New Restaurants Opening Soon

7Brew
Spring Township
Projected Opening: Fall 2027

A new 7Brew has been proposed for the Broadcast District at Spring Township. The new mixed-use shopping and residential center is under construction along Broadcasting Road. 7Brew had originally been targeting a location adjacent to the Kohl’s on Paper Mill Road, but those plans were scrapped and a Raising Cane’s has been proposed for that site. The first businesses in the Broadcast District are expected to open in the fall of 2027.

Archie’s Taqueria
West Reading
Projected Opening: June

Archie’s Taqueria – a new Mexican restaurant – has debuted on social media and will be coming soon to West Reading. Archie’s will take over the former La Abuela at 448 Penn Avenue. The restaurant passed its opening inspection on May 1. Originally, their Instagram profile said the restaurant was coming in May, but it has now been updated to “Coming Soon – 2026.”

BJ’s Restaurant & Brewhouse
Spring Township
Projected Opening: Fall 2027

BJ’s Restaurant & Brewhouse, a national chain with more than 200 locations, is set to be one of the anchors of the new Broadcast District at Spring Township. The mixed use development, which will be on Broadcasting Road opposite Broadcasting Square (Target) should see its first tenants in the Fall of 2027. BJ’s has locations in Lancaster and Allentown.

The Bree’s Knees Coffee Co.
Bernville
Projected Opening: May-June

The Bree’s Knees Coffee Co. is taking over the drive-through stand at 7184 Bernville Road (in front of the Boyer’s Market and Reifsnyder’s Ag Center). The Bree’s Knees has operated as a mobile coffee truck and online retailer. The location was most recently home to the Sangwitch Joint and before that was a physical location for Lio Colon’s Food Bus. The business passed its opening inspection on May 15, but an opening date has not been announced yet.

Brenda’s Fresh Start Cafe
Muhlenberg Township
Projected Opening: May 28

Brenda’s Fresh Start Cafe will be opening soon at the Fairgrounds Farmers Market in Muhlenberg Township. The cafe announced a grand opening for May 28. Brenda’s Facebook page says the cafe will serve “fresh, delicious breakfast and lunch made with care.”

Cheddar’s Scratch Kitchen
Spring Township
Projected Opening: Fall 2027-Winter 2028

SJC Ventures, the developer behind the Broadcast District at Spring Township, announced in March that it had secured Cheddar’s Scratch Kitchen as a tenant for the new development. The project is set to open in Fall 2027. Opening dates will be more precise s the project gets closer to completion.

Cocina Salazar
Reading
Projected Opening: Unknown

Cocina Salazar is set for a return in 2026. The restaurant, which was located at 440 Lehigh Street, closed in 2023. However, a December Instagram post touted the restaurant’s return in 2026, but there have been no updates from the account since.

Drunken Chicken
West Reading
Projected Opening: Summer

With Takkii Ramen becoming West Brew Izakaya and moving to Penn Avenue, it left their original location vacant. But the corner of Sixth and Reading Avenues in West Reading will not be vacant long. Drunken Chicken, a Korean fried chicken spot, is set to open in the space. The new restaurant is tentatively scheduled to debut in the summer and will be by the owners of West Brew Izakaya, Winnie Tea Bar, and Winnie Mochi.

First Watch
Spring Township
Projected Opening: Fall 2027

A location for First Watch, a brunch restaurant chain, is slated to be part of the upcoming Broadcast District at Spring Township. The mixed use development, which will be on Broadcasting Road opposite Broadcasting Square (Target) should see its first tenants in the Fall of 2027. The nearest locations currently are Audubon, Hershey, and King of Prussia.

Kitchen at Pricetown
Pricetown
Projected Opening: June

After a multi-week soft opening in May, the Kitchen at Pricetown has delayed its grand opening. In a May 23 Facebook post, it was stated that because of a broken ankle “Opening is on hold, until cleared by the doctor to be able to walk on it.” The restaurant is located at 3674 Pricetown Road, a location that has seen many restaurants over the years including Tommy’s Pizza, Picasso Pizza and Prime Time Pizza.

MaGerk’s Pub & Grill
Wyomissing
Projected Opening: Fall 2026

MaGerk’s Pub & Grill, a Baltimore-based cheesesteak shop and bar, is coming to Wyomissing. The liquor license application is in a window at The Block at Wyomissing Square, home to Cafe Folino, Vintner’s Table, and other businesses. MaGerk’s has two Maryland locations and six in eastern PA. The current closest location to Berks County is in Royersford, Montgomery County. In a statement to WFMZ, the owners projected a Fall 2026 opening.

Peach Cobbler Factory
Sinking Spring
Projected Opening: June 6

A new dessert spot is coming in Sinking Spring. The Peach Cobbler Factory recently announced that they would be opening at 2647 Shillington Road in the GIANT shopping center. The menu includes cobblers, cookies, shakes, brownies, and cinnamon rolls. PCF passed its opening inspection in early May and will start their soft opening May 30 with a grand opening set for June 6.

The Philly Jawn Cheesesteak
Boyertown
Projected Opening: June

The former Mario’s in Boyertown has new owners and will see a new restaurant arriving in the spring. That’s when The Philly Jawn Cheesesteak is tentatively scheduled to open in the space at 159 S. Reading Avenue. The new restaurnat is from the family behind Pepe’s Pizza & Grill in Gilbertsville. According to a social media video on May 7, the restaurant is on-track for a mid- to late-June opening.

Play it Back Sports Bar
Reading
Projected Opening: Unknown

The former California Bar & Grill is currently under renovation. Previously, there was a planned sports bar called Play it Back that was looking to open in 2022, but that had seemingly fell through. However, a new sign has been installed and the electronic message board is operational. So far, there has been no official update.

The Post
Bern Township
Projected Opening: May-June

Renovations are nearly complete the former Hitching Post 2747 Bernville Road (Route 183). The owners of Reverb have been planning a new bar and restaurant for the site but renovations were delayed because of zoning variances. As of March 18, the restaurant’s Facebok page is active, and The Post is currently hiring for all positions.

Qdoba
Spring Township
Projected Opening: Fall 2027-Winter 2028

Along with the announcement of 7Brew and Cheddar’s Scratch Kitchen, SJC Ventures announced Qdoba as another future tentant for the Broadcast District at Spring Township. The development is tentatively scheduled to open in the Fall of 2027.

Raising Cane’s
Spring Township
Projected Opening: Unknown

Preliminary plans are calling for a Raising Cane’s in Spring Township near Wyomissing. Developers are seeking a variance to add the restaurant to the parking lot of Kohl’s. Previous plans for a 7 Brew in the location were dropped. Waivers were approved at the March meeting of the Spring Township planners. Raising Cane’s is a fast-food fried chicken spot with more than 900 locations nationwide and 17 in Pennsylvania.

Rody Family Restaurant
Flying Hills
Projected Opening: May-June

A new business, Rody Family Restaurant, is coming to 15 Village Drive – the former Borelli’s in Flying Hills. One of the names on the business is also listed as an incorporater of the Bally Family Diner in Barto. As of mid-May, the restaurant is hiring. According to their Facebook page, Rody Family Restaurant will be open from 6 a.m. to 3 p.m. daily.

Shake Shack
Spring Township
Projected Opening: Fall 2027

Berks County is getting a Shake Shack in 2027. The burger and shake chain will be part of the new Broadcast District at Spring Township. The mixed use development, which will be on Broadcasting Road opposite Broadcasting Square (Target) should see its first tenants in the Fall of 2027. Shake Shack has nearby locations in Lancaster, Whitehall, and King of Prussia.

Special Blends Cafe by JPII
Reading
Projected Opening: August

The John Paul II Center for Special Learning is partnering with Alvernia University to bring a new cafe to downtown Reading. Special Blends Cafe will provide work experience for students and adults with special needs when it opens at the University’s American House on Penn Street. The most recent update – per Berks Weekly in February – is that the cafe is tentatively expected to open by August.

The Sunny Bistro
Mohnton
Projected Opening: May-June

The former Mangia is being transformed into a new concept called The Sunny Bistro, a breakfast and lunch spot from the team behind Gino’s. The dining room has been renovated, and the restaurant is hiring. And while there has been no official opening date, a May 3 post said, “Opening soon, Mohnton…we’re almost ready.”

TAO Japanese Steakhouse & Bar
Wyomissing
Projected Opening: Unknown

A new restaurant, promising “a more sophisticated Hibachi dining atmosphere, and Japanese Omakase” is coming to Wyomissing. TAO Japanese Steakhouse & Bar will open at 305 Park Road, the home of Willoughby’s on Park for the last 10 years. Willoughby’s announced the restaurant would close in mid-March. TAO, which is from the same family as Masa Hibachi & Sushi, will renovate the space before reopening. No opening date or timeline has been announced.

Velvet Restaurant
Laureldale
Projected Opening: Late Spring-Early Summer

A new business, Velvet Restaurant, is coming to the former Margherita’s in Laureldale. The restaurant now has an Instagram page. Though there have been no posts yet, the bio says the restaurant will be a “fine dining experience” and describes it using the words “luxury,” “exclusive” and “elegant.” The sign is up and the restaurant is hiring, but there is no opening date yet.