The Shops at Bethlehem undergoing renovations under new name

The Shops at Bethlehem, formerly Easton Commons, is undergoing renovations by property managers, NAI Summit. 

The company said it has plans to expand on the newly renovated 166,000-square-foot GIANT Foods, the anchor of the center. 

 “We felt the name of the shopping center should be more representative of the community it serves, and we are taking a strategic approach to identifying the needs of the local residents,” said Sarah Finney Miller, vice president at NAI Summit.  

The building renovations, which will be completed this summer, include façade updates, new lighting fixtures, new column structures, enhanced signage, and more. 

 The shopping center is filling up quickly, Miller said. GIANT Foods has renewed its long-term commitment to the center and modernized the interior of its store.  

Local real estate developer, Posh Properties, recently secured the retail pad site along Easton Avenue where a nationally recognized coffee franchise with a drive thru will be constructed at the center’s northeast entrance.  

New leases have been signed with Pennsylvania-based Active Learning Centers which plans to open an 11,250-square-foot childcare center, and local furniture and home furnishings company, Dave’s Department Store, in an 18,000-square-foot space. 

“Our goal has been to attract a wide variety of businesses that will serve the local community,” said Jennifer Kennedy, associate broker, NAI Summit. “The 33,000-square-foot junior anchor space is currently on the market and is available for possession in November 2022. The space has a 25-foot clear height and has a dock high loading door.  

“With industrial and flex space in demand, and Lehigh Valley inventory low, this space could work extremely well for a company in need of warehouse space to supplement its wholesale or retail operation,” she said. “Other uses that would complement the tenant mix include home improvement, appliance, entertainment, and healthcare.”  

Other tenants at the center include MAXX Fitness Center, Dairy Queen, Unity Bank, Vic’s Bagels, Sports Clips, Allstate Insurance, and more.  

With the center more than 95% occupied, only one inline space and one second generation restaurant space remain available for lease.