Banana's aka Banana Joe's Closes

Banana Joe's in Allentown announced yesterday it is closed due to a dramatic drop off in patrons because of a shooting a few weeks ago.

From the Morning Call:

Allentown's Mayor Pawlowski was at a City Hall news conference to promote Hype da' Vote, a meet-the-candidates day and voter registration drive to be held Saturday, September 29th from 2 to 8pm at Indulge nightclub at 570 Union Boulevard in Allentown. The news conference and Saturday's event were originally going to be held at Bananas.

''I think it's sad that one or two troublemakers have this much of an impact. There's a lot of great things happening in the city,'' the mayor said.

Pawlowski said the city would work to market the site, calling it ''a great location and a fabulous facility.''

He said the city will continue its revitalization efforts, and pointed to the recent addition of Allentown Brew Works and the soon-to-be opened Johnny Mañanas, both on Hamilton Street, as proof the city is heading in the right direction.

''It's sad when any business closes, [but] we will work with the owners of the property to utilize it as a business or bar or restaurant,'' Pawlowski said.

That said, where else is there to go nightclub dancing in the Valley?