The State College community on Friday celebrated 100 years of one of its most recognizable and cherished institutions.
The Corner Room marked a century of service with the Corner Fest block party on the 100 block of South Allen Street featuring a carousel, food, activities and more.
“We’re honored to be the stewards of it,” said co-owner Michael Croce, who with fellow Penn State alum Jeff Sorg purchased the Corner Room and the other Hotel State College businesses in 2019. “It’s been here for a hundred years and I imagine it will be here for another hundred years. To be in this little window where I get to be part of this celebration, it’s surreal.”
Friday’s celebration for the long-running restaurant at the corner of College and Allen was all about community.
In a nod to the carnivals held on Allen Street by the Alpha Fire Company decades ago, a carousel greeted visitors as they entered from College Avenue.
Fire company representatives were on hand with a vehicle, and proceeds from the sales of centennial collectible pint glasses will be donated to the Alphas. State College police chatted with residents, while a family fun zone offered activities for kids.
One of the Corner Room’s sister businesses, Bill Pickles Tap Room, sold barbecue from a pop-up tent. Faces and Spaces Artistry offered face painting, while Nittany Balloons made balloon animals and Tiger and Araelia from Ma’aM kept the tunes constant and lively with DJ sets throughout the afternoon.
“I think the most important thing for the Corner Fest, for the 100-year celebration, is it’s not only about us, it’s about the community,” Jake Nyman, Hotel State College’s director of operations, told StateCollege.com in June. “It’s not just a party for The Corner Room. It’s a party for the community that has supported us for 100 years, to give back to them.”
The Corner Room opened in 1926 in what was already State College’s landmark (off-campus) building, which originated in the 19th century as Jack’s Road House and would later house the town’s first telephone, sole post office and a bowling alley.
The businesses around it in the building have changed over the years, but the Corner Room has endured, as generations of residents, students, alumni and visitors became accustomed to saying “Meet me at the Corner.”
Its longevity is due to the people — the customers, neighbors and staff, Croce said.
“It’s 100% the people,” he said. “We bought the business right before COVID, so we had to come out of a very odd time. Everybody had similar issues whether at home or at work. The silver lining coming out of it was we have all this great staff, so what are we going to do? How are we going to make sure we keep this flag planted as the Corner Room? From then on we always tried to hire the best people we could, people who love this community and just make people’s days that much better when they come in. The staff is phenomenal.”
Throughout the year, the Corner Room has been collecting stories and photographs from customers as part of its anniversary campaign. The submissions have highlighted the restaurant’s role in countless family traditions and life events.
“It’s been great. We get notes through social media, mailing, emails about that one time they were there or the constant visit when they come every year,” Croce said. “It’s a place for celebrations. The town and gown was always a thing and this feels like the keystone of town. It’s so great to hear people’s stories.”
Reporter Evan Halfen contributed to this story.
