New Owners Acquire Jim’s Italian Cuisine in Bellefonte

The new owners of a longtime Bellefonte restaurant say they plan to preserve the traditions that have made it a beloved part of the community for nearly 75 years.

Gary and Sharon Landon will take over Jim’s Italian Cuisine, 204 E. Cherry Lane on Aug. 12. The Landons also own Happy Wraps, which has permanently closed its brick-and-mortar location in downtown Bellefonte but will continue to offer catering.

“We know how much Jim’s means to Bellefonte,” Gary Landon wrote on Facebook. “For generations, families have made memories here, and that’s because of the hard work and dedication of Jim, the Boscaino family, and the incredible staff. We are truly grateful for everything they’ve built. Our goal isn’t to change what has made Jim’s a local favorite. It’s to honor that tradition and do everything we can to preserve it.

Jim Boscaino opened the restaurant, tucked away on the corner of Cherry Lane and South Penn Street, in 1952 and his son Jim took over ownership in 1994. Over the decades, Jim’s cozy atmosphere and Italian comfort foods have made it a Bellefonte staple.

The younger Boscaino has looked into selling the business for several years, including listing it through a real estate agent in 2023.

Gary Landon said that Boscaino will assist with the transition.

“We’re thankful that many familiar faces will continue to be part of Jim’s, and we’re especially grateful that Jim has agreed to help us during the transition,” Landon wrote. “His knowledge and experience will be invaluable as we begin this next chapter. We know we have big shoes to fill, but we’ll show up every day ready to work hard, listen, and earn your trust.”

With the acquisition, the Landons made the decision to permanently close Happy Wraps. The 216 W. High St. eatery closed for the winter but the Landons originally planned to reopen it in the spring.

“Now that the sale is complete, we’ve realized that we simply can’t give two restaurants the time and attention they deserve,” the Landons wrote.

Specializing in wraps, melts, salads, smoothies and ice cream, Happy Wraps opened in the Nittany Mall in 2018 and moved to downtown Bellefonte in 2020.

The business has been “blessed with amazing customers, dedicated employees, and a community that supported us every step of the way,” the Landons said.

“While it’s bittersweet to close this chapter, we’re excited to begin a new one at Jim’s Italian Cuisine,” they wrote.