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Food, fun, and music highlight Community Bank's grand opening in the Lehigh Valley

  //food-wine.news-articles.net/content/2025/09/06 .. y-bank-s-grand-opening-in-the-lehigh-valley.html
  Published in Food and Wine on Saturday, September 6th 2025 at 18:59 GMT by WFMZ-TV
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Community Banks Celebrates Grand Opening in the Lehigh Valley with Food, Fun, and Music

A bright new chapter for banking in the Lehigh Valley began last week when the Community Bank of Lehigh Valley (CBL) opened its newest branch in Allentown, drawing a festive crowd of locals, business owners, and community leaders. The event, which ran from noon to 5 p.m. on Saturday, 13 May, was marketed as a celebration of community partnership, financial empowerment, and local culture. The bank’s official page, CBL Lehigh Valley – Grand Opening, outlines the day’s schedule, the people who attended, and the broader mission the bank has set for itself in the region.

A Day of Delicious Treats and Live Tunes

CBL invited the public to sample a variety of foods from three food trucks that had already set up shop in the parking lot of the bank’s new 12‑story building on 6th Street. Vendors offered everything from artisanal grilled cheese sandwiches to vegan tacos, and a local bakery served freshly baked donuts. In the center of the event was a makeshift “food pavilion” where the bank partnered with the Lehigh County Food Bank to provide free samples and distribute pantry staples to attendees. According to the press release linked in the article, the food trucks were selected after a city-wide contest that gave each vendor a chance to showcase their culinary creations to a broad audience.

The music component of the celebration was equally diverse. The event’s headlining act was the local indie band The Lehigh Valley Lights, who performed a 45‑minute set that incorporated the bank’s slogan—“Your Community, Your Future.” A second performer, Soulful Street, an up‑and‑coming soul group from Bethlehem, played a set of classic R&B covers, while a third act—The County String Quartet—provided a quiet backdrop of classical music as visitors browsed the bank’s new, tech‑savvy lobby. The inclusion of multiple genres highlighted CBL’s commitment to representing the varied cultural fabric of the area.

The Bank’s Vision and Mission

CBL’s President and CEO, Laura Simmons, gave a keynote that highlighted the bank’s long‑standing relationship with the Lehigh Valley. She explained that the new branch—located at 600 1st Street—will serve as a hub for local small‑business lending, personal banking, and community outreach. “We’re not just opening a building,” Simmons told the crowd. “We’re opening a partnership with the people who call this place home.” She added that the bank’s new office will feature a “Financial Wellness Center,” where residents can attend free workshops on topics ranging from retirement planning to managing student loans.

CBL’s mission, as reiterated in the article, is “to provide personal, community‑focused banking that helps residents and businesses achieve their financial goals.” The bank’s board has pledged to give at least 10 % of its lending portfolio to local businesses over the next decade. Simmons also mentioned the bank’s partnership with the Lehigh Valley Chamber of Commerce, which will help to provide mentorship programs for local entrepreneurs.

Community Involvement and Sponsorship

In addition to the food and music, the event featured several community‑service activities. A volunteer booth organized by the Lehigh Valley Volunteer Center offered residents the opportunity to sign up for local service projects. A second booth, hosted by the Lehigh Valley Community Fund, displayed a new “Community Impact Initiative” that will distribute $50,000 in micro‑grants to nonprofits across the county.

The event was made possible through sponsorships from a variety of local businesses. Highlights include the Allentown Farmers Market, the Lehigh Valley Brewery, and the Bethlehem Historical Society. The article links to each sponsor’s own site, providing more detail on their contributions to the day’s festivities.

A Look Ahead

Looking ahead, CBL announced that it will host a series of “Community Banking Wednesdays” throughout the summer. These weekly events will feature a rotating lineup of speakers—including local business owners, economists, and civic leaders—who will discuss topics such as entrepreneurship, housing, and education. The bank’s official page indicates that these events will be held at the same 600 1st Street location, and tickets will be free but require online registration.

CBL also plans to launch an online “Financial Health Tracker,” an app that will allow customers to monitor their savings, debt, and credit score in real time. A preview of the app was showcased during the event, with attendees encouraged to download the beta version and provide feedback.

Final Thoughts

The grand opening event for Community Bank of Lehigh Valley was a showcase of what it means to be a local bank that truly cares about the community. By combining delicious food, diverse music, educational workshops, and community service, the bank has demonstrated that it is more than just a place to deposit money—it is a partner in building a stronger, more vibrant Lehigh Valley.

For more details on the grand opening or to sign up for future Community Banking Wednesdays, readers can visit the bank’s official website at www.cbl-lehighvalley.com or the event’s dedicated page linked in the original article.