State College’s newest bar shut down 2 months ago. Owner faces hurdles to reopen
AI-generated summary reviewed by our newsroom.
- The Hideaway Electric Speakeasy remains closed amid internal review and dispute.
- Owner Michael Fullington wants to reopen "soon," although timetable is unknown.
- Former partner Chris Rosengrant filed legal action over unsigned stock-purchase agreement.
About two months after State College’s newest bar abruptly closed its doors, owner Michael Fullington said he intends to “soon” reopen The Hideaway Electric Speakeasy — although it appears an internal investigation and potential lawsuit must first be resolved.
The ambitious bar/restaurant at 127 East Calder Way held a soft opening Feb. 25 and its grand opening March 1, but it suddenly closed after the night of March 30. The business posted on Facebook it planned to reopen April 8 because it was “closed for improvements.” But the speakeasy still hasn’t reopened, and no further updates have been posted there or on other social media channels.
Fullington told the Centre Daily Times on May 15 that the speakeasy should be “reopening really soon,” maybe even by the end of the month. He told the CDT he should have more specifics in a week. But one week later he did not, instead informing the CDT he needed a second week.
Two weeks after his initial statement, he again said he hoped to be in better position to answer questions and share details — but in yet another week, the first week in June.
“We are making improvements and look forward to opening up soon,” he wrote Thursday in a text message.
Rumors have swirled about the actual reasons for the hasty closure, with Facebook groups and online Reddit communities discussing it at length. What is publicly known and confirmed: Chris Rosengrant, who was originally Fullington’s partner, posted to a foodie Facebook group last month and explained the business hired a Labor and Employment investigatory group due to multiple complaints. He wrote the bar would not reopen until the investigation was over, and neither the nature of the complaints nor the accusers/accused were publicly shared.
Fullington declined to address the investigation on the record.
However, whatever the allegations, the complaints did not appear to rise to being a criminal matter. A spokesperson for the State College Police Department told the CDT the department is not investigating the speakeasy and said it’s responded to only five calls at that address since January 2024, back when Jax Bar & Kitchen still occupied the space. Reasons for the calls included issues like a pulled fire alarm and patrons refusing to leave.
But the internal investigation isn’t the only obstacle standing in the way of the speakeasy reopening. Rosengrant also earlier this week filed a writ of summons, a precursor to a lawsuit, against Fullington. According to Rosengrant, who spoke to the CDT on Thursday and is not involved in the speakeasy’s day-to-day operations, he sold his shares in the speakeasy to Fullington before it opened. In a public Instagram post Feb. 11, Rosengrant explained he stepped away due to “creative differences from the beginning.”
However, that stock-purchase agreement was never signed by Fullington. According to Rosengrant, an agreement must be reached between him and Fullington before the speakeasy reopens. Rosengrant told the CDT he would prefer Fullington sign the agreement and reopen.
“I know it’s not permanently closed because, if it were, the (liquor) license would be for sale,” Rosengrant added. Instead, the liquor license was placed in “safekeeping,” which protects it from being forfeited if the business is closed for 15 days or more.
Upon opening earlier this year, the Hideaway Electric Speakeasy created an immediate buzz around town — not all of it good — and offered unique events and activities such as Sunday brunch with a professional harp player, Saturday afternoons where the bar was decorated like a scene out of Alice in Wonderland and even promises of future puppy yoga sessions. A muralist painted different parts of the interior, and a multi-thousand-dollar scent machine was purchased to add to the ambiance.
Details and surprises were packed into every inch of the speakeasy, from dioramas of fantasy worlds inside the clear bricks of a coat closet to disco balls hanging from the kitchen. At this point, it’s unknown exactly when the speakeasy will reopen or what changes it might undergo. The chef has not said whether he would return, and it’s not yet known whether the menu might change.
The speakeasy’s website can be accessed at thehideawayelectricspeakeasy.com and on Facebook at facebook.com/thehideawayelectricspeakeasy. But neither has been significantly updated since early April.
This story was originally published May 30, 2025 at 2:22 PM.
