compounded by the demands of being a single dad and a student in a tough program at a prestigious university. “It was the first time I was in an environment where it wasn’t an issue of working harder,” he explains. “I was never groomed to be a student.” But Dahl stuck with it, earning his master’s degree in public policy analysis in 2017.

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I’ve always thought the best way to teach anyone is by example.

While teaching social entrepreneurship at Princeton, he met someone who told him about an opportunity to work with Lafayette College’s Dyer Center, which encourages students to think outside the box and extend their creativity beyond the classroom to change the community around them. “I knew I could be impactful in a short period of time,” says Dahl. With that decision, Dahl would become the center’s Executive Director of Innovation and Entrepreneurship, and he and his

daughter would become official Lehigh Valley residents. Dahl praises the Valley as a great place to raise a family. Chloee will be an eighth grader at Bethlehem’s Moravian Academy in the fall, but Dahl says her education isn’t confined to a classroom. “I’ve always thought the best way to teach anyone is by example,” he says. “She gets dragged along to a lot of different things.” Lately, that includes meetings and gatherings connected to Allentown’s Real Estate Lab, which Dahl co-founded along with City Center Investment Corporation head J.B. Reilly. “We take you through the entire life cycle of a real estate transaction,” Dahl says. The 10-week program graduated its first “class” last year. It was a proud moment for Dahl, who of course understands the transformative possibilities of home ownership. “It’s so satisfying to me,” he says. “I know firsthand the benefits that can come not only to you but to your kids. We’re really proud of what we’ve done so far.” He hopes to expand the program to other parts of the Lehigh Valley, such as Easton, where he serves on the mayor’s Affordable Housing Task Force, or Bethlehem. It’s more forward momentum for a man who doesn’t spend much time fretting over mistakes made in the past. Dahl says he has no regrets. “I’m a true believer that things happen as they’re supposed to,” he says. “If you spend too much time [thinking about regrets], it takes away from what you can and will do.” yusufdahl.com

Get to Know

PARTNER CONTENT

wenty years after opening Geakers Tacos, co-owner Kevin Geake still marvels that his Bethlehem Township eatery has been voted Best Taco year after year by the readers of Lehigh Valley Style. “I think back to the first Bethlehem Township fire company carnival when Rick Hasonich asked my son Jared and me if we would like to sell tacos at the carnival,” he says. “We jumped at the chance. We built a wooden ‘shack’ with a tarp roof, adorned it with our first Geakers taco sign, and served tacos for six rainy days.”

Our reputation keeps our customers coming back.

Kevin and Martha Geak e

tacos and 72 flavors of milkshakes keeps our customers coming back,” says Kevin. “In addition to our great food, our wonderful staff projects our business philosophy with a friendly smile and willingness to exceed your expectations in every way.” To learn more about Geakers’ story, tune in to the Cliff Lewis Experience on YouTube. Geakers’ ad in next month’s issue of Style will introduce readers to Kevin’s son, Jared, who operates Geakers Tacos at the Lehigh Valley Zoo.

BETHLEHEM

3531 Freemansburg Ave MON–SAT 11AM–9PM

LEHIGH VALLEY ZOO

5150 Game Preserve Rd. Schnecksville DAILY 11AM–3PM

(610) 419-4869 // GEAKERS.COM

Photo by Daniel Berenato

From this rainy start, Kevin and Jared eventually acquired 24 carnivals and fairs, earning one satisfied customer at a time. The buzz began about their phenomenal tacos, and the restaurant once known as Geakers Drive-In became Geakers Tacos. “I remember talking to Jared and wondering if there would ever be a time that all we did was tacos,” says Kevin. “Well, that happened 10 years ago when tacos became our number one seller.” Geakers’ tacos started out with basic ingredients like beef, chicken and shrimp, but customers today can order a jerk-sauced alligator taco. “Our reputation of offering half-pound

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k n i r D est Taco BGEAKERS TACOS

Best Hummus HUMMUS HOUSE

In addition to traditional taco choices like beef, chicken and shrimp, Geakers takes it a step further by offering fish and gator options. Spice up your taco with one of their five delicious flavors: regular, jerk, buffalo, Asian sesame or bourbon. Stop by their Bethlehem location, find them at the Lehigh Valley Zoo or keep an eye out for the Geakers food truck at various Lehigh Valley events!

With pride in their authentic Middle Eastern cuisine, Hummus House offers delicious dishes using only the freshest ingredients to ensure the best results. In addition to their many vegetarian and vegan options, gourmet Boar’s Head sandwiches are made fresh every day for purchase. 1502 W. Chew St., Allentown 610.434.8800 | thehummushouse.com

Best Bread EGYPT STAR BAKERY Family-owned and -operated for more than 80 years, Egypt Star Bakery has been satisfying everyone’s carb cravings since the beginning! Serving only the freshest baked goods, customers can choose from sweet options like strudels, pies, scones and so much more!

3531 Freemansburg Ave., Bethlehem 5150 Game Preserve Rd., Schnecksville 610.419.4869 | geakers.com

Various area locations | egyptstarbakery.com

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Best Frozen Yogurt MENCHIE’S FROZEN YOGURT

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SPECIALTY rocery tore

RADISH

REPUBLIC

Grocery shopping doesn’t have to be a dreaded chore. Instead of elbowing your way down crowded aisles and loading up your cart with stuff trucked in from all corners of the country, you could be getting a taste of the best the Lehigh Valley has to offer inside the vibrant, inviting space that is Radish Republic. The store, which opened along Allentown’s Arts Walk in 2019, is small—less than 2,000 square feet— but what it lacks in size it makes up for in unique, locally sourced goodies, as well as atmosphere. “We have smaller brands and producers,” says Nicole Shelly, who owns the store along with her husband, Steve. “All of our grab-and-go foods are prepared in-store from scratch in small batches. We have a brand called Holistic Vibes that makes all organic, vegan and gluten-free prepared foods here also.” The emphasis on local extends to the décor as well. “We have original artwork throughout the store painted by a local artist, and feature local artists in the store also,” Shelly says. It’s all part of being a good neighbor and engaging with the burgeoning community around Radish Republic. “We like Allentown because we love cities and being a part of the urban scene,” she says. 21 N. 7 th St., Allentown | 267.671.5340 | radishrepublic.com

Best Takeout NOTCH MODERN KITCHEN & BAR

Menchie’s offers a vast selection of frozen yogurt flavors and toppings. Make sure to check out their celebratory fro-yo cakes and their e-gift cards to give the gift of sweet!

Notch’s takeout menu is unparalleled, offering the entire menu to-go but also themed meals for two (think Asian, pub, steakhouse, barbecue, comfort and seafood), feed-the-family meals and always-elevated, at-home holiday options. Of course, beer, wine and cocktails are also available for takeout too!

Various area locations | menchies.com

5036 Hamilton Blvd. | Allentown | 610.841.4610 | notchmknb.com

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S andwi h THE GOOSEMEN

Best Bar Food COPPERHEAD GRILLE Handcrafted bar food meets a quality sports dining experience with Copperhead Grille. Some of their mouth-watering menu options include their crab and parmesan dip and Chesapeake grilled cheese. Save room for dessert, specifically their funnel cake fried Oreos with chocolate sauce!

If you’re a deli located in a busy neighborhood in a college town, you’d better make a darned good sandwich. The Goosemen, or "The Goose," in Southside Bethlehem wins for their hearty sandwiches that are straightforward, loaded and satisfying. When you want a sandwich, there’s nothing like a really good sandwich. Since 1979, if you can come up with it, they can make it—whether it’s tuna, egg or chicken salad, a BLT, Polish or tavern ham, several kinds of bologna, cured meats (salami, capicola). The Goose also does cheesesteaks, meatball parm sandwiches and various hoagies, including the Goosey Hoagie, with ham, cheese and hard salami. You can have those sandwiches toasted ( just the bread) or melted (the cheese is melted) or both for the ultimate crispy cheesy sandwich experience. People love The Goose for many reasons (the owner Tony Silvoy knows everyone), but one of those reasons? The prices won’t break the bank.

5737 Route 378, Bethlehem | 610.282.4600 1731 Airport Rd., Allentown 610.403.4600 | copperheadgrille.com

Best Beer Selection BRÜ DADDY’S BREWING COMPANY

102 W. 4 th St., Bethlehem | 610.868.0176 | thegoose.com

Brü Daddy’s artisanal craft beers are made on site in their five-barrel brew system using the highest-quality ingredients. They’ve got rotating traditional, new age and seasonal lagers and ales to choose from, with shipping available to all of PA. What’s more, in 2020, they received the Silver Award at the U.S. Open Beer Championships in the Schwarzbier category for their Black Sheep beer, a German-style black lager. 732 Hamilton St., Allentown | 610.351.7600 brudaddysbrewingcompany.com

Best Burrito CALI BURRITO

2149 Reading Rd., Allentown 610.351.1791 | caliburrito.com

Photo by Alison Conklin

With ever-changing weekly and daily specials, Cali Burrito is known for its fresh ingredients and diverse menu. Options include The Big Sur (steak, pinto beans, white rice, ranchero sauce and cheese) and The Cortez (sautéed shrimp, zesty pepper sauce, white rice, pinto beans and cabbage), as well as several vegetarian options like The Humbolt (smoked tofu, black beans, brown rice, sour cream and cheese). Quesadillas and salads are also available to order as well as the option to build your own burrito or bowl.

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Best Local Delivery LEHIGH PIZZA

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13 W. 3 rd St., Bethlehem | 610.866.1088 | lehighpizza.com

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With the rise of super-comprehensive supermarkets, butcher shops are a bit of a dying breed. But not at Rath’s, which has been slicing meats and customizing orders since 1996, but before that was known as Hineline’s Meats. These days it’s owned by Matt Johnson, a previous longtime employee of Rath’s, who purchased the business a few years ago from Dennis and Ken Rath. The beef is Prime, the pork comes from Pennsylvania and is all-natural and free range. “We can cut almost anything on demand as long as we have it. Anything from standing rib roasts to cross-cut beef ribs,” says Johnson. The most popular items are the Prime-grade ribeye steaks, skirt steak pinwheels (which you can get to go, are tenderized, seasoned with Romano cheese and parsley) and the specialty burgers—they do a range, including bacon cheddar, blue cheese and bacon and Guinness cheddar. All the sausages are made on the premises, and you can buy their very own frozen entrées too. It’s not a surprise in some ways that a butcher would rise to the top during COVID. Smaller businesses felt safer for many people to go into during the pandemic, and it’s been a time for customer service to really make a difference. “Along with the higher-quality proteins, it’s really customer service that keeps people coming back. We know people by their first and last names. We’re always smiling even behind the masks. My crew has been stellar, and we try to make every customer feel special,” he says. 450 County Rd. 519, Stewartsville, NJ | 908.213.2121 | rathsdeli.com

Best Soup BILLY’S DINER

Best Comfort Food WERT’S CAFÉ

Billy’s atmosphere matches that of their soups: warm and one-of-a-kind. Opt for Billy’s Chili or Yiaya’s Homemade Chicken Dumpling Soup—you can’t go wrong.

Serving one-of-a-kind dishes for more than 45 years, Wert’s is known for its famous onion rings, signature burgers and homemade soups.

Various area locations | billysdiner.com

515 N. 18 th St., Allentown 610.439.0951 | wertscafe.com

Best Sangria TAPAS ON MAIN

Best Nachos CHICKEN LOUNGE

With changing seasonal rotations, Tapas has a sangria for any time of year. Lemon lavender, orange creamsicle and sparkling black cherry are among the seven signature sangrias offered this season.

The Chicken Lounge has been serving the Lehigh Valley for more than 40 years. Their nachos are piled high with Monterey jack, vegetarian refried beans, guacamole, freshly made taco sauce, sour cream and jalapeño peppers.

500 Main St., Bethlehem 610.868.8903 | tapasonmain.com

3247 Hamilton Blvd., Allentown 610.439.1707 | thechickenlounge.com

B E ST Photo by Alison Conklin

RATH’S BUTCHER & DELICATESSEN

Buth er

No one does it like Lehigh! With guaranteed fast and friendly service, Lehigh Pizza never disappoints. And delivery is made easy with estimated pickup, delivery and curbside wait times always available online as well as the ability to track your order!

Pho

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Coffee Shop

THREEBIRDS COFFEE HOUSE

There are several components of a great coffeehouse. Interiors that are warm, welcoming and a little bit funky or left-of-center help. At ThreeBirds, owners Jennifer Murray and Joe Langdon have taken what’s known as the Bull Mansion and brought it to a new level of beauty—one that’s been largely off limits to customers, however, in the past year because of the pandemic. (That patio, though!) You also need good coffee and tea, and theirs is supplied by Passenger Coffee, based in Lancaster. “We can't say enough about Passenger. We've learned so much about coffee and tea and their preparation with them. Passenger is also a Certified B Corp that supports sustainable practices and partners with many small farmers,” Langdon explains. ThreeBirds has devised a refreshingly straightforward menu of beverages, snacks and treats. “All of our espresso drinks have a double shot of espresso with varying amounts of steamed milk—cortado, cappuccino, latte.” When something is simple, the ingredients just need to be stellar; their mochas are just a latte with the addition of melted dark chocolate. No sweet syrups. The pastries and bread are sourced from The Modern Crumb Bakeshop. It also helps to have a quippy name that lends itself to signature iconography. But here’s the confusion. There are only two birds in residence. “When we started this project, we had one parrot: little Beetle, a female Senegal Parrot. Having an affinity for winged ones, we liked the name ThreeBirds, and we wanted a name we could express with only an image. Eventually, we adopted Dorian, a male African Grey. He is a delightful addition to the family, but he does throw off our bird math! Now we like to say, the third bird is you!” says Langdon. 226 Bushkill St., Easton | 325 Northampton St., Easton | 484.546.0788 | threebirdscoffee.com L E H I G H V A L L E Y S T Y L E . C O M : J U LY 2 0 2 1

Best Wings P.J. WHELIHAN’S P.J.’s famous wings are available classic (dusted with flour) or naked, with 10 signature sauces to choose from. Don’t forget to keep a lookout for their wing of the month! Various area locations | pjspub.com

Best Cheap Eats STAHLEY’S BAR & RESTAURANT

Photo by Alison Conklin

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B age S ho 3 MEN AND A BAGEL

3350 Schoenersville Rd., Bethlehem | 610.868.5805 | 7150 Hamilton Blvd., Trexlertown | 610.366.9520 | 3menandabagel.net

Seasons’ award-winning products are bottled fresh daily and are sure to be the perfect finishing touch to any meal. Browse through their endless selections, including their Cayenne Chili Infused Olive Oil and Cinnamon Pear Balsamic. 508 Main St., Bethlehem 610.866.2615 | seasonstaproom.com

Best Local Brewery LOST TAVERN BREWING Lost Tavern’s brews are of the highest quality, with varieties ranging from the classics to the creatively crafted. Check out fun flavors like DouBull the Jams, Raspberry Lemonade (a sour fruited ale) and Fiesta Molé (Mexican hot-chocolate-inspired dessert stout). 782 Main St., Hellertown 444 Main St., Bethlehem 484.851.3980 | losttavernbrewing.com

1826 Hanover Ave., Allentown 610.433.2468 | stahleys.com

Best Public Market /Farmers Market Vendor MR. BILL’S POULTRY MARKET

Everyone loves bagels, and they’re easy to make but hard to do well. At 3 Men and a Bagel, which was started by three brothers from New Jersey, they’ve been hand-rolling bagels for 25 years. Currently, it’s run by Stephanie Correll, her husband, Matt Duddy (one of the brothers), and his son Tyler. They offer a stunning 18 different kinds, from the familiar favorites to seasonal offerings. You can find cinnamon raisin, everything, jalapeño cheddar, sesame, poppy seed and so forth. Pumpkin raisin is a seasonal favorite, and white chocolate raspberry is anticipated at Christmas time (bagel for dessert? Mmm!). You can get yours toasted, of course, with cream cheese or bacon, egg and cheese. Or come at lunchtime and build a sandwich with the bagel as your base—pile on Boar’s Head deli meats and/or cheeses. Their custom sandwich menu is a sight to behold, and any item on there ought to fill you up for hours and hours. They also sell smoothies, coffee (naturally), crumb cake, muffins and croissants.

Best Gourmet Food Shop SEASONS OLIVE OIL AND VINEGAR TAPROOM

Known for their fun and friendly atmosphere, Stahley’s offers delicious options ranging from a Nacho Supreme to Everything pizza pies. Their mouth-watering comfort food won’t cost you more than 20 bucks.

Bill Steele, owner of Mr. Bill’s Poultry Market, is considered the unofficial mayor of the Allentown Fairgrounds Farmers Market. He started working at the market as a teenager in the 1960s and knows the first name of every vendor there, as well as many of the customers’ names too. His offerings include stuffed chicken breast, turkey sausages, pot pies and so much more. 1825 W. Chew St., Allentown 610.432.1108 | mrbills.com

Best Pad Thai WHITE ORCHIDS THAI CUISINE

Best Winery FRANKLIN HILL VINEYARDS

Using top-shelf imported ingredients, White Orchids prides itself on using zero MSG or trans fat, which are commonly found in street cart pad thai. Their elegant, family-style environment accents the delicious notes found in every mouthwatering dish.

Fifth in wine production in the United States, Franklin Hill has been producing delicious, distinct blends since 1982. Make sure to visit one of their beautiful locations in the Valley and try crowd favorites like Sir Walter’s Red and Carnival, a grape wine with natural hints of cotton candy.

The Promenade Shops at Saucon Valley 610.841.7499 | whiteorchidsthaicuisine.com

7833 Franklin Hill Rd., Bangor 888.887.2839 | franklinhillvineyards.com L E H I G H V A L L E Y S T Y L E . C O M : J U LY 2 0 2 1

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Photos by Alison Conklin

Photo by Marco Calderon

RANDEVOO

The business that started as a food truck recently expanded to a brick-and-mortar location, but that hasn’t slowed Randevoo’s roll by any means. Owner Zach Umstead continues to offer the special version of beyond-Asian-fusion foods that have thus far garnered him a following. The number one original offering that seems to signify Umstead’s headspace as a chef? The carnitas steamed buns—a Mexican-Korean mashup like none other. The vegan fried chicken steamed buns are a stroke of genius, too. You can also order the intensely flavorful crispy pork belly lo mein from the food truck. It’s hard to make a bad choice here. “I almost forgot! Come corn season we do homemade corn fritters with Pennsylvania maple sage brown butter. Everyone always freaks out over there and we get all the corn locally from Twin Maple Farms in Bath,” he says.

TAKE A TACO

Take a Taco, owned by George S. Pitsilos, has been around the proverbial block for a long time, and is known for its fresh tacos. It all starts with the tortillas, which are hand stretched and lightly fried to achieve a flaky texture. All their meats are cooked with signature spices and they shred the cheese themselves. (Pre-shredded cheeses have anti-caking agents and other ingredients that make for a less than stellar experience!) “We don’t use frozen products and have never deviated from our recipes in over 40 years,” says Pitsilos. Beef and chicken tacos are best sellers as well as the pierogi fries— yes, you read that correctly. On Wednesday evenings through the end of September, the truck visits Unagnst Tree Farm on 512 in Bath, and the South Mall on Thursday evenings through the end of October. “We do many corporate and private events along with the newest craze of going into neighborhoods and developments,” he says. If you make it out to festivals, they’re also slated to appear at Musikfest, The Great Allentown Fair and the Celtic Classic this year.

randevoorestaurant.com takeatacofoodtruck.com

Best Caterer 29 COOKS CATERING 29 Cooks provides customers with the highest-quality dishes made from scratch using the freshest ingredients. Check out their spring/summer 2021 “party menu” and choose from small bites, sandwiches, sliders and more. 5402 Chestnut St., Emmaus | 484.951.0442 | 29cooks.com

Best Vegetarian/Vegan Menu VEG OUT Veg Out’s offerings are 100 percent plant-based, even if they don’t quite sound it. Try the Big Mac hoagie, chicken gyro, cheddar jalapeño ranch burger, loaded mac and cheese, Buffalo pierogis… need we go on? 1 E. Church St., Bethlehem | 610.419.0126 | vegoutbethlehem.com L E H I G H V A L L E Y S T Y L E . C O M : J U LY 2 0 2 1

Vegan Treats owner Danielle Konya’s mission was to not only create a delicious vegan cake, but to create one so delicious that it blows any other cake (vegan or not) out of the water. Konya succeeded, and has been recognized both nationally and internationally for her desserts. Choose from decadent cake flavors like Vanilla Coconut Custard, Chocolate-Encased Strawberry Shortcake, Peanut Butter Brownie Supreme and so many more. 1444 Linden St., Bethlehem 610.861.7660 | vegantreats.com

Best Hoagie PRIMO HOAGIES Originating in South Philly, Primo Hoagies take pride in using the freshest ingredients for its sandwiches. Each hoagie is served on their award-winning bread—baked fresh every two hours—and is loaded with their gourmet meats and cheeses, sliced fresh every day. Various area locations | primohoagies.com

Best Ice Cream BETHLEHEM DAIRY STORE Offering dozens of delicious flavors of their homemade ice cream, Bethlehem Dairy Store (a.k.a. The Cup) has something for every sweet tooth. Choose from classics like vanilla, chocolate and strawberry, or try one of their signature flavors like peanut butter cookie, chocolate fudge brownie and strawberry cheesecake. 1430 Linden St., Bethlehem | 610.691.8422 2 Farrington Sq., Bethlehem | 610.865.4360 bethlehemdairystore.com

Best Grilled Cheese TWO RIVERS BREWING COMPANY You may know them for their coveted peanut butter bacon cheeseburger, but have you tried Two Rivers’ monstrous grilled cheese sandwich?

The Smokey Guacamole is built with avocado, jalapeños, roasted red peppers, spinach and smoked gruyère and cheddar cheeses. 542 Northampton St., Easton 610.829.1131 | tworiversbrewing.com

Best Poke Bowl HAWAII POKE BOWL A poke bowl incorporates fresh, hearty ingredients ensured to satisfy every savory taste bud. Enjoy one of Hawaii Poke Bowl’s signature options, like their Hawaii Classic, made with a sushi rice base, salmon, scallion, cilantro, sweet onion, cucumber, seaweed salad, edamame, masago, garlic crisps, sesame mix and sesame shoyu sauce. 306 Town Center Blvd., Easton | 610.330.2886 hawaiipokebowlforks.square.site

Best Mac & Cheese THE BAYOU The Bayou’s unique atmosphere matches its creative comfort food, as they take a mix of traditional Southern flavors and modern American cuisine to create an eccentric twist on New Orleans soul food. Go classic with their signature mac or fancy with their Nashville variety, featuring crispy fried chicken, Bayou hot sauce, broccoli, fontina and aged cheddar. 702 Hawthorne Rd., Bethlehem | 610.419.6669 64 Centre Sq., Easton | 610.829.1700 datbayoulv.com

Best Barbecue GRUMPY’S BBQ ROADHOUSE Barbecuing low and slow, Grumpy’s offers only the best smoked meats for their customers. From spare ribs to chicken quarters, they’ve got it all. Don’t miss their Texas Twinkies— jalapeños stuffed with cream cheese and chopped brisket, wrapped in bacon, and glazed with their sweet and spicy barbecue sauce. 3000 Mauch Chunk Rd., Allentown 610.769.4600 | grumpysbbq.net

B E ST Photo by Alison Conklin

Best Cake VEGAN TREATS

Pierogi BLACK

FOREST DELI

There’s quite a bit of competition, but very little comparison for fans of the Black Forest Deli’s pierogis. Ukrainian natives and mother-daughter team Milana (mamachka) and Vica Shparber run this biz and offer 10 to 12 flavors made by hand every morning. Vica says people love the potato and cheese, as far as savory flavors go. Among others, you can also find potato and mushroom, sauerkraut, spinach and feta, meat and savory farmer cheese. On the sweet side, it’s blueberry (a favorite!) and chocolate cherry. Prior to the pandemic, Black Forest Deli was known for its Kiev Nights—dinners at the deli. But these days they’ve been bringing a bit of their-kitchen-to-yours with their pierogi kit. “We used to have pierogi-making classes, but we are selling kits now that customers can enjoy making themselves at home, with our help,” Vica says. You go home with the dough and filling. You can either freeze them for future dinners or eat them right away; each kit yields a generous six dozen pierogis. The everyday favorites are always great, but the deli also offers seasonal offerings such as sweet potato around Thanksgiving, and Beef Stroganoff pierogis and chicken paprikash around Christmas. Pierogis are a delicious labor of love, and anyone who’s made them before knows this firsthand. That’s also why restaurants partner with the Black Forest Deli. “We are more than happy to talk to restaurants about what kinds of flavors would do best in their establishment,” she says. This mother-daughter team is hardworking and not easily dismayed, but Vica says: “It’s been a hard year for us and many other local businesses, but our homemade foods, especially the pierogis, have brought comfort into our customers’ lives when they were not able to dine in with us.” 745 Union Blvd., Bethlehem | 610.865.3036 | blackforestdeli.com L E H I G H V A L L E Y S T Y L E . C O M : J U LY 2 0 2 1

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Eatin’ Vegan is a Big Missed-Steak

FOR RECOGNIZING OUR EGGCELLENCE

14-16 SOUTH 5TH STREET, EASTON

610.829.0188

STATECAFEANDGRILL.NET

DOG DAY CARE BOARDING TRAINING GROOMING

Thank you...

For voting us BEST BUTCHER in the Lehigh Valley!

450 County Route 519, Stewartsville, NJ • 908-213-2121 • RathsDeli.com

610.366.8282 LOPCI.COM

“Fit” comes in many shapes & forms, but quality health starts within. Customized Nutrition & Fitness Plans // Hormonal Balance Fat Loss Programs // Lifestyle Tips // Workshops Schedule a digital session today: 484.515.9836

angieswaynutrition.com

VOTED BEST NUTRITIONIST

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mrbills.com/shop 1825 W. CHEW ST., ALLENTOWN (610) 432-1108

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Visit

Find us at the Allentown Fairgrounds Farmers Market or shop online at

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Thank You to Our Loyal Customers! Because of your continued support, our Bethlehem taproom was once again voted the best gourmet store in the Lehigh Valley. We hope our fresh extra virgin olive oils, vinegar, and pantry staples nourished and delighted you during a year when home cooking became more essential than ever.

From our family to yours,

Tim and Soraya Balshi

508 Main Street, Bethlehem 610.866.2615 seasonstaproom.com

CO-FOUNDERS

L E H I G H V A L L E Y S T Y L E . C O M : J U LY 2 0 2 1

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thank you for voting us

Open Daily for Pick-up + In-Store Shopping Flower Subscriptions + Specialty Gifts Weddings + Special Occassions Local Delivery Available

THANK YOU for voting us the Best Coffee Shop in the Lehigh Valley!

21 N. 2nd Street, Easton | (610) 258-6331

bloomiesfloralshop.com

226 Bushkill St., Easton // threebirdscoffee.com WED–SUN 9 AM–5 PM // VISIT THREEBIRDS NEST IN THE EASTON PUBLIC MARKET

Thank you for voting us Best Brunch 610.625.5000 • HOTELBETHLEHEM.COM • 437 MAIN STREET, BETHLEHEM 60 J U LY 2 0 2 1 : L E H I G H V A L L E Y S T Y L E . C O M

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VOTED BEST GYM again! By the readers of Lehigh Valley Style Magazine

BEST Gym/Fitness Center 2021

Thank you... for voting us the Valley’s

• • • • • •

BEST LIFE COACH

Individual, elite and medical fitness Personalized fitness programs Sports Performance — team & individual A variety of group fitness classes 4 convenient locations FREE One-Day Pass

Coaching individuals & small business owners to become “unstuck” and pursue their dreams

getfit.sluhn.org

Schedule a coaching session today at sunnylifecoach.com

Thank You! For voting us BEST Local Brewery 782 Main St., Hellertown & 444 Main St., Bethlehem // 484.851.3980 // losttavernbrewing.com

L E H I G H V A L L E Y S T Y L E . C O M : J U LY 2 0 2 1

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BETHLEHEM COUNSELING ASSOCIATES

THANK YOU Located in the Gateway Professional Building 2045 Westgate Dr. Suite 304, Bethlehem 610.865.8177

for voting us Best Counseling Center in the Lehigh Valley!

For more information, visit bethlehemcounselingassociates.com

MAKE THE BEST EVEN BETTER Thank you to Lehigh Valley Style readers for voting the D&L Trail the best bike trail in the region! Stretching from Wilkes-Barre to Bristol, it’s 165 miles of outdoor wonderland. Help make the D&L Trail even better by supporting the completion of the 14-mile trail loop from Northampton to Allentown: • Contact your local elected officials • Become a volunteer • Make a donation Learn more at DelawareAndLehigh.org

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I want to thank our community and every single person that has visited our salon and boutique. It is truly an honor to win best woman’s boutique after overcoming a hard year as a business owner, and we couldn’t have done it without your support. We have grown in many remarkable ways this past year. We moved to a new location during the shut down, added many new brands to our boutique including a tween girls line, and have started our first online store, shop.hellobeautifulsb.com. We are looking forward to what is next to come and cannot wait to meet you! 610.351.4247 7812 Main Street | Fogelsville, PA 18051

xo Lindsey

ss e n l el W SUNNY LIFE COACH

Sunny Life Coach provides flexible, affordable and confidential services to everyday people. Personal life coach, career coach and business coach Kathleen Tucka offers personal and professional enhancing advice, helping clients achieve their goals and find happiness. In addition to traditional coaching programs, she also utilizes email, text, phone and Zoom sessions to those that desire it. What’s more, her pay-as-you-go pricing option allows for continued flexibility. 908.319.0050 | sunnylifecoach.com Ph

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Emphasizing the importance of head and heart, Bethlehem Counseling Associates is a private practice group that seeks to offer a safe space to those who need it the most. BCA strives to bring the comfort of home into the counseling environment, making it as warm and inviting as they can. 2045 Westgate Dr. Suite 304, Bethlehem 610.865.8177 | bcamentalhealth.com

Best Fitness Class (In-Person) BARRE3

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Barre3 is a balanced workout that targets the entire body by combining strength conditioning, cardio and mindfulness. The workouts are designed with all fitness levels in mind, as instructors offer modifications for every move. And of course, the bar is always there when you need it. What’s more, members are taught to be empowered from within and are encouraged to shift the focus from how one looks to how one feels. 3900 Hamilton Blvd., Allentown | 610.841.8200 3303 Bath Pike, Bethlehem | 610.625.5955 barre3.com

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Best

BOUTIQUE

orkout W SWEAT LIKE A GIRL With more than 25 regularly scheduled group fitness classes available every week, Sweat Like A Girl invites locals to join in through monthly memberships or individual class passes. These classes include Pedal Power, Pilates Sweat, SuperGirl, Fight Club, Dumbbell Diva, Pole Sweat and more! Engaged? Sweat Like A Girl even has a three-month Sweating for the Wedding membership to help brides look and feel their best. 311 B Industrial Dr., Nazareth 610.207.4682 | sweatlikeagirl.com

Best Yoga Studio THE VALLEY OM The Valley Om strives to offer “good, wholesome yoga,” which they define as mindful movement through a wide-ranging variety of postures and exercises in coordination with breath to bring full-focused awareness to the experience of living in your unique being—body, mind, heart and spirit. 1247 Simon Blvd. Unit N102, Easton 484.548.0030 | thevalleyom.com

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Best Counseling Center/ Therapy Practice BETHLEHEM COUNSELING ASSOCIATES

B E ST

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Best Fitness Class (Virtual) HOT YOGA HUT During the pandemic, Hot Yoga Hut hosted live classes on Instagram, including their yoga shred and hot abs workouts. Looking to get back in the studio? Studio owner/certified yoga instructor Randi Perrett created Hot Yoga 40-RP©, a 75-minute sequence consisting of 40 postures practiced in their state-of-the-art European-style hot room. 2108 W. Union Blvd., Bethlehem 610.419.1209 | hotyogahut.com

Best Nutritionist ANGIE’S WAY NUTRITION CONSULTANTS Angie Fenstermaker approaches nutrition with a food-is-medicine mindset, providing structure and focusing on the science behind eating. She promises sustainable results through meal plans and exercise programs, making health simple and realistic. All services are done via phone, Skype and email. 484.515.9836 | angieswaynutrition.com

Best Community Fitness Group FTF NATION At Forward Thinking Fitness, you’re never alone in trying to reach your goals—the support of FTF Nation is behind you every step of the way! Forward Thinking Fitness invites locals to discover a new way to train with a team. A shared mission of being the best version of oneself is what connects the members of FTF Nation, and all are invited to get to know each other, forge new friendships and share in unlimited high fives! 6750 Iroquois Trl. Suite 12, Allentown 610.395.9595 | trainftf.com

St. Luke’s Fitness & Sports Performance Center offers fitness programs, sports training, personal training, group fitness and trainto-run options. Members can take advantage of a complimentary computerized fitness assessment and individualized workout program tailored to their needs and goals as well as nationally certified exercise specialists that provide ongoing support along the way. Various area locations | slhn.org

Best CrossFit/ Functional Training F13 PERFORMANCE At F13 Performance, Fitness with Focus isn’t just a catchphrase, it’s how they approach every class. Since 2014, they’ve been helping members evolve their fitness routines through hour-long classes that begin with a dynamic warm-up, followed by resistance or bodyweight strength movements. Round out the remainder of class with stability, skills and sweat. The structure remains the same, but you’ll never get bored with their varied workouts. 7562 Penn Dr. Suite 160, Allentown 484.891.0840 | first13athletics.com

Photo by Marco Calderon

Best Gym/Fitness Center ST. LUKE’S FITNESS AND SPORTS PERFORMANCE CENTER

B E ST

Personl Training MATTHEW STOCKER’S TRINITY FITNESS

Chasing down a new fitness goal doesn’t have to feel overwhelming. Begin by putting one foot in front of the other, says Matthew Stocker, owner of Trinity Fitness. “Just start somewhere, even if that looks like walking 15 minutes.” It’s important, of course, to pick a plan you’ll stick with. “Don’t wait until it starts raining until you look for the umbrella,” Stocker says. “Stay on top of your health before you have to seek help when there is a real health issue.” Stocker first opened his gym in Easton in 2009 and then moved about a mile down the road to the Simon Silk Mill complex in 2017, where he says he had the freedom to create the kind of gym he always wanted. He describes his facility as “spacious, luxurious and surgically clean.” Stocker hopes it’s also the kind of place people will come to see as a second home, where he can build partnerships with his clients, who oftentimes become more like friends. “Fitness at times becomes less about weights and more about relationships,” says Stocker. “The world had been knocking people down and pulling them in all different directions. It is our job to untangle the knot life has tied before the person leaves.” 1247 Simon Blvd. Unit N100, Easton | 610.829.1111 | trinityfitnessofeaston.com L E H I G H V A L L E Y S T Y L E . C O M : J U LY 2 0 2 1

Let Your Skin Glow—Anllo Style Providing Medical Skin Care with a Boutique Approach “Every experience I’ve had was amazing and I can’t wait to go back to get the Anllo Glow.” “Anllo gives you this feeling the moment you walk into the door of being excited and taken care of. I felt so special.” “The entire Anllo team is friendly, professional and the all around best. They feel like family!” “Every experience has been amazing and everyone is professional and they make you feel welcome and comfortable.”

“This is definitely a place I’ d recommend to the people I care most about. Thanks, Jennifer & Staff!” “By far, the most professional, caring and talented staff ever!” “When you sit in the chair for your treatment you know you’re in excellent hands.” “I do not trust my skin to anyone else.” “The services are top-notch and the experience is always fantastic.”

At Anllo Center, our professional staff is extensively trained and includes Certified Nurse Injectors, a Nurse Practitioner, and Licensed Medical Estheticians under the guidance of a Medical Director. We provide the most revolutionary and effective services completely customized to your individual skincare needs.

Call today to schedule an appointment:

610.351.6605

1050 South Cedar Crest Blvd. Suite 201, Allentown Learn more online at anllocenter.com

VOT E D B ES T ST YLIST Lea Hardy LONG HAIR & BLONDE SPECIALIST

Brandon & Katelyn Quigney

Ali Alcott

Lauren Craig

OWNERS + GREY BLENDING SPECIALIST (KATELYN)

SHORT HAIR SPECIALIST

LIVED-IN HAIR COLOR SPECIALIST

Jordan Festger

Alli Haas

Gabriella Rissoldi

HABIT HAND-TIED EXTENSION SPECIALIST

SALON ASSISTANT

SALON APPRENTICE

WE DID IT AGAIN!

THAT’S FO U R CO NSECUTIV E YE AR S A MO N G THE VERY BEST OF THE LEHIGH VALLEY. CO NGR ATUL ATIO NS TO OUR VERY OWN LE A FOR BEIN G VOTED BEST ST Y LIST, AND THAN K YO U TO OUR CLIENTS & FRIENDS FROM ALL THE MEMBERS OF THE RO OTED FA MILY!

VOTE D BEST WOM E N’S SA LO N 2 018 –2 021

CEL E B- I N S P I R E D H A I R CO LO R • PR E CI S I O N H A I R CU T T I N G • G R AY B L E N D I N G S M O OT H I N G T R E ATM E N TS • H A I R R EPA I R • H A B I T H A N D -T I E D E X T E N S I O N S • FACI A L WA X I N G

6636 HAMILTON BLVD, ALLENTOWN

484.860.3060

SALONROOTED.COM

y t u a e B Missing Piece was founded on the idea that everyone is always missing that little something—but you can find it here! Equipped with two floors of retail space, they’ve got it all—including popular beaded and bangle jewelry lines like John Medeiros, Sorrelli, Scout and Lizzy James. Their handbag selection includes Hobo, Brighton, Katie Loxton and Myra. 462 Bushkill Center Rd., Nazareth 610.759.4033 | missingpiecegiftshop.com Pho

7812 Main St., Fogelsville 610.351.4247 | shop.hellobeautifulsb.com

Best Men’s Shop ASSEMBLY88 Assembly88 wants men to feel good about shopping. They carry exclusive, hard-to-find brands and merchandise that has a story. Shop Patagonia, Peter Millar, Bonobos and so many more right in the heart of Downtown Allentown.

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544 Hamilton St., Allentown 610.433.7625 | assembly88.com

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LET’S PLAY BOOKS

Let’s Play Books has three floors to explore, promising something for everyone, ranging from kids to tweens to adults. The third floor has been dubbed the Community Cattic, where their two cats, Garfield and Bernie, like to hang out while visitors read and play. Let’s Play Books is also home to many book clubs, with regular meetings to participate in. 244 Main St., Emmaus 610.928.8600 | letsplaybooks.com

Best Home Décor Shop DOMACI

Best Eco-Friendly Goods FD MARKET FD Market has curated a collection of low-waste goods, ranging from dishwasher and laundry pods to bamboo toilet paper, bulk toothpaste tablets, natural deodorants and more. They’re bringing it back to basics, striving to live more intentionally with less packaging and more beauty. 348 Main St., Emmaus 888.450.5333 | fdmarketco.com

Best Home & Garden Store LEHIGH VALLEY HOME & GARDEN CENTER

Looking for quality yet affordable clothing, toys and gadgets for your kiddos? Bears Repeating has a little something for everyone. Check out their social media pages to see what they have in store!

Domaci offers a contemporary take on classic design. Their mixing of materials, paired with their respect for craftsmanship, results in a stylish, cozy, warm and inviting combination. They don’t believe in following any strict rules, simply encouraging clients to trust their instincts and strive for a home that’s both colorful and comfortable.

Lehigh Valley Home & Garden Center brings more than 35 years of experience to its customers. Their assortment of nursery stock is unparalleled, and the company greenhouse ensures their supply of flowers, vegetables and herbs is always aplenty. What’s more, the 7,500-square-foot showroom of patio furniture and accessories promises a display like nowhere else.

7617 Hamilton Blvd., Trexlertown 610.398.7187 | bearsrepeatingpa

523 Main St. Suite C, Bethlehem 610.466.5544 | domacihome.com

4220 Crackersport Rd., Allentown 610.391.1570 | lvhgc.com

Best Kids Consignment Shop BEARS REPEATING

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MISSING PIECE

B est

STORE

Hello Beautiful is more than just a salon—their boutique offers bohemian, classic and edgy clothing and accessories for women and, even, tween girls! New arrivals launch online every Wednesday at 8 p.m.

Bes Ac es orie

Best Women’s Boutique HELLO BEAUTIFUL SALON & BOUTIQUE

Best Consignment Shop DESIGNER CONSIGNER Located in the heart of Downtown Bethlehem, Designer Consigner is a specially curated boutique offering authentic designer handbags, shoes, clothing, jewelry and accessories. Brands they love include Hermès, Chanel, Gucci, Louis Vuitton, Prada, YSL and more. Shop your favorites or cash in your fashion. 521 Main St., Bethlehem 610.419.0913 | mydesignerconsigner.com

Best Fine Jewelry Store MURPHY JEWELERS Murphy Jewelers has three awardwinning locations and world-renowned designer offerings. Their Whitehall location offers a “bridal bar,” where customers can shop for the perfect engagement ring in an upscale yet relaxed environment. This fourthgeneration business is committed to the future and providing customers with a “personal and magical” jewelry shopping experience.

Best Hair Stylist LEA HARDY, ROOTED SALON Lea Hardy specializes in balayage and is trained in foiling techniques. She enjoys working with “loved in” color and long hair styles. Check out Lea’s YouTube channel where she breaks down simple styling techniques, allowing clients to create a salon style at home. 6636 Hamilton Blvd., Allentown 484.860.3060 | salonrooted.com |

B E ST

Men’ Haircut

BB D e CHEINE FINE MEN’S SALON & BEAUTY CO.

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Best Women’s Salon ROOTED SALON Brandon and Katelyn Quigney set out to create a space that was inviting, warm and cozy, while maintaining a high-end feel and five-star salon experience. They’ve accomplished exactly that through Rooted in Allentown. Their main goal? To give you the hair you’ve always wanted. 6636 Hamilton Blvd., Allentown 484.860.3060 | salonrooted.com

Photo by Marco Calderon

Various area locations | murphyjewelers.com

Ladies love to be pampered at the salon, but there’s no reason why men should be shut out of the experience. At BB DeCheine’s in Hellertown, the fellas get a whole floor to themselves for what the salon describes as a next-level barbering experience. Offerings include everything from a basic buzz cut to a classic haircut and beard trim with optional upgrades. “Our premium service adds on a tingling scalp massage, warm paraffin hand wax dip and hand massage,” says Brittany DeCheine, the salon’s owner and namesake. “If you're a man starting to show some gray, many of our clients really appreciate our camouflage service where we evenly blend the gray in for a distinguished salt-and-pepper look. Spoiler Alert: Their significant others really like it too!” And speaking of significant others, DeCheine says it’s not uncommon for a client to book an appointment for his or her better half after having the BB DeCheine experience themselves. “We want everyone to leave loving their look, feeling great about themselves, and relaxed,” says DeCheine. Bonus: New customers that book appointments together get 20 percent off both services when they mention Lehigh Valley Style. 1152 Main St., Hellertown | 484.851.3171 | bbdecheine.com L E H I G H V A L L E Y S T Y L E . C O M : J U LY 2 0 2 1

Best Lash Artist CAROLYN FRISCH, THE LASH BAR The Lash Bar specializes in lash extensions but also offers lash lifts, lash tints and more. Carolyn Frisch is a licensed esthetician and fivetimes-certified lash artist specializing in all lash and brow services. 4063 Nazareth Pike Unit C, Bethlehem 610.865.7755 | thelashbarandmore.com lashbar_carolyn

Best Facial ANLLO CENTER FOR AESTHETICS Anllo Center for Aesthetics delivers medical skin care with a boutique approach to fit all skin care needs. They recommend a regular maintenance facial every six to eight weeks! 1050 S. Cedar Crest Blvd. Suite 201, Allentown 610.351.6605 | anllocenter.com

Best Barbershop GENTLEMEN’S BARBERSHOP

Indr Plant Shop

THE CURIOUS PLANTAHOLIC

It all started with a Pothos Marble Queen. Jenny DeLorenzo purchased the plant when she was 18 years old and moving into her first apartment. Now, some 20 years later, she still has the plant, along with many, many more she tends to lovingly at her shop in Downtown Nazareth. The Curious Plantaholic opened last October with a goal of bringing something new to the plant shopping experience. "Most plant shops usually have white walls to show the color of the plants better,” DeLorenzo explains. “We used lots of colorful paints in the shop along with wallpaper. We used mirrors to bounce the light around and created a sitting area for anyone wanting to stay a while, or if anyone’s partner wasn't into plant shopping they can relax while their partner shops.” Fellow houseplant junkies hoping for a wide selection won’t be disappointed. The Curious Plantaholic carries everything, ranging from rare plants from around the world to basic cacti and succulents. And DeLorenzo says even those lacking a green thumb shouldn’t be hesitant about taking home a new leafy friend. “Start with a simple and easy plant to care for,” she says. “Once that plant thrives you will build your confidence and it will bring you so much joy.”

Photo by Alison Conklin

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Gentlemen’s Barbershop prides itself on originality and authenticity while providing quality and consistency. They deliver effortless style through modernday techniques and craftsmanship. Services include haircuts, beard trims and shape ups, buzz cuts, hot towel shaves and more. 26 N. 4 th St., Easton | 610.253.1101 669 N. 13 th St. Unit A103, Easton | 610.438.0142 thegentlemensbarbershop.com

Best Manicure and Pedicure DESTINY NAIL SALON Destiny Nail Salon delivers colorful, unique nail art in gel and acrylic variations. Whether you’re looking for a matte finish, an ombré design or patterned perfection, this Emmaus salon has you covered. 348 Main St., Emmaus 267.977.2429 | destiny_nail_salon

45 E. Belvidere St., Nazareth | 610.905.2495 | curiousplantaholic.com L E H I G H V A L L E Y S T Y L E . C O M : J U LY 2 0 2 1

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610.351.4247 7812 Main Street | Fogelsville, PA @hellobeautiful_salonboutique hellobeautifulsb.com

$25 off BALLET JAZZ HIP HOP CONTEMPORARY MODERN POINTE TAP MUSICAL THEATER GYMNASTICS BIRTHDAY PARTIES NOW OFFERING

THE ARROJO AMERICAN WAVE This Beach wave perm will give soft waves and is gentle for color treated hair

Thank You For Voting Us

BEST DANCE STUDIO COMPETITIVE AND RECREATIONAL CLASSES AVAILABLE STARTING AT AGE 2½

2022 Main St., Northampton

3ddancestudio.net 215.872.1145

Schedule your appointment today!

Thank You for voting us Best Eyebrow Artist!

Thank You For voting us the Valley’s Best

Permanent Makeup & Microblading Services provided by Amanda King at Ultra Fine Brows 50 East Broad St., Bethlehem | ultrafinebrows.com

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101 East 3rd Street Bethlehem 484-821-1497 apothecasalon.com

3690 LEHIGH ST., WHITEHALL 484.221.8951 // AGGRESSIONTATTOO.COM

Tattoo Shop

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n o i t a e r c e R Best

ROMANTIC OVERNIGHT

Stay

Offering beautiful vistas and a look at some of the largest and most charismatic birds in the world, Hawk Mountain has four different trail loops for visitors to choose from. And after a challenging hike, soak in the ultimate reward: a view from the top. 1700 Hawk Mountain Rd., Kempton 610.756.6961 | hawkmountain.org

GLASBERN INN

Named one of Yahoo Travel’s top romantic international destinations, Glasbern Inn promises a relaxing getaway tucked away in Fogelsville. It combines historic charm with luxury lodging and inventive culinary offerings for an unparalleled experience. 2141 Packhouse Rd., Fogelsville 610.285.4723 | glasbern.com

Best Bike Trail D&L TRAIL The D&L Trail stretches more than 140 miles, following historical canal and railroad routes from Bristol to Mountain Top. Forty miles of trail are located within Northampton and Lehigh counties. To maintain proper etiquette on the trail, remember: keep right, pass left! 610.923.3548 | delawareandlehigh.org

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Best Place to Hike HAWK MOUNTAIN

835 Jacobsburg Rd., Wind Gap 610.746.2801 | dcnr.pa.gov

Best

With more than a thousand acres of land, and 18.5 miles of trails, Jacobsburg State Park provides plenty of opportunities to connect with nature during a scenic walk.

Best Place to Take a Long Walk JACOBSBURG STATE PARK

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SEASONAL FARMERS

Market

EASTON FARMERS’ MARKET The country’s longest, continuous running open-air market, Easton Farmers’ Market remains a treasured piece of Easton’s heritage, offering a vibrant shopping experience and incomparable community spirit. The pandemic pivoted the market to a new location at Scott Park on the riverfront, with more space to safely accommodate vendors and visitors alike. Shop fresh produce, promote local agriculture and support the region’s artists with a visit to the market. 128 Larry Holmes Dr., Easton 610.330.9942 | eastonfarmersmarket.com

Best Pick-Your-Own Orchard GRIM’S ORCHARD & FAMILY FARMS Head to Grim’s now for cherry picking, and return in August for apple picking! Pumpkins are available in September, and strawberry season starts in May. This summer, they’ve even introduced pick-your-own potatoes and vegetables! 9875 Schantz Rd., Breinigsville 610.395.5655 | grimsorchard.com

Best Pumpkin Patch SEIPLE FARMS What started on a quarter acre of land has grown to 30 acres of pumpkins, gourds, Indian corn, squash and other fall harvest. Open weekends run September 25 through October 31, where visitors can check out the farm animals, corn maze, pony rides, hayrides and so much more this fall. Pair it with some apple cider and enjoy the perfect autumn outing. 5761 Nor Bath Blvd., Bath 610.837.0847 | seiplefarms.com

Travis Lindenmoyer

Photo by Andrew Tomasino

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Counity Group HONEST TRAV’S VIRTUAL DIVE BAR

Sometimes you want to go where everyone knows your name. And sometimes a pandemic makes that nearly impossible. Enter Honest Trav’s Virtual Dive Bar. It’s the cyberspace version of your neighborhood watering hole, a place where you can raise a glass of your favorite adult beverage among friends near and far, sans sanitizer and face masks. Travis Lindenmoyer of Lehighton started the Facebook group last year at the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, when everyday life was altered in dramatic fashion. “It kind of felt like end-of-the-world-type stuff,” he recalls. The current group, which had more than 42,000 members as of early May, is actually the second version of his online vision. It’s meant to be a safe, drama-free zone where online friendships can be forged even during a time of isolation, but it’s made the leap into the “real world,” too. As COVID case counts declined, the group held in-person events, and plans to keep the good times rolling even after all pandemic-related restrictions are lifted. “I like to make people laugh,” Lindenmoyer says. “I like to entertain people.” facebook.com/groups/htvdb

Best Place for Kids Activities OUT OF OUR MINDS ART STUDIO Out of Our Minds Art Studio prides itself on providing fun and memorable experiences to kids. Instructor Angela Faidley leads free online art lessons every Friday as well as rotating weekly events. 65 Lea St., Macungie 610.762.5694 | faidley.net

Best Dance

STUDIO 3D DANCE STUDIO 3D offers both recreational and competitive classes, providing a professional and fun atmosphere for young dancers and their families. 3D is also home to an extraordinary gymnastics program! 2022 Main St., Northampton 215.872.1145 | 3ddancestudio.net

Best Christmas Tree Farm YENSER’S TREE FARM At Yenser’s, the holiday season kicks off on November 26 and promises festive weekends filled with choose-and-cut Christmas trees, complimentary cocoa and cookies, a gift shop, food truck and more! Tree options include Fraser fir, Douglas fir, concolor fir and blue spruce, with free shaking, baling, drilling and transportation to your vehicle. 1910 Mahoning Dr. E., Lehighton 570.386.2073 | yenserstreefarm.com

t n e m n i a t nter

Best Local Radio Personality MIKE AND STEPH

Best Local Podcast PAWFEE TALK

Whether they’re dissecting the latest Hollywood gossip or dishing advice to listeners, Mike and Steph are a dynamic duo whose banter will keep you tuned in. Listen every weekday morning from 5–10 a.m. on B104.

Hosted by The Center for Animal Health & Welfare in Easton, Pawfee Talk covers the good, the bad and the hilarious of all things four-legged. Topics recently covered include self-care, boundaries, shelter happenings, in the news and from the mailbag. Catch up on video episodes on Facebook!

Best Local TV Personality EVE RUSSO As Eve Russo anchors daily guest segments, her warmth radiates through the television screen. Catch her on 69 News at Sunrise alongside Jaciel Cordoba from 5–9 a.m. on WFMZ-TV! wfmz.com

Best Local Musician Best Virtual Performance STACY GABEL Stacy has always been passionate about writing catchy lyrics and memorable melodies, and that didn’t stop with the pandemic. She released “Stir Crazy,” which she says whimsically addresses the feelings of isolation and boredom. Stacy also hosted quarantine concerts on Facebook Live and performed at 2020's virtual Musikfest.

BROWN SKIN PLANT MAMA

Veronica Moore of Bethlehem didn’t set out to woo thousands of followers to her Instagram page, @brownskinplantmama. She was simply looking to share her journey of healing through plant care following the unexpected death of her sister in 2018. But, as others began to find her page and talk about their own experiences with love and loss, it quickly became apparent that her message had struck a chord. “I knew at that point what started as an innocent personal project of ‘showing my cute plants’ would soon evolve into a space of healing for others as well,” says Moore. To say plants are Moore’s passion might be an understatement. She says her mother was a master gardener and she grew up surrounded by greenery, both inside and outside the home. Even though she lost interest in gardening as a teenager, she found her way back to it in adulthood. And social media, she says, provides the perfect forum for connecting with people on a larger scale. Moore hosts her own interview/storytelling series on Instagram, Plant Therapy is Real. She also regularly engages with her 11,000-plus followers. “It’s important to me that others see my space as a place they can come and be authentically themselves,” she says. brownskinplantmama | brownskinplantmama.com

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Best Food Instagram Account SUM FOODIE Sumer Moreau, otherwise known as “Sum Foodie” to her nearly 7k followers, is constantly seeking out the most delicious and photogenic foods in and around the Lehigh Valley. Not sure where to eat? Check out her curated story highlights and Instagram guides! sumfoodie

Best Radio Station CAT COUNTRY 96 For continuous country favorites, tune in to 96 FM! Don’t miss Kristy O’Brian’s 2k Café every weekday from noon to 3 p.m., celebrating the decade that country music ruled the charts.

stacygabel.com catcountry96.com

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Socil Media Ac ount

Photo by Marco Calderon

b104.iheart.com

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s e c i v r e S Leader of the Pack invites you to pamper your pup at their salon! Opt for the ultimate experience with a bath, styling, nails, ears and massage. Book a combination package and let your pet enjoy doggy day care afterwards! 6346 Farm Bureau Rd., Allentown 610.366.8282 | lopci.com

Best Pet Care QUEEN OF THE VALLEY FARM Queen of the Valley Farm treats every visiting pet as their own, providing a comfortable and fun experience for all. Each of their 28 overnight suites includes a corresponding outdoor patio for sunning in the summer. And all guests enjoy a raised platform Kuranda Pet Bed with fleece blanket, but humans are also invited to send along any of their pet’s favorite things from home. 6702 Vera Cruz Rd. S., Zionsville 610.967.6371 | queenofthevalleyfarm.com

Best Tattoo Shop AGGRESSION TATTOO Aggression Tattoo offers a broad range of custom tattoos in a relaxed, family-friendly setting. Check out their Instagram page to see the latest inks. 3690 Lehigh St., Whitehall 484.221.8951 | aggressiontattoo.com

Best

EVERYDAY

Photo by Alison Conklin

Best Pet Groomer LEADER OF THE PACK CANINE INSTITUTE

Florist

BLOOMIE’S FLOWER SHOP

Photographer

Bloomie’s floral creations are hand-crafted with great care and attention to detail. Flower delivery is available in and around Easton, offering same-day delivery for those last-minute gifting needs.

ALISON CONKLIN

21 N. 2 nd St., Easton | 610.258.6331 bloomiesfloralshop.com Ph

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o by

M ar

co Ca lde

ron

Alison Conklin’s parents were avid photographers, and when she lost her mother at the age of 14, she got to know her through the images she left behind. She also got to see how her mom saw her. It was then that she fell in love with photography, realizing how a single photo could capture a moment—even one that didn’t seem so important at the time. Following her mother’s death, Conklin’s father built her a darkroom, taught her to develop film and answered all of her questions. Her camera hasn’t left her side since. Conklin’s work is positively timeless and has been featured in Martha Stewart Weddings, Brides, Philadelphia Wedding, Better Homes & Gardens, Glamour and countless other publications.

alisonconklin.com L E H I G H V A L L E Y S T Y L E . C O M : J U LY 2 0 2 1

SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION

A Lehigh Valley Tradition Since 1922

Thank You for voting us

Best Hot Dog 7 Years in a Row!

Thank You for Voting Us One of the BEST! Holding a private event? Book us today and get a taste of one of the Best Food Trucks in the Lehigh Valley.

(610) 393-7100 | TakeATacoFoodTruck.com

6 Locations

Serving Allentown, Bethlehem, Emmaus, Fogelsville & Trexlertown

We’re all about the

Flavors It’s not just a hoagie, it ’s a Primo!

COMING SOON TO SOUTH BETHLEHEM!

518 EAST 3RD STREET 2410 Catasaqua Rd., Bethlehem || 484.895.3939

Order online at PRIMOHOAGIES.COM/BETHLEHEM-PA

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610.434.8800

THEHUMMUSHOUSE.COM

DINING GUIDE

Style Award Winner

Live Entertainment

Gluten-Free Options

Outdoor Seating

Vegetarian Options

Entrée Price Range:

Wheelchair Accessible

$ under $15 $$ $15-$25 $$$ $25+

Serves Alcohol BYOB

BURGERS AND MORE BY EMERIL $$

77 Wind Creek Blvd., Bethlehem, 877.726.3777, windcreekbethlehem.com

Chef Emeril Lagasse uses only the freshest and finest ingredients to create a mouth-watering burger customers will never forget. Lunch & dinner.

*Highlighted entries are Lehigh Valley Style advertisers. Look for their ads in this edition!

DIMAIO’S ITALIAN RISTORANTE $$ & PIZZERIA 27 Main St. Shoppes at Hellertown, 610.838.8004, dimaios.net

*We recommend checking each individual restaurant’s website and/or social media to confirm whether it is open and accessible during these unprecedented times.

Family owned since 1985. Serving southern Italian Cuisine. Known for home-made bread, Chicken Francese, DiMaio’s Creamy Clam sauce and NY style pizza. Lunch & dinner.

EMERIL’S CHOP HOUSE

COME and visit us in Coopersburg Sit and dine on our summer patio stay and enjoy a crafted slushie 213 N. Main St., Coopersburg 610.421.6029

sagealleybrewery.com

Wed–Thurs 4–8pm | Fri 4–9pm | Sat 12–9pm | Sun 12–6pm

$$$

77 Wind Creek Blvd., Bethlehem, 877.726.3777, windcreekbethlehem.com

Lehigh

Indulge in a variety of irresistible dishes featuring tender steak cuts, mouth-watering prime rib and so much more. Dinner.

HOPS FOGELSVILLE

JENNY’S KUALI

7921 Main St., Fogelsville, 610.395.3999, hopslehighvalley.com

Historic pub serving up all American classics with weekly specials to make mouths water. Lunch, dinner & late night.

HOPS AT THE PADDOCK 1945 W. Columbia St., Allentown, 610.437.3911, hopslehighvalley.com

Come to eat, drink and have fun! Friendly, food-oriented sports bar with cold brews! Lunch, dinner & late night.

MELT

Photo by Alison Conklin

Visit Jenny’s Kuali’s for authentic Malaysian cusine.

$$$

Offering a sumptuous menu of contemporary Italian fare in its breathtaking 350-seat restaurant, with spacious and customizable rooms for private events. Lunch, dinner & late night.

TOP CUT STEAKHOUSE

$$$

The Promenade Shops at Saucon Valley, 610.841.7100, topcutsteak.com

Classically inspired cocktails, exquisite wines and USDA prime steaks in a 1940s style rooftop atmosphere. Dinner & late night.

The Promenade Shops at Saucon Valley, 610.841.9399, torrerestaurant.com

Classic Mexican cuisine with a modern twist in a fun, familyfriendly atmosphere. Enjoy Happy Hour gathered around the three-story tequila tower. Brunch, lunch, dinner & late night.

Northampton 1741 ON THE TERRACE

$$$

437 Main St., Bethlehem, 610.625.2219, hotelbethlehem.com

The award-winning culinary team takes pride in presenting seasonal menus combined with the 1741 classic. Dinner.

BLUE GRILLHOUSE & EVENT CENTER

$$$

4431 Easton Ave., Bethlehem, 610.691.8400, bluegrillhouse.com

102 E. 4th St., Bethlehem, 610.758.8088, jennyskuali.com

Offering Malaysian cuisine, vegetarian entrees and noodle dishes freshly prepared in house every day. Lunch & dinner.

THE MARKET GOURMET EXPRESS

From a party of four on the covered outdoor patio to a party of 400 in the newly renovated event center ballroom, blue delivers with prime steaks and seafood, a sprawling wine list and impeccable service. Brunch, lunch, dinner & late night.

77 Wind Creek Blvd., Bethlehem, 877.726.3777, windcreekbethlehem.com

All the classic favorites in one place. Nathan’s hot dogs, burgers, pizza, salad, sushi, ice cream and coffee. Lunch, dinner & late night.

STEELWORKS BUFFET & GRILL

The Promenade Shops at Saucon Valley, 610.798.9000, meltgrill.com

TORRE

77 Wind Creek Blvd., Bethlehem, 610.419.5555, steelworksbuffetandgrill.com

Experience a variety of fresh culinary dishes from around the world at Steelworks Buffet & Grill. Featuring live action cooking and a fully stocked bar, guests will enjoy a variety of fresh international culinary dishes at the all-you-can-eat buffet or choose their favorites from the a la carte menu, including artisan pizza, a pasta station, fresh-carved meats and more. Breakfast, lunch & dinner.

TAP ROOM AT HOTEL BETHLEHEM

437 Main St., Bethlehem, 610.625.2226, hotelbethlehem.com

Offers award-winning musical brunch every Sunday with a splendid buffet array and much more! Breakfast, lunch, dinner & late night.

A LOC A L FAVOR IT E SINCE 1985

Only the

BEST from our family to yours! At DiMaio's, we specialize in pizza, pasta, sandwiches and more—all made to order using the finest quality ingredients.

Grazie mille e buon appetito! –THE DiM A IO FA MILY

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 2548, Orlando, FL, 32802-2548. All contents copyright © 2021 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.

Located in the Shoppes at Hellertown

610.838.8004 | dimaios.net D I N E - I N • BYO B • DA I LY S P E C I A L S • TA K E - O U T • C AT E R I N G

L E H I G H V A L L E Y S T Y L E . C O M : J U LY 2 0 2 1

DRINK THIS

BY KRISTEN RINALDI | PHOTOGRAPHY BY SHELBIE PLETZ

Aperol Fizz

GIO ITALIAN GRILL

What’s summer without an Aperol Spritz—or, in this case, an Aperol Fizz? The latter is available at Gio Italian Grill, and made with aperol (a vibrant orange-colored Italian bitter apéritif), Moscato, club soda and an orange twist. “It’s light, refreshing and a beautiful color,” says Giovanna DiMaio, owner. You may be surprised to see Moscato used here, versus prosecco, which has become fairly standard. “We were on the Amalfi Coast and had a few versions of the Spritz,” says DiMaio. “The restaurants there were using their homemade white wines, so some were sweeter than others, depending on the region or the grape. We preferred the sweeter and decided on Moscato.” DiMaio recommends sipping the cocktail with their Gio Antipasta, which comes with imported meats and cheeses, olives and fire-roasted vegetables.

Made with aperol, Moscato, club soda and an orange twist

6465 Village Ln. Route 100 Macungie | 610.966.9446 gioitaliangrill.com

READY TO TRY IT? Tag @lvstylemag and #livelvstyle!

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W E L IVE H ERE. W E F ORECAST H ERE. |

WFMZ.COM |

NORTHAMPTON COUNTY PARTNERS

Lehigh Valley Hospital—Hecktown Oaks Exceptional care from the region’s most trusted health partner is now closer than ever in Northampton County. Our brand-new hospital offers services for your entire family, including a 24/7 emergency room, health center and access to specialty care with Lehigh Valley Cancer Institute, Lehigh Valley Heart Institute and Lehigh Valley Institute for Surgical Excellence.

To make an appointment, call 888-402-LVHN or visit LVHN.org/hecktownoaks.

Route 33 and Hecktown Road | 3780 Hecktown Road | Easton, Pa.