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The former Buca di Beppo restaurant on Grape Street in Whitehall has been purchased by a group that plans to transform the space into an international market and kitchen with a Mediterranean focus.
The Sultan Property Group LLC, a partnership formed by Timor Bulag, Cengiz Yalim, Tuncay Yalim, and Mohammad Khan, recently purchased the property for $1.15 million.
Though the group has yet to finalize a name for the venture, the concept will center around an “international supermarket with a kitchen.” The team brings more than 20 years of combined retail and wholesale food industry experience and sees this project as a launchpad for broader expansion across the East Coast.
In a press release, the group said they will fully renovate the 1.7-acre standalone property, using the existing commercial kitchen, parking, and expansion potential to establish the first of its kind concept in the Lehigh Valley.
“Our core business is food importing, and we’ve had our eye on the Allentown corridor for a long time,” said Bulag. “There’s a void in this market for what we offer—halal butchery, Mediterranean and international foods, and a gourmet shopping experience. We’ve vetted this area for over 10 years.”
The vision for the new business includes an international supermarket featuring Mediterranean specialties, ethnic groceries, and a restaurant-style kitchen.
The location will offer gourmet groceries and freshly prepared foods, including custom cuts of halal meats, fresh dairy, olives, imported chocolates, and more than 20 varieties of kebabs. The owners also plan to add a four-season dining deck and possibly expand the building footprint.
The group said their renovation plans are extensive.
“We’re gutting the interior, installing automated glass doors, upgrading the kitchen, and adding refrigeration, an olive bar, juice bar, and more,” said Bulag. “We also hope to add 3,000 square feet to the building and maybe even a second floor.”
The team aims to open by Thanksgiving,
Lehigh Financial Group’s Antonia Trigiani arranged the financing for the deal.
The loan was provided by First Commonwealth Federal Credit Union. First United Land Transfer handled the title and closing services.