Sportscenter Café set for downtown

A sports bar with an outdoor twist will soon open in downtown State College.

Slated to open this week, Sportscenter Café and Grill, 244 W. College Ave., will feature outdoor seating and an outdoor serving area, owner Kevin Anderson said.

He said the West College Avenue location will be the first Sportscenter Café and Grill, but plans are being made for future locations. "We plan on doing 10 in the state of Pennsylvania," he said.

Inside the eatery, two levels of dining will include five big-screen televisions and more than 20 televisions with smaller screens, Anderson said. He said pool tables, located near the downstairs dining area, will provide additional entertainment.

The bar's menu will include chicken wings with a choice of eight sauces, burgers, salads, sandwiches and nachos, said Chris Beahan, general manager. Patrons may also place carry-out orders or purchase fresh salads and beer in the six-pack bottle shop, he added.

Previously, the bw-3/Buffalo Wild Wings Grill & Bar franchise had shown a tentative interest in the State College market, and had looked into the site, but it is not involved in this endeavor.

"There will not be a bw-3 in State College in the near future," said Arthur Bowman, director of franchise sales.

Formerly a Pizza Hut, the building has undergone outdoor and indoor renovations to give it a new look, Anderson said.

Sections of the roof have been reconstructed to accommodate an awning with the bar's name, which will run along the front of the building, he said. Blue carpeting, along with lion-themed murals and blue walls, decorate the interior.

"We're here for students, and the blue (decor) is part of that," Anderson said, adding that people have been stopping by to observe the renovations and apply for the 50 to 60 staff positions available. About 600 applications have been submitted, and about 45 people have been hired, he said.

The sports bar is the first business to move into the building since it was vacated.

Alicia Bryner (freshman-communications) said she thinks the new sports bar is good for business, but doesn't know if she'll be dining there in the future.

"I'm not 21, so the bar part really doesn't matter, but as far as State College goes, it's a good thing -- it's something else for people to do," she said.