ARTICLE
Although his chef coat showed the usual remnants of sauce and cheese from the dozens of cheesesteaks he makes in a day, April 11 was not a typical “day at the office” for Vince Cocca Jr. Cocca, president of Vince’s Cheesesteaks – a Lehigh Valley staple for more than 60 years – on that day was the focus of local media, the community and the more than 70 people who visited his new 44-seat downtown Allentown steak shop for a ribbon-cutting and welcoming ceremony. This marked the company’s long-awaited return to its roots in center city – where Cocca’s father started the family business more than six decades ago. “Everyone wished us luck and congrats,” Cocca said. “They were happy to see us downtown.” With the new venture comes about 15 new hires, who are mostly local, Cocca said – and a general manager. Cocca and his son, Chris, vice president of operations, have upped the ante this time with a new and trendier in-house menu, catering packages for businesses and walk-to and bike-to delivery service. The traditional cheesesteak still remains the star of the steak shop, but other more trendy ones have been added, including chicken bacon ranch and chicken pesto bruschetta cheesesteaks. “It’s great to see a company with such a long history in the Lehigh Valley reaffirming its investment in the region,” said Don Cunningham, president and CEO of Lehigh Valley Economic Development Corp. Several months before closing Vince’s in 2014 in Lower Macungie Township after six years, Cocca and his son began vying for a space in the City Center buildings in downtown Allentown, hoping to be a part of the city’s revitalization efforts. Instead, Tony Luke’s, a popular Philadelphia cheesesteak chain, got the spot. Luckily for Vince’s, in February Tony Luke’s pulled out. Today, the Coccas are giving new life to the business that for nearly two years has been living out of food trucks and at fairs and festivals. “It’s not just the beginning of a business, but for us it is a celebration of returning to our roots,” Chris Cocca told the crowd at the ribbon cutting. “And being a vital part of what happens down here in the business community but also in the community at large.” When Vince’s took over the downtown Allentown shop at 806 Hamilton St., for the most part it was a turnkey operation. The Coccas, though, made cosmetic changes. Seating was increased by 12-16 seats. An outside canopy soon will go up, and, pending city approval, outside tables would be added, increasing seating to nearly 60. The shop will be open every day, with extended hours on event/concert nights at nearby PPL Center. “Vince’s is a huge part of Allentown’s history, and we are thrilled to have them become part of the renaissance,” said Betsy Kohl, Hamilton District Main Street manager for the Greater Lehigh Valley Chamber of Commerce. Read the full article here.
Although his chef coat showed the usual remnants of sauce and cheese from the dozens of cheesesteaks he makes in a day, April 11 was not a typical “day at the office” for Vince Cocca Jr.
Cocca, president of Vince’s Cheesesteaks – a Lehigh Valley staple for more than 60 years – on that day was the focus of local media, the community and the more than 70 people who visited his new 44-seat downtown Allentown steak shop for a ribbon-cutting and welcoming ceremony.
This marked the company’s long-awaited return to its roots in center city – where Cocca’s father started the family business more than six decades ago.
“Everyone wished us luck and congrats,” Cocca said. “They were happy to see us downtown.”
With the new venture comes about 15 new hires, who are mostly local, Cocca said – and a general manager.
Cocca and his son, Chris, vice president of operations, have upped the ante this time with a new and trendier in-house menu, catering packages for businesses and walk-to and bike-to delivery service. The traditional cheesesteak still remains the star of the steak shop, but other more trendy ones have been added, including chicken bacon ranch and chicken pesto bruschetta cheesesteaks.
“It’s great to see a company with such a long history in the Lehigh Valley reaffirming its investment in the region,” said Don Cunningham, president and CEO of Lehigh Valley Economic Development Corp.
Several months before closing Vince’s in 2014 in Lower Macungie Township after six years, Cocca and his son began vying for a space in the City Center buildings in downtown Allentown, hoping to be a part of the city’s revitalization efforts.
Instead, Tony Luke’s, a popular Philadelphia cheesesteak chain, got the spot. Luckily for Vince’s, in February Tony Luke’s pulled out.
Today, the Coccas are giving new life to the business that for nearly two years has been living out of food trucks and at fairs and festivals.
“It’s not just the beginning of a business, but for us it is a celebration of returning to our roots,” Chris Cocca told the crowd at the ribbon cutting. “And being a vital part of what happens down here in the business community but also in the community at large.”
When Vince’s took over the downtown Allentown shop at 806 Hamilton St., for the most part it was a turnkey operation. The Coccas, though, made cosmetic changes.
Seating was increased by 12-16 seats. An outside canopy soon will go up, and, pending city approval, outside tables would be added, increasing seating to nearly 60.
The shop will be open every day, with extended hours on event/concert nights at nearby PPL Center.
“Vince’s is a huge part of Allentown’s history, and we are thrilled to have them become part of the renaissance,” said Betsy Kohl, Hamilton District Main Street manager for the Greater Lehigh Valley Chamber of Commerce.