Spring in SouthSide Bethlehem
This spring, SouthSide Arts District showcases three of SouthSide Bethlehem's local gems.
Beyond the bowl
Playa Bowls Bethlehem has proudly served the Lehigh Valley since 2017, bringing a fresh, feel-good, and quality dining experience based on vibes and community. Established in Belmar, New Jersey, in 2014, Playa Bowls first took root as a niche beachside location for health-conscious foodies. Since then, it has flourished nationwide and is now a destination for anyone craving fresh, flavorful bowls and smoothies.
At the heart of every bowl is Playa Bowls’ proprietary Brazil-sourced açaí, crafted using the highest amount of açaí pulp in the industry for its signature flavor and smooth, creamy texture. Always blended fresh to preserve its natural richness and depth, each açaí bowl is finished with quality fresh fruit, granola, and toppings. The smoothies share the same philosophy: all whole fruits and real ingredients. No ice, no added sugar, no syrups.
Beyond standing out for quality alone, Playa Bowls Bethlehem has become a go-to gathering place for families, students, and anyone pursuing an active lifestyle or wellness journey. The team is proud to support local schools, youth sports teams, fitness studios, and a variety of community events. With a bright, beachy atmosphere and hand-painted murals, the shop offers a little taste of coastal paradise right in the heart of Bethlehem.
Bold hair with heart
Rise Above Hair Studio is Ashley Matlock’s baby. Her salon is cozy, quirky, and perfectly situated along South New Street in Bethlehem. Originally from Phillipsburg, New Jersey, Ashley discovered her passion for hairstyling while working at a salon in the Phillipsburg Mall, where she fell in love with the culture and decided to pursue cosmetology. She graduated from the Vision Academy Paul Mitchell Partner School and spent ten years honing her skills as a stylist and colorist at a Bethlehem-based salon before opening her own salon in 2018.
Ashley spent her first year working solo and finding her rhythm as a business owner, eventually building a loyal clientele and infusing her space with bold patterns, original art, and eclectic local energy. As of 2026, a recently renovated Rise Above has grown to include a new team of stylists specializing in diverse cutting, coloring, and styling techniques. Shag cuts are Ashley’s specialty, along with creative color placement and blonding—because, as she said, “You can’t have one without the other!”
A lover of all things local, Ashley is proudly “SouthSide Till I Die” and a passionate supporter of fellow hairstylists, small business owners, and the community she calls home.
Appointments can be booked by call or text at 610-419-4262.
Supporting cyclists & community
Lehigh Valley natives Lisa and John Ronca first met in the mid-1990s at local favorite The FunHouse. The pair began going on bike rides together, and the rest is history. A love of cycling has always been at the heart of their family and their business, Cutters Bike Shop, on Third Street in SouthSide Bethlehem.
The Roncas opened Cutters in 2009 after another deal to purchase an existing bike shop fell through. Instead of being discouraged, they took a risk and built their business from the ground up. Having recently celebrated 16 years on the SouthSide, the shop is more essential to the neighborhood than ever.
Cutters offers a wide range of bikes—from road, mountain, and gravel bikes to e-bikes—along with gear for every level and style of rider. Lisa and John specialize in maintenance, providing routine tune-ups and specialized repairs. They also educate and engage the community, recently helping the City of Bethlehem and Lehigh University launch bike share programs and provide electric bikes to officers.
Lisa and John run an annual mountain bike “enduro race” to fundraise for charity and are proud parents of 20-year-old Abby, a professional mountain bike racer. They welcome anyone curious about biking, offering guidance, gear, and tips to help every rider find the perfect fit.
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