A popular frozen custard franchise with roots in west-central Pennsylvania is coming to Centre County.
Location owners and operators BeLinda and Seth Confer plan to open The Meadows of Happy Valley at 2934 Benner Pike, Bellefonte, in the rear portion of the building that is also home to Troy’s Philadelphia-Style Hoagies.
The Confers are hoping for a late October or early November opening, though “some extensive construction” is first needed for their part of the building, BeLinda Confer told StateCollege.com.
“…We are still early in the construction process, so our opening may change,” she said.
The Meadows Original Frozen Custard was founded in 1950 in Duncansville by the three Meadows brothers whose family still own and operate that location. Over the decades it has not only been popular regionally, but it has also become a tourist attraction that’s been featured on The Travel Channel and elsewhere.
In the early 2000s, The Meadows began franchising, and today has more than two dozen locations in six states, and even one in Australia.
Each offers The Meadows’ original frozen custard recipe developed in 1950 in cups, cones, sundaes and shakes, as well as Italian ice, gelato and more.
The Benner Pike location will be open year-round, with anticipated hours of 11 a.m. to 10 p.m., though some seasonal changes to hours may be needed, BeLinda Confer said. It will have indoor seating, walk-up service and a drive-thru.
Bringing a franchise location to Centre County is a family affair for the Confers.
“Our main factor when deciding to open a Meadows Frozen Custard in Centre County was frequently looking for a place to take our family of seven to for ice cream,” BeLinda Confer said. “The Meadows of Happy Valley will provide a place for Centre County families to enjoy the same traditional frozen custard as the original Meadows, just closer to home.”
Visit The Meadows of Happy Valley’s Facebook page for updates.
It will be the latest new business on Benner Pike in Benner Township, where a McDonald’s recently opened, an Arby’s restaurant and a Wawa are in the planning stages and two hotels are under construction.
The corridor also recently welcomed Centre Boot Company, which moved earlier this year from its original Phoenix Avenue location in Bellefonte to the former Amish Furniture Connection building at 2961 Benner Pike. An established business is also getting an upgraded presence, with Sheetz demolishing its 2850 Benner Pike location and building a new store on the same property scheduled to open in December.
