Clem’s expands business intoState College with takeout post

Clem’s Unique Wood-fired BBQ is coming to State College just in time for Super Bowl Sunday.

“We’ve always been snooping around there to find a spot,” owner Clem Pantalone said.

He’ll set up a barbecue “outpost,” where he’ll offer only takeout, in a space he’ll share with Brewsky’s Bottle Shop on West Branch Road in State College.

The location, which formerly housed a pizza shop, was originally a one-room schoolhouse.

He plans to offer all the popular barbecue fare — ribs, chicken, pulled pork and sides, baked beans and potato salad — found at Clem’s original location near Port Matilda. In fact, the food will be cooked there and delivered to the “outpost” on West Branch Road for takeout by customers, he said.

The new location also gives Pantalone a chance to get back to his roots.

“I’ll get to be behind the counter again,” Pantalone said. “I miss that.”

Initially, hours will be 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. on Friday, Saturday and Sunday, with more hours being added in line with demand, Pantalone said. “If they know we’re there, they can plan,” he said.

Philly pretzels coming to State College

Dave and Jennifer Rosania have a thing for soft pretzels — and they hope you do, too.

The Philadelphia couple is opening a Philly Soft Pretzel Factory in State College at the former Ben & Jerry’s location at 124 S. Allen St., which has been empty since the ice cream shop closed in February 2007.

“They’re the best. They’re definitely the best in the area,” Jennifer Rosania said.

“We like them so much, we thought, ‘Hey, how can we get involved?’” added Dave Rosania, who introduces himself as “full-figured” Dave.

Enter State College, a “great little town” that he came to know while attending Juniata College in Huntingdon, add a quality product and throw in the couple’s desire to tackle a new business venture together.

For the man whose first job was selling pretzels in his neighborhood, and his wife, who sold pretzels at her first job at a water ice stand, it’s like coming full circle, he said.

There’s a flurry of work at the store, where a complete overhaul is under way.

“Everything in here will be new,” Dave Rosania said. “It’s quite a project.”

The menu will include traditional soft pretzels, priced 3 for $1, hot dogs and cheese pretzels, sausage and cheese pretzels, and flavored versions, such as garlic, and slushes.

Pretzels are also available in bulk quantities and in party trays.

Pretzels are twisted by hand and made fresh throughout the day.

“It’s all happening before your eyes when you come in,” Jennifer Rosania said. “They’re always hot. They’re always fresh.”

Plans are to open by mid-March.

Sheetz updates

Those of you in the Wingate area will be seeing a new Sheetz, though the details are still being hammered out.

A plan is being submitted to the Centre County Planning Commission, and once that receives approval, site plans will be submitted to Boggs Township, said Monica Jones, a company spokeswoman.

“It is moving through the approval process,” she said.

But news surrounding the former South Ridge Motor Inn site in College Township likely will disappoint many of you.

The store on South Atherton Street is still planned, but forward momentum is now in the hands of PennDOT, which is reviewing a traffic impact study for the site.

“We can’t move forward until the central office gives us some kind of comment on us,” Jones said.

Working at Wegmans

Wegmans once again has found its place on Fortune magazine’s list of 100 Best Companies to Work For, coming in at No. 3 for the year.

This is the company’s 11th time on the list — making it every year since it was established in 1998. It has been in the top 10 for the past six years.

Job creation was a factor in picking this year’s list, according to a press release from Fortune. Wegmans increased its employment by 5.6 percent in 2007.

Other companies on the list with a local presence include: Edward Jones, 4th; Starbucks, 7th; Marriott International, 72nd; and FedEx, 97th.

For the complete list, visit www.fortune.com

Jennifer Thomas can be reached at 231-4638.