The much-anticipated Coplay Eatery, 1214 Chestnut St., is on the cusp of opening. It is expected the restaurant will welcome patrons by the end of September or early October.

Supply chain challenges delayed the opening, originally planned for the summer.

The property has a rich, interesting history. Originally, the building was an ARCO gas station. It was a time when there were five gas stations - ARCO, Kunkle’s, Ressler’s, Blose’s Esso and Santee’s - in the tiny 0.6-square-mile borough of Coplay.

These gas stations are all gone. The only gas station in Coplay is now located at Giant.

Post-gas station days found the property renovated and reopened as Sal’s Restaurant. Sal operated the restaurant and then sold it to Tony Cross.

The restaurant’s name was changed to Tony’s Restaurant. Cross was an affable, well-liked figure in Coplay who built a lucrative senior citizen clientele and did some food catering for home parties.

As Cross’ restaurant career came to a close with his retirement, he sold the restaurant to Paul Cottone, who took over operations and promptly named the location Paulie’s Restaurant.

Both Cross and Cottone were civic minded and financially supported a number of community events.

Paulie’s Restaurant achieved much success until the pandemic hit. Not having a drive-thru option or delivery capability forced Cottone to close the doors.

Enter co-owners Patrick Sibri and Edith Garcia - and the Coplay Eatery. The new owners plan a menu of American food with a small Mexican food selection. They plan to be open for breakfast, lunch and dinner.

A popular location for residents and other groups who met there for decades, the buzz around town is Coplay folks are restless for the restaurant’s re-emergence.