new ownership Archives

Shuttered Brandywine Hospital to get new life

Penn Medicine has signed a letter of intent to purchase the Brandywine Hospital campus from Reading-based Tower Health for Veterans Affairs services and emergency services for area residents.

Penn Medicine said it is working with the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to enhance care for veterans in the Philadelphia region through a plan to develop state-of-the-art facilities, according to two Memoranda of Understanding (MOU) signed in late June.

Plans include services for outpatient, acute mental health, and long-term care on the Brandywine campus, Penn Medicine said.

Penn Medicine said it is also evaluating the needs of the community to determine additional programming for the Brandywine campus beyond the partnership with the VA.

The health care system said emergency care has been identified early as a top priority for residents of the area, where Penn Medicine also operates Chester County Hospital, and leaders will work to develop a plan to provide that type of care.

Brandywine Hospital closed in early 2022.

The plans with the VA, the first publicly announced under new authorities granted by federal legislation, aim to set a new national model for the power of collaboration between the VA and academic medical centers.

“Caring for veterans of our nation’s military is a sacred responsibility,” said University of Pennsylvania Health System CEO Kevin B. Mahoney. “The PACT Act allows for a great synergy between Penn Medicine and the VA, and we hope to leverage this new model to set the standard for how our nation approaches military medicine. Although we cannot fully repay the debt of veterans’ service to protect our freedom, we can ensure they receive the world’s best medical care at every phase of their lives following their service.”

Both MOUs are made possible under the Promise to Address Comprehensive Toxics (PACT) Act, which expands health care benefits for veterans who were exposed to toxic substances including burn bits and Agent Orange during their service. Part of the law allows for the VA to enter into lease agreements with academic affiliates to provide health care resources to veterans, according to Penn Medicine.

The plan, which includes both the Corporal Michael J. Crescenz VA Medical Center campus in Philadelphia and the Coatesville VA Medical Center, aims to have an impact on veterans’ services across a broad swath of Southeastern Pennsylvania and Southern New Jersey, a service area encompassing more than 100,000 veterans, Penn Medicine said.

Together, Penn Medicine and the VA will work to modernize aging VA facilities infrastructure, and develop new collaborations, while strengthening their existing clinical and research partnerships, Penn Medicine said.

Hellertown Diner under new ownership

Zonia Sibri-Quinde, owner of Sibri’s Restaurant in Bethlehem, recently purchased the Hellertown Diner at 29 Main Street – PHOTO/PROVIDED

The Hellertown Diner is under new ownership.

Zonia Sibri-Quinde, owner of Sibri’s Restaurant in Bethlehem, recently purchased the Hellertown Diner at 29 Main Street with an SBA loan arranged by Jeffery Barber of Lehigh Financial Group LLC, Allentown.

Sibri-Quinde said she had been looking to expand Sibri’s, a family-owned and operated restaurant located at 147 E. Broad Street, Bethlehem, because it’s often crowded, and parking is an issue. When she learned the Hellertown Diner was for sale, she said she thought it was a perfect opportunity and made an offer.

Sibri-Quinde plans to keep both restaurants open for breakfast, lunch and dinner and to add some customer favorite items from Sibri’s to the Hellertown Diner’s menu.

“Our customers love our eggs benedict and all the kinds of waffles we serve. They also love our pulled pork and homemade crabmeat items,” Sibri-Quinde said. “Hopefully, people will come to both places to continue to enjoy our food.”

Sibri-Quinde said she plans to renovate the 144-seat diner which will remain open during the construction.

Sibri-Quinde was represented by Attorney Joe Piperato. Her real estate agent was Marta Gandia of Cassidon Realty Better Homes & Gardens in Bethlehem. The listing agent was Jessica Vooz of The Jessica Vooz Group at Keller Williams Real Estate of Bethlehem.

The lender was 44 Business Capital, a direct small business lending division of Berkshire Bank.

Hartman’s Butcher Shop under new ownership

Slate Belt Butchery – Photo curtesy of LFG –

Hartman’s Butcher Shop in New Tripoli will reopen this fall under new ownership.

Partners Scott Carey of Easton and Mike Schnalzer of Slate Belt Butchery LLC in Saylorsburg, Monroe County, have purchased Hartman’s Butcher Shop off Route 309 in New Tripoli and are renovating the 6,000-square-foot shop that closed in July 2021 when owner Dennis Hartman retired.

The buyers are renaming the retail shop, located at 7291 Autumn Road, Carey and Schnalzer Quality Meats. They said they will continue processing their wholesale meat business under Slate Belt Butchery.

The two acquired the real estate, which included butchering equipment and smokehouse, along with some of Hartman’s secret recipes.

Jeff Barber of Lehigh Financial Group LLC in Allentown arranged the SBA loan for the partners to buy the property and make some improvements. Barber said he is excited for both partners and was happy to help them expand their business. “I enjoyed working and learning what goes into the butchery business,” Barber said.

The butcher shop, with its iconic statue of a pig looking out on the road, had been in the Hartman family for three generations. It was started in 1940 by Hartman’s grandfather.

“We bought a turnkey operation, but we plan to make it our own,” Carey said. Carey and Schnalzer will offer some of the sausages and other meat items that Hartman’s was known for as well as some of its own recipes.

They hope to reopen the shop by September and perhaps have a soft opening in August.

Rita’s Italian Ice reopens under new ownership in Hellertown

The Rita’s Italian Ice & Frozen Custard of Hellertown is under new ownership and will hold a grand re-opening March 16.

Jay Losagio, owner of the store at 1130 Main St., said, “I currently reside in Lower Nazareth with my wife, Edith, 6 1/2-month-old Son, Samuel and three dogs, Bing, Luigi, and Bella. A fun fact though is that back in the early 90’s and from 2010-2012, I lived in Hellertown, so it is great to be back in town again! I look forward to being actively involved in the Hellertown community. My Rita’s team and I look forward to serving you in the 2022 season and beyond!”

The Hellertown-Lower Saucon Chamber of Commerce will host a grand re-opening March 16 from 5:30 – 7:00 p.m.

“Whether it’s a cool treat after a sporting event or a summer night out with your family or friends, Rita’s brings people in the community together,” said Jessica O’Donnell and Lauren Bertucci, the Greater Lehigh Valley Chamber of Commerce’s Hellertown-Lower Saucon Chamber liaisons. “We are thrilled to welcome Jay and his team to the Borough of Hellertown and look forward to seeing the impact that they make.”

The event will kick off at 5:30 PM with the Ribbon Cutting taking place at 5:45 PM. It will feature a DJ, a face painter, giveaways, and more.

Kim Rosario, Chair of the Hellertown-Lower Saucon Chamber Board, said, “A huge congratulations to Jay Losagio and his team! We are thrilled to welcome them to the Hellertown-Lower Saucon community and celebrate the Grand Reopening of the Rita’s of Hellertown. We look forward to your success and enjoying a Gelati on a hot summer’s day!”

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