Repeated strikes leads Lehigh Valley Mall retailer to shutter, proprietor says

Constant shuffling of a 5-year-old boutique’s location on the Lehigh Valley Mall has precipitated its proprietor to vacate completely.

Jennifer’s Unique Boutique, previously referred to as Small Business Gallery, was darkish final week on the Whitehall Township mall’s Lifestyle Center. The house beforehand housed Williams Sonoma, which vacated in January 2023.

Owner Jennifer Smith announced on the business’ Facebook page simply earlier than Christmas plans to shut store on the mall. She informed lehighvalleylive.com she formally vacated just a few weeks later.

Smith cited such causes for the closure because the a number of modifications to her location complicated patrons and this winter’s bitter chilly forcing customers into the inside mall.

The boutique launched in November 2021 on the inside mall’s decrease degree earlier than being quickly moved to the Lifestyle Center in spring 2023. The shift was the results of Victoria’s Secret‘s renovation work and temporary move by that retailer.

Two other mall location changes followed that move with Smith once again ending up in the former Williams Sonoma spot, she said. She couldn’t return to her unique spot as a result of Address For Him already celebrated a grand opening in that house.

Smith finally was supplied an opportunity to return as soon as once more contained in the mall, however with larger lease, she stated.

“Then again I have to pay all the moving fees, permit fees, go through inspections again, etc.,” she stated. “So I decided it was time to leave the mall.”

Shannon Palzer, director of promoting and enterprise growth at Lehigh Valley Mall, stated the mall stays dedicated to curating the “most sought‑after brands and delivering dynamic, new-to-market experiences” as the retail landscape continues to evolve.

“By continuously refreshing our offerings, we ensure our centers stay vibrant, relevant and inspiring — creating an exciting environment where our customers can discover something new every time they visit,” she said.

Smith has since moved the boutique to the multi-merchant market along North White Oak Street in Kutztown. That location is closer to her Berks County home and geared more toward small business owners, she said.

Jennifer’s Unique Boutique was known at the mall for its trove of home decor, personal care, gifts and jewelry items from regional artisans.

There were seasonal items, sports team memorabilia, wooden plant stands, trinkets, pillows and children’s items. There were garden flags, wooden signs with such sayings as “I made a wish and you came true,” and a few clothes objects and sun shades.

Additionally, Smith sells from her personal purses, jewellery and accent line by one other enterprise enterprise she launched in 2012.

More departures

The closure of Jennifer’s Unique Boutique follows another latest departures on the bustling procuring vacation spot, at MacArthur Road (Route 145) and Route 22.

In the previous six months, the mall skilled holes in its eating roster and a minimum of one main institution eagerly searching for a brand new proprietor to remain in operation.

Chick-fil-A departed in late December. The rooster chain nonetheless operates a close-by web site on MacArthur Road in Whitehall, in addition to areas in Pohatcong Township, Lower Nazareth Township and Lower Macungie Township.

Also in December, Dunderbak’s Market Cafe proprietor Bill Baker introduced on Facebook he’s speaking with events over shopping for the eatery. Baker stated final summer time he would shut completely if he couldn’t discover a new proprietor by February 2026.

However, Baker’s most recent post on the pending sale said he might be open slightly longer, working on a month-to-month foundation, till a settlement date is reached.

The cafe stays the longest constantly operated, independently owned enterprise on the mall.

Dino Sweets was now not working in early December on the mall’s higher degree and has since been faraway from the online directory. The kiosk operated for 5 years on the mall.

Prior to that closure, Indian Bite shuttered for good on Oct. 6 and Tasty Bitez, a restaurant serving up Mediterranean-style delicacies, shuttered someday within the fall, each on the principle degree.

Iron Hill Brewery & Restaurant in September closed within the former Bravo! Cucina Italiana house on the Lifestyle Center. A message on the chain’s website later indicated all areas have since shuttered.

Filling storefronts

The mall, nevertheless, has finished an honest job at rapidly filling areas.

A protracted-awaited Dunkin’ opened on Dec. 29 within the kiosk house previously operated by Starbucks on the principle degree, throughout from LUSH and Francesca’s. Starbucks abruptly shuttered in late August 2024.

Additionally, Drink Fresh by Djurdjura just lately opened on the mall’s higher degree. The enterprise serves contemporary fruit smoothies.

Prior to that, Blue Ridge Estate Vineyard & Winery stuffed the two,200-square-foot anchor house beforehand occupied by Pocono Brewing Co. on the mall’s Lifestyle Center. D’Colombia Restaurant & Bakery opened in the summertime and stuffed the previous Indian Bite house.

Palzer informed lehighvalleylive.com Nori Japan plans to maneuver into the previous Tasty Bitez house within the spring. The house is on the mall’s fundamental degree, beside the Chick-fil-An area. That eatery plans to serve up Japanese-style choices ready with contemporary substances.

Also on faucet: There are plans in spring 2027 to carry to carry Dallas, Texas-based Brazilian-American steakhouse chain Texas de Brazil to the previous Ruby Tuesday house on the mall’s fundamental degree, Palzer stated. Ruby Tuesday vacated in the course of the coronavirus pandemic and sat idle ever since.

Offline by Aerie, that includes an activewear line, additionally plans to maneuver this spring into house throughout from Buckle on the higher degree, Palzer stated.

Other vacancies even have been stuffed on the retail aspect, with the mall just lately welcoming ladies’s vogue retailer, Dry Goods; Star Park Indoor Playground & Party; and Sugar Bear Candy Store, all on the principle degree, in addition to Waikiki, a ladies’s boutique, on the higher degree.

Some lingering empty storefronts stay. Shoppers can discover them on the former Chick-fil-An area; former Face Foundrie house on the Lifestyle Center; close to the Pink retailer on the principle degree; and scattered about on the mall’s higher degree, in line with mall directory maps.