Home Care In Coopersburg, PA

COOPERSBURG, Pa. - Resolving to lead a more active lifestyle in 2023? A new fitness facility in Coopersburg may be just the ticket.

Perfect Touch Sports, offering a variety of sports training and fitness programs, is nearing completion of a 2,400-square-foot venue at 112 Springfield St., near the Saucon Rail Trail.

Owner Matt Baker, a former professional soccer player, established Perfect Touch nearly a decade ago and has been renting space throughout the Lehigh Valley to conduct his soccer training and other programming.

Services include private, small group and team training for soccer and lacrosse, as well as a cross-training program, SportFit, that improves speed, strength, agility and overall performance for athletes of all sports.

"We're excited to continue helping people in big ways," Baker said. "We love what we do, and what we're doing actually hasn't changed much. However, this new facility gives us a homebase, and it gives the community another space to develop their fitness and skills."

Baker, who lives in Coopersburg, purchased the former pole barn in July and spent the past several months overhauling the structure with new concrete and turf flooring, insulation, lighting and more.

He painted a business motto, "hustle every day," on one of the walls, and he plans to finish a lobby area with bathrooms in the coming weeks. Equipment such as kettle bells, medicine balls and push sleds also will be arriving in time for the facility's grand opening in January.

"Our goal is to help change lives through sport and fitness," Baker said. "We have been blessed to do what we love for almost 10 years now and can't wait to see the impact we can make moving forward."

Baker has been playing soccer since he was 3 years old, and he's been a member of several local travel and premier teams, including Lehigh Valley United.

After playing Division 1 soccer at the University of Pittsburgh, he continued his playing career professionally with the Pittsburgh Riverhounds of the USLPRO.

He later joined other teams such as Cardosa Moriera in Brazil's 2nd Division and The Philadelphia Union reserve team of Major League Soccer, but a torn ACL forced him to change course and further his passion by developing Perfect Touch Sports.

With his wife, Brielle, Baker also operates the three-year-old Refinery Fitness, a boutique fitness studio offering personal and small group training, on Station Avenue in Coopersburg.

"Perfect Touch Sports has a staff of about 12 coaches, and we all love what we do," Baker said. "Now, we'll have the opportunity to do more of it. By having coaches here and continuing to rent space at other venues, we could conduct programs in multiple locations on the same night."

The new venue, which features a garage door that can be opened during nice weather, also can be rented for team practices, birthday parties and other functions.

To stay up-to-date on Perfect Touch Sports happenings, including a grand opening announcement, follow the business' social media pages, facebook.com/perfecttouchsoccer and instagram.com/perfecttouchsoccer. Info: 610-442-5039; perfecttouchsports.com.

Family-owned restaurant featuring authentic Mexican cuisine and decor opens in Easton area

PALMER TOWNSHIP, Pa. - A new destination for chalupas, chiles rellenos and other Mexican favorites has joined the Easton area's restaurant roster.

Cancun Mexican Restaurant, a family-owned and -operated eatery serving authentic Mexican cuisine, opened Thursday at 755 S. 25th St. in Palmer Township, next to Jill's Hallmark. Read full story.

New 'Tacos & Coffee' eatery serving up unique creations from two delicious worlds in Quakertown

QUAKERTOWN, Pa. - Cappuccino, carne asada and a compelling story of redemption can be found at a new business in upper Bucks County.

Tacos & Coffee, a takeout eatery offering Mexican cuisine, specialty coffee drinks and more, opened Saturday at 240 S. West End Blvd. in Quakertown. Read more here.

New Easton area pizzeria brings Italian favorites back to familiar spot

PALMER TOWNSHIP, Pa. - A longtime destination for calzones, cannolis and calamari marinara is continuing to dish out Italian favorites under a new name in Northampton County.

Amore Pizzeria, a family-run eatery offering made-from-scratch Italian cuisine, opened Nov. 14 at 3502 Greenway St. in Palmer Township. Read more.

Brewery four years in the making sets grand opening date in Bethlehem

BETHLEHEM, Pa. — Just in time for holiday gatherings, a new destination for locally brewed lagers, IPAs and other beers is set to debut next weekend in south Bethlehem.

Country Club Brewing, a craft brewery serving its house-made beer alongside other regionally produced beverages such as wine and cocktails, will hold its grand opening on Saturday, Dec. 10, at 323 Pierce St., co-founder and head brewer Mike Kromer said. Read full story.

Personal training gym adding jiu-jitsu program, tripling its footprint at new Bethlehem location

BETHLEHEM, Pa. - Just in time for New Year's resolutions, a personal training gym is expanding its footprint and services in Bethlehem.

36E Fitness, which opened in early 2017 at 559 Main St., Suite 005, in the next couple of weeks will be moving about two miles northeast to 1450 Stefko Blvd., owner and trainer Evan Robinson said. Read more here.

Owner of now-closed Brass Rail restaurant in Allentown speaks with 69 News after plans to sell the property fell through

ALLENTOWN, Pa. - Mark Sorrentino thought The Brass Rail would be long gone by now.

"Unfortunately our agreement of sale with Royal Farms, they decided to walk, basically," Sorrentino said. Read more.

After losing fashion retailer, The Promenade Shops to gain new tenant in 2023

UPPER SAUCON TOWNSHIP, Pa. - One business has closed while another is preparing to open at The Promenade Shops at Saucon Valley.

The Upper Saucon Township shopping center, at 2845 Center Valley Parkway, recently lost fashion retailer All Weather Selvedge Denim Co. (AW). Read full story.

'New chapter': Downtown Bethlehem's Main Street to lose retailer after the holidays

BETHLEHEM, Pa. - A home furnishings retailer is bidding farewell to its storefront in downtown Bethlehem.

Domaci, selling furniture, area rugs, lamps and more, will close its store on Main Street following the holiday season, the business announced Tuesday on its social media pages. Read more here.

Flaming Crab closes at Bethlehem Square, to reopen as Korean barbecue

BETHLEHEM TWP., Pa. - Flaming Crab Cajun Seafood has shut down its Bethlehem Township location, but the restaurant will reopen in January as a Korean barbecue and hot pot eatery.

88 K-Pot will open sometime next month, manager Eddie Zhang said. Read more.

Salon at Apple Tree Plaza in Hanover Township closes

HANOVER TOWNSHIP, NORTHAMPTON COUNTY, Pa. - A salon in Hanover Township, Northampton County has shut its doors for good.

Noé Home of Beauty, a salon at Apple Tree Plaza just off Route 22, closed effective Dec. 1. Read full story.

Wells Fargo closing branch in Norristown area as customers move toward digital banking

LOWER PROVIDENCE TOWNSHIP, Pa. - Wells Fargo is closing a branch in Montgomery County as customers move toward digital banking and away from traditional bricks-and-mortar offices.

The branch at 2740 W. Ridge Pike in the Trooper section of Lower Providence Township will close Feb. 22 at noon. Read more here.

U. SAUCON TWP., Pa. – The announcement of a new tenant in the Fairmont Village shopping center in Upper Saucon Township is music to the ears of budding and seasoned pianists.

Like New Pianos, offering sales of new and pre-owned pianos as well as servicing, restoration and moving of pianos, is set to open within the next few months at 7001 Route 309, just south of Coopersburg.

The store will occupy space that previously housed a copy, printing and shipping shop, next to D&J Sports.

"We're in the beginning stages, just getting contractors in there to build everything out," owner Jason Andino said. "But we're hopeful to be open in January."

Andino, who is turning 50 years old later this month, is a second-generation piano restorer with more than 30 years of experience in the piano restoration industry.

For 14 years, he worked at Steinway & Sons in New York City, where he installed soundboards and pinblocks in new and restored Steinway grand pianos, among other responsibilities.

Currently, he serves as director of factory operations at Cunningham Piano Co.'s piano restoration factory in Philadelphia's Germantown neighborhood.

The Pennsburg resident has worked at Cunningham for 14 years, with his team of technicians becoming known in the piano rebuilding industry as an authority on the restoration of mid- to late-19th century grand pianos.

"As far as piano technicians go, it's a very small market of people who do this type of work," Andino said. "There's not a lot of schools that teach it, and most people who do get into the trade are either trained musicians or have a parent who was in the business."

Andino followed in the footsteps of his father, Angelo Andino, who he credits for his successful career.

Angelo enrolled Jason in piano classes with a graduate of The Julliard School at a young age, and he also showed him how to service pianos, including tuning and repairs.

"For 20 years, my father also worked for Steinway & Sons, and he'd take me on service calls," Jason recalled. "We used to do calls up and down Fifth Avenue and Park Avenue in Manhattan."

At Like New Pianos, Jason plans to feature an assortment of new and preowned pianos, including models from popular brands such as Steinway & Sons, Yamaha, Kawai and Baldwin. The store will also carry digital pianos.

"As far as used pianos go, there will be a wide selection, including European, Asian and American pianos," Jason said.

Like New Pianos' hours are still being finalized, but the store is tentatively set to operate 10 a.m. to 5 or 6 p.m. Monday through Saturday (by appointment on Sundays). A business website and social media pages are launching soon.

Saturday was a special day in Coopersburg, where civic leaders and supporters gathered to celebrate the completion or near-completion of several multi-year infrastructure projects that have beautified the community and made it more accessible. Another highlight of the event was the unveiling of a statue that represents a bridge between Coopersburg’s past, present and future.

Est. Read Time: 7 mins

Saturday was a special day in Coopersburg, where elected officials, civic leaders and supporters gathered to celebrate the completion or near-completion of major infrastructure projects that have both beautified the community and made it more accessible to pedestrians. In addition to the dedication of a new Town Center Park and Public Square at E. State and S. Main streets, event highlights included a ceremonial ribbon-cutting for nine completed phases of streetscape improvements and the unveiling of a statue that bridges Coopersburg’s past and present with its future.

The $9.5 million project is now approximately 90 percent complete, thanks largely to $6.2 million in grant funding provided by the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT), the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development (DCED), the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR) and the Pennsylvania Historic & Museum Commission (PHMC). The borough of Coopersburg has contributed about $3.2 million toward the total cost, and approximately $95,000 has been contributed by other sources.

Officials including Mayor Gary Hovis stressed that the work has been completed without any tax increases or accumulation of additional debt by the borough.

Hovis acknowledged that the work has been an inconvience at times, and thanked borough residents for their patience over the past eight years, as roads in town have regularly been dug up and traffic disrupted for the installation of new crosswalks, street lighting and sidewalks, among other things.

Ken Mohr, a borough resident who volunteered his time to complete many of the grant applications, was also thanked for his contribution to putting the funding pieces of the puzzle in place.

Mohr, who emceed the event, noted that the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation provided the bulk of the funding for the streetscape improvements, which have all been on state roads.

Executive Director of the Lehigh Valley Planning Commission Becky Bradley said Coopersburg has set the standard for other Lehigh Valley boroughs that want to improve their downtowns.

“They just never gave up,” she said of the officials who tirelessly advocated for funding the project, including borough manager Tim Paashaus. “We were cheering them along,” she added.

State Rep. Milou Mackenzie (R-131) and representatives for state Sen. Jarrett Coleman (R-16) and U.S. Rep. Susan Wild (D-7) were in attendance and delivered congratulatory remarks, along with Coopersburg Borough Council President Dick Poot.

“It’s my pleasure in Harrisburg to advocate for my communities,” said Mackenzie, whose district includes the borough and other parts of southern Lehigh, Montgomery and Northampton counties.

Calling it a “slice of Americana,” Mackenzie said no other community is more deserving of the support than Coopersburg.

At the conclusion of the event’s formal program was the announcement that the new Cow Statue in the Town Center Park has been named Tillie, at the suggestion of several residents who participated in a Name the Cow contest over the summer. Appropriately, each winner received a $100 gift certificate from The Inside Scoop, an ice cream shop located on Rt. 309 in Coopersburg.

A plaque unveiled in front of Tillie explains that she is named in honor of Matilda “Tillie” Cooper (1854-1918), the wife and business partner of Tilghman Schantz “T.S.” Cooper (1848-1928), whose Decoration Day Jersey cattle sales made Coopersburg world famous in the early 1900s.

The Coopers would travel to the island of Jersey annually to select the cows they imported, and the sales were held from 1900 to 1931 on the grounds of the Cooper Estate at the south end of town, where the Linden Grove Auction Pavilion and Cooper Mansion both recall the cattle sale era.

Funds for the statue was donated by the late Richard H. Woodring Jr. (1940-2018), a lifelong Coopersburg resident and local realtor whose family members were present for Saturday’s ceremony.

Also dedicated was a plaque honoring the contributions of the former Coopersburg EMS and its members to the community, which included a donation toward the recently-completed projects.

Other funding partners include Upper Saucon Township, QNB, the Greater Lehigh Valley Chamber of Commerce Main Street program and the Appalachian Mountain Club.

State Rep. Milou Mackenzie (R-131), who represents the borough in the state House of Representatives, presents a certificate of recognition to volunteer Ken Mohr, left, and Coopersburg Mayor Gary Hovis.

Lehigh Valley Planning Commission Executive Director Becky Bradley said the Coopersburg model for funding downtown improvements could serve as an inspiration to a dozen other small boroughs in the Lehigh Valley.

Richard Woodring and Katherine Whetsell, whose father Richard H. Woodring Jr. (1940-2018) donated the funds for the borough’s new Cow Statue, speak at the ceremony. Whetsell noted that her father’s 83rd birthday would have been Sunday, Oct. 22. Woodring was a lifelong resident of the area and a prominent local realtor for nearly five decades.

Coopersburg Borough Council President Dick Poot presented an overview of the project, which has included multiple phases completed over the past eight years.

PennDOT District 5 Executive Christopher Kufro highlighted his agency’s contributions to the Coopersburg streetscape project.

Volunteer Ken Mohr and Mayor Gary Hovis celebrate the cutting of the ribbon on the borough’s streetscape improvement project.

Two plaques were unveiled in front of Coopersburg’s newly-christened Cow Statue, which is named Tillie in honor of Matilda “Tillie” Cooper.

The work that has been taking place to improve pedestrian access in downtown Coopersburg has been ongoing for years, but it will be coming to an end in the not-so-distant future and a grant the borough just received will help pay for the final phase.

Est. Read Time: 4 mins

The work that has been taking place to improve pedestrian access in downtown Coopersburg has been ongoing for years, but it will be coming to an end in the not-so-distant future and a grant the borough just received will help pay for the final phase.

Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) officials announced Wednesday that the Borough of Coopersburg will receive $1 million in federal Transportation Alternatives Set-Aside (TASA) funding to pay for traffic, pedestrian and bicycling improvements to Main Street that are part of the borough’s multi-phase streetscape plan outlined in June 2015. The TASA grant money will pay for two pedestrian crosswalk intersections; curb, sidewalk and Americans With Disablities Act (ADA) improvements; pedestrian lighting installation; parallel parking designation and bicycling “sharrows.”

“This streetscape plan on three blocks completes the ‘missing link’ of one-mile stretch of Main Street providing (the) pedestrian, bicycle and motoring (public) safe travel from the south to the north of the Borough,” the PennDOT announcement observed.

Coopersburg Borough Manager Tim Paashaus confirmed Friday that the grant funding announced this week is for improvements to “the final section of Main Street between Thomas Street and Tilghman Street.” He said that much of the ongoing work downtown–which is part of the larger project–should be completed over the next two months.

“The sections that are already complete or (are) pending completion by July are a portion of West State Street, Main Street from Fairmount Street to Thomas Street and the majority of Station Avenue,” Paashaus said.

Work on Coopersburg’s new Town Center Park has been continuing at a break-neck pace. The new plaza located between Borough Hall and the Coopersburg Fire Company at State and Main streets will be a focal point for events held downtown.

The borough’s new Town Center Park at State and Main streets should be finished by the end of May, he said, and the Saucon Rail Trail and Liberty Trolley Trail “are basically complete, but we will be adding amenities.”

Benches along those trails are available for sponsorship for $750 per bench, he noted.

The final phase of the project, according to Paashaus, will hopefully go to bid in the near future “with completion in 2023-2024.”

“There will need to be design/bid plans and environmental/historic clearances,” he explained. “Due to this being the final section of Main Street, the majority of decisions will just match the other phases.”

>VALUE OUR BUSINESS REPORTING? BECOME A SAUCON SOURCE MEMBER.

FOR INFORMATION ABOUT HOW TO ADVERTISE YOUR BUSINESS ON SAUCON SOURCE AND REACH THOUSANDS OF LOCAL RESIDENTS, CLICK HERE.

Orange safety cones and temporary mesh safety fencing have become a familiar sight in downtown Coopersburg, where streetscape improvements have meant disruption for residents and visitors over the past couple years. Much of the current phase should be completed by July, borough manager Tim Paashaus said Friday. Pictured above: A section of new sidewalk is under construction at Main and Fairmount streets, at the borough’s northern boundary with Upper Saucon Township.

COOPERSBURG, Pa. - A new facility in Lehigh County is providing high-quality play experiences for young children.

Move N Play, an indoor playspace offering open play, classes, private parties and more for ages 1-5, opened April 17 at 551 E. Station Ave. in Coopersburg.

The 3,000-square-foot facility features a wide variety of active, sensory and imaginative play options, including building blocks, sliding boards, tunnels, tents, riding toys, diner and veterinarian playsets, and a drawing wall.

"I'm so excited to bring this to the community because I feel like it's really needed," owner Lindsay Murray said. "This is a fun, open-concept playspace where kids can get their energy out, use their imagination and bond with other kids as well as their parents and caregivers. We have an awesome climbing wall, a climbing dome, a swing, a small ball pit and even bounce houses that we occasionally set up. We also just installed a bubble machine."

Murray, a Quakertown native who now resides in Bethlehem, has more than 15 years of experience teaching children's dance, fitness and active play classes at Lehigh Valley schools, dance studios and other venues.

She holds a bachelor's degree in dance from DeSales University, and her current business stems from a "Tiny Moves" children's class that she periodically held at her brother's Allentown gym, South Mountain Community Fitness, in 2019.

The program's popularity grew steadily month after month until the COVID-19 pandemic temporarily halted indoor gatherings in early 2020.

"Tiny Moves was an all-encompassing class for ages 2-4, where we did a little bit of everything - animal-inspired yoga, obstacle courses, some singing and dancing, everything active and fun," Murray said.

In February 2022, Murray introduced a new program, Kids Club, at her brother's gym. The 45-minute, drop-in play sessions, $5 each, allowed kids to play on their own using inflatable toys, trampolines and other toys.

This program also became a hit, and Murray eventually moved operations to a larger space, a VFW building in Coopersburg's Southern Lehigh Living Memorial Park, in May of last year.

As demand grew even further, Murray decided to find an even larger space to accommodate her growing business.

Move N Play's new space occupies a renovated former post office building that most recently housed The Refinery Fitness, a boutique fitness studio offering personal and small group training, which recently moved to a larger borough building.

"Our new space is so great, with turf flooring and high ceilings," Murray said. "I've been setting up and cleaning up and setting up and cleaning up for about a year. So, it's nice to have a homebase."

Move N Play, which has a tagline of "little playspace, big community," offers open play sessions 9:30-11:30 a.m. and 1:30-3:30 p.m. Mondays, Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays.

Murray encourages caregivers to reserve open play times on the business' website as the facility accommodates up to 21 kids per session, and walk-ins are only accepted if the facility is not at full capacity.

Three pricing options for open play include: $15 ($5 for additional siblings) for a drop-in session; $100 for a 10-play pass; and various monthly unlimited memberships - $75 for one child, $125 for two children and $150 for 3 or more children.

Monthly unlimited memberships include perks such as invites to members-only socials and 10% off classes and birthday parties.

Murray stresses that Move N Play is not a daycare and a parent or caregiver must accompany children during open play. Socks must be worn, and no food or drink is permitted on the play floor.

"The children can play and explore on their own, but it's all parent-supervised, not a drop-off situation," Murray explained. "Parents can relax on a couch with a cup of coffee or go out into the playspace and be very involved with their child."

In addition to open play, the facility offers 45-minute, parent and child classes, beginning May 3.

Classes are $90 for six weeks, and the first class, "Music Moves," will feature musical instruments, songs, scarves and movement.

Other classes will include "Kidding Around Yoga," "Muscle Moves" and "Creative Movement."

This summer, Move N Play also will offer one-day, themed camps for ages 4-6, featuring themed activities, crafts, snacks and outdoor time in a fenced-in area.

Scheduled camps, $75 each, will take place 9 a.m. to noon on June 13 ("Boardwalk Bash"), June 27 ("Peace, Love & Superheroes"), July 11 (Beaches N Cream) and July 25 ("Christmas in July").

"The camps will be every other Tuesday in June and July for now," Murray said. "If they're popular, we'll add in dates in August as well."

Murray's vision for Move N Play is "to create an uplifting community among local families with young children."

She enjoys bringing joy into children's lives, and as a mother of two kids - ages 5 and 10, she understands "the needs of children and parents alike," she said.

"This is something that I wish was available for my kids when they were younger," Murray said. "So, I'm driven to bring movement and socialization into children's lives, which seems more important than ever with many kids who were very young during the pandemic missing out on some of that."

"Also, it's just as needed for the stay-at-home parents and caregivers. I already have parents asking, 'When are we planning our get-together?' So, we're forming really great relationships here, and as I like to say, we may not be a big company, but we have a big community."

To purchase a membership or reserve a play time, visit movenplaylv.com. For the latest Move N Play updates, including new programming, follow the business' Facebook and Instagram pages.