A State College area convenience store and gas station has closed after three decades in business.
The Uni-Mart store and Exxon gas station at 3180 W. College Ave. in Ferguson Township recently shuttered after its operator “decided not to continue operating at the location,” according to Alex Sahakian, president of property owner Highland Holding Group.
“They were a valued long-term tenant, and we appreciate the many years they spent serving the community,” Sahakian told StateCollege.com on Tuesday. “Their lease expired at the end of last year, and they recently informed us of their decision to close the business. We wish them continued success in their other operations.”
The Dunkin’ located on site will continue to operate.
“Dunkin’ is a separate business with its own lease and will remain open,” Sahakian said. “Their franchisee operates several successful local locations, and we’re pleased they will continue serving customers at the property.”
Opened in 1996, the Uni-Mart Center at the corner of West College Avenue and West Whitehall Road has housed multiple businesses under one roof, in addition to the convenience store. One of the more recent tenants, Lupita’s Authentic Mexican Food, shut down its original location in the center last fall to concentrate its business in its downtown State College restaurant.
Sahakian said his company is “actively exploring opportunities with prospective tenants now.”
“While plans for the site are still being finalized, we view this as a strong opportunity for reinvestment and repositioning of the property,” he said. “The building sits at a highly visible, high-traffic intersection at College Avenue and Whitehall Road, and we are evaluating options that could include dividing the space for multiple tenants alongside Dunkin’.”
Interested businesses can contact Bill Long, Highland Holding Group’s director of commercial real estate, at 814-237-4400 or blong@highlandhg.com.
Several Uni-Mart locations in the immediate State College area remain open, including 1381 E. College Ave., 500 E. College Ave., 315 W. Aaron Dr., 1209 N. Atherton St. and 1200 S. Atherton St.
