At 2934 Benner Pike, behind Troy’s Philadelphia-Style Hoagies, major renovations are underway to open the first location of The Meadows Original Frozen Custard in Centre County. Photo by Geoff Rushton | StateCollege.com
A popular frozen custard franchise with roots in Midwestern Pennsylvania is coming to Centre County.
The site owners and operators BeLinda and Seth Confer plan to open The meadows of Happy Valley at 2934 Benner Pike, Bellefonte, in the rear of the building that also houses Troy’s Philadelphia-Style Hoagies.
The Confers hope to open in late October or early November, but “extensive construction” will be needed in their part of the building first, BeLinda Confer told StateCollege.com.
“…We are still in the early stages of the construction process, so our opening is subject to change,” she said.
The Meadows Original Frozen Custard was founded in Duncansville in 1950 by the three Meadows brothers, whose family still owns and operates the place. Over the decades, it has not only enjoyed regional popularity, but has also become a tourist attraction, featured on the Travel Channel and elsewhere.
In the early 2000s, The Meadows began franchising and now has more than two dozen Locations in six states and even one in Australia.
Each features The Meadows’ original recipe, developed in 1950, for frozen custard in cups, cones, sundaes and shakes, as well as Italian ice cream, gelato and more.
The Benner Pike location will be open year-round, likely from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m., although seasonality may require some changes to hours, BeLinda Confer said. There will be indoor seating, waitstaff and a drive-thru.
Opening a franchise location in Centre County is a family affair for the Confers.
“Our main reason for deciding to open a Meadows Frozen Custard in Centre County was the constant search for a place to enjoy ice cream with our family of seven,” said BeLinda Confer. “With Meadows of Happy Valley, Centre County families will have a place to enjoy the same traditional frozen custard as the original Meadows, just closer to home.”
Visit Facebook page of The Meadows of Happy Valley for updates.
It is the newest new business on Benner Pike in Benner Township, where a McDonald’s recently opened, Arby’s Restaurant and a Wawa are in the planning phase and two Hotels are under construction.
The corridor also recently welcomed Centre Boot Companywhich moved earlier this year from its original location on Phoenix Avenue in Bellefonte to the former Amish Furniture Connection building at 2961 Benner Pike. An established company is also getting an improved presence, with Sheetz The 2850 Benner Pike location will be demolished and a new store will be built on the same property, scheduled to open in December.
