One of Hellertown’s best-known and oldest restaurants, Matey’s Crossroads Hotel, closed on Saturday, after a farewell week in which lines frequently stretched out the front door and even into the parking lot. Guests came from far and wide to enjoy a cheesesteak, pizza or beer at the eatery that’s been family-owned since 1953.
The front porch of Matey’s Crossroads Hotel in Hellertown
The closure of Crossroads has left many of those customers wondering what will become of the beloved local establishment, and the local rumor mill has been churning, especially in light of news last week that a Walmart Supercenter is to be built along Rt. 412 just north of the Bethlehem/Hellertown I-78 interchange.
The building, restaurant and liquor license are currently listed for sale for $2 million by Shawn Donahue of Veraxia Commercial Real Estate Solutions in Bethlehem.
Various suggestions for its reuse have been the talk of the town, and opinions run the gamut.
Some would prefer that the successful Crossroads “formula” remain the same, and that the restaurant reopen without any significant changes to its decor or menu.
Others have said they would like to see the new owner modernize some aspects of the business while keeping the things that make it unique.
Since the building isn’t a protected landmark, assuming the eventual buyer’s plans conform with borough zoning codes it is possible that the former Crossroads Hotel will house some other type of restaurant or a different kind of business altogether.
Saucon Source wants to hear what you have to say. Please vote in the poll and post comments about what you would prefer to see open where Crossroads was located.
