Wells Fargo is closing its branch in Allentown’s Airport Road Shopping Center and also consolidating some of its corporate employees in Berks County.
Both changes were reported in the weekly bulletin of the federal Office of the Comptroller of the Currency.
Wells Fargo said in a statement that it made a “difficult decision” to shutter the branch at 1840 Airport Road, which will close Nov. 1.
“Until then, you can use this branch and bank with us as you always have. After that, you can visit us at our Boulevard branch at 1602 Union Blvd., approximately less than 1 mile away. Other nearby branches are the Westgate Mall and Schadt Avenue. We apologize for any inconvenience this might cause.”
Like other financial institutions, Wells Fargo offers multiple ways to bank, including its network of banking locations, by phone, mail, online or on the Wells Fargo Mobile app.
This is not a move Wells Fargo takes lightly, the company said. “Branches continue to play an important role in the way we serve our customers, and we continuously evaluate our branch network in light of changing customer needs, the increase in the use of digital banking and market factors.”
Wells Fargo also relocated its employees from the corporate office at 600 Penn St., Reading, to 1 Meridian Blvd., Wyomissing.
“As part of our multiyear effort to build a stronger, more efficient Wells Fargo, we continually assess our real estate portfolio to ensure we are best meeting the needs of employees and customers, responding to consumer and economic trends, and managing our costs responsibly,” Wells Fargo said.
“We are committed to our Berks County-based employees. We will continue to have an employee presence in the area, but we had more real estate than we needed to support these employees.”
Sacred Heart Hospital in Allentown – PHOTO/PROVIDED
Catholic Charities for the Diocese of Allentown is moving to Seton Hall.
A dedication for the main office, a more than 16,000-square-foot building on the campus of Sacred Heart Hospital, which became part of the St. Luke University Health Network in March 2018, will be held Friday.
Leaders of both entities hail the move as a “natural partnership” and “great collaboration” that will allow them to more efficiently and holistically serve their constituencies.
“We’re excited to be able to work more closely since we do have mission overlap,” said Frank Ford, president of Sacred Heart since 2019 and the former president of St. Luke’s Allentown campus.
“We are both dedicated to improving the health and the lives of the members of this community, and that involves looking at the social determinants that contribute to good health – access to care, healthy food, housing, employment – as well as the issues that can negatively impact, such as chronic disease, substance abuse and others.” he said. “With a shared mission to serve so many in need in the Lehigh Valley, this development allows us to discover the synergies that could accelerate that work.”
Catholic Charities Executive Director Rob Nicolella said that the move creates a “hub” of services in the Chew Street location. “We are located right there with access to community health services, and across the street is Career Link, a wonderful agency that provides support and training for those seeking a job. Between these three institutions alone, we are much better positioned to help coordinate services for all those who benefit from these programs.”
St. Luke’s Sacred Heart Campus is the only Catholic hospital in the Lehigh Valley to feature advanced inpatient and outpatient services, along with specialty services in the hospital, the medical office building and at the Sigal Center for Family Medicine. Patients can also access emergency room services, surgical services, behavioral health services, radiology and lab services at the Allentown location.
On the human services side, Catholic Charities of Allentown offers support to roughly 16,000 people in Lehigh, Northampton and Berks counties alone, Nicolella said. “And that number is growing because there is such great need. And with the recent economic circumstances we’re facing, so many are struggling as rents are increasing dramatically, food prices are increasing….it’s a very challenging time for so many.”
The move of the Catholic Charities office to the Sacred Heart Campus is an outgrowth of ongoing meetings between representatives of both entities, as well as others dedicated to serving the needs of the community, such as the Community Action League of the Lehigh Valley, Habitat for Humanity and others.
“Once a month, we’d get together and look at how we could improve the lives of those who live within a few blocks of the hospital, as well as others throughout the city,” Nicolella said.
Ford also credited Pam Russo, secretary for Catholic Health, Human Services and Youth Protection and the Diocesan representative on the Sacred Heart Board of Directors, with helping to make the move a reality.
“Through these interactions, it became clear that the best place for Catholic Charities headquarters is right here,” Ford said. “And with our combined efforts and the support of St. Luke’s, the Bishop and the Diocese, it can only bring more good things to the City of Allentown.”
From left. Chelsea Zielinski, district rental manager; Dan O’Boyle, executive vice president of field operations; Sean Vollman, deputy mayor for integrated development for Akron; Casey Kolenc, district manager; Luke DeCesare, area vice president of the Great Lakes; Mike Pritchard, senior vice president of operations; and Stephanie Murphy, assistant district rental manager – PHOTO/PROVIDED
Reading-based Penske Truck Leasing has opened a Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED)-certified full-service facility in Akron, Ohio.
Penske’s first-ever full-service rental and leasing facility that is LEED-certified, located at 937 E. Waterloo Road, highlights Penske’s environmentally sustainable building design, construction and operation, Penske said.
“Our sustainability efforts are an integral part of our day-to-day operations,” said Luke DeCesare, area vice president of the Great Lakes area for Penske Truck Leasing. “Opening our first full-service truck leasing facility with LEED certification is an example of our organization’s commitment to being good neighbors and stewards of the environment.”
The new location, with 60 associates, offers consumer and commercial truck rental, full-service truck leasing and contract truck fleet maintenance. It is also outfitted with the company’s proprietary fully digital and voice-directed preventive maintenance process and Penske digital experience solutions, which help customers leverage Penske technology as well as options related to onboard technology systems (ELDs, telematics, onboard cameras, etc.).
Penske said the almost 24,000-square-foot facility on 9.85 acres enhances its ability to serve its customers as well as employees and supports strategic growth throughout the region. It features four pull-through service bays plus an automatic truck wash bay, and a full-service fuel station offering diesel, diesel exhaust fluid, and gasoline.
HNL Lab Medicine moves to Maxatawny Marketplace – PHOTO/PROVIDED
HNL Lab Medicine is moving its patient service center to the Maxatawny Marketplace shopping mall to increase patient access, it said.
The current HNL Kutztown location at 333 Normal Ave. will close on Oct. 17, with an official reopening date of Oct. 18 at 15100 Kutztown Rd., Unit #2.
“We are always proud to put our patients’ needs first, and that is reflected in the design of our new facility,” said Jessica Bargilione, director of marketing for HNL. “This latest move embodies our dedication to providing proper patient care when needed, where needed.”
A public Grand Reopening and ribbon cutting is scheduled for Oct. 27 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. The new facility’s hours are Monday through Friday from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. and Saturday from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m.
Jimmy’s Barbershop, 822 N. 19th St. – photo by Jimmy Moyer –
Jimmy’s Barbershop has moved to a new location in Allentown’s West End.
Jimmy Moyer, who has owned and operated 10 barbershops in Allentown over the years, opened his new shop July 1 at 822 N. 19th St.
Moyer and his wife, Rose, purchased what had been property of the church next door for their barbershop and for Rose’s Electrolysis business in September 2021. Her business, Whitehall Electrolysis Center on Florida Avenue in Whitehall, also moved to the property.
The church rectory, which had originally been built as a home, took eight months to renovate, they said.
The new Jimmy’s Barbershop has three chairs. “I am thinking of possibly putting in a fourth chair,” he said, adding his wife is one of the barber/stylists.
The shop offers men’s, women’s and kids’ haircuts as well as beard/mustache trimming and old- fashioned hot towel and hot razor shaves.
The barbershop is open Mondays, Wednesdays and Thursdays from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m., Tuesdays from 8 to 5:30 p.m., Fridays from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m., and Saturdays from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Walk-ins are welcome but appointments are preferred.
HNL Lab Medicine’s new Mt. Bethel facility in Mt. Bethel Plaza – PHOTO/PROVIDED –
HNL Lab Medicine is celebrating the opening of a patient service center at Mt. Bethel Plaza on Thursday with a ribbon cutting hosted by the Greater Lehigh Valley Chamber of Commerce.
The event will run from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.
HNL Lab Medicine’s new location offers walk-in appointments and wait times are typically less than 15 minutes. Patients may check-in online through HNL Lab Medicine’s website.
HNL Lab Medicine’s new Mt. Bethel facility in Mt. Bethel Plaza – PHOTO/PROVIDED –
HNL Lab Medicine has opened a patient service center in Mt. Bethel Plaza, Mt. Bethel, Northampton County.
The laboratory medicine service company said the new facility will be open from Monday through Friday, 7 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.
“HNL remains committed to the health and well-being of residents in and around the Lehigh Valley, and we continue to expand patient access to laboratory testing in the region,” said Jessica Bargilione, director of marketing for HNL Lab Medicine. “We are proud to now offer a patient service center in Mt. Bethel, with plans underway to grow our network locally and beyond.”
In addition to offering a full-range of testing and related services, HNL Lab Medicine plays an ongoing role in the region’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic, having processed nearly 500,000 COVID-19 specimens in 2021, she said.
At HNL Lab Medicine’s new Mt. Bethel location, and at all patient service centers, no appointments are needed and wait times are typically less than 15 minutes. Patients may check-in online through HNL Lab Medicine’s website, www.hnl.com/Locations.
Good Shepherd Rehabilitation Network has moved its Schnecksville outpatient site to a new location that offers more treatment space for patients seeking physical therapy and other rehabilitation services in North Whitehall Township.
Good Shepherd Rehabilitation’s new location, 4909 Route 873, is less than two miles away from its former site at 4110 Independence Drive. The 3,900-square-foot location is in the Mary Ann Plaza, next to Fresenius Kidney Care and Wendy’s.
The site offers private treatment rooms and state-of-the-art exercise and therapy equipment to serve people with injuries, illnesses or chronic conditions, according to a Good Shepherd statement.
“We’re excited to bring this brand-new treatment space to the North Whitehall Township community,” said Karen Long, Good Shepherd’s vice president of operations for outpatient therapy. “Good Shepherd has a long history of providing high quality and compassionate care in Schnecksville, and we are eager to continue that legacy in a larger, more convenient space for our patients and families.”
Led by David Blum, site manager, the Schnecksville team specializes in treating musculoskeletal problems, such as back and neck pain, sprains and strains, fractures, joint replacements, sports injuries, temporomandibular joint disorders (TMD/TMJ), headaches and arthritis, as well as caring for people recovering from stroke, brain injury and other neurological conditions. Programs and services include orthopedic rehabilitation, neurorehabilitation, physical therapy, and occupational health rehabilitation for injured workers.
Yergey Brewing, a family run business owned by Jim Yergey and his son Matt, the head brewer, is moving to 235 Main Street, Emmaus.
The brewery, formerly located at the corner of S. 5th and Railroad streets, bought the former BB&T bank building which will double their space.
“This larger footprint allows us to have double the fermenting tanks which will help us achieve our goal of not only serving more beer to our patrons but brewing a larger variety of beers as well,” Jim Yergey said. “We are excited to be on Main Street in Emmaus and hope our new location brings in more business for the rest of the small businesses in this community.”
In addition to the craft beers they make on sight, they have partnered with other local businesses to be able to provide ciders, draft cocktails, and wine. As in their former location, food trucks are regularly
“We couldn’t be more thrilled to see another dynamic, engaging, and fun business along Main Street,” Ashley Lorah, Emmaus Main Street manager said. “Jim and his team have always been tremendous to work with and supportive of local initiatives. We love his investment in the community through this building purchase and renovation and truly can’t wait to see Yergey Brewing grow and thrive!”
Full Circle Training Family Fitness (FCTfit) will celebrate its new location at 4140 Sandspring Road, Schnecksville on Saturday with a boot camp to aid the National Alliance of Mental Illness, Lehigh Valley (NAMI LV).
Founded in 2010 by Obe Roundtree, a graduate of Allentown’s Dieruff High School and University of Pittsburgh, where he played football, the new location will be celebrated by The Greater Northern Lehigh Chamber of Commerce (GNLCC) and Western Lehigh Chamber of Commerce (WLCC), partners of the Greater Lehigh Valley Chamber.
In the past year, Roundtree partnered with Chris and Sara Lakatosh to form Full Circle Training Family Fitness (FCTfit); FCTfit combines aspects of his personal training, “but in a group setting,” offering fitness for all levels and athletic abilities, a combined chamber statement said. FCTfit incorporates functional training and injury prevention movements that help with strength, stability and mobility.
Roundtree started his gym after pursuing a career as a physical trainer and has trained many high school, college and professional athletes over the years, as well as a passionate following of highly motivated first responders and military personnel, the statement said.
Roundtree prides himself most on developing young athletes both mentally, as well as physically, helping countless students receive scholarships to collegiate programs while strengthening their mental and physical well-being, according to the chambers.
After working at KidsPeace and seeing the crippling impact of mental illness on young people, Roundtree increased his attention to providing training that not only supports the physical aspects of the athlete but supports and strengthens mental health.
Training with Roundtree in the past, Chris Lakatosh saw first-hand how unique the workouts were and how significant the positive effects of his guidance on the people he trains, Lakatosh introduced his wife, Sara, to Roundtree and saw the potential for a great partnership.
Sara Atiyeh Lakatosh also grew up in Allentown; she is a graduate of William Allen High School and West Chester University and taught in the Allentown School District for nearly a decade. Upon having their three children, Sara was an at-home CEO and experienced first-hand the benefit of physical fitness Ton mental health, recognizing that many women experience mental struggle while raising a family and being home with their children.
“On behalf of the Greater Lehigh Valley Chamber of Commerce, the Western Lehigh and Greater Northern Lehigh Chambers, we are excited to welcome FCTfit to Schnecksville,” said Kylie Adams, AVP of Affiliated Chambers. “Not only do we have a fantastic new gym option in our region, the approach Sara and Obe have taken to create an inclusive and well-rounded fitness is sure to have a positive impact on our community. We look forward to celebrating their success with them for years to come!”
The bootcamp, falling in Depression and Mental Health Screening Awareness month, will begin following the grand opening and costs $20 per person to participate; half of the proceeds raised at the event will benefit the National Alliance of Mental Illness, Lehigh Valley (NAMI LV). Interested participants should call 484-225-0331 or email [email protected].
Rite Aid’s headquarters in Cumberland County. PHOTO/Markell DeLoatch –
Rite Aid, headquartered in East Pennsboro Township, Cumberland County, plans to relocate its headquarters to Philadelphia as part of a new focus on remote work.
The national drugstore chain said this month that it will be reimagining its workplace model to do away with office spaces and instead focus on “in-person collaboration and company gatherings” at a new headquarters in Philadelphia.
As part of the move, Rite Aid plans to open “regional collaboration centers” across the country that will allow its teams to work together when needed. Rite Aid hasn’t announced where these hubs will be located but has confirmed that one will be in the midstate.
The move to this remote work focus was spurred by an internal survey among Rite Aid’s corporate associates, which found that a vast majority preferred working from home, according to a Rite Aid press release.
“We’re changing our business from the inside out, and our reimagined workplace is the latest exciting step toward the future of this company,” said Heyward Donigan, CEO of Rite Aid. “We believe in remote work, and as we lean into it for the long term, we are investing in a physical footprint that will facilitate its best version. We’ve heard directly from our associates that teams want and need to meet in-person, and we think we’ve found the right balance between the flexibility of remote work and the power of on-site collaboration.”
The pharmacy chain currently plans to locate its new headquarters to Philadelphia’s Navy Yard district. The new location would feature space for teams across Rite Aid’s various businesses, including Rite Aid retail, Elixir, Health Dialog and Bartell Drugs.
“This is about building a reimagined workplace, where our associates have the flexibility they prefer and also have innovative, modern and new spaces that demonstrates a new Rite Aid,” said Brad Ducey, senior manager of external communications at Rite Aid.
Rite Aid doesn’t expect to see any layoffs as part of the move to Philadelphia and instead is actively hiring and looking to grow its corporate team of 700, according to Ducey.
The move will allow Rite Aid to occupy a smaller headquarters while still encouraging face to face communication with its associates through the collaboration centers. The remote-work-first attitude will also allow the company to more easily recruit talent no matter their location, said Jim Peters, COO at Rite Aid.
“This transformation of our workforce brings Rite Aid into the modern era of work. We can recruit the best talent regardless of their location, and we can give our corporate associates the freedom and flexibility that today’s workers crave,” said Peters. “Our new headquarters and collaboration centers will have a unifying effect on our enterprise and serve as an important space for our teams to be together when needed.”
Rite Aid operates 2,500 retail pharmacy locations across 17 states. It was founded in Scranton in 1962.
Rite Aid has yet to announce a timeline for its move out of its current headquarters at 30 Hunter Lane, East Pennsboro Township, or what it intends to do with the space.
If the pharmacy chain does plan to sell the property, any potential buyer would find a modern, well-kept workplace with easy access to downtown Harrisburg, said George Tyson, president of East Pennsboro Township’s Board of Commissioners.
“It’s a great facility, strategically located and surrounded by areas in the midst of development or in the cusp of development,” said Tyson. “Those properties have been snatched up because of the proximity. People that know the area know how strategic it is.”
Tyson said that Rite Aid has been a great neighbor to the region during its decades in Cumberland County but given the number of significant changes that the business has undergone in recent years, such as its selling of 1,932 Rite Aid stores and three distribution centers to Walgreens in 2017, it was not surprising that the company had plans for a change in headquarters.
“There has always been some awareness that the changes with Rite Aid were probably not finished,” he said. “Given the landscape of the business they are in and previous transactions, we knew that continued changes were going to take place we just didn’t know what they were.”
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