New sushi restaurant set to open in downtown State College high-rise
AI-generated summary reviewed by our newsroom.
- Sora Teriyaki & Sushi signed a lease in the oLiv Hetzel high-rise downtown.
- The restaurant plans to open near Penn State within six months of lease signing.
- Tikka Shack and Big Chicken also announced new locations in the same building.
A new Japanese restaurant is coming to downtown State College.
Sora Teriyaki & Sushi has signed a lease for one of the first-floor retail spaces in the new oLiv Hetzel high-rise on East College Avenue. Kandy Weader, a commercial associate with Bennett Williams, announced the transaction Wednesday morning on Facebook.
“Sora will be serving up a variety of delicious teriyaki dishes glazed with their homemade sauces, paired with the freshest premium ingredients,” Weader wrote in the post. “Get ready for bold flavors and an unforgettable dining experience — right next to Penn State’s campus!”
Weader told the Centre Daily Times that the restaurant’s owners have multiple other restaurants in the region, although she couldn’t immediately name them. She said they hope to open the State College location in about six months.
Tikka Shack Indian Grub, a fast-casual restaurant chain, and Big Chicken, a chain founded by Shaquille O’Neal, are also set to open inside the building. Both restaurants plan to open this upcoming fall semester. Weader said there is one more retail space available for lease on the first floor of oLiv Hetzel, which opened in 2024.
Sora will be the latest Japanese-style restaurant to open in downtown State College, joining current locations like Tadashi, Kokoro and Hibachi Express.
This story was originally published June 26, 2025 at 1:25 PM.
