Popular chain Shake Shack will open first Lehigh Valley location
A popular burger chain will beef up the Lehigh Valley’s dining scene in the coming months.
Shake Shack, which describes itself as a “modern day roadside burger stand” serving a classic American menu of premium burgers, chicken sandwiches, hot dogs, crinkle cut fries, shakes, frozen custard, beer and wine, is planning to open its first Lehigh Valley location this year at Lehigh Valley Mall in Whitehall Township, according to the mall’s online directory.
“We are excited for the arrival of Shake Shack later this year!” a message on the mall’s website reads. “Now under construction near Dave & Busters. Stay tuned for more information.”
According to an online map, the building that will house the area’s first Shake Shack will be adjacent to the area’s first Dave & Buster’s restaurant and entertainment facility, which opened last year.
The fast-casual eatery will be on the same outparcel, closer to the MacArthur Road and Route 22 interchange.
Stephanie Gorab, public relations manager for New York’s Lividini & Co., Lehigh Valley Mall’s public relations firm, had no details to share regarding the announcement.
Shake Shack, which did not return a message seeking comment on the Whitehall venture, has a job posting for a full-time restaurant shift manager at the Lehigh Valley Mall location listed on its website.
“Our Shift Managers are an important part of our leadership team!” the job listing reads. “Searching for growth? Check out this opportunity to lead and drive the daily operations of our Shack while serving as a mentor, trainer and developer of our team members to meet our high standards of excellence.”
Shake Shack sprouted from a hot dog cart, operating in
Manhattan’s Madison Square Park from 2001-03, supporting the Madison Square Park Conservancy’s first art installation, according to the chain’s website.
The cart was “quite the success,” with fans lining up daily for three summers, and in 2004, a permanent kiosk opened in the park.
“An instant neighborhood fixture, Shake Shack welcomed people from all over the city, country and world who gathered together to enjoy fresh, simple, high-quality versions of the classics in a majestic setting,” a message on the chain’s website reads. “The rest, as they say, is burger history.”
Since the original Shake Shack opened in 2004, the company has expanded to approximately 320 locations in 30 states and Washington, D.C., including more than 107 international locations, such as London, Hong Kong, Shanghai, Singapore, Philippines, Mexico, Istanbul, Dubai,
Tokyo, Seoul.
Regional locations can be found in Ardmore, King of Prussia and Plymouth Meeting in Montgomery County, as well as Bridgewater and Lawrence townships in New Jersey. There are also a handful of locations in Philadelphia.
The forthcoming arrival of Shake Shack in Whitehall is welcome news for Lehigh Valley Mall, which lost more than a dozen restaurants and retailers over the past year amid the coronavirus pandemic.
Prominent departures included casual dining restaurants Frites and Ruby Tuesday, clothing chains Abercrombie & Fitch and New York & Co., candle company Yankee Candle, footwear retailer Aldo, Modell’s Sporting Goods, and jewelry chains Helzberg Diamonds and Littman Jewelers.
Despite bidding farewell to these tenants and more, it hasn’t been all bad news for the Lehigh Valley’s largest
shopping center over the last 12 months.
About a dozen 2020 additions included arts and crafts chain Michaels; made-to-order doughnut and coffee business Dino Sweets; regional jeweler Murphy Jewelers; Lush Fresh Handmade Cosmetics, selling beauty and personal care products; Hairitage Beauty Salon, offering hair services for men and women; and Track 23, a fashion company offering contemporary men’s and women’s apparel and accessories.
Additionally, The Beauty Institute, offering cosmetology and beauty programs that “develop top tier professionals fully prepared for success,” is coming soon to the first-level space that previously housed New York & Co.