ALBURTIS, Pa. — A new restaurant hopes to open its doors in November at 2165 State Street, breathing fresh life into a historic property that dates back nearly 250 years.
Maple Grove Pub & Grill, located in what was previously known as the Inn at Maple Grove, will operate as a family-friendly bar and grill featuring comfort food in a rustic atmosphere, according to owner Mohamed “Mo” Saad Rehan, who has decided to open this restaurant with his wife after many years in the food industry.
“We just loved the atmosphere, how rustic it is,” Rehan said of the stone building, which operated as a hotel in its early days. The structure has historical significance, with some records suggesting that inventor Thomas Edison stopped there during his travels—not to mention its haunted inhabitants that continue to occupy the inn.
“There’s a ghost that lives here,” Rehan said. “People call him Charlie. He’s haunted this place.”
The inn’s haunted reputation only adds to its appeal. The stone structure remains a fitting backdrop for a cozy drink and meal in a remote corner of the Lehigh Valley. Tucked near Bear Creek Resort and surrounded by the quiet beauty of the season, the location has a true local escape feel.
The menu will focus on casual dining fare, including cheesesteaks, ribeye, and New York steaks, and tavern-style offerings, with some seafood options. The restaurant will serve beer and other beverages.
Rehan has worked at City View Diner and East Bend Diner in Emmaus, while his wife has experience in waitressing and restaurant management.
“It was just kind of like, we wanted to do our own things,” Rehan said of their decision to open the restaurant. “We wanted to start our business and start from the beginning.”
The restaurant will be open seven days a week, operating from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. weekdays and 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays.
Rehan indicated that the staff is nearly complete and that the final puzzle pieces are falling into place as they work toward their anticipated November opening.
“We’re very, very excited,” Rehan said of the venture.
