"While it may appear to be a decorative fountain, interactive splash pads operate under many of the same public health and water quality standards as public aquatic facilities." That was how Promenade Saucon Valley management explained, this July, why the Pop Jet Fountain in Town Square was permanently closed. The statement said the fountain's underground plumbing, pumps, filtration equipment and mechanical systems had "reached the end of their useful life."
The fountain in front of Starbucks opened shortly after the center itself, which first opened in October 2006. Management did not just pave it over. It said that in the coming months it will "begin planning for a reimagined Town Square that reflects the evolving needs of our community." The Promenade turns 20 this October. During the year leading up to that, the center has been replacing the features it was built around with events and tenants that give people a reason to come by even when they're not shopping. The fall calendar shows this most clearly.
What Opened on October 27, 2006
The baseline helps explain the change. In August 2006, The Morning Call previewed a 475,000-square-foot development set to open October 27 with 44 named tenants. It was described as the Valley's first lifestyle center. Coverage of opening day reported more than 3,000 visitors and about 55 announced tenants. The early headline names included L.L. Bean, Brooks Brothers and Starbucks. The Fresh Market, Rave Theatre, Melt, Sage and Velvet were also part of that first lineup. The theater was not open for the ribbon cutting. Rave was expected to start operating on December 15 of that year.
Back then the name was The Promenade Shops at Saucon Valley, and the word "Shops" described what the place was for. Of the businesses named above, Starbucks is the one still mentioned as an anchor in this year's local reporting, since the retired fountain sat right in front of it.
The Name Changed First, Then the Infrastructure
Two management decisions led to this anniversary year. In April 2022, Centennial Advisory Services took over the center's management, marketing and accounting, and MSC became its regional leasing partner. Local reporting at the time said the previous firm, Poag, had managed the property but did not own it, and that the owner, who was not named, chose a new management partner.
Then, on April 15, 2024, "Shops" was dropped from the name. Saucon Source reported that the change was meant to signal a broader tenant mix and a move toward a town-center role as a community gathering place. The refresh brought new colors, a new logo, new awnings and furniture. It also included planned upgrades to the gazebo, the seating, the amphitheater shade and the property signs, and the pop-jet fountain was on that 2024 upgrade list too. Two years later, the fountain has been retired instead. So the town-center idea from 2024 is now moving from new signs to the actual layout of Town Square.
Twelve Months of Tenant Swaps
The storefronts have followed the same path. Here is how 2026 has gone so far, based on local reporting:
- February. The Hive Local Marketplace, which sold handmade goods from local vendors, closed. Francesca's closed the same month.
- March 23. Norman's Hallmark opened next to Capital Blue Cross Connect.
- April 2. Sephora opened next to Athleta, in the space Go! Calendars, Toys & Games used to occupy. By the same month, Mental Strength Ritual had moved into the former Evolve Salon & Spa space between Altar'd State and Mason's Famous Lobster Rolls.
- June 11. Wonder opened. It's a virtual food hall that serves curated menus from more than 20 restaurants and cuisines through its app, for pickup or delivery, plus a small dine-in area. The lineup includes dishes inspired by Bobby Flay, Marcus Samuelson and Michael Symon, alongside Tejas Barbecue and Magnolia Bakery. This is the area's second Wonder, after the one that opened inside the Quakertown Walmart in 2024.
- July 24. A Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board notice in the window of the former Bar Louie said its liquor license was moving from BLH Acquisition Co LLC to Saucon Valley TRS LLC.
Two arrivals are still pending. General manager Patrick Turner told WFMZ that a pet supply store is being built out in Suite 420, between American Eagle Outfitters and Claire's, in the space The Hive left. It will carry toys, food, treats and accessories, with no live pets and no grooming. "They should be open in October, but I can't announce the name just yet," Turner said. A new restaurant is also in early development at 2960 Center Valley Parkway, Suite 700. Bar Louie operated there until August 2025, and Shula's Steak House had the space before that. Its name, concept and opening date have not been announced.
That gives two rows of space in transition right now, and a Town Square with no plan published yet.
An Anniversary Built Around a Dog Event
The way the center is celebrating its 20th fits the town-center pitch it made in 2024. The anniversary runs October 1 through 20, with "20 Days of Deals," giveaways and prizes from participating businesses. Athleta, for example, is offering 20% off purchases of $125 or more from October 6 to 20. The main celebration is not a sale. It's folded into Barktoberfest on Saturday, October 17. The center says that day's program will also include a history display covering the construction, the 2006 opening, past events and changes to the property.
Barktoberfest, presented by K9 Resorts. Dock Dogs preview Friday, October 16 at 4 p.m. Main event Saturday, October 17, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., with dock diving, pet vendors, contests and family activities.
The timing lines up. A pet supply store is expected to open in October, and the center's biggest celebration of the season is about dogs.
Snowflake Square and the Local-Vendor Role
The holiday stretch shows the clearest link between what closed and what is planned. Snowflake Square is listed for November 14 through December 24. It's a holiday market of local businesses and artisans set up around the 40-foot tree, open Fridays 4 to 8 p.m., Saturdays noon to 8 p.m. and Sundays noon to 5 p.m. In February, The Hive Local Marketplace closed in a permanent storefront that sold the same kind of local, handmade goods. For six weeks each holiday season, Snowflake Square brings that kind of vendor back, but as an event.
The Annual Holiday Tree Lighting runs 5 to 8 p.m. The date is not settled yet. The center's events calendar lists November 14, and the event's own page says "Saturday, November 15th." In 2026, November 14 is the Saturday. Check the listing again before you plan an evening around it. Vendors who want to take part need a signed agreement with management before the event, and prior participation does not count as approval.
The Rest of Center Valley's Fall, Within a Few Miles
The Promenade's events fill only some of the weekends. The township, the university and a working vineyard nearby fill most of the others, and several fall right next to the anniversary dates:
- Friday, October 2. Fall Movie Night at Hopewell Park, 4695 West Hopewell Road, from 5 to 9 p.m., put on by Upper Saucon Township and the Southern Lehigh Chamber. The Morning Call lists Hocus Pocus, with preshow entertainment and food trucks. Stone Farm Cellars & Vineyard, at 5831 Vera Cruz Road, has Nick Cerniglia playing live from 5 to 8 p.m. the same night.
- October 1 to 11. Act 1 performs Dublin by Lamplight on the Main Stage at DeSales University, 2755 Station Avenue.
- Saturday, October 10. Vinyasa and Vino outdoor yoga at Stone Farm, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. The $21 ticket includes a mimosa or a glass of wine. A Fall Paint & Sip with D'z Pop-up Paint Parties follows on Wednesday, October 14, from 6 to 8 p.m., and requires advance registration.
- October 29 to November 1. The DeSales University Dance Ensemble Concert on the Main Stage.
- Saturday, October 31. Upper Saucon Township's free Household Hazardous Waste Collection at Hopewell Park, 8 a.m. to noon. Registration is required. The collection is open to township residents.
- Saturday, November 7. Vines for a Cause at Stone Farm, benefiting Penn State THON, noon to 8 p.m. The $20 ticket includes a glass of wine.
- Saturday, November 14. The 72 Hour Film Challenge 2026 from DeSales, held virtually at 7:30 p.m., on the same day Snowflake Square opens.
- December 3 to 13. Little Women: The Broadway Musical on the DeSales Main Stage. Gaudeamus runs December 7 to 12 at Connelly Chapel on DeSales Drive. Rahmel Nelson plays Stone Farm on Friday, December 11, from 5 to 8 p.m.
The open questions at the Promenade will probably be answered on this same schedule. Turner said in WFMZ's report that details on the Suite 700 restaurant were expected within weeks. The plan for Town Square is still being developed. For now, the October 17 history display is the place to see what Town Square looked like in 2006, while the space it describes is being redesigned.
If you're thinking about how Center Valley's changing town center affects selling a home nearby or buying one within an easy walk or drive of it, The Rebecca Francis Team follows these changes closely and can walk you through what they mean for your property. Request a private consultation.
