Hampton Lanes bowling people over again
Longtime bowling alley is back after devastating snowstorm
Vibrant neon lights in a rainbow assortment of colors illuminated the lanes as bowlers precisely hurled their balls toward the pins with a clink and a clunk.
“The response has been overwhelming,” Jason Lauchnor said. “We have had long waiting lists for lanes.”
Lauchnor’s Hampton Lanes in Northampton just reopened after nearly two years of repairs and reconstruction following devastating snow damage.
It’s been a tough few years for Hampton Lanes, a Northampton-area institution that opened in 1958. COVID-19 hit the bowling alley hard, with the state’s stopping and then limiting capacity for an extended period of time.
Finally in early 2021, business was looking up, as the bowling alley had its best weekend since the pandemic began Jan. 29-30. Then Feb. 3, 2021, Mother Nature delivered a rope-a-dope punch.
Just as it seemed the business was getting back on its feet, 2 feet of heavy snow fell and collapsed the roof, destroying much of the building.
It took almost two years to the date, but Hampton Lanes is completely rebuilt. All 24 lanes are brightly lit and made of synthetic materials (lanes are no longer made with wood), Lauchnor said. The original lanes were turned into new tables seen throughout the bowling alley.
Lauchnor has also added an extensive game room with more than 30 arcade games to keep families busy. If you have to wait for your turn at the lanes, you can also visit the Hammerhead Lounge, where you can enjoy craft beers, cocktails and food.
Info: hamptonlanesbowling. com/
Some tasty news
The State Cafe and Grill — at 14-16 S. Fifth St. in Easton, just around the block from the State Theatre — reopened Friday after
a nearly 10-month closure.
The restaurant, which serves breakfast and lunch, is known for its dishes that use locally sourced ingredients. On April 21, a fire ripped through the roof of the restaurant, causing extensive damage.
Info: facebook.com/thestatecafeandgrill
Favorite shop near Nazareth to close
The Missing Piece, 462 Bushkill Center Road in Bushkill Township, will close by early March, as the building has been sold.
“It’s very bittersweet, owner Karen Sampson said. “We have sold the building and it is definitely bittersweet but I have been wanting to retire.”
Merchandise in the store will be half off except for Brighton items, which will be 30% off. Fixtures in the store will be for sale as marked (cash only). Until it closes, The Missing Piece will have extended hours of operation, from noon to 5 p.m. Monday through Saturday.
Sampson and her husband, Rick, previously tried to sell the building and close the shop in 2021 but the sale fell through.
The shop has been the winner of numerous Morning Call Readers’ Choice awards over the years, including best boutique, gift shop and home decor in 2019.
Info: facebook.com/MissingPieceGiftShop/
Emmaus bookstore ready to turn page
Let’s Play Books of Emmaus is planning to open a second location at Tilghman Street and Cedar Crest Boulevard in West End Allentown. The target date is April 29, which is Indie Bookstore Day.
Let’s Play Books, owned by Kirsten Hess, marks a decade in business this year. She opened Let’s Play Books as a children’s bookstore in a small storefront at Main and Fourth streets in Emmaus then moved to 244 Main St. in 2016. The second location gave her business space to grow, including offering books for adults.
Hess said the second location, which will be about 1,700 square feet, will have a dedicated parking lot and be accessible for those with disabilities. She’s offering a membership program that will help defray some of the costs to open the second location. Info: letsplaybooks.com/second-location-allentowns-west-end.
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