Just as temporary holiday stores are setting up for the season at the Nittany Mall, ‘coming soon’ signs for permanent stores can be seen in two shop windows. Happy Dishes and KnB’s Inflatables Please — two area businesses — soon will be permanent mall residents.
Happy Dishes owner Michael Johnson has been running a food truck in State College since August and he is excited to open up a restaurant at the mall where families can sit down together and enjoy his food all the time, even when the weather is less than idea for mobile dining.
He said it will take six to eight months to get the space to his liking, but he plans to serve the same type of fare to mall visitors that he serves at the food truck — smoked barbecue favorites and a Creole-Cajun Southern-style menu — with a few new dishes, too.
Johnson said he eventually may find another spot close to downtown for a permanent location, but he plans to be at the mall for the “long haul” because he likes the location.
He chose the mall for his first permanent spot in the area because he feels like it currently is underutilized. Johnson said he hopes his restaurant will encourage families to come out and enjoy their time together at the mall.
Another way for families to enjoy their time together might be at KnB’s Inflatables Please. The McVeytown company’s website states the family-owned business will be setting up an indoor family entertainment center aimed toward children in the toddler to 10-years-old range. The website said it will be a space for younger children who love to explore and learn.
Owners Keith and Becca Schulman said they hope to open by mid-November, but are waiting for a couple of inspections to occur. They said the space will offer an affordable family atmosphere where kids can have fun at a reasonable price for parents.
According to the Schulmans, their facility will be constantly updated with changing inflatable rides. The space will be available for birthday parties and other children-themed events.
