This story has been updated throughout with comments from Dante’s Restaurants and Nightlife management.
HiWay Pizza Pub has closed its downtown State College location at 340 E. College Ave. after what representatives of owner Dante’s Restaurants and Nightlife called “an abrupt and unforeseen change of plans.”
The company also confirmed in a news release on Monday night the permanent closure of HiWay’s sister basement bar, The Saloon, on the same corner at 101 Hiester Street.
HiWay Pizza Pub West, 1301 W. College Ave., will remain open. Employees from the downtown location have been offered employment at HiWay West.
Andy Zangrilli opened the original HiWay Pizza Pub on Hiester Street in 1963. The East College Avenue location in the same building operated as HiWay Pizza from 1976 to 2008, then returned in 2019 after a stint by another Dante’s brand, Inferno Brick Oven in the storefront.
Over the years, Dante’s has operated multiple concurrent HiWay Pizza locations, but only the West College Avenue pizzeria remains.
“Along with my father, Andy, and mother, Cathy, I would like to express how truly grateful we are for the support and patronage we have received from downtown community, students and returning alumni over the years,” Jennifer Zangrilli, director of Dante’s Restaurants and Nightlife, said in a statement. “While we are sad to say goodbye to our downtown locations, we are enthusiastic about the future and opportunities for growth that lie ahead for us.
“We are not done! There are many chapters in our story from the past 60 years and we are already hard at work writing the next pages that will carry us forward for many years to come. We look forward to continuing to serve this community we have been so fortunate to raise our family in and call home.”
The Saloon’s trademark cocktail, the Monkey Boy, also will be making the move to HiWay West, according to Dante’s director J.P Mills.
“We have enjoyed a very, very long run downtown and are fortunate to have so many wonderful memories and loyal customers over the years,” Mills said. “We would like to thank all of our past employees, customers and friends for their hard work, patronage and support. We invite everyone to keep the good times rolling with us just 15 blocks away at HiWay West. We are excited for the future and can’t wait to show you what we are planning next.”
HiWay Pizza will be holding a 60th anniversary celebration, with details to be announced, and renovations are also planned for the West College Avenue restaurant, according to the release.
Dante’s Restaurants and Nightlife properties The Deli, Bar Bleu and Hopshop Beer Market, which leased space on the same block as the downtown HiWay and Saloon, also have closed in recent years.
