Beloved Allentown Restaurant, Stahley’s, Purchased by Local Entrepreneur and Former Customer
ALLENTOWN, Pennsylvania — A beloved local restaurant with deep roots in the Lehigh Valley community is entering a new chapter under the leadership of a former customer turned owner.
Zonia Sibri, who first visited Stahley’s shortly after arriving in the United States from Ecuador in 1995, officially purchased the iconic East Allentown restaurant on Tuesday, October 28th.
Jeff Barber of Lehigh Financial Group LLC arranged the financing for the sale, which has drawn widespread attention in recent weeks after news of the pending transaction began circulating publicly.
“This was the first American restaurant I ever went to,” Sibri said. “My brother-in-law said the clams were the best, so we went. I’d never had clams before, I came from poverty, but the food was great, the service was great, the atmosphere was great. It felt like family. I always kept that memory with me.”
Sibri, who began as a waitress in a diner, now owns multiple businesses and invests in real estate. She had long admired the restaurant and its place in the community. “I always go over there for the clams,” she said. “I always said if one day it’s for sale, maybe I’ll try to get this place. It’s a good area, nice people, and I see a lot of possibilities.”
Those possibilities include preserving what regulars love about Stahley’s while bringing new elements to the table. “I want to keep the same items they have now, the clams, cheesesteaks, cheeseburgers, Black Diamond steak, the soups, but I’m also bringing back breakfast,” she said. “People have been asking for it. We’ll do paninis, homemade cream chipped beef, pulled pork Benedict, coffee, juice, everything homemade.”
She also plans to expand salad options, introduce new seafood dishes, and offer soup or fries with sandwiches. “If customers ask for something, we’ll make it,” she said. “I want them to feel like they’re in a family house.”
Sibri said the staff currently working at Stahley’s plan to stay on, and she’s bringing in additional chefs to help manage the expanded menu. “I’m bringing some team members from my side and training specialists,” she said. “But the people who work there now want to stay, and I want to keep them.”
Initially, renovations will be minimal. Sibri plans to replace kitchen equipment, paint the exterior, and later update tables and booths. “Maybe down the road, I’ll do a new sign outside,” she said. She also hopes to make use of the banquet room downstairs for private parties and events. “They said they used to do a lot of events. I want to advertise that space more,” she said. “I want to keep the place alive, keep the reputation alive, doing my best, fixing everything all the time.”
Sibri’s connection to Barber and Lehigh Financial Group came through her real estate work. “Jeff is great. I met him through my agency; I buy houses too. He’s the best! He helped me everywhere. Attorney Joe Piperato and his team and Kim from Lehigh Financial Group were there for me with all the paperwork. It wasn’t hard, everything was easy. They explained everything. They have a lot of patience.”
Barber said helping Sibri complete the purchase of Stahley’s was an honor. “Zonia’s journey from first-time customer to owner is exactly the kind of story that reminds us why we do what we do,” Barber said. “She has the drive, the experience, and the heart to lead this business into its next chapter.”
Sibri said the reality of owning Stahley’s still feels surreal. “Sometimes I can’t believe it. I couldn’t sleep last night. From the first day I went there until now, it’s incredible,” she said. “But I’ve been working hard. That’s why I came to this country, I left all my family behind to do my best here. And now I want to make something great for the community.”
The listing agent for the sale was Joe Paranee of Paranee Properties. Marta Gandia of Cassidon Realty Better Homes & Gardens represented Sibri as the buyer’s agent. Attorney Joe Piperato of Eastburn & Gray Law Offices in Bethlehem served as buyer’s legal counsel. The funding lender was 44 Business Capital.
Lehigh Financial Group, LLC is a leading source of innovative real estate capital solutions and financing options for commercial customers. Based in Allentown, the firm serves the Lehigh Valley and beyond by providing capital for businesses and investors locally, regionally, and nationwide. For more information, visit LehighFinancialGroup.com.
Information provided to TVL by:
PhoenixFire Media
