Local

A look at 7 Centre County business openings and closures in December

Stories by Centre Daily Times journalists, with AI summarization

Several local businesses in Centre County announced closures in December while others prepared to open or expand.

A downtown State College noodle shop closed after 13 years in business, leaving a gap in West College Avenue's restaurant scene. Meanwhile, a Venezuelan restaurant in State College shut its doors but hinted at future culinary endeavors, suggesting change is coming.

In contrast, excitement builds as Centre County's first Wawa breaks ground, with expectations for a spring or summer opening. Another positive note comes from Comfort Cravings, a new bakery that embraces family traditions to make sweet treats in Penns Valley. Its presence adds a fresh option for local residents eager to explore traditional flavors.

State College’s Noodles & Company has closed at 244 W. College Ave. after 13 years in business. By Matt DiSanto

NO. 1: THIS DOWNTOWN STATE COLLEGE NOODLE SHOP HAS CLOSED AFTER 13 YEARS IN BUSINESS

State College’s Noodles Company has closed after more than 13 years in business. | Published December 3, 2025 | Read Full Story by Matt DiSanto

Centre Markets’ new Pine Grove Mills shop features products from local producers. By Matt DiSanto

NO. 2: WITH PLANS TO GROW, CENTRE MARKETS OPENS NEW PINE GROVE MILLS SHOP. SEE INSIDE

After making progress on her ever-growing checklist, Sabine Carey is ready to start a new chapter in Pine Grove Mills. | Published December 11, 2025 | Read Full Story by Matt DiSanto

Ady Martinez hands a costumer their order at her newly opened Venezuelan restaurant, Juana’s on Thursday, Feb. 7, 2019. By Abby Drey

NO. 3: STATE COLLEGE VENEZUELAN RESTAURANT ANNOUNCES CLOSURE, TEASES FUTURE PLANS

A fast-casual Venezuelan restaurant plans to close in downtown State College after seven years in business. | Published December 12, 2025 | Read Full Story by Matt DiSanto

Inside the Nittany Mall on Friday, Feb. 23, 2024. By Abby Drey

NO. 4: THIS LONGTIME NITTANY MALL CLOTHING RETAILER PLANS TO CLOSE AFTER 27 YEARS

A longtime Nittany Mall store plans to close early next year. | Published December 15, 2025 | Read Full Story by Matt DiSanto

Construction crews work on the site of the Wawa along the Benner Pike on Thursday, Dec. 18, 2025. By Abby Drey

NO. 5: CENTRE COUNTY’S FIRST WAWA HAS BROKEN GROUND. HERE’S WHEN IT’S EXPECTED TO OPEN

Work has finally begun on a highly anticipated Wawa location in Benner Township — the convenience store/gas station chain’s first of four planned Centre County locations — and it could open as soon as late spring. | Published December 19, 2025 | Read Full Story by Jacob Michael

Chocolate chip cookies from Comfort Cravings. By Tammy Hosterman

NO. 6: NEW CENTRE COUNTY BUSINESS SPECIALIZES IN SWEET TREATS ROOTED IN FAMILY TRADITIONS

This month, Tammy Hosterman launched Comfort Cravings in Penns Valley. | Published December 26, 2025 | Read Full Story by Holly Riddle

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The State College IHOP is set to close Dec. 30, according to a sign in the restaurant’s lobby. By Jessica McAllister

NO. 7: ‘WE WILL MISS YOU ALL.’ STATE COLLEGE IHOP TO CLOSE AFTER 12 YEARS IN BUSINESS

A State College pancake house plans to close next week after 12 years in business.IHOP, located at 1661 S. | Published December 24, 2025 | Read Full Story by Matt DiSanto

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