A Luzerne County restaurateur plans to open a high-end restaurant at the GAR Building at 300-304 Penn Ave. in Scranton in the spring.
Rob Friedman said renovations are underway inside and outside the downtown building.
“We’re just really excited to branch off in Lackawanna County,” Friedman said.
Friedman leased the space on the first floor and basement of the building from Don Mammano.
Friedman said Mammano shares his vision for a fine-dining restaurant, which will bring people downtown and add ambience to the neighborhood.
Mammano said the area provides a great setting for night life, with the whole block encompassing the energy and excitement that defines the downtown.
Parking is also a plus, he said.
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.
The building previously housed Harry’s, which closed earlier this year. Before that it was Mert’s, which closed in 2017.
Attention to detail and ambience
Friedman said he and Mammano are paying attention to detail to provide customers with a unique experience.
Brian Davis, who designed the Mohegan Pennsylvania casino, is the architect for the project, he said.
Inside the restaurant, Friedman is preserving brick and stone work, while adjusting the layout.
“We’re building the bars from scratch,” he said.
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 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)
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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)
Included in the outside renovations are deep green windows that provide a metropolitan look to the corner building.
“Don is dong the outside beautifully,” Friedman said.
When asked about a name for the new business, Friedman said, “Not yet definite with the name, but it will be excellent fine dining in a beautiful but casual atmosphere.”
Monday Update
Then: In May, restaurateur Rob Friedman said he was finalizing a lease for the first floor and basement of the GAR Building at 300-304 Penn Ave. in Scranton. Friedman, who runs similar businesses in Luzerne County, shared plans to open a high-end restaurant/bar at the site.
Now: In a recent phone interview, Friedman said construction is in full swing and he expects to open the doors to the new restaurant in the spring.