Guests are invited to celebrate the launch of a locally filmed and produced movie, “The Retailer,” at HiJinx Brewing Company in Allentown on Wednesday, April 30, 2025 from 6 p.m. – 10 p.m. “The Retailer” short made its first run on the independent film circuit and captured several awards in 2022. Now, a feature film length version is scheduled to start filming at locations around the Lehigh Valley in the next few weeks. The April launch party will feature movie swag, raffles, prizes, food and drink specials, and live music. There will also be opportunities to meet the cast and production team.

“The Retailer,” classified as a horror thriller and dark comedy film, is about a vengeful young woman (played by actress Nia Vega) who works in a coffee shop and extracts revenge after receiving multiple customer complaints that forced her to attend anger management classes to keep her job. Actress Syd Stauffer plays the role of a highly regarded therapist who is tasked by the coffee shop to help their troubled employee deal with her anger issues in the workplace. After spending time with the employee, the therapist begins to discover similarities with her new patient's aggressive behavioral traits and the plot takes an unexpected twist.

Jared Haas, writer and director, is a filmmaker from the Philadelphia region and a 2005 graduate of Kutztown’s well-respected media program. Haas first wrote “The Retailer” in 2021 and is looking forward to leading his team at Posterboy Productions LLC when filming begins on the full-length version of the film.

“Many moments of this dark comedy are focused on public behavior, societal pitfalls, and current trends, particularly in the retail landscape, which will provide a nice contrast to the serious psycho thriller vibes that are presented throughout the film,” said Haas.

Other local players involved in the film include producer Dr. James R. “Doc” Ogden, owner of consulting firm, TDog LLC; director of photography, J.B. Earl; and a cameo appearance by well-known local actor and writer, Daniel Roebuck. Attendees can expect live musical performances by singer/songwriter Jess Novak and Scott Sterling throughout the 4-hour event.