"Richard Hanna, owner of the popular Roxy's Café across from the Capitol building, said he plans to open Café at 1500 in the [...] 1500 Project." -- Central Penn Business Journal
Roxy's Café owner targets Midtown for new Hbg. restaurant
By Jason Scott
November 8, 2011
A Harrisburg restaurateur has targeted a $13.6 million condominium building in Midtown Harrisburg as the site of his next dining endeavor.
Richard Hanna, owner of the popular Roxy's Café across from the Capitol building, said he plans to open Café at 1500 in the lower level of Susquehanna Township-based Vartan Group Inc.'s 1500 Project on the northwest corner of Sixth and Reily streets.
The condo building, which is going up across the street from the site of the future federal courthouse, is on schedule for completion and move-in by April 1, CEO Ralph Vartan said.
A blended American-style diner and California-style deli, Café at 1500 will occupy about 3,600 square feet of the available 10,000 square feet on the first floor of the building, Vartan said. There are five other rental spaces available, he said, hoping to attract retail and service businesses.
Hanna, who opened Layel Bistro in Camp Hill last week, the site of the former Confit French Bistro , said he expects to open his new Harrisburg establishment, capable of seating up to 140 people, by mid- to late-spring of 2012.
"I love Harrisburg. It's one of the greatest cities, whether or not it's in bankruptcy," said Hanna, who has owned Roxy's for 14 years. "We have got to support the city."
Café at 1500 is expected to be open for breakfast, lunch and dinner Monday through Friday, serving everything from full breakfast fare to California-style pizzas and salads. Hanna also is planning weekend brunch, he said. Menu prices will range from $6 to $15.
"I think it's going to be a very successful project," Hanna said, anticipating a lot of future foot traffic as the neighborhood continues its transformation with the promise of a new courthouse this decade.
The five-story 1500 is a very visible piece of the revitalization effort.
This story appeared in the Central Penn Business Journal and is available online here.
