New Jamaican Restaurant Coming to 7th Street

Walking the dog yesterday I nearly crashed into a ladder outside the 3Js Bakery--the friendly but less-than-fresh Dominican baked goods shop that recently closed its doors. A man on the ladder was literally removing the "3J" letters, and claimed a new Jamaican restaurant will be moving in shortly. No decision on the eatery's name, he told me.

The NEW Happy Garden Chinese Restaurant

Happy Garden, the pretty solid Chinese place on Hamilton, has relocated to 501 N. 7th Street. The place looks good, but let's hope they update the sign...

Mixy Mixer

you know I love a party...this is a party with a reason.

Seventh Street Development Committee is hosting a Merchant Mixer tonight at St. Luke's Church from 6-9 PM. The purpose is to bring our merchants together to network, have a discussion on our efforts in destination creation as well as go over architectural designs being pulled together by The Architectural Studio.

there will be light refreshements...please feel free to stop by and find out what we're working on!

Bello's

A new restaurant, Bello's (515 N. 7th St.), opened last month on the 500 block of Seventh. Its ethnically ambiguous name is revealing. The eatery serves both Dominican and Italian fare. I wandered in the other day and tried both: an enormous slice of pizza (99 cents) and then a beef pastelito (a Domincan-style pastry, $1)--both delicious. Check out the menu here.

The place is cheerily decorated, and not a bad spot to sip (strong Dominican) coffee while reading the gutted Morning Call.


More photos:

Pete Lewnes Day

First there was the Energizer Bunny. Then came Pete Lewnes.

Our much-loved Main Street Manager--The Indefatigable One--was honored not once but twice in the last couple of weeks.

The 2008 Joseph S. Daddona Good Neighbor Award

The honoree

The Allentown Chamber of Commerce honored Good Neighbor Lewnes at its annual dinner on May 29 at the Holiday Inn downtown.

Allentown's Official "Peter Lewnes Appreciation Day," June 1

This really happened: Sunday, June 1 was the city's "Peter Lewnes Appreciation Day," and here's the proclamation to prove it:

The proclamation

The day needed formal recognition, so a true crowd of appreciators--Lewnatics?--gathered that day at the Allentown Brew Works for pancakes and morning alcohol, Lewnes-style. Aerial ABW photo below....

Flowers And Fleas

I just received a really fun video made during the Old Allentown Preservation Association's 17th annual Flower and Flea market.

this event was the first time 7th street was invited to participate and on a cold and dreary day in early May some old friends met with new friends and alot of junk er treasures traded hands. The flowers were part Elm Street's Safe Clean and Green's Christian Brown and part 7th street's newest florists - Paradise Floral Design.

all in all it was a great way to enjoy life in center city Allentown and a nice way to meet neighbors...Arlene...you are going to have to make it earlier next year m'dear :)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uEbBDrn-I24&feature=email

yet ANOTHER art opening in downtown Allentown - Saturday, May 31 at Art N Soul Studio

well kids...it looks like art what is going on in Allentown this weekend...at least with our dinner on Sunday night and this opening tomorrow we have a little momentum growing. I received an email from Craig Smith - one of the partners in Hamilton's Art N Soul Studios and wanted to pass the good news along...The show is at 516 W Hamilton from 6-12PM.

I for one plan on stopping by with friends...hope to see you there!
there's free booze which is always a Pete favorite :)