What restaurants have opened, closed in Centre County

Centre County's culinary landscape is undergoing significant changes, with both promising new openings and notable closures in the region. The introduction of unique dining options, such as the upscale diner The Junction 144 and a Midwestern sports bar chain, signals a vibrant renewal in the local food scene.

However, alongside these openings, establishments like Are U Hungry and BRGR have shut down, reflecting ongoing challenges faced by the restaurant industry, including staffing shortages and financial hurdles. These shifts highlight the dynamic nature of Centre County's culinary environment, characterized by both innovation and attrition.

The summary above was drafted with the help of AI tools and edited by journalists in our News division. All stories below were reported, written and edited by McClatchy journalists.

The dining room at the new The Junction 144.

NO. 1: NEW RESTAURANT — WITH OUTDOOR SEATING — SET TO OPEN IN BALD EAGLE VALLEY. HERE’S A SNEAK PEEK

It will serve breakfast, lunch and dinner Wednesday through Sunday. | Published June 6, 2024 | Read Full Story by Josh Moyer

A look inside Brothers Bar & Grill on Allen Street in downtown State College on Thursday, Feb. 15, 2024.

NO. 2: VISITING STATE COLLEGE AND CENTRE COUNTY? HERE’S WHAT’S NEW WITH THE RESTAURANT SCENE

In addition to new restaurants, a few existing places also completely changed their menus, such as Bill Pickle’s Tap Room & Gigi’s Southern Table. | Published July 12, 2024 | Read Full Story by Josh Moyer

A look at the dining room of Lionne in the Nittany Lion Inn, on Tuesday, Aug. 27. 2024.

NO. 3: FOUR NEW DINING AND BAR OPTIONS ARE OPEN AT THE NITTANY LION INN. WHAT’S ON THE MENUS?

Dear Joe, Triplett’s, Lionne and 1855 Lounge are open at the Nittany Lion Inn. | Published September 6, 2024 | Read Full Story by Halie Kines

Are U Hungry in State College is celebrating ten years in business.

NO. 4: DOWNTOWN STATE COLLEGE EATERY TO CLOSE AFTER 19 YEARS. ‘JOIN US IN CELEBRATING THE GOOD TIMES’

“We hope that this is not a goodbye, but rather a pause, as we reflect on our journey and contemplate the future.” | Published February 8, 2024 | Read Full Story by Jacob Michael

NO. 5: MIDWESTERN SPORTS BAR CHAIN IS NOW OPEN IN DOWNTOWN STATE COLLEGE. TAKE A LOOK INSIDE

Brothers Bar & Grill’s location in the heart of Happy Valley is the chain’s first in Pennsylvania. | Published February 15, 2024 | Read Full Story by Bret Pallotto

The inside of downtown State College restaurant BRGR on Friday, April 2, 2021.

NO. 6: DOWNTOWN STATE COLLEGE RESTAURANT CLOSES AFTER MORE THAN 4 YEARS IN BUSINESS

With the closing of its downtown State College location, no BRGR restaurants remain. | Published May 10, 2024 | Read Full Story by Bret Pallotto

Signs promoting Delhi Junction hang at 128 Locust Lane which is below College Mart on Thursday, March 14, 2024.

NO. 7: A NEW RESTAURANT WITH INTERNATIONAL FLAVOR SET TO OPEN ITS DOORS IN DOWNTOWN STATE COLLEGE

It’s taking over the former location of College Pizza and Dosa Express. | Published March 14, 2024 | Read Full Story by Josh Moyer

Thomas Shaheen slices squash alongside co-workers at Taproot Kitchen on Thursday, August 1, 2024.

NO. 8: AFTER LONG JOURNEY, TAPROOT KITCHEN’S VISION COMES TO LIFE IN NEW STATE COLLEGE LOCATION

The nonprofit, which employs adults of all abilities, was forced to pause operations during the pandemic and rethink its identity. | Published August 2, 2024 | Read Full Story by Holly Riddle

Pine Grove Hall opened in 2020 at the site of the former Old Oak Tavern in Pine Grove Mills.

NO. 9: PINE GROVE HALL ANNOUNCES NEW RESTAURANT NEXT DOOR, NEW ‘CASUAL’ MENU AT CURRENT SPOT

The new restaurant will open next week. | Published August 2, 2024 | Read Full Story by Keely Doll

This report was produced with the help of AI tools, which summarized previous stories reported and written by McClatchy journalists. It was edited by journalists in our News division.