The high-end restaurant coming to the GAR Building at 300-304 Penn Ave. in Scranton now has a name.
The restaurant will be known as “Kevin’s on Penn,” restaurateur Rob Friedman said.
The outside of the former Harry’s Bar and 16th Ward properties on Penn Avenue in downtown Scranton Thursday, May 15, 2025. (SEAN MCKEAG / STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER)
The former Harry’s Bar property on the corner of Linden St. and Penn Ave. in downtown Scranton Thursday, May 15, 2025. (SEAN MCKEAG / STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER)
The GAR Building at 300-304 Penn Ave. at Linden Street in downtown Scranton on Wednesday, Nov. 19, 2025. Don Mammano owns the building, which has renovations underway in the first floor and basement, and which are leased to a firm of restaurateur Rob Friedman. (JIM LOCKWOOD / STAFF PHOTO)
The GAR Building at 300-304 Penn Ave. at Linden Street in downtown Scranton on Wednesday, Nov. 19, 2025. Don Mammano owns the building, which has renovations underway in the first floor and basement, and which are leased to a firm of restaurateur Rob Friedman. (JIM LOCKWOOD / STAFF PHOTO)
The GAR Building at 300-304 Penn Ave. at Linden Street in downtown Scranton on Wednesday, Nov. 19, 2025. Don Mammano owns the building, which has renovations underway in the first floor and basement, and which are leased to a firm of restaurateur Rob Friedman. (JIM LOCKWOOD / STAFF PHOTO)
The GAR Building at 300-304 Penn Ave. at Linden Street in downtown Scranton on April 17, 2026. Don Mammano owns the building, which has renovations underway in the first floor and basement, and which are leased to a firm of restaurateur Rob Friedman. (JIM LOCKWOOD / STAFF PHOTO)
Recently installed windows at the GAR Building at 300-304 Penn Ave. Linden Street in downtown Scranton on April 17, 2026. Don Mammano owns the building, which has renovations underway in the first floor and basement, and which are leased to a firm of restaurateur Rob Friedman. (JIM LOCKWOOD / STAFF PHOTO)
A parking lot is located at the intersection of Penn Avenue and Linden Street which will provide parking for “Kevin’s on Penn” restaurant across the street. Shown on April 17, 2026. (JIM LOCKWOOD)
The Grand Army of the Republic building in Scranton on Wednesday, April 15, 2026. (REBECCA PARTICKA/STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER)
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The outside of the former Harry’s Bar and 16th Ward properties on Penn Avenue in downtown Scranton Thursday, May 15, 2025. (SEAN MCKEAG / STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER)
It will be the second “Kevin’s” location for Friedman, who purchased and renovated the restaurant’s first location in 2018 in Kingston.
Friedman originally planned to open the restaurant in the spring, but because everything from the booth to the bars is being built from scratch, the timeline was extended until the summer, he said.
Friedman said he is paying attention to detail so that customers will have the best dining experience possible, pointing to a dining area in the kitchen so that diners can watch chefs at work. He said he is also looking forward to the building’s signage, which will creatively let people know where the business is located.
Friedman also noted the “beautiful” outside lighting, which will make the business stand out among other businesses on the street.
Included in the outside renovations are deep green windows that provide a metropolitan look to the corner building.
Friedman leased the space on the first floor and basement of the building from Don Mammano.
Friedman said parking won’t be a problem for customers.
In 2023, Mammano bought the fire-ravaged former J.G. Plotkin & Son Shoe Co. at Penn Avenue and Linden Street and later demolished it. Now it will provide parking for the new business, he said.
Inside the restaurant, Friedman is preserving brick and stone work, while adjusting the layout.
Friedman said he is excited to be part of business growth in downtown Scranton.
He described the Penn Avenue site — an area filled with other businesses and restaurants, with lots of foot traffic and an inviting atmosphere — as “perfect.”
“We’re just really excited to branch off in Lackawanna County,” Friedman said.
The new site will have the benefit of the experience of the Kingston location’s longtime general manager John Lahr and Chef Matt Gilbert, who heads the culinary team.
Prior to Friedman’s lease of the property, the space was home to Harry’s bar.
Monday Update
Then: In November, Luzerne County restaurateur Rob Friedman said construction of a new, high-end restaurant/bar on first floor and basement of the GAR Building at 300-304 Penn Ave. in Scranton was underway.
Now: Friedman said construction is in full swing. He expects to open the doors to the new restaurant in the summer.