In 2024, customers in Central Pennsylvania bid farewell to almost a dozen eateries.
Neato Burrito in Swatara Township and Cafe Magnolia in Lower Allen Township, two longtime favorites, were particularly heavily impacted.
Naturally, a large number of new restaurants entered the market, contributing to the constantly changing restaurant scene.
The following are a few of the most noteworthy conclusions:
In Camp Hill, friendly
In September, Friendly’s restaurant, located at 3125 Market St. in Camp Hill, closed after forty years.
Friends, take note! According to a notice on the restaurant’s entrance, “We regret to inform you that this location will be closing its doors for the last time this Sunday.” We will really miss you guys, and it was a blast while it lasted.
Constructed in the late 1980s, the eatery was one of just a few in the area. Several of the eateries, notably ones in Derry Township and Lower Paxton Township, have closed in recent years.
The site will host a Turning Point Restaurant franchise by the following year. The chain’s motto is “where friends and family gather,” and it offers breakfast, brunch, and lunch.
This September, the Fyre Lounge & Bar at Lower Paxton Township’s Colonial Park Mall closed.Gleiter, Sue
The Fyre Lounge
On November 2, the Fyre Lounge & Bar at Lower Paxton Township’s Colonial Park Mall closed.
The facility opens in the old Buffalo Wild Wings in the fall of 2023. Its menu combined American, Indian, and Nepali flavors, and the venue had a laid-back atmosphere with a dance floor, bar, and big-screen TV.
The idea was developed with the help of six partners, including brothers Rick and Kamal Collotia, who had previously owned Harrisburg’s Lucky 7 Tavern. The food of Fyre Lounge was influenced by the four partners the brothers brought in, all of whom were Nepali immigrants.
According to Rick Collotia, they closed to concentrate on their other ventures and are seeking a new owner to assume the lease and liquor license for the restaurant.
Little John’s Diner
November saw the closure of Little John’s Diner, located at 146 Sheraton Drive in Fairview Township, off of Interstate 83 in York County.
The restaurant’s lease expired in late December, and the landlord found a new tenant, according to a Facebook post. (In November, Steve and Nicole Tawadrouse, the new tenants, established Beacon Hill Diner.)
“We will be regretfully closing our doors on November 6th after 15 years of proudly serving the central Pennsylvania community,” Little John’s owners wrote in the letter.We would like to express our gratitude to everyone for their love and support over the past 15 years, which has enabled us to realize our dream. Everyone will be missed!
Redd’s Barbecue (Hampden)
In November, Redd’s Smokehouse BBQ closed its location at 4890 Carlisle Pike in Hampden Township and reduced staffing.
According to co-owner Nick Mauldin, he is concentrating on the Redd’s restaurant in Carlisle and growing his catering business. He claimed that managing two stores was a difficult undertaking once his business partner, Brent Burger, resigned.
Mckenna Mauldin, Mauldin’s wife, took over as a co-owner. The pair announced on Facebook on November 6 that Redd’s had made a decision that was both bittersweet and bittersweet.
They continued, “We are doing so with the mindset of how to continue providing our customers with the best possible service.”
Prior to Neato Burrito’s debut in the Scottsdale Plaza in Swatara Township, diners were photographed in March 2006. Sean Simmers | [email protected] took the file photo.Simmers, Sean
The Swatara Township’s Neato Burrito
At Neato Burrito in Swatara Township, Cowboy Crunch burritos are no longer available.
Due to the state taking possession of the site for their highway construction project, the Scottsdale Plaza restaurant located at 3370 Paxton St. had to close at the end of July.
A sign inside the restaurant read, “We opened the shop in March 2006 and appreciate all the support from the community over the past 18 years.”
As part of the $1 billion I-83 Capital Beltway Project, the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation is using eminent domain to acquire dozens of businesses and residential properties, including Neato Burrito.
Yeti Yak N.
The Carlisle restaurant Yak n Yeti, located at 49 W. High St., which served delectable Himalayan food to central Pennsylvania, will close on December 29.
Tenzin Norbu, the owner, described the choice as challenging, saying, “It has been a bittersweet decision and it’s one we didn’t make lightly.”
The eatery was an offshoot of New Cumberland’s first Norbu’s Yak n Yeti. Its Nepalese and Bhutanese cuisine soon made it a favorite among diners in the Harrisburg area.
Barleys and Hops
Owner Jason Melhorn stated in a Facebook post that the eatery and bar located at 398 N. York St. in Mechanicsburg will close on November 8.
Serving the community for the past five years has been a privilege. We regret to inform you that Friday, November 8th, will be our last day of business, he said.
In addition, Melhorn runs Benaiah’s Wood Fired Kitchen in Lower Paxton Township, The Beerded Goat Brewing Co., and Hops & Barleys restaurants in Middletown and Lower Paxton Township.
Hanna’s Shop for Ice Cream
A New Cumberland ice cream parlor with a 1950s theme closed in August.
Hanna s Ice Cream Shoppeat 321 Bridge St.announced on Facebookthe business is being sold.
To our esteemed Hanna’s customers: We wanted to give you an update on what has been going on with Hanna s over the last several weeks, read the message.
Chef Tony’s Bistro
Chef Tony s Bistroat 5948 Linglestown Road in Lower Paxton Township closed on Sept. 20, according to a Facebook post.
This decision has been bittersweet and we will deeply miss our Linglestown location. Thank you all from the bottom of our hearts to each one of you who supported us during this chapter of our journey, reads the message.
Executive chef Tony Glass opened the restaurant in a former church in October 2023.
Magnolia Cafe
The restaurant at 4700 Old Gettysburg Road in Lower Allen Township abruptly closed in February.
The BYOB cafe was known for its quaint atmosphere and menu featuring sandwiches, salads and dinner entrees. It was a popular spot for events such as wedding showers and birthday parties.
This decision comes with great sadness as we cherish the moments shared with our loyal patrons and the community, said owner Jackie Duval.
Duval, who took over ownership in 2019, cited lingering effects from the pandemic and economic shifts as the reason behind the closure.
By fall, new owners openedBacco Trattoria & Wine Barat the site.
Dolce Vita Italian Restaurant
An Italian restaurant in Cumberland County with a loyal following closed in the spring.
Regulars raved about the charming atmosphere in a former home, the service and the Italian food.
Owners Mario and Maria Lubrano leftDolce Vita Italian Restaurantat 1509 Market St. in Camp Hill, said Nino Basic, the property owner. Basic, who operatesCarpe Diem restaurant in New Cumberland, said he s not sure why the Lubranos decided to depart the business.
Hickory Ridge Restaurant
A family-style comfort food restaurant in Cumberland County closed in February.
Hickory Ridge Restaurantat 1400 Harrisburg Pike in Middlesex Township announced on aFacebook post that the property has been sold.
We would like to offer our sincerest thanks and deepest gratitude to all the friends we have made over the last 5 years! the post said. In addition to all our wonderful customers we d like to thank the amazing team that made it all possible!
The facility moved its catering operations to Hickory Ridge s Chambersburg location, which remains open.
Honey Bee s Cafe and Bake Shoppe
Honey Bee s Cafe and Bake Shoppe at 620 N. Second St. closed in March.
As heartbreaking as it is for us, we simply have no other options. We are beyond thankful for all the friends we ve made and your support of our small business, shared the owners.
Honey Bee s opened in February 2023.Owner Melissa Laughlin transitioned to restaurant ownership after her family closed The Kitchen Table catering business in Lower Paxton Township in late 2022.
Hoss s Steak & Sea House restaurant at 9009 Bridge Road, off Route 322 in Swatara Township, closed earlier this year.
File photo by Dan Gleiter | [email protected] Gleiter | [email protected]
Hoss s Steak and Sea House
Hoss s Steak and Sea House in Swatara Township off Route 322 closed in February.
Wawa is under contract to buy the building at 9009 Bridge Road. Last year, the convenience store chain submitted plans to Swatara Township for consideration to build a store with gas pumps at the location.
We would like to thank the wonderful community for supporting us for so long, it was truly our pleasure to serve you, said Billie Jo Walls, Hoss s president.
Hoss s opened in 1992 and at least once experienced devastating damage related to flooding.
Kondu
The Japanese fast-casual restaurant in Swatara Township closed in January.
The closing of the restaurant, which specialized in build-your-own sushi burritos and bowls, and teppanyaki was related to the redevelopment of the Harrisburg Mall.Owners St. John Properties are redeveloping the 60-acre propertyinto Swatara Exchange, a mixed-use development.
Stories by
Sue Gleiter
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