A State College eatery is closed after a decade in business. COVID-19 was the ‘nail in the coffin,’ owner says
Mike’s Wood Grill and Bar, formerly known as Luna 2, closed in March after about 10 years in business.
The attrition of the Nittany Mall and hiring difficulties were among the reasons for the closure, majority owner Bill McFadden said Thursday, with the challenges presented by the new coronavirus being the “proverbial nail in the coffin.”
“If I was smart enough whenever I built that restaurant and if I ever thought that the mall would be essentially out of business, I would have bought Amazon stock,” McFadden said. “I would’ve spent that same amount of money and I would’ve made a fortune.”
McFadden hoped to continue operating through at least Penn State football’s Blue-White football weekend, which generates about $1.4 million across all business industries, and commencement.
The university, however, canceled the Nittany Lions’ annual spring practice game and postponed commencement in March to mitigate the spread of COVID-19.
The building at 2609 E. College Ave. is for sale, either with or without a liquor license.
“It is with much sadness that we regret to inform you the difficult decision has been made to close Mike’s Wood Grill and Bar,” the American restaurant wrote in a Facebook post that announced the closing. “The current economic crisis is overwhelming for many small, local businesses. And our thoughts and prayers are for all of our community members during this difficult time.”
About 25 people were employed at the restaurant. Finding and retaining employees is “the toughest thing about business right now,” McFadden said.
The new coronavirus has wreaked havoc on small businesses across the country.
Gov. Tom Wolf ordered all non-life-sustaining businesses to close their physical locations in mid-March to mitigate the spread of COVID-19.
Businesses that offer carry-out, delivery and drive-thru service may remain open.
State and federal funds are available to help keep businesses afloat during the pandemic and shutdowns.
“If we don’t cooperate to save our small businesses, many of them will be gone in a couple of months,” Centre County Commissioner Mark Higgins said this week. “I’m asking small businesses to ask for help from your bankers, your landlords, your commercial mortgage holders, your suppliers, your customers and more.”
This story was originally published April 2, 2020 at 1:37 PM.