Home Care In Whitehall, PA

WHITEHALL, Pa. — An air fryer is blamed for a fire in a Whitehall home late Friday night.

“I never had any issues, so it’s kind of interesting to see it randomly just decide to blow up on me last night,” said homeowner Courtney Bradley.

Bradley said he was watching television when he heard a loud pop from his kitchen.

“At first, I wasn’t sure if it was a firework or something going on outside, but then I saw smoke coming out of my kitchen and realized my air fryer had actually blown up,” he said.

Bradley said the air fryer wasn’t on but was plugged into an outlet. He quickly woke up his 5-year-old son, ran outside, and called 911.

“I can honestly say that this is the first time that I’ve seen an air fryer on fire, but from what I’ve heard, it’s not uncommon,” said Assistant Fire Chief Bryan Pearson, Whitehall Fire Company.

In 2023, in Chippewa Township, an air fryer caught fire and damaged a home. The family told firefighters the appliance hadn’t been used in two days but was plugged in when it caught fire.

>> Unattended air fryer leads to house fire in Beaver County

Firefighters say these appliances use a lot of electricity, especially during the initial heating cycle.

“I think the best thing to do is have a dedicated circuit for your air fryer,” Pearson said. “If it’s plugged in, don’t have anything else in that outlet. When you’re not using it, almost certainly do not have it plugged in.”

“I usually had that plugged in or my coffee maker, and now I’m not going to keep anything plugged in at this time,” Bradley said. “It was definitely a moment, I would definitely say that. However, I’m just happy to be here and safe, and my son is safe.”

The Allegheny County Fire Marshal’s Office is investigating how the fire started.

WHITEHALL, Pa.— On Thursday afternoon, a ribbon-cutting ceremony marked the opening of yet another business in Whitehall this month.

Local government representatives, company officials and managers, and a few shoppers who happened to be in the area stopped by to watch Whitehall Mayor Michael J. Harakal cut the ribbon with a pair of giant scissors.

The building itself is at 1259 Whitehall Mall: previously, the local home of an ill-fated Sears, which once had 3,500 stores, and now has only twelve.

'This is going to bring more people back here'

Whitehall mayor Michael J. Harakal, has lived in Whitehall nearly his whole life. "About seventy years," he said.

Harakal says he's cognizant of the downward-trending retail revenues in the area, which used to be a bigger part of the local economy.

"This was the first mall-type thing in the area," Harakal said. "This was here in the late sixties, and it fell under bad times."

Harakal said attributes this to some management and maintenance decisions in the history of the Whitehall Mall, but also the rise of online shopping platforms, like Amazon.

"Well, you know, we're competing with those folks," he said. "But there are 150,000 cars that go through this intersection, and it draws people in."

"It's going to make us a lot of money," he added. "It's going to bring a lot of people back here."

'They take care of us, it's a good company'

Two store managers spoke at the grand opening: Brandon Keen and Ashley Eggleston. Keen is from New Jersey, and Eggleston is from Chicago.

Both started their careers with Floor & Decor in an entry-level capacity, and worked their way up to positions where the company has paid for them to move to a new state to run a new store.

"They take care of us," Eggleston said, when asked if she likes her job. "It's a good company."

When the two managers were asked if they would say on-the-record if they did not like their jobs, Keen laughed and chimed in, "It genuinely is a great company. I like them a lot."

Eggleston said they are excited to be in Whitehall specifically.

"The township has been great to us, and we're looking forward to serving the community," she said, and then added that they are hiring full-time and part-time staff. Hiring info is on their website.

"Keep those applications coming in," Eggleston said.

Whitehall Mall is moving forward with redevelopment plans after the popular shopping center became ravaged with vacancies during the coronavirus pandemic, with another two major anchors set to vacate amid a recent bankruptcy filing.

The mall at Grape Street and MacArthur Road in Whitehall Township is readying for a two-punch hit when beleaguered home goods chain Bed Bath & Beyond and Buy Buy Baby both shutter for good. The big-box retailers in April filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection after multiple years of dismal sales and numerous failed turnaround plans.

Those two large spaces will join at least five other empty storefronts at the shopping center, according to a 2023 fourth quarter conceptual re-development site plan recently released by CBRE, the mall’s leasing agent.

The Pet Shop, Video & More, ComicMasters, and D&M Snacks remain, as does as the anchor Kohl’s department store, in the mall’s enclosed portion. The outdoor shopping center portion, however, continues to be plagued with major big-box empty spaces. These include where Sears, Sears Auto Center, Old Country Buffet, and Michaels previously could be found. Anchor Raymour & Flanigan remains open, as well as Mission BBQ and Buffalo Wild Wings, and such retailers as Men’s Wearhouse, Shoe Carnival, Lane Bryant and Five Below.

A spokeswoman for Washington Prime Group, the real estate investment trust that owns Whitehall Mall, declined to answer specifics about plans for the vacant spaces Thursday. She did, however, confirm plans continue to take shape for redeveloping the property, which began in its preliminary stages last year.

Washington Prime further released this statement: “A redevelopment plan is underway to bring new retailers and experiences to our guests. Whitehall Mall remains committed to providing a dynamic mix of options for the community. We will share more details as we are able.”

Gym replacement plan

At least one tenant currently is on the books to replace a 58,278-square-foot space that has sat idle since early 2022.

The conceptual plan shows “The Gravity Vault,” an indoor rock climbing facility, under construction to fill the site that previously housed PA Fitness in the mall’s interior portion. PA Fitness Whitehall, rebranded from the former Gold’s Gym, pulled out of the interior mall by March 2022. Prior, Gold’s Gym operated in the space for about 15 years.

It’s unclear exactly when, however, The Gravity Vault plans to open its doors. Kevin Prokup, director of franchise operations for The Gravity Vault Indoor Rock Gyms, told lehighvalleylive.com Friday morning it’s too early to discuss an opening date, however, most franchises open roughly 90 days prior to a grand opening celebration.

Gravity Vault is known for its memberships, private climbing sessions, and competitive team climbing among both novices and experts alike. Climbing walls measure more than 40 feet high, complete with arches, key holes, chimneys, cracks and overhangs. There’s also 45-60 top rope stations; cardiovascular and strength training areas; lounges and pro shops; as well as private party rooms, according to the business’ website.

Founded in 2005 in Upper Saddle River, New Jersey, the chain has grown to nearly 20 locations open or “coming soon” across five states. There are two other statewide sites in Philadelphia and Radnor, Delaware County, as well as 10 New Jersey sites, including in the nearby Flemington area of Hunterdon County.

CBRE’s conceptual redevelopment site plan additionally shows a handful of other leases or letters of intent being negotiated for other spaces.

Proposed Sears, Old County Buffet revamp

While all the key players of Whitehall Mall’s redevelopment plan continue to remain mum on specifics, CBRE’s conceptual redevelopment site plan does shed a little insight into what might be in store for the larger former sites — Sears, Sears Auto and Old Country Buffet.

The 82,468-square-foot space previously occupied by Sears and the Sears Auto Center site are proposed to become a major home improvement retailer, according to conceptual renderings. The Old Country Buffet site shows an available pad space, complete with a drive-through, as well as two adjacent retail and restaurant spaces, under site plans.

It’s unclear, however, if the home improvement retailer would move into the former Sears building, or the existing structure would be demolished in place of a new structure. The same is unknown for the Old Country Buffet building.

Bailey Hall, a senior communications specialist for CBRE, referred demolition questions to Washington Prime Group. Larissa Bruder, executive secretary for Whitehall Township, did confirm to lehighvalleylive.com that Jordin Horan, vice president of development for Washington Prime Group, appeared before the Whitehall Township Board of Commissioners for a workshop meeting this past February.

The Lehigh Valley Press is reporting Horan discussed proposed demolition of the former Sears Auto Center with plans to redevelop on that property, on MacArthur Road. Portions of the former Sears and Old Country Buffet would also be demolished to align the buildings with existing storefronts, the report states.

Lee A. Rackus, Whitehall’s bureau chief for planning, zoning and development, told lehighvalleylive.com developers had yet to submit land development plans to the township’s planning commission for review. Currently, Washington Prime is in the building permit process for modifications for just the Sears building, Rackus said.

“The other larger scale modifications that were discussed at the meeting have not yet been presented to the township in any formal manner,” Rackus said.

The shopping center lost Sears in winter 2020, as well as Sears Auto. The Whitehall Mall Sears was among 96 Sears and Kmart locations nationally to get axed by newly formed parent company Transformco in a move meant to streamline operations. Transformco was formed after Sears Holdings declared bankruptcy in October 2018.

Old Country Buffet shuttered in October 2020. A news release then attributed the closure, which also included other national locations, to poor revenue even prior to the coronavirus pandemic, as well as its expiring leases. Michaels moved just before the March 2020 shutdown to space previously housed by Babies ‘R’ Us across Grape Street at Lehigh Valley Mall.

Washington Prime Group filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in June 2021, citing challenges created by the coronavirus pandemic. So did two of the area’s other largest shopping center owners, CBL & Associates and Pennsylvania Real Estate Investment Trust (PREIT), in November 2020. The latter is co-owner of Lehigh Valley Mall, which sits across Grape Street from Whitehall Mall and stands today as the region’s most prominent shopping destination.

All found a way out of bankruptcy and developed restructuring financial plans.

In its heyday, Whitehall Mall was one of the first enclosed shopping centers in Pennsylvania. Upon opening in 1966, the shopping destination had 52 stores, including Woolworth, Weis Markets and Zollinger’s department store.

Washington Prime Group owned half of Whitehall Mall by 2014. That year it purchased the other half from PREIT. The company currently owns nearly 100 enclosed and open-air shopping destinations in 29 states, according to its website.

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WHITEHALL TWP., Pa. — There will not be a Lehigh Valley STEAM Academy Charter School in the Whitehall-Coplay School District.

The charter school’s application was rejected by a 9-0 vote of the school board Monday night.

No members affiliated with the STEAM charter school attended the meeting.

The school board also voted unanimously to approve the charter school adjudication to explain the details for the rejection.

The STEAM (science, technology, engineering, arts and math) charter school sought a five-year charter to debut in August and serve 300 students in kindergarten through third grade at 215 Quarry St.

Citing “serious deficiencies,” the Whitehall-Coplay School District administration repeatedly recommended the school board to deny the charter school’s application due to the applicant’s failure to present strength of local partnerships, adequate community support and financial sustainability.

The application rejection is one of three such denials in less than a week for the Lehigh Valley STEAM Academy Charter School.

On Monday, the Bethlehem Area School District also denied the group’s application for a charter school there.

The Allentown School Board last week unanimously rejected the charter school’s application for Allentown following several hearings on the issue. The charter school is in the process of filing an appeal. It also failed last year in its bid to open in Allentown.

Charter schools do not charge students tuition. They receive the majority of funding from their students' resident school districts. The amount a charter school receives is based upon a statutory funding formula, which requires tuition rates for both non-special and special education students.

Whitehall-Coplay spends about $5 million annually in charter school tuition for district students to attend cyber charters or brick-and-mortar charter schools located in other local districts.

Among other financial concerns Whitehall-Coplay administrators had with the charter school’s application were teachers’ salaries, school furnishings and lack of adequate budgeting for tech support.

Academic concerns focused on a lack of data on classroom grading and professional development for literacy education.

Renee Sallit, director of teaching, learning and technology, has described the charter applicant’s proposal as one that “seems more like a collection of verbose statements than a thoughtfully designed educational framework.”

The school board also questioned the businesses and organizations listed as supporters in the application. Only 32 of the 106 signed business letters of support are within the district — and all are located within the Lehigh Valley Mall, officials said.

The school district was able to validate only 14 signatures.

The 32 letters account for just 1.07% of the 2,983 licensed businesses in Whitehall Township and Coplay Borough as of June 2023 — data showing a lack of overall support, Superintendent Robert Steckel said.

Steckel also said some community partners listed in the charter school application confirmed with the district that they have not lent support to the school, nor discussed partnerships with school representatives.

Those organizations are the Big Brothers Big Sisters of Lehigh Valley, Carbon Lehigh Intermediate Unit 21, Da Vinci Science and Technology Center, Greater Lehigh Valley Chamber of Commerce, Lehigh Valley Children’s Centers and Touchtone Center.

Additionally, Steckel said, the charter school’s application does not recognize Coplay Borough, which is within the school district.

In other business, the school board approved a $12 million bond resolution for construction of a new kindergarten/first grade elementary school and the Gockley Elementary School renovation projects.

WHITEHALL TWP., Pa. — Outback Steakhouse is one step closer to joining the roster of restaurants in Whitehall Township, the board of commissioners said during a Monday night workshop meeting.

During the session, commissioners discussed a resolution for sewage facility plan revision for new land development by Bloomin’ Brands, the company behind the Australian-themed steak restaurant.

The sewage discussion was a standard issue for new development, board President Thomas Slonaker said, and would likely be approved during the next regular meeting, set for Feb. 12.

Engineer Frank Clark said the process was a simple formality which had to be considered during planning due to an agreement with Kline’s Island Wastewater Treatment Plant, off Union Street in Allenown.

“Whitehall has a certain allotment of gallons per day to go to the Allentown treatment plant, and anytime anybody want to use us some of that allotment, we have to go through this process,” Clark said, adding the township has to keep careful records of sewage allotment as they have a “finite amount” per an agreement.

Clark also said the building plans for the proposed 4,758-square-foot restaurant, which is set to be constructed at 1300 Grape St. in an outlying portion of the Lehigh Valley Mall parking lot, have been “approved and ready to go.”

“I know almost everybody's really happy to have another restaurant come in."

Thomas Slonaker, commissioners' president

According to Clark, the project is in the midst of the planning module process, which on average takes between three to six months.

Slonaker said construction on the restaurant would likely be rapid once the planning module process is complete, though he could not provide a timeline for construction as of yet.

The project was initially announced in 2023, with developers presenting a land development plan to the township last February.

Outback already has two Lehigh Valley restaurants – at Hamilton Crossings at 800 N. Krocks Road in Lower Macungie Township, and at 3200 Emrick Blvd., Bethlehem Township, though the Whitehall commissioners seem receptive to a new location.

“I know almost everybody's really happy to have another restaurant come in. I mean people look at it as a destination, no different than what we have with the one of the most successful Red Lobsters on the East Coast,” Slonaker said.

According to its website, Outback has 704 U.S. locations, including 27 in Pennsylvania.

The restaurant is well-known for its season steaks, chicken, ribs, seafood, pasta and its signature Bloomin’ Onion appetizer, and features a casual dining motif channeling the Australian Outback.

Owner Bloomin’ Brands, which is based in Florida and opened in 1988, also owns the Carrabba's Italian Grill and Bonefish Grill restaurant chains. Bonefish Grill has had a location at Lehigh Valley Mall for about 15 years.

Lehigh Valley Mall just saw the successful opening of a Cheesecake Factory just before the holidays, attracting long lines of hungry shoppers to the franchise.