Tavern-style pizza restaurant and bar plans eyes fall opening in downtown State College
A tavern-style pizza chain and bar plans to open in downtown State College.
Connecticut-based Riko’s Pizza plans to open in the former Spats Cafe location above Doggie’s Pub, 142 E. College. Ave. It would be the business’ first in Pennsylvania.
A company spokeswoman said the restaurant hopes to be open for the first Penn State football game of the season, which is slated for Aug. 31. They acknowledged, however, that the “build for this location is particularly complex.”
“There were many reasons for choosing to bring Riko’s to the State College area, but first and foremost, we were attracted to the college town and tight-knit community, which aligns perfectly with what we have to offer as a restaurant and bar,” the company said in a statement.
Riko’s thin-crust, crispy pizzas are 13 inches and cut into six slices. Also known as bar pies, they can be ordered with original or gluten-free crust. The restaurant offers 10 signatures pizzas, or customers can choose their own toppings.
Customers can dine-in, take out or have their food delivered.
“Our pizza offerings are one-of-a-kind, and we can’t wait to introduce them to the State College,” the company said.
Other menu items include oven-baked wings with five sauces, made-to-order salads, Italian-American appetizers and desserts, including a cheesecake, peanut butter pie and mascarpone cake.
Its bar will feature craft beers, wine and specialty cocktails. There will be 22 stools and 14 TVs, which the business said would make it the “perfect place to cheer on the Nittany Lions with friends and family.”
About 30-45 people are expected to be hired. The business did not disclose the terms of its lease, but the spokesperson said a long-term agreement was signed late last year. Hours have not been finalized.
The State College location will be operated by franchisee Mike Vigilante, a father of a Penn State student and member of Riko’s corporate team for a decade.
The space at the corner of South Pugh Street and East College Avenue has sat empty for more than six years since Spats closed. A New Zealand-themed restaurant hoped to open there, but the project never got off the ground because of a lease dispute.
A trial — which will determine the fate of hundreds of thousands of dollars — is scheduled to begin in September.