Find a long-standing jewelry store in Bethlehem amid Westgate Mall redevelopment | Eat, drink, shop

BETHLEHEM, Pennsylvania – The Westgate Mall destination for rings, necklaces and other fine jewelry has found a sparkling new space in the ongoing redevelopment of the Bethlehem Shopping Center.

Westgate Jewelers, which has been a fixture at the Schoenersville Road shopping center for decades, will have a soft reopening Tuesday at its new location at 53 E. Lehigh St. in Bethlehem, owner Laurel DiFelice said. .

The store’s new location will be on the upper floors of the National Steelworkers Building between Bethlehem City Hall and Niski Hill Cemetery.

Located just off Center Street, this property houses offices and meeting rooms for a variety of companies and organizations, including United Steelworkers Local 2599, Bethlehem Firefighters Local 725, and International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees Local 200.

There is also a social hall that seats 200 people and can be rented for private events.

DiFelice was drawn to the downtown location due to the area’s historic architecture and close-knit community.

She plans a grand opening celebration throughout May that includes promotions for Mother’s Day, graduations and wedding season.

“We are in the historic district of Bethlehem, so we embrace the community,” she said. There is a diamond cut in the shape of

Westgate Jewelers carries a wide variety of estate jewelery from around the world, along with new jewelery from over a dozen unique and celebrated designers. This business also does custom his jewelry, watch and jewelery repairs.

“We specialize in fine estate jewelry, gold and silver,” says DiFelice. “We have many pieces made in the United States as well as abroad. .”

Another unique aspect of the business is the ‘Personal Touch’, which allows customers to make appointments to create special pieces such as diamond engagement rings, anniversary bracelets and pendant necklaces in memory of their loved ones. is.

“You can also reuse jewelry and refresh family jewelry,” says DiFelice. “So clients can make an appointment, sit down with me, and hire a personal jeweler to design what they want.”

Westgate Jewelers has become known for its multi-week sidewalk sales, usually held three times a year, featuring thousands of items at deep discounts, including one-dollar prices.

The sidewalk vending schedule will be different this year due to the store relocation, but it is expected to resume on a regular schedule in 2024.

“This year we will have a little bit of a schedule change because it will take a long time to prepare for the sale.

As the business moved, DiFelice enlisted the talents of budding graphic artist and Freedom High School student Naomy Quiroz to create store signs, business cards, and logos and designs that will be incorporated into the upcoming website. Did.

“She’s new to the scene and her talent is amazing,” DiFelice said of Quiroz.

The new Westgate Jewelers store has two entrances, a barrier-free entrance near the flagpole and another entrance near the west side of the upper parking lot.

The move is accompanied by other changes, including a wider selection of DiFelice-designed jewelry and a new retail website (debuting in the coming months) where customers can shop the full range of the business.

“I would like to thank the community and customers for all the kindness they extended to me during this transition period,” said DiFelice. “I really appreciate everyone’s support.”

Westgate Jewelers is one of the few businesses once located in the Westgate Mall to find new homes or shut down during the shopping center’s redevelopment.

Jewelry stores and other affected businesses, including Holiday Hair, Fashion Nails, Hawk Music, Amateur Athlete and Subway, were notified months ago by mall owner Onyx Equities to vacate their space. rice field. Interior of a shopping center to build a new retail facility of approximately 8,000 square feet.

Salon chain Holiday Hair was the first to pull out, merging in late January with a nearby location in the Pointe North shopping center, 5510 Crawford Drive, Hanover Township, Northampton County, about three miles away.

The chain’s Westgate Outpost has operated in the mall since the 1970s.

“All the stylists went to Point North,” said manager Sue Lepsher. “It’s really sad because we were one of the first businesses in Westgate. And I really feel sorry for the people who live in this immediate vicinity. A lot of them do their hair. I drive here to go grocery shopping, and when I tell them there’s another salon six minutes away, they say, ‘You can’t drive there.'”

Cuong Nguyen, owner of nail salon Fashion Nails, purchased Nail Trix in South Whitehall Township and continues to operate at 1536 N. Cedar Crest Blvd. Site as of late February.

“We can’t thank you enough for your constant support of Fashion Nails over the past nine years,” the company’s Facebook page reads. “We are very fortunate to have built relationships with so many people, not just as clients, but as friends. [Route] twenty two.”

Hawk Music, which has been operating at the mall since it opened in 1973, closed on March 31.

The store sold drums, guitars, and other musical instruments, as well as rented and repaired instruments.

Pat Paulus and his brother Phil Hawke ran a music business started 50 years ago by their late father Bill Hawke.

“On behalf of my sister and I, and the wonderful staff of the past and present, I would like to thank all the customers who have supported us over the last 50 years.” I hope that the business will continue in the new location and under the new management within the next month.”

Amateur Athletes, a popular retailer of skateboards, longboards, casual wear, swimwear, shoes, sunglasses and other accessories, will be opening at 2110 W. Union Lehigh Shopping Center in Bethlehem on Friday, April 14 at 4:00 pm. Blvd., 2110 W. Union Blvd., the business announced on its social media pages.

Founded in 1982, the retailer brings back its $20 shoe section to a new location. The reopening of the promotion includes a $10 clothing section and free pizza (Fridays at 5pm).

Amateur Athlete owner Joseph Yu has called the transition period of the past few months a “turbulent time,” but he has been comforted by the warm wishes of his supporting customers.

“Thank you to everyone who stopped by to show us the love!” the social media post reads. “I can’t wait to finish the piece!”

The sandwich chain Subway, which closed Friday, is the mall’s latest former tenant.

Franchisee Nick Ferrani is trying to find a new location for a nearby eatery.

“We are trying to move to a new site as close to the mall as possible,” said Ferrani.

Onyx Equities, a New Jersey real estate investment and services firm, purchased Westgate in 2018 and has undergone several renovations over the years.

The latest phase of the redevelopment involves the demolition of portions of the mall’s interior and the construction of two new structures: a separate bank with drive-thru (next to the relocated Weis Markets) and Jersey Mike’s Subs. It is a strip mall that is home to the . QDOBA Mexican Eats and Starbucks restaurants, retailers yet to be announced. Starbucks has a drive-thru.

One of the center’s biggest changes occurred in 2021. Weis has moved from his 32,000-square-foot store near the center of the center to his 63,000-square-foot renovated store in part of the former Bonton department store to the north. end of the shopping center.

Other recent changes include the Lehigh Valley Health Network opening a 27,000-square-foot medical device processing facility behind Old Bonton. California-based tools and hardware chain Harbor Freight Tools has opened in part of the former Weis space (the neighboring space is not yet leased). Oak Street Health primary care medical facility to open in part of the former Ritual Assistance Space at the south end of the center.

Additionally, the Fine Wine & Good Spirits store operates in a temporary location next to amateur athletes, while the original location has been expanded near the south end of the center.

Other financial institutions will be added at the site of the former Dempsey’s restaurant at the center’s south end, as well as an international quick-service burger chain at the center’s north end (in front of Wythe).

Built in 1973, Westgate Mall has hosted many businesses over the years, including notable former tenants such as Art & Drafting Connection, Beef House, Bookarama, Candy Carousel, Hourglass Hallmark, McCrory and Toy Tunnel. increase.

More than a dozen businesses continue to operate at the mall, including Country Rose Florist, Grand China Buffet & Grill, Johnny’s Bagels & Deli, and Outlooks for Hair and Panda Cleaners.