Favorite Whitehall restaurant closing; owner to give new music-themed eatery a spin

WHITEHALL TWP., Pa. — A favorite spot for all-day breakfast will close next week as the owner transitions to a restaurant making music to his ears.

Griddle 145, which since 2011 has operated on MacArthur Road, will close Wednesday, Dec. 31, the restaurant announced in a Facebook post today, Saturday, Dec. 27.

Owner Taylor Eisenhard, who has owned and run Griddle 145 since it opened, has previously said he will be at the helm of, and in charge of the kitchen at, the new The Broken Record.

That restaurant, which owners have said they expect to open in early January, will combine a broad range of food offerings with a music theme at 6776 Hamilton Blvd., Lower Macungie Township.

“After 13 1/2 years of shared mornings, celebrations, familiar faces and everyday moments, Griddle 145 will be closing our current location,” a message on the restaurant’s Facebook says.

It’s signed by “The Griddle 145 family.”

“This place has been more than a restaurant — it’s been part of our lives, and part of yours,” the post says. “We’ve watched families grow, friendships form, milestones celebrated and routines become traditions.

“For that we are eternally grateful.

“Closing this chapter is emotional. We’re sad to say goodbye to these walls, deeply thankful for the memories made here, and incredibly excited for what’s ahead — all at the same time.”

Eisenhard said in a previous interview that he had an agreement of sale for the Griddle 145 building at 1146 MacArthur Road.

Food offerings, music theme

The Facebook post says “beginning a new chapter at The Broken Record” will offer “a new name, a new vibe and a new energy — but the same heart behind everything we do.”

“We’ll continue serving breakfast and brunch, expand into lunch and dinner, and you’ll still find many of the Griddle 145 favorites you’ve come to love,” it says.

It says breakfast at The Broken Record will begin in January.

The Broken Record is the new project of Jeff Trainer, the owner and driving force behind Wind Creek Event Center in Bethlehem, which since 2011 has offered top musical acts and other entertainment.

Wind Creek Event Center last week was ranked the No. 2 busiest club venue in the worldby Pollstar magazine.

The Broken Record will be in the third space in a new strip center next to ABE Doors & Windows.

Inside, music — much of it chosen by customers and played on an upscale sound system — will fill the air, and memorabilia the walls.

Records, pictures, posters and more cover the walls — even inside the restrooms. Even the food and drinks will have music-related names.

The main feature of The Broken Record is a large bar with 36 seats — but built so that its sides are relatively close together so everyone can interact.

There’s an additional line of tables along padded seats against one wall, and the other side will feature tables — with a glass wall that will be open to spill out onto a patio during warm weather.

The walls are covered by music memorabilia — and so is the interior of the five individual, unisex restrooms.

John J. Moser

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LehighValleyNews.com

‘It’s a new beginning’

But even more than the decor, The Broken Record’s atmosphere will be music-oriented.

The sound system will carry music being played on an actual turntable, with records largely chosen by customers from about 1,000 records when they arrive — or from iPads, Trainer said.

But the most important element of any restaurant is its food, and the partners in The Broken Record said they hope to appeal to a broad audience.

“The concept is it’s going to be small plates, shareables, bringing people together to enjoy these foods together,” Eisenhard said in a previous interview.

Eisenhard said in that interview that his “passion is for the food and the customer and the staff.

“I take all those things and running the business makes me feel good, when I can get my team on board with the vision,” he said. “I can meet and exceed the guests’ expectations.

“And then just having a good time doing it — create a place that has a good culture, a good environment for staff and guests.

“The best experience for the staff and the best experience for the guests. That’s what I really have pleasure doing.”

The Facebook post closes by thanking Griddle 145 customers “for trusting us with your mornings, your celebrations and your time for the past 13 1/2 years.

“We hope you’ll follow us into this next chapter and continue making memories with us.

“This isn’t goodbye. It’s a new beginning.”