FORKS TWP., Pa. – A much-loved venue offering unique outdoor spaces to enjoy drinks, food, live music and more has changed hands in Northampton County.
Wanderlust Beer Garden, at 1600 Sullivan Trail in Forks Township, was recently sold to Mike and Rebecca Pichetto, owners of 3rd & Ferry Fish Market in downtown Easton.
Father and son Albert and Matt Jinks established Wanderlust in 2022, and Albert announced the change in ownership on Thursday on the business’ Instagram page.
“For me this closes a remarkable chapter,” he stated in the online announcement.
“It has been said Wanderlust disrupted the local restaurant market. Whether that is true or not is for others to decide. I do think we changed the restaurant landscape. We introduced something different to Easton. A place where people can gather celebrate and make memories. In 2025 alone more than 15,000 people attended private events at Wanderlust.”
The Pichettos opened 3rd & Ferry Fish Market in 2013 at the site of the former Lipkin’s Furniture building at Third and Ferry streets in downtown Easton.
The seafood spot has become a staple of the Lehigh Valley restaurant scene, garnering widespread acclaim from diners and prestigious accolades from publications.
In purchasing Wanderlust, the Pichettos – who also ran other food and dining spots in the Easton area over the years – saw an opportunity to take on another “exciting project,” Mike told 69 News.
The couple admires what the Jinks family has built with Wanderlust and looks forward to shepherding the venue toward continued success.
“Becca and I are very excited because this is very different from any other project that we’ve undertaken,” Mike said.
“But we’re also not unfamiliar with the business. I’ve known Al Jinks for a long time, and he’s always been a help to me as a business mentor. When he purchased the [Wanderlust] property, he’d ask me to help him out with restaurant stuff, and of course I was happy to do so. So, over the course of the years, I got to know the business really well. He built an incredible business, and he’s an unbelievably successful person in general. He and his son, Matt, have multiple businesses that they run, and they were looking to sell [Wanderlust] to someone who they are comfortable with and know would carry it on as they pull back and focus on their other businesses.”
Wanderlust Beer Garden is located at 1600 Sullivan Trail in Forks Township.
Wanderlust is a unique venue offering a variety of indoor and outdoor spaces for individuals and groups to gather and enjoy themselves.
The beer garden, operating spring through fall, has become a popular al-fresco hangout, offering live music, children’s playgrounds and two food trailers (dishing out flatbreads, salads, sandwiches and more).
The pet-friendly venue features fire pits, string lights, Adirondack chairs and a fun atmosphere, thanks to distinctive furniture and decor such as neon signs, a Hollywood sign that people can autograph, pick-up truck beds repurposed as dining areas and a 1964 Airstream trailer that was converted into a bar.
There’s even an old box truck that was hollowed out to feature a music stage.
“Too often, restaurants ask families to compromise,” Albert Jinks said in the online announcement.
“Either the adults enjoy themselves and the kids are restless. Or the kids have fun while the adults count the minutes until it is time to leave. At Wanderlust everyone can have fun together. We built nine different neighborhoods, each with its own personality. Fire pits, a playground, a barn, a picnic grove, indoor speakeasy, a bandstand, an Airstream Bar. If one area isn’t for you, the next one will be. At night, a thousand lights transform the grounds into something magical.”
The Pichettos aren’t planning any immediate major changes at Wanderlust, but they hope to eventually transition the venue into a year-round destination, Mike said.
Dudley’s Lounge, a full-service restaurant and lounge featuring hand-crafted food, artisan cocktails and an intimate, cozy atmosphere, held a soft opening Jan. 26 at 1600 Sullivan Trail in Forks Township.
In 2024, Wanderlust introduced Dudley’s Lounge, a full-service restaurant and lounge featuring hand-crafted food and drinks and an intimate, cozy atmosphere, and the Pichettos also plan to continue operating that aspect of the business, Mike said.
Dudley’s, named after Albert’s father, features seating for approximately 60 customers at a variety of dining and socializing areas.
The Jinks family enjoys traveling, and Dudley’s features many unique pieces from their trips.
There are vintage beer steins, luggage, statues, glass lamps, mirrors, a model sailboat, and framed artwork and photographs. Antique and retro pieces mix seamlessly with more modern items.
“Dudley’s is one of Wanderlust’s neighborhoods and can absolutely stay open year-round because it’s indoors,” Mike said. “So, we’ll be operating that in the winter at the very least.”
In announcing the business’ change in hands, Albert Jinks also thanked his family members, including his son, Matt, and daughters, Maribeth and Rebecca, along with several other individuals and groups.
“No vision becomes a reality without extraordinary people,” he stated.
“Dozens of employees bring Wanderlust to life everyday with hard work, pride and kindness. And an energy our guests feel the moment they arrive. To every employee, musician, vendor, customer, and friend – both two-legged and four legged, And to our 23,000 followers: thank you. You are the reason Wanderlust became what it did. I also want to thank Forks Township Supervisors who encouraged us from their first unanimous vote to allow us to locate a liquor license to Forks – to our opening day and beyond.”
Wanderlust, which also hosts private events, is open Wednesday through Sunday.
For the latest updates, follow the business’ pages on Facebook and Instagram. Info: wanderlustbeergarden.com.
‘ The preceding article may include information circulated by third parties ’
‘ Some details of this article were extracted from the following source www.wfmz.com ’
