A fast-casual restaurant chain founded by a Penn State alumnus is bringing its customizable stir-fry, salads and dessert bowls to downtown State College.
Honeygrow has signed a lease for a new location at 170 E. Beaver Ave., inside the Pugh Centre, and plans to open there later this year, the company wrote in a news release on Friday.
Based in Philadelphia and with nearly 60 locations in eight states, Honeygrow offers a menu of customizable stir-fries and salads and create-your-own options, as well as “honeybars,” dessert cups filled with a choice of fresh fruit, a variety of sweet toppings and drizzled with one of three honeys.
Founder and CEO Justin Rosenberg, a 2004 graduate of Penn State’s College of the Liberal Arts, opened the first Honeygrow in 2012 and said he is excited to bring the restaurant to State College.
“Opening in State College is a full-circle moment for me,” Rosenberg said in a statement. “My time at Penn State was a major and influential part of my life, and I’m incredibly excited to bring our brand back to a place that means so much to me. We’re proud to serve this community with food that’s fresh, wholesome and actually tastes really good.”
Honeygrow — a portmanteau of “honest eating” and “growing local” — bills itself as a “go-to destination for fresh, healthy meals that can be personalized to fit any dietary preference.”
Pre-designed stir-fries include spicy garlic, serrano chili, garlic butter shrimp and red curry, among others, while salads feature the likes of steakhouse chopped, loaded Greek, kale chicken and classic shrimp Caesar, Cobb and cold sesame noodle. Honeybars range from key lime cheesecake and fruit and granola to brownie crumble and apple pie.
Honeygrow restaurants also offer brownies and focaccia, a kids menu and catering, and its sauces and noodles are also sold by the package to take home.
As with other locations the Honeygrow in State College will have open-kitchen experience so guests can see their meals being prepared. Typical hours for Honeygrow restaurants are 10:30 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily.
In addition to Rosenberg’s personal connection to the area, State College presented an opportunity to expand into a new market where “healthy dining options are in high demand,” according to the company.
“We’re excited to welcome Honeygrow to Downtown State College,” Greg Scott, president and CEO of the Chamber of Business and Industry of Centre County, said. “This is more than just a new dining option; it’s a sign of growing interest from high-quality, purpose-driven brands in investing in our local economy. It speaks to the energy and opportunity here in Centre County.”
Honeygrow will be the second commercial business to open on the lower-level of the mixed-use Pugh Centre, joining Starbucks, which opened in the building at the corner of East Beaver Avenue and South Pugh Street in 2023.
“We think honeygrow is an ideal addition for our residents and the neighborhood,” Ara Kervandjian, CEO of Pugh Centre co-developer PrimeCore, said. “We’re proud to help bring this concept to life in a location that means so much to Penn Staters and State College residents alike.”
Honeygrow joins at least seven other food and drink establishments planning to open new locations in the downtown State College area.
“Honeygrow’s decision to open in Downtown State College reflects the continued momentum and appeal of our downtown,” Tom Fountaine, State College borough manager, said. “It’s encouraging to see investment from thoughtful, forward-looking brands that contribute to the vitality and walkability of our borough.”
