LACKAWANNA COUNTY -- A business in Scranton that is almost a century old is expanding. The new owner of Coney Island Texas Lunch decided there's no time like the present to open up a second location.
It doesn't look like much now, but this will be the second location of Coney Island Texas Lunch. The restaurant that serves Texas wieners in downtown Scranton has been in business for 92 years, but it switched hands in 2014. The new owner thinks expanding is the best way to keep the business booming.
When the craving kicks in for a hot dog with chili, Bob Lokuta of Throop takes the trip to Cedar Avenue in Scranton. He said, "Infrequently, but it's a treat. Whenever we come it's a treat."
Lokuta will be able to satisfy that urge a little more often since the iconic Coney Island Texas Lunch will be opening a second location.
"Best thing I've heard all day. Terrific. Terrific idea. The mid-valley needs something like this and it's a good product," added Lokuta.
The plans are to open the second location along the 1500 block of Main Street in Dickson City. Renovations should be done sometime next month.
Coney Island is the ripe old age of 92. It's new owner, Brendan Bell, bought it about a year and a half ago. He thought a near century's worth of success warranted an expansion.
When you're open for almost 100 years, you pick up a lot of regular customers. The owner says a lot of those regulars have since moved out of Scranton and have been asking for a second location for a long time.
Coney Island Texas Lunch's owner Brendan Bell said, "I just looked at it and thought, 'what the heck? Let's go for it.' A lot of those people up there are going to be happy they're going to have the same exact restaurant up there."
Everything inside will be brand new, but the recipe of mustard, onions, and chili will be the same. Folks in Dickson City are already looking forward to it.
Joe Draper said, "I think it's good, especially because they have a good reputation, as long as they keep the reputation then it'll go good."
The owner says the hope is to serve up Texas wieners for another 90 years. "It's just good food, and a friendly place to go."
Bell adds says there are planning to renovate the inside of this store front and add signage out here that will remind folks of the original location in Scranton.
