Say goodbye to a beloved Lehigh Valley ice cream haven, as its owners shift their focus to other sweet ventures. But here's where it gets bittersweet – Twisted & Dipped, the innovative soft-serve ice cream shop known for its daring flavor combinations, has closed its doors in downtown Bethlehem, leaving fans of its decadent treats with a void to fill. Co-owner Rick Pongracz confirmed the closure of the 446 Main St. location in late December, marking the end of an era for this unique dessert destination in Northampton County.
And this is the part most people miss – while Twisted & Dipped may be gone, Pongracz and his partner, Manny Rodriguez, are doubling down on their other successful ventures: Batch Microcreamery and Wondaffle. Batch, which started in 2019 as a humble stand in local food halls, has since blossomed into a full-fledged, year-round brick-and-mortar store at Promenade Saucon Valley. Here, they serve up super premium, hand-crafted ice cream, milkshakes, sundaes, and more, proving that their passion for frozen delights is stronger than ever. But that’s not all – Batch also operates a seasonal spot at Shepherd Hills Golf Club, a food truck for private events, and even wholesales its ice cream to local restaurants.
Wondaffle, their waffles-and-ice-cream concept, opened in March 2025 at 307 E. Third St. in south Bethlehem, further solidifying their dominance in the dessert scene. But here’s the controversial part – while fans mourn the loss of Twisted & Dipped, Pongracz has no plans to revive the concept. “Batch is our bread and butter,” he explained. “That’s how we got into the business – making ice cream, and that's what we're going to be focusing on.” Is this the right move, or should they reconsider bringing back Twisted & Dipped? Let us know in the comments!
Twisted & Dipped, which opened in July 2024 as a collaboration with Upper Macungie Township’s Truffle Bar, initially offered a mix of soft-serve ice cream and hand-crafted chocolate truffles. However, Truffle Bar parted ways in early 2025, leaving the shop to focus solely on its signature ice cream creations. From the “Back for S’more” (a s’mores-inspired masterpiece) to the “Blueberry Crumble” (a fruity delight), their menu was a testament to creativity. Other highlights included Twisters, infused cones, and cookie sundaes, each designed to satisfy even the most discerning sweet tooth.
But here’s a thought-provoking question – with the closure of Twisted & Dipped, are we losing a piece of Bethlehem’s culinary identity, or is this simply the natural evolution of a dynamic business? Before Twisted & Dipped, the Main Street space was home to Chocolate Lab, a cherished shop known for its handmade chocolates and confections. When founder Arlene Brockel retired in April 2024, it marked the end of another chapter in Bethlehem’s sweet history. Now, as Batch and Wondaffle take center stage, we’re left to wonder: what’s next for Lehigh Valley’s dessert landscape? Share your thoughts below – do you think the focus on Batch and Wondaffle is a smart move, or is there still room for Twisted & Dipped in the hearts (and stomachs) of locals?
