Italian American restaurant with roots in central PA is coming to State College

A family friendly restaurant with roots in central Pennsylvania plans to open a location in State College.

Marzoni’s Brick Oven & Brewing Co. is moving into the former TGI Fridays at 1215 N. Atherton St.

A “Coming Soon” sign could be seen outside the restaurant Tuesday, and the company made a similar announcement on its website.

“Our brand new location is continuing the Marzoni’s mission of providing ‘good food, good beer, and good times,’ ” the company said. Marzoni’s is hiring managers for the new restaurant.

Marzoni’s specializes in handmade brick oven pizzas, Italian American cuisine and beer from its own microbrewery and offers a family style restaurant menu, its website says. Marzoni’s has seven signature beers on tap at every location that are sourced from its Blair County brewery.

The Centre County restaurant will join the company’s locations in Altoona, Duncansville, Mechanisburg and Selinsgrove.

The location has been empty since 2020, when TGI Fridays closed after almost 15 years in business.