Community Corner
🌱 Patch AM: Why did West Bethlehem’s Retro Burger suddenly shut its doors?
Coming up: Wildlands Conservancy - Winter Birding Walk on the Bethlehem Patch calendar
Hello Bethlehem! Stay connected with the latest updates from around town. Let's dive in! ☀️
In today's newsletter:
- Why did West Bethlehem’s Retro Burger suddenly shut its doors?
- Which Bethlehem restaurants just closed—and what’s opening to replace them?
- Which Bethlehem Catholic standout is powering the EPC girls hoops race?
Also on today's calendar: Wildlands Conservancy - Winter Birding Walk and 6 more events.
Find out what's happening in Bethlehemfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
Find out what's happening in Bethlehemfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
- Monday: Breezy in the morning, with a high of 41 and low of 28 degrees.
- Tuesday: Sunny; breezy in the p.m., temps: high: 46, low: 35.
- Wednesday: Mostly cloudy, with a high of 49 and low of 35 degrees.
📰 News we're reading
• Reason unclear for Retro Burger closing after 2-year run (lehighvalleynews.com) — A popular family-friendly spot, Retro Burger on West Broad Street in West Bethlehem, has quietly closed after about two years, with no clear explanation yet from the owners. The property, near Rose Garden Park, already has city approvals for a six-unit apartment addition, but no construction has started, leaving both the restaurant’s future and the housing plans up in the air. 
• Eat, Sip, Shop: Hot eats, cool treats returning to former Petey's Eatey's spot (wfmz.com) — Bethlehem food lovers are seeing big changes, with Retro Burger on West Broad Street and Twisted & Dipped on Main Street both closing, while La Cocina del Abuelo has opened a new spot on West Broad. Around the wider Lehigh Valley, several new restaurants, diners, and specialty food businesses are launching or relocating, giving residents plenty of fresh options despite some recent losses.
• Lehigh Valley girls basketball: Nazareth coach Rich Bickert reaches 350 career wins at his alma mater (mcall.com) — Bethlehem Catholic’s girls fell to Easton in a key EPC showdown, but Golden Hawks standouts like Leah Ault remain among the area’s top scorers alongside Freedom and Liberty players. Nazareth coach Rich Bickert just notched his 350th career win, while a host of Lehigh Valley girls teams and stars are jockeying for playoff position in updated league standings.
📸 Around Bethlehem
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🗓 Upcoming Events in Bethlehem
Add your event to our calendar and newsletter!
- Gentle Yoga
Bethlehem Area Public Library , 11 W Church Street , Bethlehem
12:00 pm - SG dine & donate @Panera
Panera Bread , 3301 Bath Pike , Bethlehem
4:00 pm - Line Dancing with Aleah
Seven Sirens Brewing Company , 327 Broadway , Bethlehem
7:00 pm - Friday Night Trivia at Colony Meadery
Colony Meadery South Bethlehem , 211 E 3rd St , Bethlehem
7:15 pm - Big Lazy â Mid-Century Americana NYC Trio with Cinematic Sweep, Blending Experimental Guitar Instrumentals with a Death-Surf-Jazz-Noir Twang Sound
Godfrey Daniels , 7 E. Fourth Street , Bethlehem
8:00 pm - Professor Louie & the Crowmatix â Rockinâ Americana, Roots & Blues
Godfrey Daniels , 7 E. Fourth Street , Bethlehem
8:00 pm - Over the Mountain Lecture
National Museum of Industrial History , 602 E 2nd Street , Bethlehem
1:00 pm - Wildlands Conservancy - Winter Birding Walk
Louise Moore Park, 151 Country Club Road, Easton, PA 18045
1:00 pm - 3rd Sunday Open Mike Night
Godfrey Daniels , 7 E. Fourth Street , Bethlehem
7:00 pm
Wednesday January 14
Friday January 16
Saturday January 17
Sunday January 18
📣 Bethlehem Shout Outs!
Want to say something great about someone in town? Click here to submit your Shout Out to Patch AM! It's free!
🗓 Events Nearby
- đżđ§ââď¸ Qigong: Meditation and Relaxation đżđ§ââď¸
Bethlehem Area Public Library , 11 W Church Street , Bethlehem
12:00 pm - đ¤đś Open Mic Night @BAPL đśđ¤
Bethlehem Area Public Library , 11 W Church Street , Bethlehem
5:00 pm - Pre School Fun @ Hellertown Library
Hellertown Area Library , 409 Constitution Ave , Hellertown
1:30 pm - SG dine & donate @Panera
Panera Bread , 3301 Bath Pike , Bethlehem
4:00 pm
Monday January 12
Tuesday January 13
Wednesday January 14
Have we missed something on our calendar? Add an event yourself! As always, before attending confirm event details to ensure accuracy.
Thank you 👏👏👏 to the local businesses for making Bethlehem PatchAM possible:
- Mindsee.it — (646) 663-8317
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💬 Chatter
What your neighbors are talking about on social media
- My indoor-only cat escaped between 3–5 AM and has not returned.
She is 3 years old, very sweet, and likely scared, as she is not familiar with being outdoors. She may be hiding quietly nearby, under porches, decks… (Nextdoor West Bethlehem) - Today was a profoundly impactful day, as new volunteers and seasoned veterans came together to forge lasting connections and distribute around 175 vital homeless / veteran winter care kits, embodying the spirit of compassion and community that
drives us forward. we're poised to add even more essential items like toilet paper from our pantry, further fueling our mission. A huge shout out… (Nextdoor Wagner Farms)
- PrideStaff posted a job opening for Material Handler in Bethlehem. Apply here.
- Linde Engineering North America, Inc. posted a job opening for Service Assistant in Bethlehem. Apply here. You can search for other jobs near Bethlehem here.
🗞 Nearby News
Allentown
- Elaine Gercie (thebradentontimes.com)
Bath
- Lower Nazareth Township, PA – Head Injury Reported in Crash Near Easton Nazareth Hwy by Hobby Lobby (localaccidentreports.com)
Nazareth
Ok Bethlehem! So now you're in the loop about what's happening today. Thanks for reading, and see you in your inbox next time! Oh -- and if you like what you're reading, invite a friend to Patch AM!
-- The Patch AM Team
P.S. The answer to today's riddle: I think I’m coming down with something!
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