Everything about it screams BiLo — the paint bearing the different department names, the freezers still on the side wall — but these days it’s Universal Furniture.
Keith Blake has brought his furniture dealership to Bellefonte, opening a warehouse-style store in the former BiLo supermarket building at 821 E. Bishop St.
“It was a natural growth area for us,” he said. “I’ve been trying to get over here for years.”
He said the location is a semi-permanent home, for at least the next 18 months to two years.
“By that time we’ll find another location. Or there’s a chance we might stay. This might be our permanent home,” he said.
The store is Universal Furniture’s fourth, with stores already in Philipsburg, Clearfield and Tyrone.
There’s something for most rooms, such as dining room tables, sofas, recliners, even artwork — even local artists can sell their pieces here. Mattresses are also a best seller, Blake said.
By not worrying about decor and offering merchandise warehouse-style, Blake said he’s able to offer prices that are 20 to 50 percent off the typical retail store.
And if you’re really strapped for cash, there’s always the “Ugly Couch of the Month.” Blake said that he picks one to spotlight each month and features it at $299 until it sells.
The store is open 10 a.m. until 6 p.m. Tuesday through Friday, and from 10 a.m. until 5 p.m. on Saturdays. It can be reached at 355-4626.
New hotel taking shape
In a little more than a month, the Fairfield Inn & Suites should have its stamp of approval.
The 83-room hotel at 2215 N. Atherton St. is shooting for a July 15th opening.
A recent tour found the property to be a work in progress — with the progress happening literally from top to bottom.
On the ground floor, everything is framed out and drywalled in accordance with the blueprints, but the planned amenities have yet to emerge. There’s plans for a pool, Jacuzzi and exercise room as well as an outdoor patio, grand room and buffet.
It’s a different scene from upstairs, where hallways on the second and third floors are lined with wallpaper and light sconces — only missing the ceiling tiles and floor coverings.
Room doors — the numbers designated with yellow Post-it notes — open to near complete rooms, green flooring with a diamond pattern, cream colored walls and bathrooms nearly finished.
Mimi Driscoll, general manager for the SpringHill Suites also will oversee the Fairfield. She said she can’t wait to see the finished product, because it should have all the comforts of home, including bigger rooms and more space in bathrooms, which feature marble vanities.
“The same type of things you see typically at home,” she said.
Once the occupancy permit is issued, furniture can come in. Right now, it’s sitting in a warehouse, waiting for the day.
“I have a whole crew just waiting to go,” Driscoll said.
Reservations are being taken through the Marriot 800-321-2211 — but only for dates after Sept. 15.
And before you get your hopes up — football weekends aren’t part of that schedule, those are included in the blackout dates. They won’t be available until the hotel opens.
Restaurant opening delayed
Jamey Meyers’ big plans for The Little Restaurant don’t include dealing with the current construction that’s tearing up Front Street in Philipsburg.
So Meyers has decided to wait it out, canceling his planned opening.
“Until everything’s perfect, we’re not opening that store,” Meyers said. “I have big plans for that place.”
He said the construction, which will upgrade the borough streetscape and sewers, has limited parking already. And it soon will be directly in front of the restaurant, a situation that would limit access all around, he said.
That means patrons will have to wait a little longer to see how Meyers has fixed up the place — and to sample the restaurant’s famous hot dog sauce, for which he purchased the restaurant.
“We were just as excited about opening the store as they were about it coming to town,” he said.
He’s the third owner of the restaurant, which has been a part of Philipsburg on and off since 1928.
Meyers plans a menu of home cooking with items such as sloppy joes, chicken and waffles and hot roast beef sandwiches.
“It’ll be worth waiting,” he said.
Home Depot site work
After 18 months of waiting we should see dirt moving at the Home Depot site — directly across from its rival Lowe’s off North Atherton Street — any day now, according to developer Bob Poole.
He said the highway occupancy permit cleared its final hurdle, meaning that construction is a go as soon as the company decides it’s time.
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And a quick note to my loyal readers. I’m off on vacation next week, so Bits of Business will return on June 24. I’ll be sure to find some good tidbits for you then.
Jennifer Thomas can be reached at 231-4638. Read her “Bits of Business” blog at www.centredaily.com.
