A long-time food vendor near the Lehigh Valley has expanded with a new Mediterranean restaurant that will bring more of the fine-dining experience to the area.
Azur Mediterranean Bar & Grille opened Dec. 1 at the Trolley Barn Public Market in Quakertown, serving items like hummus, falafel, kebab gyros, stuffed grape leaves, fish, spinach pie, baba ganoush and alcoholic beverages from Doan Distillery. It replaced the Black River Wine Bar that closed in September.
When Sam and Cassie Guadalupe spoke with The Morning Call in October, they initially planned the concept as an upscale expansion of the market’s True Blue Mediterranean Grill, which they took over in January and Cassie previously helped managed.
True Blue will continue to operate, but Sam said Azur will let them also offer sit-down service and waiting staff.
“We’ve put a lot of investment into the decor and the bar and the whole setup to give everyone in Quakertown maybe an experience that they would have to go to Allentown or Philadelphia to get,” Sam said.
Azur will now be a separate name and concept.
“We decided to kind of go a little bit of a different route and offer something that the community currently does not have, which is essentially a fine-dining restaurant,” he said. “So what we’re going to do is we’re going to take some classic fine-dining dishes, but we’re going to put a Mediterranean spin on those. So we’re going to have a fillet, a six-ounce fillet with olive tapenade. We’re going to have a red snapper with some signature Mediterranean seasonings like sumac, which is something that we use in some of our salads. We’re going to have a Mediterranean burger that’s going to be topped with whipped feta, roasted red peppers. So we’re taking some traditional fine-dining items, but we’re elevating them with some Mediterranean recipes and offering something very, very unique here to Quakertown.”
Azur operates 4-9 p.m. Monday through Saturday, Sam said, with the bar open until 10 p.m. on Friday and Saturday. He also said True Blue has expanded its hours to 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Saturday and 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday.
Lehigh Valley retail and restaurant news in brief
The board game cafe Mystery Box Games held a ribbon cutting Thursday under its new owner Stephanie Rodriguez-Solis. The business is located at 1458 Northampton St., Suite B, in Easton.
Babs Vasconez and Mikus Matiss first opened the physical cafe under the name Punch Out Games in 2022 near Circle Park in Easton.
Having grown up in East Stroudsburg, Rodriguez-Solis said in the release, “I fell in love with the community in Easton and how many unique, cool businesses and activities there were. Mystery Box was always a welcoming space, and I’m honored to carry that forward.”
Signage on the doors of Mexican restaurant Casa Catrina on Thursday announced its temporary closure at 1905 Brookside Road in Lower Macungie Township. It is unknown why Casa Catrina closed. The restaurant’s listed phone number went straight to voicemail Thursday afternoon, and representatives didn’t immediately respond to requests for comment through email or on social media.
Luna’s Bakery & Cafe reopened Monday at 1120 W. Linden St. in Allentown.
“Join us in welcoming back Luis & Dalila Luna to their beloved family bakery at 1120 W. Linden St.,” the City of Allentown said on Facebook. “Fresh breads, pastries, cakes, and homemade goodness are waiting!”
The sandwich chain PrimoHoagies is planning a location at 1463 W. Broad St. in Quakertown, according to its website.
The hot dog vendor Rod’s Dogs reopened Thursday at the Easton Public Market in Easton, an employee confirmed, after closing in September and changing owners.
Caring Hearts Clothing Closet and More, which offers items like clothing and hygiene products for free to those in need, will relocate from 7935 Route 873 in Washington Township to 241 Lehigh Gap St. in Walnutport.
The store has requested volunteers to help move from the Route 873 address at 11 a.m. on Sunday, and doesn’t expect to reopen until mid-January. It has also paused donations for December and January.
The Little Gym will open Monday at 6900 Hamilton Blvd. in Lower Macungie Township,where it will offer children’s classes such as for gymnastics and social skills.
“Trexlertown and the surrounding area is a growing, family-driven community, and we wanted to create a place that reflects that energy,” facility co-owner Matthew Pitz said in a news release. “The Little Gym isn’t just about movement; it’s about giving kids a space to build confidence, make friends, and discover what they’re capable of. We’re proud to bring something so positive to the Lehigh Valley.”
The Hawaii Fluid Art studio 3325 Hamilton Blvd. in South Whitehall Township has changed its name to Hangout for Art.
“The rebrand reflects the studio’s evolution from a paint-pour destination into a broader, more dynamic arts space offering workshops, private events, and hands-on experiences for all ages,” a news release said. “Hangout for Art continues to offer its signature pour paintings and resin charcuterie boards and is expanding into a wider range of classes and seasonal workshops designed to make creativity approachable and memorable for everyone.”
Any bookings, gift cards and events from before the rebranding are still valid.
The liquidation retail store Last Call Closeouts Liquidations is now open at 3143 William Penn Highway in Palmer Township.
Retail Watch is a weekly column covering retail and restaurant news in the Lehigh Valley. Have a question, tip, or want to see something in the area? Contact retail reporter Graysen Golter at retailwatch@mcall.com.
