Centre County business roundup: Openings, celebrations and groundbreakings from November

This month, a familiar business opened in a new spot and two large projects broke ground in the Centre Region. Here’s a look at Centre County business news from November.

• The Blonde Bistro, now known as Blonde Bistro Brew Works, opened as a stand-alone restaurant at 226 Nittany Valley Drive in Zion. Owner Ciara Semack closed her Titan Park location in May. The new location will see a return of some familiar menu items and events, plus the addition of a brewery on-site.
• Canyon Pizza, a staple of the late-night food scene in downtown State College, was closed after several health code violations. A borough inspector found more than a dozen violations, many of which related to cleanliness.

Campground honored

The Bellefonte/State College KOA Holiday was named 2023 Kampgrounds of America Inc. Campground of the Year, the system’s highest honor. The campground was chosen from more than 500 locations in the U.S. and Canada.

In the past year, the campground added a bike park, upgraded broadband internet, new playground and premium patio and pool furniture. Owners Barbara Saulsbury and Rick Dillon plan to pass the campground to their son and daughter-in-law, Casey and Autumn Dillon, in January. They plan to add 21 new sites, including back-in sites with KOA patios.

“The Dillons and their beautiful campground are shining examples of what our company has been dedicated to providing over 60 years of business,” KOA president and CEO Toby O’Rourke said in a statement.

Company celebrates

Arcadian Consignment Co. celebrated its first birthday Nov. 25. The business, located at 1319 Benner Pike in State College, shared its appreciation for its customers and consignors with a champagne toast, as well as a day of locally catered food, wine and cheese, beverages and more.

Speaking for her business, Jessica Dolan said: “The community has exceeded our expectations and we are just so grateful.”

Clinic moves forward

Mount Nittany Health held a groundbreaking for its outpatient medical center in Toftrees West. The $90 million, 126,000-square-foot facility is expected to open in spring 2024. The center will be home to numerous services including family medicine, pediatrics, obstetrics, orthopedics, physical therapy, neurology, gastroenterology, general surgery, urology, endoscopy and imaging.

Alexander Building Construction Co. is managing the construction and design firm Stantec is the architect of record.

“This is an exciting new step in our journey of investing in the people, facilities, programs and technology that make our community stronger,” said Tom Charles, Mount Nittany Health executive vice president of system development and chief strategy officer. “In short, we have run out of room, and we need more space to continue recruiting top medical practitioners.”

Bank breaks ground

Centre 1st Bank celebrated the groundbreaking of Pennsylvania headquarters at Patton Crossing. The 15,000-square-foot two-story building will located at the entrance of the North Atherton Street development. The bank will combine its existing facilities into the new building, which is expected to open in late 2023. The building will offer in-person as well as drive-thru banking along with community meeting areas.

Centre 1st Bank has more than 150 local investors and has generated more than $500 million of business since entering the central Pennsylvania market in 2018. “Our new headquarters will provide our valued employees with additional resources under one roof to continue making a difference for our customers and our successes will continue to make a lasting difference in the community we serve,” President Jack Infield said.

Board leader finishes term

Bryan Bennett completed his two-year term as Moshannon Valley Economic Development Partnership board president. During his time at the helm, the board dealt with the pandemic and sold its remaining business park lots. Bennett will continue to serve on the board.