Home Care In Trexlertown, PA

On the heels of approval to open its first regional site in Lower Macungie, Southern-based chicken chain Raising Cane’s is already eyeing a second location.

The popular Louisiana-based chain wants to open its next eatery on the property of the former Friendly’s at 1836 Catasauqua Road in Hanover Township, Lehigh County.

Friendly’s shuttered in December 2022 at the site, near the Airport Road Shopping Center. The closure left just one regional location still in operation — in the Trexlertown section of Upper Macungie.

Raising Cane’s representatives appeared Sept. 19 before the township’s planning board and received a favorable recommendation.

Representatives are back before the Hanover Township Zoning Hearing Board Thursday evening seeking variance approval for an encroachment into a side yard setback and special exception approval for the joint use of common parking lot spaces on the property, said Melissa A. Wehr, township manager and zoning officer.

If successful with zoners on those two requests, Wehr expects Raising Cane’s to begin the land development approval process on the Friendly’s property, she said.

The chain was green lit in August by the Lower Macungie Planning Commission to build their first regional franchise at the Trexler Business Center, along Hamilton Boulevard. Construction is expected to begin within the next few weeks on the project.

It includes a double drive-thru, 27 parking spaces, and both indoor and outdoor dining, totaling roughly 92 seats, Nathan Jones, the township’s director of community development, told lehighvalleylive.com Thursday.

Jones expects a quick opening for Raising Cane’s once construction is complete.

“They have mentioned all along the goal is to open, ASAP,” he said. “Presumably, once work commences, they will work to open the location as quickly as they are able.”

Raising Cane’s in Lower Macungie also becomes the last tenant needed for Jaindl Land Co.’s Trexler Business Center, which gained approval by planners in 2016. The shopping center — just east of the Walmart Supercenter at Mill Creek Road — sits on 17 acres.

Plans include the construction of five new businesses to join an existing Bastian Carpet One. To date, Movie Tavern, a cinema-restaurant, was constructed around 2018 on the property. Also built were the First Commonwealth Credit Union Headquarters and a First Commonwealth Credit Union branch.

A 2,030-square-foot Wawa also currently is being constructed on the site and is a drive-thru food service establishment only. There are no gas pumps.

Nationally, Raising Cane’s has more than 700 locations in various states with the next closest sites to the Lehigh Valley being in lower Bucks County and Philadelphia areas. The company also is aggressively expanding into New Jersey.

Raising Cane’s is known for its hand-battered chicken, which marinates for 24 hours before being cooked to order. Crew members, known as “bird specialists,” hand-dip and bread the chicken fresh for every order. This means the eatery does not use heat lamps, the website states.

Patrons, called “caniacs,” can choose from either chicken sandwiches or tenders. Sides include crinkle-cut fries, Texas toast and coleslaw. There’s also a secret dipping sauce, known as “Cane’s Sauce,” which comes “tangy but with just enough heat to spice things up,” according to the menu.

Choices are paired with the chain’s signature iced tea, which is brewed fresh several times a day, freshly-squeezed lemonade, or other fountain soft drinks.

The chain was founded in 1996 by entrepreneur Todd Graves of Baton Rouge, Louisiana. Restaurants are named after Raising Cane I, Graves’ yellow Labrador at the time of the founding of the first eatery. Graves also mentions on the chain’s website, in an effort to inspire aspiring entrepreneurs, that his business plan of just selling chicken fingers received the lowest grade in a college course.

Raising Cane’s later grew from a single campus restaurant at the North Gates of Louisiana State University to one of the fastest-growing large restaurant brands nationally.

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NEW STORY: Record rainfall causes flooding around Lehigh Valley, prompting water rescues and road closures; some schools closed Wednesday

Flooding continued across the Lehigh Valley into Wednesday morning, with multiple water rescues and numerous road closures, as a storm brought torrential rain and high winds to the region.

With rain moving out of the area, a flood warning and flood watch for the region have expired. Between 2 and 3 inches of rain fell across the area, with higher amounts in spots, according to the weather service.

Multiple area creeks flooded, including Spring Creek at Trexlertown, which was at 4.74 feet and rising late Tuesday night. Flood stage there is 4.5 feet. In Allentown, the Little Lehigh Creek was at 5.27 feet, just above the flood stage of 5 feet, according to the weather service. In Bethlehem, the Monocacy Creek had just surpassed its flood stage of 4.5 feet.

The Perkiomen Creek at East Greenville, Montgomery County, was just over 7 feet, 2 feet above flood stage. Other creeks that flooded included the East Branch Perkiomen at Dublin and Manatawny Creek at Spangville, the weather service reported.

Will Lehigh Valley flooding make the record books? See the highest levels on area waterways

The Lehigh River at Walnutport was also forecast to exceed its flood stage of 8 feet and crest around 8.5 feet later Wednesday morning, according to the weather service. A flood warning for the river remains in effect through the afternoon.

The entire region is under a wind advisory from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Wednesday. Winds of 20 to 25 mph are possible, along with gusts up to 45 mph, according to the advisory.

As the heaviest rain moved through Tuesday night, the weather service’s Mount Holly, N.J., office warned motorists to avoid travel if possible.

Believe it or not, the heaviest rain & strongest winds are expected over the next few hours, through 11 PM or midnight. Avoid travel this evening if you can. We've seen numerous reports of flooded roads and trees down. #pawx #njwx #dewx #mdwx pic.twitter.com/xU12VpruGp

— NWS Mount Holly (@NWS_MountHolly) January 10, 2024

Several water rescues were reported, including one at Indian Creek Road and South Cedar Crest Boulevard in Upper Milford Township around 8:20 p.m. Tuesday, according to emergency radio dispatches. In Forks Township, first responders rescued a man from flood waters at Zucksville Road and Bushkill Drive.

Multiple road closures have also been reported due to the flooding or downed trees and power lines, according to 511pa.com. As of early Wednesday, the closures included:

Flooding was also reported on the Pennsylvania Turnpike Northeast Extension (I-476) northbound just past the Lehigh Valley interchange, though the highway remained opened.

The high winds also led to power outages, which peaked around 9:50 p.m. Tuesday, when more than 3,700 PPL customers were without power in the Lehigh Valley, mostly all in Northampton County. Met-Ed reported around 650 customers without power in Northampton County.

As of early Wednesday, about 1,000 customers were without power in both counties.

Several school districts announced they would be closed Wednesday, including Parkland and East Penn. Several school districts dismissed classes early Tuesday amid the rain, and others canceled evening activities.

Due to road closures and flooding, all Parkland schools are closed today. Today is a non-instructional, traditional inclement weather day. pic.twitter.com/07MytkQMJB

— Parkland Schools (@ParklandSchools) January 10, 2024

Due to current road conditions and local flooding, the East Penn School District will be closed on Wednesday, January 10, 2024. pic.twitter.com/bz3BhWviKa

— EPSD (@EastPennSD) January 10, 2024

The rain started moving into the region late Tuesday morning. Some areas to the north saw the precipitation start as snow.

The weather service expected most of the region to get between 2 and 3 inches of rain, with some areas seeing as much as 4 inches.

The ground remains saturated from heavy rainfall last month and the weekend storm that brought several inches of snow. That contributed to flooding in rivers, creeks and streams. Snowmelt was also expected to contribute to flooding in urban areas, according to the weather service.

Tuesday’s storm comes just a few days after a storm brought the first snowfall of the season the area. Some areas got more than 8 inches of snow, while others got around 5 inches. The Lehigh Valley International Airport recorded just under 6 inches of snow.

The region will get a reprieve from rain Wednesday night and Thursday. Another storm is expected to bring rain to the area again Friday night.

Here is the extended forecast from the National Weather Service:

Wednesday: A slight chance of showers before 11am. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 45. Breezy, with a southwest wind 15 to 25 mph, with gusts as high as 40 mph. Chance of precipitation is 20%.

Wednesday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 30. Breezy, with a west wind 10 to 20 mph, with gusts as high as 30 mph.

Thursday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 45. Southwest wind 10 to 15 mph.

Thursday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 28. West wind 5 to 15 mph.

Friday: A chance of rain after 1pm. Partly sunny, with a high near 45. Chance of precipitation is 50%. New precipitation amounts of less than a tenth of an inch possible.

Friday Night: Rain. Low around 38. Breezy. Chance of precipitation is 100%.

Saturday: A chance of rain before 1pm. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 48. Breezy. Chance of precipitation is 30%.

Saturday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 25. Breezy.

Sunday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 34. Breezy.

Sunday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 22.

M.L.King Day: A chance of snow. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 35. Chance of precipitation is 30%.

L. MACUNGIE TWP., Pa. – The Lower Macungie Township Planning Commission granted conditional use approval for the Lehigh Valley Town Center on Tuesday night at the administration building. The approval was contingent on a seven-page approval document.

Among the terms, the township sought to place a three-year timeline on the developer, Jaindl Land Co., which David Jaindl said Tuesday night was not acceptable. Jaindl told planners the company would "make their best efforts" to develop the property as soon as possible but could not commit to that timeline.

"We're just not going to do that," Jaindl said.

However, the developer agreed to the terms as written, subject to their comments to be addressed before the board of commissioners' final approval.

The 58.8-acre site, officially located at 361 Schantz Road and 4511 Cedarbrook Road, includes a mixed-use center with 165,000 square feet of retail including a grocery store; 180,000 square feet of office space; a 100-room hotel; a residential complex featuring about 550 units; and a public plaza.

The complex will also offer a 1,340-space parking deck along with 913 surface parking spaces and 61 street parking spaces.

The site includes a Topgolf entertainment facility on the site of the former Eastern Industries. Currently, the site is an open field. The Cedar Creek runs through the site's rear, and access is taken from both Schantz Road and South Cedarbrook Road. Main traffic flow is expected to enter and exit from the Route 222 bypass.

Previously, Topgolf officials indicated the two-story "entertainment venue" would have 72 hitting bays, a bar and a restaurant. Operating hours are typically Sunday through Thursday, 10 a.m. to midnight. Friday and Saturday could offer later closing hours.

Developers plan to make Topgolf's development a top priority, and Jaindl officials said Tuesday night the facility will be completed as part of the project's first phase. A proposed restaurant and grocery store will be among the plan's aspects to be addressed during the project's second phase.

"I think this is a really impressive project," planning commission Vice Chairman Jon Hammer said.

In other business, planners approved a 2022 preliminary/final plan for Spring Creek Estates, located at 1255 Danner Road and 6659 Stein Way.

The plans — also offered by Jaindl Land Co. — call for the construction of townhomes and include two, single access roads. The Stein Way lot, known as lot 2, has eight townhomes proposed over 2.1 acres, while the Danner Road lot, identified officially as lot 4, features eight townhomes on a 1.5-acre parcel.

Each of the units would have two-car driveways and two-car garages. A dog park is planned also.

The township wants sidewalks or paths to be provided on all internal and external frontages to ensure future pedestrian connectivity to the anticipated greenway trail system. The Lower Macungie Dog Park, Spring Creek Estates Park and future greenway trails are all within walking distance, as are the Trexlertown Mall and Trexlertown Plaza.

In other news, the commission granted conditional use approval for a mixed-use building near a shopping center.

The latest proposal is a two-story building with seven apartment units and two commercial office spaces, according to an attorney. It would be built on a 1.1-acre lot located at 801 N. Broad St., which immediately abuts the Hamilton Crossings shopping center.

U. MACUNGIE TWP., Pa. - An iconic Lehigh Valley hot dog chain is reducing its brick-and-mortar footprint.

Yocco's, the more than century-old, family-owned hot dog business with multiple Lehigh Valley locations, is planning to close its shop at 7150 Hamilton Blvd. in the Trexlertown area of Upper Macungie Township later this week.

In a message posted Sunday night on Yocco’s Facebook page, third-generation owner Gary Iacocca announced “with a heavy heart” that the Trexlertown store's last day of operations will be on Thursday, Dec. 21.

“Our lease was up for a renewal after the first quarter of 2024, but unfortunately, we were not able to negotiate a mutually satisfactory lease extension with the new landlords,” Iacocca wrote. “This was a very difficult business decision that was not made lightly.”

All of the Trexlertown store’s employees were given the opportunity to stay with the company, and all of them agreed to transfer to different locations.

“They have all done a stellar job over these last many months,” Iacocca added. “We are all sad to see the store close, but we will gather up all of our ‘toys’ and store them away as we wait for the next new store opportunity.”

Iacocca assured customers that all of the other Yocco’s stores are “secure for many years to come,” noting that he personally owns most of the properties and the two remaining leased stores both have long-term renewal options.

“I can't promise another 100 years but who knows,” Iaocca continued. “Will people still be eating hot dogs in 2124?”

Yocco’s, which dubs itself “the hot dog king,” serves specialty Hatfield hot dogs, nestled in freshly baked, steamed buns and topped with a secret chili sauce – developed by Iacocca’s grandfather, Theodore Iacocca – along with tangy mustard and chopped onions.

Other menu highlights include burgers, cheesesteaks, sausage sandwiches, chicken sandwiches, fries and pierogies. But hot dogs reign supreme.

“Our hot dogs are served ‘well done,’ meaning they are cooked so the spices and flavors can caramelize,” a message on the business’ website reads.

Yocco’s traces its origins to 1922 when Theodore Iacocca, a young Italian immigrant, opened the first shop, originally known as Liberty Grille, at 711 Liberty St. in Allentown.

In 1934, that shop was moved down the street to 625 Liberty St., where it operated for more than 80 years.

The Yocco’s name stems from the local residents’ difficulty pronouncing Iacocca.

Instead, they pronounced it Ya-co-ca, and Liberty Grille eventually became known as "Mr. Yocco's Place.”

“While visiting Italy in the '40s, his sons Julie and Albert painted Yocco's on the large window out front; name has stuck ever since,” a historical account on the business’ website reads.

Over the years, Yocco’s expanded to include other locations, including 2128 Hamilton St. in Allentown (1973), 4042 Chestnut St. in Upper Milford Township (1980), 225 Route 100 in Upper Macungie Township (1984), 7150 Hamilton Blvd. in Trexlertown (1999), 1930 Catasauqua Road (Valley Plaza) in Hanover Township, Lehigh County (2003) and 3300 Lehigh St. (South Mall) in Salisbury Township (2016).

A decision was made to close the longstanding Liberty Street location in 2016 due to a diminishing customer base in the neighborhood.

Earlier this month, Jaindl Beverage Company, owner of A-Treat soda brand, announced a new distribution expansion with Yocco's.

The collaboration brings A-Treat Birch Beer to “a whole new level” as it makes its debut as a fountain drink at Yocco's, according to a news release.

Additionally, A-Treat Diet Birch Beer is available in bottles.

“Thank you for being loyal customers and I hope you all will continue to visit our other 5 stores in the near future,” Gary wrote in Sunday's announcement.

“Our Fogelsville, Route 100 store is only a few miles away and offers both drive-thru and full inside seating service. I promise we will continue to offer the best quality fast food and friendliest service.”

As of 5 a.m. Monday, the Trexlertown store closing announcement had garnered more than 500 reactions and over 60 comments, primarily from customers lamenting the upcoming closure and showing love for Yocco’s.

Many individuals also offered suggestions for a new Yocco’s location in the region.

“Come closer to Easton!” one person commented. “I grew up with Yocco’s in Allentown. Love the food, hate the drive.”

“A store in Quakertown would be excellent,” another person wrote.

“Come to Kutztown,” another person commented. “Best hot dogs.”

Yocco’s, the iconic Lehigh Valley hot dog shop, announced it is closing one of its six locations this week in a post on Facebook late Sunday.

“It is with a heavy heart that I must announce, after 25 years of operation, the closing of our Yocco’s store in Trexlertown,” the Facebook post, signed by owner Gary Iacocca, said.

The store, at 7150 Hamilton Blvd. in Upper Macungie Township, will have its last day of operations Thursday.

Iacocca suggested in the post that the company was forced to close due to high rent costs.

“Unfortunately, we were not able to negotiate a mutually satisfactory lease extension with the new landlords,” he wrote. “This was a very difficult business decision that was not made lightly.”

The post went on to state that all employees at the Trexlertown location had been offered — and accepted — positions at the remaining five Yocco’s locations in the area.

Iacocca, who is a third-generation owner of the brand, insisted in the post that no other locations would be closing.

“Let me assure you that all of our store are secure for many years to come,” he said. “I personally own most of the properties and our two remaining leased stores both have long term renewal options.”

In 2016, Iacocca closed the original Yocco’s location at 625 Liberty St., which was opened by his grandfather Theodore in 1922. The Liberty Street location was open for 82 years, making a name for itself for its uniquely grilled Hatfield hot dogs topped with chopped onions. The brand has since branched out to burgers and sandwiches, but hot dogs reign supreme.

It’s the second bit of news this month for the self-proclaimed “hot dog king.” Earlier this month, Yocco’s announced it would be carrying A-Treat’s birch beer as a fountain drink option, with diet birch beer being offered in bottles.

Hot dogs have been having a rough 2023. In addition to Yocco’s Trexlertown news, Willy Joe’s closed its 2407 Lehigh St. location in Allentown this year. Higher costs were also cited in that shutdown.

Iacocca has high hopes for Yocco’s continuing presence in the Lehigh Valley, but sounded a wistful note in the post: “I can’t promise another 100 years but who knows. Will people still be eating hot dogs in 2124?”