Community rallies around Bethlehem restaurant owner following cancer diagnosis | Eat, Sip, Shop [Video]

BETHLEHEM, Pa. – The Lehigh Valley community is showing its support for a popular Bethlehem restaurant owner in her time of need. 

Mary Lopresti, owner and operator of VegOut at 1 E. Church St., has been forced to temporarily close her vegan eatery after recently being diagnosed with a rare cancer.

In a post on the business’ Instagram page, Lopresti explained the situation and instructed customers to stay tuned for updates regarding the restaurant’s reopening and any adjusted hours or menus that may be necessary.

“I am only at the beginning of my struggle,” Lopresti announced. “As the owner and lead employee of a four member staff, my absence has a large impact on keeping us up and running, so we will need to temporarily close.”

“I have already had multiple invasive surgeries, and there are more surgeries and treatments to come,” she said. “I plan to reopen as soon as I’m back on my feet, even …