Cosgrove's opening in Marketplace at Steamtown

Robert Tomkavage, The Times-Tribune, Scranton, Pa.
·2 min read

Oct. 10—A new eatery featuring menu items with a Scranton flair opens Wednesday inside the Marketplace at Steamtown.

Peter Cosgrove, who previously operated Cosgrove's Clubhouse and Tavern on Green Ridge Street for more than a decade, looks forward to offering breakfast and lunch options in the Electric City through Cosgrove's Downtown.

Several breakfast selections include a nod to iconic city buildings including The Bank Towers — a French toast dish — and The Oppenheim — a three-egg omelette.

Many of the lunch items recognize different sections of the city including The Hill — an oven-roasted chicken salad sandwich — and The Green Ridge — a tangy, barbecue chicken flatbread.

Cosgrove developed the names with some assistance from his wife, Margo, who also designed the artwork for the restaurant.

"We thought it would be cool," he said. "I really believe the city of Scranton is a wonderful place. I think it's a hidden gem and I think we're on the upswing with people like (John) Basalyga investing in the city."

Stephanie Peoples, who served as head chef at Cosgrove's Clubhouse and later Greystone Gardens in South Abington Twp., will work as head chef at Cosgrove's Downtown.

After a few years of searching for an ideal spot to open the business, Cosgrove landed on the marketplace on Lackawanna Avenue.

"We were looking for a place that had a lot of foot traffic and in the downtown," he said. "When this place opened up, I said it was perfect."

Cosgrove's Downtown supplements the marketplace's developing restaurant scene — joining recent additions Warung Veck & Jack, an Indonesian restaurant, and Saigon Corner, a Vietnamese restaurant.

Cosgrove expects the eateries to feed off each other.

"I've always believed competition is great for restaurants ... for any business," he said. "If you're putting out a good product, they're going to come back."

Anthony Cali, director of operations for the Marketplace at Steamtown, believes Cosgrove's will fill a gap for patrons passing through the facility.

"It's right in the main corridor and people are always looking for something to complement their morning commute when they're going to appointments," he said.

Cali added the opening of Cosgrove's builds on other positive developments at the marketplace including medical and dental offices, a gym and an aquarium.

"It's another level of growth," he said. "We're excited to have them."

Contact the writer:

rtomkavage@scrantontimes.com; 570-348-9131;

@rtomkavage on Twitter.