Citing high costs, this State College pizza shop has suddenly closed its doors
A State College pizza shop has suddenly closed its doors.
Through a Facebook post Friday afternoon, 8 Mile Pizza announced its closure effective immediately. The restaurant, specializing in Detroit-style pizza and wings, opened in August 2023 at 300 S. Pugh St. in State College in the former home of Gumby’s Pizza.
8 Mile Pizza cited rising costs and financial challenges while announcing its closure.
“Since opening our doors in 2023, we’ve been so proud to share our Detroit-style pizza with you, and we are grateful for the incredible support we’ve received from the students and community,” the post reads. “8 Mile has been a beloved spot for many, but unfortunately, rising food costs, staffing difficulties, location, and financials no longer align for us to continue operations at this time at the current location.”
The restaurant said its ownership plans to explore other options moving forward, including a more central location with a larger dining area or a space that could serve alcohol. In the post, 8 Mile Pizza said “this isn’t goodbye forever.”
Those who are willing to travel for another 8 Mile pie can head to Mutant Brewing in Scranton, which serves pizzas using the same recipes from their shared owner, Steve Masterson.
Masterson, who also owns downtown State College’s Stage West music venue, said he viewed 8 Mile as a trial for expanding business using his Detroit-style pizza.
“I only signed a two-year deal there, so it was a little bit of a test kitchen kind of thing, testing the product and the whole business model,” Masterson told the Centre Daily Times. “I thought a takeout place could do the amount of business that would need to be successful, but that proved to not be the case. The 2025 food industry is just a very difficult one.”
Over on Facebook, 8 Mile Pizza thanked its customers for supporting the shop over the year and a half when it was open.
“Thank you from the bottom of our hearts to every customer we’ve had the honor of serving over the last two years,” 8 Mile Pizza wrote on Facebook. “Your support has meant the world to us!”
This story was originally published February 14, 2025 at 4:09 PM.
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