In ninth grade, Mike Desmond was a busboy and dishwasher at the Corner Room. Now he owns it.
Desmond is part owner and general manager of the Corner Room, the Allen Room Restaurant, Zeno's, Take Six and the Hotel State College, all at 100 W. College Ave., as well as Player's Sports Bar, 112 W. College Ave., and Chumley's, 108 W. College Ave.
Desmond said he spends most of his time meeting customers and looking for ways "to exceed customer expectations."
But Desmond finds more than customer relations rewarding; like many local business owners, he likes working -- and living -- in a college town.
"We try to let them know that we appreciate their business," he said.
Bruce Heim, part owner of the Days Inn Penn State, 240 S. Pugh St., was raised in State College and doesn't plan to leave.
"This is a young, intellectual environment and a beautiful place to live," he said.
Heim, who has owned and worked at the hotel for 8 years, finds the student environment rewarding. It keeps him, he said, younger and upbeat.
"You don't take yourself as seriously," he added.
Students have also made the past 20 years of Ray Agostinelli's career enjoyable.
Ray and his brother Ron, who grew up working in the McLanahan stores, currently are general managers of the McLanahan Penn State Room, 111 S. Garner St., which is owned by their father, Ray Agostinelli Sr.
"There's never a dull moment," he said. "It's a crazy environment but we enjoy it."
Students have new ideas because they are more focused toward the future, Ray Agostinelli Jr. said.
Henry Sahakian, president and chief executive officer of Uni-Marts Inc., 477 E. Beaver Ave., shares similar opinions about working in State College.
"It's a nice, clean town that offers a lot of cultural advantages," Sahakian said.
Desmond also enjoys the direct contact with students and the town's diversity.
"It's nice being in an environment where people are encouraged to think and express themselves," Desmond said.
His greatest enjoyment at his job comes from working with the employees, the majority of whom are students, Desmond added.
"Student employees are great assets," he said.
