Coney Island Lunch revamp continues in downtown Scranton; July opening eyed

The transformation of a renowned downtown Scranton business moves forward as guests will soon be able to enjoy an ice cream cone with their Texas wieners.

As developer John Basalyga works to update the Coney Island Lunch building, 515 Lackawanna Ave., while preserving its charm, a new ice cream parlor, Raegan’s, named after his younger daughter, in a former vacant lot next door at 513 Lackawanna Ave., will add a new element to the longtime eatery.

In December 2023, Basalyga’s JBAS Realty purchased the Coney Island Lunch property from C.I.L. Associates and Pete and Bob Ventura for $300,000. Basalyga also acquired the lot and outer western wall attached to the Coney Island Lunch building from the Scranton Redevelopment Authority for $32,500.

The Venturas, who ran the restaurant for nearly 50 years and had been involved much longer, decided to retire and closed the landmark shop in December 2023. Their grandfather Steve Karampilas launched the business on Cedar Avenue in 1923, and their stepfather, John Karampilas, moved the eatery to 515 Lackawanna Ave. in 1988.

Basalyga noted that work has been completed on five apartments on the upper floors above the restaurant, and they will be rented out in the next couple of weeks.

Renovations inside the restaurant continue, with crews completing the finishing touches like wall tiles, wainscoting, light fixtures and ceiling tiles, Basalyga added.

“It’s a big project,” he said. “The longest lead time and the biggest variable is the equipment for Coney and Raegan’s. We’re hoping to get that in by early July, and hopefully be open sometime in July. If you ever look at old pictures of Scranton, they used to have fabric awnings over the windows. I’m putting those on the front side of Coney  It’s all coming along … you’ll see a lot of changes to the exterior in the next few weeks.”

The front wall of the Coney Island Lunch building collapsed as interior renovations were being done on Dec. 30, 2024, but Basalyga remained committed to completing the job.

“I think it’s the first foundation of something newly constructed with footers coming out of the ground, in the downtown, in a long time,” he said.

Basalyga envisions bright, vibrant signage outside the restaurant and ice cream parlor, similar to eateries in large metropolitan areas.

“I can equate the outside to be similar to Geno’s or Pat’s when I’m done with it,” he said. “I want it to look like Philadelphia and New York, and have that cool vibe when you walk by. It’s going to be an iconic building.”

Even as Basalyga adds modern touches to the restaurant, he remains committed to maintaining the character customers came to appreciate throughout the decades.

“When I bought the building, I cataloged everything and I have all that (sports memorabilia) in one of my warehouses,” he said. “We’re going to start laying it out and utilizing the best stuff. Whatever we can’t fit, or we don’t use, we’re going to donate back to the Ventura family.”

Basalyga also stated the restaurant will feature a big counter, similar to the old design, just on the other side to create more space. He also purchased new red vinyl bar stools and booths to replicate the old ones, and designed a white-and-black checkerboard floor.

“It’s going to have a really cool, old, authentic feel with really good vibes when you walk in the door,” Basalyga said. “Hopefully you’ll be transported to an early 1900s time.”

The Coney Island Lunch building on Lackawanna Ave. in downtown Scranton Tuesday, May 26, 2026. (SEAN MCKEAG / STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER)
The Coney Island Lunch building on Lackawanna Ave. in downtown Scranton Tuesday, May 26, 2026. (SEAN MCKEAG / STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER)
The Coney Island Lunch building on Lackawanna Ave. in downtown Scranton Tuesday, May 26, 2026. (SEAN MCKEAG / STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER)