It sits all by itself nestled as a gateway between Lehighton and Jim Thorpe along Route 209.

For bustling customers who grab their breakfast on their way in to work in the morning, Perch is the fuel that fires them.

The popular destination located at 300 Mauch Chunk St., Lehighton, recently held its grand reopening and ribbon cutting.

Husband-and-wife team Chris Perich and Courtney Postupack have owned and operated Perch since April 1, 2021.

“When we first started in 2021 we entered into a pretty rough situation and were unable to have a grand opening ceremony then and do the renovations that we had planned,” Postupack said. “It took us some time and lots of hard work but this spring we were able to shut down for a few weeks and knock out as many new renovation plans as we could.”

Postupack said the grand reopening and ribbon cutting ceremony was held to showcase to the community the much-needed improvements they have made to the space for them to enjoy.

“We had a great turnout and lots of support throughout the entire day from everyone,” she said. “It was great to see so many people come from near and far to show their support.”

Postupack said Perch is a family-owned breakfast and lunch eatery made for the locals, by the locals, and added that everything is made fresh and in-house, including their bagels.

“We take great pride in providing our community with fresh and delicious food and source as many local ingredients as possible,” she said. “Our food is made with love and you can surely taste it in every bite, or so we’ve been told.”

Postupack said they typically get an early-morning rush with everyone on their way to work and again late-morning into lunch.

“We understand that we are tasked with the mission of starting our customers’ day,” she said. “We have the power to make or break their day and we take that very seriously. No one wants to start off their day on the wrong foot.”

Postupack said they also offer hot, iced, and blended coffees, a variety of delicious hand shaken and blended drinks and smoothies. She said their Perch Punch, which includes blueberries, raspberries and cranberry, is perfect on these hot summer days as well as their fresh or frozen lemon and limeade. Customers can also refresh and rehydrate with the Coco-Mojo, a “Mauch-Tail” made from fresh mint, cucumber, lime and coconut water.

Their fresh made bagels sell out quick and are offered individually, or customers may get it as the vessel to their favorite sandwich. Customers can never go wrong with a classic bacon, egg and cheese either.

Favorite sandwiches include classics like the OG, a meat stack loaded with sausage, ham and bacon paired with our maple butter and Dietz and Watson Buffalo Pepperjack cheese on their French toast bagel, The Big Poppy, pastrami piled high with a fried egg, buffalo pepperjack cheese, arugula, and their dill pickle cream cheese, or The Spring Zing, bacon, egg, cheese, red onion, spinach with their Zesty Red sauce on your bagel of choice.

Lunch favorites include the Sweet Pig (a hot ham and swiss sandwich on a pressed Portuguese Roll with a caramelized pineapple-habanero salsa and red cabbage slaw), an ode to their beloved pup, and Summer Roll (an Asian-inspired chicken wrap loaded with fresh veggies and herbs).

Grab-and-go items include Apple Spice Yogurt Parfait and Coconut Chia Pudding, which is vegan and gluten free. They also have baked goods such as Lemon Berry Poppyseed, Chocolate Zucchini, and Pistachio muffins that are topped with sea salt, sugar and roasted pistachios. There area also Iced Chai Cookies and more fresh made baked items to come.

In addition, they have a plethora of cream cheese, butter and fruit spreads and sauces (all made in-house). Flavors include: Cream Cheese: Veggie, Scallion, Buffalo, Roasted Garlic and Herb, Dill Pickle, Sundried Tomato, Lox, Vanilla, Strawberry, Apple Walnut Raisin, Funfetti, Hawaiian, Brown Sugar Cinnamon, Campfire, Cookies and Cream; Butter: Maple, Cinnamon, Berry (includes blackberries, blueberries, strawberries and fresh lemon zest), and house- made apple butter.

Their homefries and hashes are made from local potatoes, whether customers get them just plain or add their country sausage gravy or other toppings to them or try them as one of their Hashes.

Postupack explained the overriding goal of the business is “to create a place in our community where people can come ‘Perch’ and enjoy great company, food and a beautiful natural view We are nestled in the side of the mountain, sandwiched between two great towns of Jim Thorpe and Lehighton.

“We love feeding people and seeing them do a happy dance when eating our food,” she said. “We love sharing our passion with people and doing our part to make our community better for all whether that be donating our time, money, or food and overall being an example to others.”

Postupack said they currently have 13 employees with more on the way.

“We are a growing business and have a few things up our sleeve before the end of the year,” she said.

Perch is open from 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. Tuesday through Sunday, and closed on Mondays.

For more information, call 610-377-2233, visit www.PerchJT.com or visit them on Facebook and Instagram @perchatjimthorpe