Sushi and noodle restaurant may open at Garfield Diner site in Pottsville

Amy Marchiano, Republican & Herald, Pottsville, Pa.
Updated ·2 min read

Oct. 3—POTTSVILLE — A sushi and noodle restaurant could open at the former Garfield Diner.

City Administrator Thomas A. Palamar said Tuesday that a local business owner made a presentation before the Pottsville Redevelopment Authority at its Sept. 20 meeting.

"We're really excited," Palamar said.

Existing sushi restaurants in the county include Mount Fuji Japanese Sushi & Hibachi Steak House in Schuylkill Haven and Uma Japanese Hibachi Steak House at the Coal Creek Commerce Center in Saint Clair.

The business owner has until Oct. 13 to submit official plans for the diner, which was built in the 1950s, Palamar said. The authority will have a meeting at 8 a.m. Oct. 18.

Palamar did not identify the interested party but said he doesn't believe they have a current restaurant in the city.

"Our goal here is to redevelop the building," Palamar said.

The owner had not previously submitted a proposal by the deadline, Palamar said.

When asked why the owner didn't do so before, Palamar said that perhaps he wasn't ready yet.

The authority issued a request for proposals for a second time to renovate the 402 W. Market St. diner, which has been closed since 2019, and an adjacent apartment building in Garfield Square, 404-406 W. Market, because the initial one in April didn't solicit any responses.

One entity did submit a proposal at that time, but a subsequent call has not been returned, Palamar said. He said he will contact them again before the authority's next meeting.

Palamar said previously he believed the lack of proposals is due to the condition of the diner, which needs roof and interior repairs.

Earlier this year, the authority was appointed conservator of the properties in an order issued by county Judge Christopher W. Hobbs. He also declared the properties a public nuisance and in need of substantial rehabilitation.

Hobbs had given the authority 120 days from the extended deadline in May to solicit proposals for the property and submit a plan by Sept. 21.

Palamar said the city will have to go before Hobbs again.

Edward Brennan, authority solicitor, didn't return a call for comment.

Contact the writer: amarchiano@republicanherald.com; 570-628-6023