Beacon Grille set to open in Allentown

BUFFALO, N.Y. (WKBW) — Amanda and Bruce Wieszala held a soft opening of their new Allentown restaurant this weekend, welcoming people to sample Beacon Grille’s welcoming atmosphere.

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It’s at 185 Allen, which a year ago had been vacant for 25 years.

“Now we are giving back to the Allentown community and becoming curators and stewards of this incredible space,” Amanda said.

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With an outdoor grill and pizza cooker, the Wieszalas hope to make their restaurant a place where everyone can go.

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“Having people in the space and bringing it back to life, it was definitely worth the effort and the struggle and the hard work,” Bruce said.

The restaurant offers a fun touch of modern and historic ambiance with Edison bulbs and weathered copper decorating the walls.

The couple says that despite high property taxes and rent prices affecting businesses, they are confidently taking the plunge into restaurant ownership.

“We’ve seen some big iconic venues close, but I’m not by nature a risk-taker, so it was a huge leap of faith,” Amanda said.

Much like the company name, Wieszala’s hope is to be a beacon for all to enjoy.

“A beacon would guide them home, it would be a feeling of warmth and home, and then it would turn into lighthouses that would lead the sailors through the stormy waters to a safe haven,” Amanda said.

The grille will add a new twist to an already diverse Allen Street neighborhood.

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“Allentown has always been very eclectic and if you didn’t have a place, you had a place in Allentown,” Amanda said.

The Beacon Grille is expected to open in late June or early July.