Have you missed this barbecue restaurant? It’s coming back to State College

Prospector’s Mount Nittany Rib Company will be taking over the space vacated by Dickey’s Barbecue Pit at 333 Benner Pike — possibly as soon as May.

The restaurant’s Cato Avenue storefront closed in 2011 and is now Gigi’s Southern Table. Owner Marc Fetters has kept Prospector’s alive as a catering and concessions business with a regular presence at Beaver Stadium during football season.

Fetters never stopped looking for a new restaurant.

“I’ve been working out of other people’s kitchens the last six years and I’m glad to have this opportunity,” he said.

He’s expanding the size of Dickey’s original kitchen and is also taking over the vacant space between the restaurant and Edible Arrangements. The finished dining area is expected to have room for 60- 70 seats.

Fetters described the feel he’s going for as “fast-casual.” The menu will be focused mostly on barbecue — items like ribs, chicken and brisket with some soups, salads and specialty sandwiches thrown in for good measure.

“I got a really big smoker. I’m excited for that aspect of it,” Fetters said.

The catering and concessions aspect of his business will continue unchanged with the minor exception that brisket will now be added to Prospector’s Beaver Stadium menu.

This story was originally published February 28, 2018 at 11:22 AM with the headline "Have you missed this barbecue restaurant? It’s coming back to State College."