A Nittany Bank will replace the former Zimm's Family Restaurant on Route 26 later this year.

On Dec. 14, Nittany Bank, a subsidiary of Nittany Financial Corporation, announced that it would purchase the building and assets of Zimm's. The restaurant closed on Dec. 22 after being open for 17 years.

Calvin and Pamala Zimmerman, former owners of Zimm's, said they decided to sell the restaurant after their manager of 15 years left.

"Dawn Hetzel was our manager who really ran all of the day-to-day business. When she left we didn't want to look for another manager, so we decided to sell," Calvin Zimmerman said. "We couldn't be happier with the buyers and we think it will be an excellent location for them."

Samuel J. Malizia, Chairman of the Board for Nittany Financial Corporation and Nittany Bank, said they had been looking for a location near the Nittany Mall but didn't expect to find an opportunity so soon.

"We heard through the grapevine that Zimm's was for sale, so we contacted them right away. We came in and signed a deal within two weeks of the first day we talked," he said. "We found this, and it just clicked."

Nittany Bank plans to make the new location its primary building. The new location will include a full-service Nittany Bank office, an office of Nittany Asset Management and possibly other related businesses.

Construction is tentatively scheduled to begin in February. Malizia said he hopes to complete the project in late spring or early summer.

Nittany Bank, which first opened in October 1998, currently operates three branches. The new location will become its fourth.

Although Calvin Zimmerman is happy with the deal, there are some things he will miss about the restaurant.

"We'll miss the people," he said. "We had a lot of people who had worked there for 10, 12 and 15 years and also a lot of college students who worked there over the years.

"We're going to miss the people," he said.