ALLENTOWN, Pa. — Has a Downtown Allentown staple bid farewell after more than eight years in business?
Bell Hall, a craft beer and burger bar that opened in October 2015, is listed as “permanently closed” on Google and was the subject of speculation on social media over the weekend.
In online reviews, patrons said the restaurant still was accepting reservations, but when they showed up the place was dark.
In the Lehigh Valley Food Facebook group, others said the restaurant appeared to be out of most items at the end of December and beginning of January.
Bell Hall’s Facebook and Instagram accounts also appear to be deleted, with a link to instagram.com/thebellhall stating, ‘Sorry, this page isn’t available.’
The link to facebook.com/bellhallallentown/ said, “This content isn’t available right now. When this happens, it’s usually because the owner only shared it with a small group of people, changed who can see it or it’s been deleted.”
Closed for renovations?
LehighValleyNews.com reached out to Bell Hall for comment, but emails got no response and a phone line did not have voicemail connected.
A visit to the establishment Monday revealed the outdoor patio in disarray, with furniture toppled over and chairs and umbrella stands rusted.
A glass enclosed menu board yielded no updates and a chalkboard placed near the main entrance appeared to read, “Closed for renovations.”
The building — in the heart of Center City at 612 Hamilton St. — also had paper covering the floor-to-ceiling windows along Hamilton Street and on its western facade, while holiday decor still hung over the main entrance.
‘Brownfields to Burgers’
Bell Hall occupies the first floor of the former Schoen’s Furniture Store in Allentown.
The structure sat vacant for 20 years until it found new life as a loft-style office building, reopening as the Trifecta Building in 2014.
According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, the structure was redeveloped by Charles Street Capital. An EPA grant covered a hazardous substance assessment, including an asbestos and lead survey.
Lehigh Valley Bell Hall by LehighValley Newsdotcom on Scribd
When the building was completed and Bell Hall officially opened its doors, it touted itself as a gourmet burger bar serving a variety of locally brewed beers.
The restaurant seats nearly 200 people, including patio seating and a private dining room in the back.
When it opened, it was heralded by the Lehigh Valley Economic Development Corporation as an example of how the redevelopment process can transform a vacant or blighted property into a strong asset for the community.
Bell Hall took its name from the neighboring church where the Liberty Bell was hidden during the Revolutionary War. The project was part of the Allentown Neighborhood Improvement Zone Development Authority, or ANIZDA.
Messages to ANIZDA and to the Downtown Allentown Business Alliance got no immediate response Monday.
