L. SAUCON TWP., Pa. – Foodies in search of top-notch Italian cuisine are flocking to a new Northampton County restaurant, dishing out artisan pizzas that include pesto, Nutella and sausage and broccoli rabe varieties.

Andrew Rogers’ Pizzeria, offering made-from-scratch, wood-fired pizzas, started welcoming dine-in customers on Sept. 21 at 1984 Waldheim Road in Lower Saucon Township.

The pizzeria, which opened for takeout in late July, operates on the ground floor of a recently renovated, membership-based social club, B.W. Social, formerly known as the Beethoven Waldheim Club.



Andrew Rogers outside

Andrew Rogers’ Pizzeria, offering made-from-scratch, wood-fired pizzas, recently opened at 1984 Waldheim Road in Lower Saucon Township. 




Members visiting the club’s Geisterhaus Pub as well as the general public can enjoy hand-crafted pizzas such as cheese, pepperoni and bianca (basil, mozzarella and extra virgin olive oil).

There are also unique selections such as an Americana (bianca pizza with French fries, pink sauce and choice of sliced hot dog or sausage) and Nutella (Nutella, powdered sugar, extra virgin olive oil and optional strawberries or bananas).



Andrew Rogers posing

Andrew Rogers’ Pizzeria owner Andrew Rogers poses with a wood-fired margherita pizza.



Owner Andrew Rogers labels the margherita and sausage and broccoli rabe as two of the most popular varieties.

The 12-inch pizzas range in price from $10 to $19, and Rogers is looking to offer a “two for $20” deal on select pizzas in the coming weeks.

“I’m excited to serve the community,” Rogers said.

“Customers have been very welcoming, and the feedback regarding the pizza has been extremely positive. I’ve been making pizza for about 15 years at restaurants in multiple states, and I’m excited to bring that experience along with fresh, wood-fired pizzas to the Lehigh Valley. Everyone’s welcome to dine here – club members and the general public.”

Rogers, a 2009 graduate of the former Pius X High School in Bangor, got his start in the restaurant industry as a teenager working at Giordano’s Pizza House & Family Restaurant in Pen Argyl.

After high school, he attended college in New Jersey before transferring to and graduating with a bachelor’s degree in hospitality management from Johnson & Wales University in Rhode Island.



Andrew Rogers

Andrew Rogers’ Pizzeria, offering made-from-scratch, wood-fired pizzas, recently opened at 1984 Waldheim Road in Lower Saucon Township. Pictured is the “Americana,” a bianca pizza with French fries, pink sauce and sliced hot dog or sausage. 




He worked in the kitchens of several Italian restaurants throughout his college years, picking up tricks of the trade from each one.

“After Giordano’s, I worked at a few pizzerias in the Poconos, a few restaurants in the Hackettstown area and a few restaurants in Rhode Island,” Rogers said.

“My experience at each of them was beneficial because there are so many incredible pizzerias out there, and each one makes pizza slightly different. So, I was able to learn different methods of cooking and take knowledge from several different chefs, some of whom came directly from Italy.”



Andrew Rogers margherita

Andrew Rogers’ Pizzeria, offering made-from-scratch, wood-fired pizzas, recently opened at 1984 Waldheim Road in Lower Saucon Township. Pictured is a margherita pizza. 




Rogers, who has an Italian and Irish background, launched his pizza-making business a few years ago as a food truck, serving primarily the Slate Belt region.

Today, he continues to operate the mobile aspect of his business at various Lehigh Valley festivals, sports facilities and other venues.

From spring through fall, the truck can regularly be found on weekends serving Elite Championship Tournament Baseball players and their families near the sports fields at Saucon Park, 1204 William St., Bethlehem.

Starting in November, when games end for the season, Rogers plans to expand the pizzeria’s hours to include Saturday and Sunday hours.

Currently, the pizzeria is open for dine-in and take-out, 2-9 p.m. Tuesdays and Wednesdays and noon to 11 p.m. Thursdays and Fridays.

“It’s a beautiful property that I’m happy to be a part of,” Rogers said. “There are animals outside and also a nice pond. We hope to have some outdoor dining next spring.”

To place an order or for more information, call 570-856-6033. Info: Andrew Rogers’ Pizzeria on Facebook. 

More tasty news

Lehigh Valley chef finds recipe for success with new food trailer, dishing out 60 types of empanadas

A business known for its unique empanadas – including beef and pickle, chicken bruschetta and chocolate chip cake batter – is making moves in the Lehigh Valley.

The Shop!, a takeout eatery – formerly known as CHEFStreet Kitchen – at 56 W. Water St. in Hellertown, is no longer in operation as owner and chef Joe Stout has decided to shift his focus to a new food trailer, CHEFstreet Mobile Kitchen.

Stout is continuing to utilize the Hellertown space as a commissary kitchen for his new mobile venture, and other chefs, bakers and other small business owners are welcome to use the facilities as well. Full story here



Prime Pizzeria

Bangor area artist Terri Palmer paints a wall mural at Prime Pizzeria & Restaurant, a family-owned and -operated pizzeria and restaurant set to open Monday, Oct. 9, at 6221 Sullivan Trail in Plainfield Township. 




‘Delicious food, made fresh daily’: Lehigh Valley’s newest family-owned pizzeria opening Monday

PLAINFIELD TWP., Pa. – A prime destination for pizza, pasta and other Italian favorites is almost ready to welcome customers in Northampton County.

Prime Pizzeria & Restaurant, a family-owned and -operated pizzeria and restaurant, is set to open Monday, Oct. 9, at 6221 Sullivan Trail in Plainfield Township.

The building previously housed another restaurant, Three Brothers Pizza. Read more here.



Paranormal Pizza

Paranormal Pizza offers a variety of vegan specialties, including a Buffalo garlic chick’n sandwich with jalapeño lime cilantro aioli.




Eight months after fire, Paranormal Pizza still serving customers via pop-up events

Foodies missing Paranormal Pizza have some opportunities to dig into the business’ tasty dishes later this month.

The downtown Bethlehem restaurant, specializing in scratch-made vegan pizza, has been temporarily closed since a February fire damaged the business’ interior as well as the building’s upstairs apartments.

Restoration work is ongoing, but in the meantime, Paranormal Pizza continues to serve its loyal customers via pop-up events. Read more.



Oktoberfest

ArtsQuest’s 13th annual Oktoberfest celebration will be held 5-10 p.m. Fridays, noon to 10 p.m. Saturdays and noon to 6 p.m. Sundays, Oct. 6-8 and Oct. 13-15 at the SteelStacks campus, 101 Founders Way, Bethlehem. 




PierogiPalooza, other tasty events returning to ArtsQuest’s Oktoberfest

BETHLEHEM, Pa. – A delectable assortment of unique pierogies, including Cubano, broccoli cheddar and pumpkin cream cheese and cinnamon sugar varieties, is returning to a popular festival in south Bethlehem.

PierogiPalooza, a “celebration of your favorite filled dumplings,” will be held 2-6 p.m. Oct. 7 and 14 at the SteelStacks campus, 101 Founders Way.

The third annual event, part of ArtsQuest’s 13th annual Oktoberfest celebration, will allow PierogiPalooza passport holders to enjoy six pierogies of their choosing. Full story here

Promenade Shops update

More pop-up retailers, long-term tenants joining The Promenade Shops

UPPER SAUCON TWP., Pa. – A new business popping up at The Promenade Shops at Saucon Valley wants to help you be the host with the most with curated drinkware, dinner plates, table linens and more.

Spoon + Salt, a tabletop rental company offering a variety of curated tablescapes, will operate a pop-up shop Thursday, Oct. 5, through Sunday, Oct. 8, in Suite 806 at the Upper Saucon Township shopping center.

Co-owners Courtney Murray and Amy Tomlinson met at Bucknell University, where they regularly entertained friends at their off-campus house. Read more here.



Spoon + Salt

Spoon + Salt, a tabletop rental company offering a variety of curated tablescapes, will operate a pop-up shop Thursday, Oct. 5, through Sunday, Oct. 8, in Suite 806 at The Promenade Shops at Saucon Valley. 




The Promenade Shops to host inaugural Barktoberfest, dog dock diving competitions

CENTER VALLEY, Pa. – Man’s best friend will take center stage at an inaugural event being held later this month at The Promenade Shops at Saucon Valley.

The two-day Barktoberfest, featuring dog dock diving competitions, visiting animal shelters, pet-related businesses and more, will be held Oct. 20 and 21 at the Upper Saucon Township shopping center’s outdoor Patio.

On Oct. 20, from 4 to 8 p.m., guests will enjoy a Dock Dogs Preview Night where the community is encouraged to challenge their well-mannered dogs to give dock diving a try. Read more

Easton news

Breakfast and lunch eatery permanently closes in Easton

EASTON, Pa. – A destination for French toast, omelettes, sandwiches and other breakfast and lunch favorites has ended operations in Northampton County.

Miss Jackson’s Kitchen, a Southern-inspired restaurant offering made-from-scratch specialties, permanently closed this week at 201 McCartney St. on Easton’s College Hill.

Husband and wife co-owners Juan and Melanie Martinez opened the eatery in September 2022 on the ground floor of Lafayette College’s McCartney Residences. Full story here



Miss Jackson's Kitchen

Miss Jackson’s Kitchen, a Southern-inspired restaurant offering made-from-scratch breakfast and lunch specialties, permanently closed on Friday at 201 McCartney St. on Easton’s College Hill.




Winery to relocate in Easton after plans for Plainfield Twp. land turn sour

PLAINFIELD TWP., Pa. – A new urban winery is planning to set up shop in Easton, but not by choice.

The owner of Clever Girl Winery, currently located in Bangor, says he wanted to start growing grapes and building a tasting room on land in Plainfield Township, Northampton County, but the plans fell apart when he got in front of the zoning board.

Right now, Clever Girl Winery is located in the heart of downtown Bangor. They source their grapes from other growers, but owner Don Andreas says he was hoping one day to grow grapes on his own property. Then, earlier this year, an opportunity presented itself. Read more here

Whitehall news

‘Bigger things coming soon!’: Metaphysical shop opening new, larger location in Whitehall

WHITEHALL TWP., Pa. – A family-owned business is expanding its footprint in the Lehigh Valley.

Handmade Mystic, selling healing crystals, hand-crafted jewelry and unique gifts, is planning to open a new retail location in about a month at 2180 MacArthur Road, Unit 6A in Whitehall Township, according to a post on the business’ Facebook page.

The new store, in the Whitehall Square shopping center, will supplement Handmade Mystic’s existing location, which husband and wife owners Andrew and Danyel Harrison opened in March at The Promenade Shops at Saucon Valley in Upper Saucon Township. Full story here



Cirque Italia

Cirque Italia will present its Paranormal Cirque III show, Oct. 19-22 in the Lehigh Valley Mall parking lot, 250 Lehigh Valley Mall, Whitehall Township.




Paranormal Cirque III, a ‘horrifying yet seductive’ show, coming to Whitehall

WHITEHALL TWP., Pa. – Just in time for Halloween revelry, a popular entertainment company – known for its high-energy acts that push human boundaries – invites you to explore “the darkest corner of your mind” in Whitehall Township.

Cirque Italia will present its Paranormal Cirque III show, a “crazy yet fun fusion between circus, theatre, and cabaret,” Oct. 19-22 in the Lehigh Valley Mall parking lot, 250 Lehigh Valley Mall.

The one-of-a-kind production brings guests to the edge of their seats with “death-defying stunts, creepy creatures, and haunting performances,” according to a news release. Read more here

Berks, Bucks counties

Inn on Main, featuring new American cuisine, opens its doors in Oley

OLEY TWP., Pa. — Country rustic with modern touches. That’s the Inn on Main in Oley Township, an elevated new American restaurant.

It opened its doors earlier this week after a farm-to-table concept fell through last year.

The building is more than 140 years old. The owner has made numerous renovations while keeping some of the building’s original architectural charm. Read more



Sesame Place Store

A new Sesame Place Store, offering a wide selection of merchandise, souvenirs and mementos featuring your favorite furry friends from the long-running educational television program “Sesame Street,” will open this weekend near the Sesame Place Philadelphia park entrance, 100 Sesame Road, Middletown Township.




World’s largest Sesame Street-themed store opening this weekend in Bucks County

MIDDLETOWN TWP., Pa. — A new spot to stock up on Big Bird-, Elmo- and Cookie Monster-adorned merchandise will soon welcome shoppers in Bucks County.

A new Sesame Place Store, offering a wide selection of merchandise, souvenirs and mementos featuring your favorite furry friends from the long-running educational television program “Sesame Street,” will open this weekend near the Sesame Place Philadelphia park entrance, 100 Sesame Road, Middletown Township.

At 6,800 square feet, the Sesame Place Store will open as the largest Sesame Street-themed store in the world. Full story here

Carbon, Monroe counties

Jim Thorpe’s newest hotel, merging history with modern touches, to open later this month

JIM THORPE, Pa. – Individuals visiting Jim Thorpe for fall foliage, holiday festivities and other attractions will soon have a new lodging option in the borough.

The Y on Broadway Hotel & Spa, offering luxurious overnight accommodations in a meticulously preserved late 19th century building, is expected to open within the next few weeks at 69 Broadway.

Hotel owner Duke Blauch has owned the property for approximately 30 years and has spent the past three years transforming it into a boutique hotel. Read more here



The Y on Broadway

The Y on Broadway Hotel & Spa, offering luxurious overnight accommodations in a meticulously preserved late 19th century building, is expected to open within the next few weeks at 69 Broadway in Jim Thorpe.




Great Wolf Lodge completes $125M expansion

SCOTRUN, Pa. – One of the Poconos’ top tourist attractions – Great Wolf Lodge – is celebrating the completion of a $125-million expansion.

The Monroe County resort held a ribbon cutting ceremony Thursday for the massive makeover.

The lodge offered a first look at the 30 new three-bedroom Woodland Villas. Read more