The former Buca di Beppo restaurant in Whitehall Township is being transformed into an international market and kitchen featuring Mediterranean specialties and more.
The yet-to-be-named market could open around Thanksgiving at 714 Grape St. pending township approvals, a Lehigh Financial Group news release announced Friday. It will offer groceries, prepared foods, halal meats, dairy, olives, imported chocolates, over 20 kebab varieties and eventually a dining deck.
Renovations will include new automated glass doors, kitchen upgrades, new refrigeration and potentially an additional 3,000 square feet and second floor.
Sultan Property Group LLC, a partnership formed by entrepreneurs Timor Bulag, Cengiz Yalim, Tuncay Yalim and Mohammad Khan, acquired the 1.7-acre property Wednesday for $1.15 million, Lehigh Financial Group said.
“Our core business is food importing, and we’ve had our eye on the Allentown corridor for a long time,” Bulag said in the release. “There’s a void in this market for what we offer — halal butchery, Mediterranean and international foods, and a gourmet shopping experience. We’ve vetted this area for over 10 years.”
The group also hopes to expand by taking over and rebranding other stores, he added.
Antonia Trigiani of Lehigh Financial Group arranged the financing for the deal, First Commonwealth Federal Credit Union provided a loan and First United Land Transferhandled the title and closing services.
Known for its family-style Italian dining, Buca di Beppo closed its Whitehall Township location in 2020 after 20 years of operation. The chain currently has no Pennsylvania locations, .
