English Bulldog Puppies for Sale in Allentown, PA

ALLENTOWN, Pa. - A restaurant serving build-your-own baked potatoes, French fries, pierogies and tater tots has ended operations in Lehigh County, but customers may still be able to score the specialty spuds at another location in the future.

The Potato Factory, a fast-casual eatery offering a wide array of freshly prepared, customizable potato options, closed about a month ago at 921 Hamilton St. in downtown Allentown.

Owner Francisco "Macho" Velez attributed his decision to shutter the eatery to low foot traffic in recent months. He also cited inadequate nearby parking.

Velez has a food truck and is seeking to transition The Potato Factory into a mobile operation, he said.

The truck would visit festivals and other public events and also be available to rent for private parties.

If the new mobile venture comes to fruition, more details will be announced on social media, Velez said.

The Potato Factory opened a little less than a year ago, in May 2024, in a renovated space at Hamilton and Fountain streets.

The restaurant offered a wide array of custom options for baked potatoes, sweet potatoes, deep-fried pierogies, boardwalk French fries and tater tots.

Toppings included meats and seafood such as steak, shrimp, brisket, pulled pork, pulled chicken, turkey, chopped ham, chopped steak, hot dog, mini meatballs, chili, sloppy Joe, bacon and pepperoni; vegetables such as corn, onions, tomatoes, lettuce, spinach, banana peppers, green peppers, red peppers, jalapeno peppers and cauliflower; and other items such as mac and cheese, coleslaw, black olives, mushrooms, mozzarella cheese, liquid cheese and sour cream.

Customers also could choose from various sauces such as alfredo, barbecue, honey barbecue, A1, hot sauce, mild sauce, ranch, chimichurri, balsamic vinaigrette and spaghetti sauce.

Velez was inspired to open The Potato Factory after noticing similar build-your-own potato businesses proliferating in Puerto Rico and California, among other places.

As a fan of potatoes himself, he decided to open his own restaurant “specializing in all things spuds” in Allentown.

“There’s not many places in the Lehigh Valley where you can build your own potato with this many toppings,” Velez told 69 News shortly after the restaurant's opening.

“So, I really just wanted to open a new concept – a family-friendly place where you can enjoy a great, quick meal at an affordable price.”

The Potato Factory operated in a renovated space that previously housed other dining establishments, including Island in the Sun and Culture Jam Jamaican restaurants.

Another restaurant, Aroma of India, is coming soon to the space, according to exterior signage.

Philadelphia Eagles running back Saquon Barkley was honored for his historic season on Sunday and received the key to Allentown, Pennsylvania.

Barkley, a native of Coplay, Pennsylvania, who played at Whitehall High School, was honored at the PPL Center in Allentown following his first year with the Eagles that ended in a Super Bowl win over the Kansas City Chiefs at Caesars Superdome in New Orleans. Barkley's high school football coach, Brian Gilbert, told CBS Philadelphia before the Super Bowl that he "worked his tail off" at Whitehall.

Last week, Barkley was rewarded for his play in the 2024 season with a historic contract extension that made him the league's first-ever $20 million-plus-per-year running back. The two-year contract extension is worth $41.2 million and eclipses Christian McCaffrey's $19 million AAV.

After spending the first six years of his career with the New York Giants, Barkley had a career-year in Philadelphia and earned the AP Offensive Player of the Year Award. He was also named an MVP finalist.

Barkley became the ninth player to rush for 2,000 yards and broke Terrell Davis' regular season and postseason rushing record. He led the NFL in rushing with 2,005 yards on 345 carries and 13 touchdowns.

Barkley also holds the record for most rushing yards in a single season in Eagles franchise history and most rushing yards in a single game. Both records were held by former Eagles running back LeSean McCoy.

Tom Ignudo

Tom Ignudo is a digital content producer at CBS Philadelphia. Before he joined CBS Philadelphia in 2021, Tom covered high school and college sports for the Philadelphia Inquirer. He covers breaking news, sports and more.

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ALLENTOWN, Pa. — A former Allentown Schools teacher who successfully sued the district for violating his First Amendment rights after he attended a 2021 “Stop the Steal” rally is seeking $3.1 million to cover his attorney’s fees and other costs.

Former Raub Middle School teacher Jason Moorehead is owed the funds because of the time, effort and money required to hold the district and its officials responsible for constitutional violations, his lawyer argued in a court filing.

The Allentown School District’s legal team claimed in a court memo that Moorehead's payment request is inflated and should be denied outright because it was not made in good faith.

Moorehead turned down up to $2.5 million in settlement money offered by Allentown School District.

Lehigh County Court records

A U.S. District Court judge will hear oral arguments on the matter May 6 at the Edward N. Cahn U.S. Courthouse in Allentown, according to an April 1 court filing.

Additionally, other new court filings show Moorehead was unsatisfied with the $131,500 awarded to him for damages at the end of a jury trial last August.

He unsuccessfully sought a new trial to increase the damages awarded.

Court documents also show Moorehead turned down up to $2.5 million in settlement money offered by ASD.

First Amendment rights violated

In his federal lawsuit, Moorehead, who taught in ASD for 17 years, claimed the school district and its officials violated his constitutional rights by falsely linking him to the Jan. 6 attack on the U.S. Capitol in 2021.

On that day, Moorehead was in Washington, D.C., at a rally with President Donald Trump — more than a mile away from the Capitol.

Through a public statement and other actions, Moorehead said the district and its officials created an unsafe, hostile work environment that effectively made it impossible for him to go back to teaching.

The former social studies teacher was fired in 2022 after being asked to return to work and declining.

A jury agreed with Moorehead’s claims, finding the school district and its officials smeared Moorehead’s name for his conservative political beliefs.

As a result, the school district was ordered to pay $125,000, school board Director Lisa Conover was ordered to pay $6,000 and former school board President Nancy Wilt was ordered to pay $500.

School Director Phoebe Harris was also found liable for violating Moorehead’s rights but was not ordered to pay for any damages.

Despite the victory, Moorehead’s attorney filed a motion for a new trial in September, saying the former teacher was entitled to a greater damages award.

In a Monday opinion, District Court Judge John M. Gallagher denied the motion.

Damages, potential costs and fees

Moorehead has received no payments for damages, but attorneys for ASD said in a Wednesday statement “that the defendants are ready, willing and able to pay the verdict.”

They advised Moorehead’s attorney that their clients would pay once the motion for a new trial was withdrawn or resolved, according to the statement.

The school district’s attorneys said ASD’s insurance company will pay the $125,000 in compensatory damages it owes Moorehead.

"Having misjudged the value of his case, Mr. Moorehead now asks this Court, and the Allentown School District, to compensate his attorneys for his poor decision."

Court memo from ASD's attorneys

The attorneys declined to comment on whether Conover and Wilt will pay Moorehead the collective $6,500 in punitive damages they owe out of pocket, or whether the insurance will also cover that.

As for the attorney’s fees and other costs, if Judge Gallagher orders the defendants to pay Moorehead, then those payments will also be sent by ASD’s insurance company, the district’s attorneys said in a statement.

'Deliberate conduct' complicated case

According to court documents, Moorehead is seeking $2,873,850 in attorney and paralegal fees, and $265,795.74 in other costs — totaling $3.1 million.

Moorehead’s attorney claimed in a court filing that the amount is justified because it took “tremendous resources” to litigate the case.

The attorney also said it was the defendants' “deliberate conduct which drastically expanded and complicated this case.”

“Having misjudged the value of his case, Mr. Moorehead now asks this Court, and the Allentown School District, to compensate his attorneys for his poor decisions.”

Allentown School District attorneys wrote in a memo

However, the school district’s attorneys claimed in a memo that Moorehead and his legal team are seeking the amount of funds they thought the jury would award them.

“Having misjudged the value of his case, Mr. Moorehead now asks this Court, and the Allentown School District, to compensate his attorneys for his poor decisions,” the school district’s attorneys wrote in a memo.

The $131,500 verdict is a mere 2.6% of the $5 million Moorehead demanded in order to settle before the case went to trial, according to court documents. He also demanded a correction of the public record.

ASD offered Moorehead a $1 million settlement, which was declined; and then offered him a $2.5 million settlement, which also was declined.

Additionally, ASD offered Moorehead $750,000 if he would drop the claims against individual school directors. He declined that offer, too.

ASD pushes back on costs and fees

If Judge Gallagher were to order the defendants to pay Moorehead’s fees and costs, that amount should only be $117,433.66, ASD’s attorneys said in a court memo.

AJ Fluehr, Moorehead’s head attorney on the federal case, charged $1,000 an hour — a rate the school district’s attorneys said is far outside the norm, especially for Fluehr’s 10 years of litigation experience.

Allentown School District is trying “to avoid responsibility” for the costs and fees “which they caused to be incurred.”

AJ Fluehr, Moorehead’s head attorney on the federal case, in court filing

They cited a Bethlehem-based attorney with 36 years of experience who only charges $350 an hour.

Fluehr said his $1.55 million fee was fair given Moorehead’s smaller legal team and the complexity of the case, according to a court filing.

Francis Malofiy, an attorney and paralegal on the case, also charged a $1.17 million fee. Malofiy owns the law firm that handled Moorehead’s case.

Additional attorney and paralegal fees totaled $156,750, according to court documents.

Fluehr wrote in the filing that the school district is trying “to avoid responsibility” for the costs and fees “which they caused to be incurred.”

ASD claims charges 'irrelevant'

The school district’s attorneys also took issue with the $265,795.74 in costs submitted by Moorehead’s legal team.

They pointed to “irrelevant charges,” such as receipts for “WaWa, Dunkin Donuts, 7-11, gas stations, and a litany of other businesses that have nothing to do with the practice of law,” according to a court memo.

Additionally, the school district’s attorneys took issue with expert fees and flight charges, among other costs.

Moorehead’s attorney argued in a court filing that such costs were necessary for the case. For instance, food charges were for the legal team’s meals during trial breaks, so they could continue working together on the case.

Additionally, Moorehead’s attorney argued that experts were necessary to the case, and thus, ASD “unreasonably” forced the law firm to incur these costs by “frivolously” contesting that it created a hostile work environment for Moorehead in the first place.

As to flight costs, the attorney wrote in a court filing that some of Moorehead’s family members were flown into Allentown in case they were called as witnesses.

Despite believing the costs and fees are justified, Moorehead’s attorney provided hypothetical reductions to the charges submitted.

Using less severe reductions, the $3.1 million requested falls only to $1.8 million — still a much greater sum than the $117,433.66 calculated by ASD’s attorneys.

ALLENTOWN, Pa. — A destination for a variety of freshly prepared food and drinks is closing after nearly six years of operation.

The Downtown Allentown Market, a 12,000-square-foot, multi-merchant market featuring space for nine food and beverage vendors, will hold its last day of operation on April 17, according to Jeff Vaughan, spokesman for City Center Group, which owns and operates the market.

The market has seen several vendors come and go over the years, with a trio of tenants - Bo Sai Sushi & Noodles, Mis Raices Restaurant & Bakery and Grab N' Go - departing the 27 N. Seventh St. market in recent months.

The remaining tenants - Johnny's ArtsWalk Diner, Chez's Delicatessen and Zahra - will hold their last day of operation at the market on April 17, Vaughan said.

"While we're grateful for the support of our vendors and customers, the Market did not meet our long-term expectations, and we've made the difficult decision to close it," said Jill Wheeler, City Center Group's vice president, in a written statement.

"This closing does not diminish the exciting culinary scene emerging downtown but marks our strategic shift to helping restaurateurs lease their own spaces with greater visibility and set their own hours."

Zahra owner Samantha Younes hopes to nail down a new location for her fast-casual Middle Eastern/Mediterranean concept in the coming months.

At her new location, she would expand the menu to include more bowls, handhelds, sides and baked goods.

"I'm looking to expand with a larger menu and also a larger, more visible space in the Allentown area," Younes told 69 News on Thursday.

"City Center was very great to work with in our nearly six years at the market, but we struggled a bit with being tucked in on the ArtsWalk, off of Seventh Street. So, I would like to find a new spot with street visibility."

Younes' family also operates Allentown's Aladdin restaurant, which was established in 1981 on Second Street before relocating to its current spot on Union Boulevard in 1999.

At Zahra, customers can enjoy wraps and bowls such as chicken shawarma, steak shawarma, falafel and zahra (fried cauliflower).

Other menu highlights include dips such as hummus and babaganouj; sides such as zaatar fries and sumac fries; and desserts such as baklava and chocolate halva.

"Wherever we end up, we're going to have even more options for customers," Younes said.

Chez's is also looking to relocate to another Allentown area spot, according to Maria Piazza, who operates the business with her cousin, Isaac Csezmadia.

The business offers a variety of classic and signature sandwiches, including the "Great Bambino" (grilled chicken, fresh mozzarella, tomatoes, balsamic glaze and pesto, toasted) and "Phantom Frenzy" (top round roast beef, fresh mozzarella, lettuce, tomato, onion, roasted red peppers, oil and vinegar), along with a wide array of salads and sides. Build-your-own sandwiches are also available.

"We will definitely keep our customers updated on social media," Piazza said.

Johnny's ArtsWalk Diner is consolidating its downtown Allentown operations at its larger, nearby Johnny's location at Sixth and Linden streets, according to co-owner Sarah Zohir.

Johnny's offers a large variety of soups, salads, hot and cold sandwiches, burgers, paninis, wraps and smoothies and other specialty beverages. Platters such as chicken kabobs and butter chicken are also available.

"Our commitment to attracting a variety of high-quality dining experiences remains strong, and we continue to believe downtown Allentown can be a thriving culinary destination," Wheeler added. "We plan to repurpose the Market space to support our residential business. More to come."

The 12,000-square-foot Downtown Allentown Market, located on the ArtsWalk between Sixth and Seventh streets, opened in October 2019 with spaces for nine vendors.

The food and beverage hall, featuring indoor and outdoor dining areas, has seen several businesses come and go over its nearly six years.

Other former tenants include Honmono Sushi, The Loaded Plantain, Zachary's BBQ & Soul, Fresh Kitchen by Robert Irvine, Batch Microcreamery, Little Miss Korea, Boardroom Spirits, Doughnut Love, Licensed 2 Grill @ The Market, Shinsen and Reading Coffee Company.

In April 2024, the market implemented new hours of 7:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday through Friday.

Previously, the market had operating hours of 7:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. Mondays, 7:30 a.m. to 7 p.m. Tuesdays, 7:30 a.m. to 8 p.m. Wednesdays, 7:30 a.m. to 10 p.m. Thursdays and Fridays and 9:30 a.m. to 10 p.m. Saturdays.

As a result of the shifting hours, several tenants left the market as the breakfast and lunch hours did not line up with their business models.

Casa Criolla – offering a variety of Latin American dishes and specialty beers and cocktails – and 1838 – an Allentown-themed beer and wine bar – closed in late March 2024.

Additionally, Randevoo – offering a twist on traditional Asian fusion cuisine – and La Kang Thai Eatery – offering traditional and modern Thai specialties – closed their Downtown Allentown Market locations in April of last year, and Pasta & Pies – offering pizza, pasta, calzones and other Italian dishes – shuttered its market location in June.

La Kang continues to operate various full-service locations throughout the Lehigh Valley, and Randevoo continues to operate via a mobile operation.

"As the downtown continues to grow and evolve, more locations for dinner and events are now available," market manager Bre Bradley said in a written statement in March 2024.

"At the same time, with nearby businesses back in the office, our lunch traffic has increased. As a result of those factors, we have decided to reset our hours of operation around our busiest times, which are weekday breakfast and lunch."

In response to the market's changing hours, Craig Beavers, a downtown Allentown resident, in the fall started a petition to have City Center reconsider its decision to condense the Downtown Allentown Market's hours.

Beavers sent an e-mail detailing the petition to City Center.

"This was a major blow to our downtown community," the e-mail reads.

"Residents lost a gathering hub for events like bingo and music, as well as great food options that aren't easily found downtown. Entrepreneurs and start-up restaurants, who used the Market as an incubator for starting their dream of opening a food stall, now lost a viable option, as the operating hours are not conducive to several vendors' needs."

Beavers was compelled to start the petition as he is a downtown Allentown resident who misses frequenting the market during its now-eliminated hours.

He would often stop at the market during evenings before attending events downtown.

"Additionally, the vibrancy of dining options for visitors and event attendees has decreased without the Market," the e-mail continues.

"Those attending a Phantoms game or a concert usually stopped at the Market for a bite to eat; it was a major hit for PPL Center visitors, walking past it from the ArtsWalk Garage. Those in town for a conference or just staying at a hotel could experience a variety of local chefs and enjoy a quaint taste of Allentown by checking out the market. Now, there are limited options available."

In response to the petition, Vaughan in November reiterated the company's position that the move was based on data and feedback that has been continuously collected throughout the life of the market.

"As the downtown continues to grow and evolve, more locations for dinner, events, and late-night food are now available," Vaughan said at the time.

The Downtown Allentown Market may be set to close soon, but there is also some good news for downtown Allentown foodies.

On March 24, José Garces, a James Beard Award-winning chef, entrepreneur, food innovator and restaurateur, opened Rosa Blanca, his first of two new restaurants that he is planning in downtown Allentown.

Rosa Blanca operates on the ground floor of The Nines residential building at 950 Hamilton St.

Garces' second new restaurant in Allentown, Okatshe, will be his modern take on traditional Japanese izakaya. It will open in the second quarter of 2025 at a soon-to-be-announced location downtown.

Also, Jesse Haik, a co-owner of the 2.5-year-old Pennsylvania Rye Company at 536 Hamilton St., is planning to open Simpatico - a modern Italian restaurant - in May at 27 N. Seventh St.

Simpatico will occupy an updated ArtsWalk space that previously housed other dining establishments, including Shula's Steak House, Queen City BBQ and, most recently, Blended, on the ground floor of the Strata West apartment complex.

ALLENTOWN, Pa. — A famed restaurateur who won the second season of Food Network’s “Iron Chef” has announced the opening date of the first of two planned downtown Allentown eateries.

José Garces, a James Beard Award-winning chef who won the second season of "Iron Chef," said Rosa Blanca will open for dinner and cocktail preview nights from 4 p.m. to midnight Friday, March 21, and Saturday, March 22.

The restaurant, on the ground floor of The Nines residential building at 950 Hamilton St., then will be closed on Sunday, March 23, and start its regular schedule on Monday, March 24.

“Rosa Blanca will flow from a breezy café with classic Cuban coffee and pastries by day to a tropical rum bar by night, bringing Little Havana in Miami to Allentown through great music, warm hospitality and, of course, wonderful food and drinks."

Chef José Garces

Rosa Blanca’s regular hours will be 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. Mondays and Tuesdays for breakfast and lunch; and 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. Wednesdays through Sundays for breakfast and lunch and 4 p.m.-midnight for dinner and drinks.

Based on one of Garces’ popular restaurant concepts, Rosa Blanca will be a Cuban café and rum bar offering fast-casual service.

“This kind of hybrid concept is fairly unique in the Lehigh Valley,” Garces said.

“Rosa Blanca will flow from a breezy café with classic Cuban coffee and pastries by day to a tropical rum bar by night, bringing Little Havana in Miami to Allentown through great music, warm hospitality and, of course, wonderful food and drinks.

"Evenings at Rosa Blanca will be festive and fun, whether you’re headed to a show or event downtown or just looking for a special dining experience.”

Second restaurant coming

Rosa Blanca’s lunch and dinner menu will offer Cuban specialties and comfort food, such as Cubanos, crispy empanadas, soups, salads and entrees with flavors of the Caribbean.

The restaurant also will offer to-go service at a window on Hamilton Street and will begin catering this spring.

Garces’s planned second new restaurant in Allentown, Okatshe, will be a modern take on traditional Japanese izakaya, or casual bar. It will open in the second quarter of 2025 at a soon-to-be-announced location downtown.

Chef José Garces

Garces’s planned second new restaurant in Allentown, Okatshe, will be a modern take on traditional Japanese izakaya, or casual bar. It will open in the second quarter of 2025 at a soon-to-be-announced location downtown, Garces said in a news release.

Garces is known for helping to build Philadelphia’s restaurant scene in the early 2000s.

Garces said he was attracted to downtown Allentown by the city’s continued revitalization and the placemaking efforts of downtown developer City Center Group.

City Center owns and operates the restaurant’s building on Hamilton Street in the Downtown West neighborhood, where Archer Music Hall and a Moxy Hotel both opened in early 2025.

Rosa Blanca’s interior by dash design of New York City features Art Deco style, lush greenery, and an emphasis on glamour to produce Cuba’s Golden Age aesthetic in the heart of Downtown West.

The 1,500-square-foot restaurant will seat around 40 guests indoors among the bar and tables. Sidewalk seating will accommodate around 30 additional guests.