Even though Farley’s could soon become an office building or a retail store, commercial real estate agent Marilee Barone still has her hopes up it will return as a restaurant and bar.
“There’s still a need for restaurants downtown,” she said. “The more you have, the better.”
The property is listed at $920,000, she said, and she has received calls from possible restaurateurs – but nothing serious has happened yet.
She isn’t the only one who would like to see the property return as a watering hole with a “mean burger.” Scranton Chamber of Commerce President Austin Burke said the longtime pub has been Scranton’s answer to “Cheers.”
“There’s other good establishments around there,” Mr. Burke said. “I believe that the more establishments you have, the better destination your downtown will be. Hopefully, in the future someone takes over Farley’s and develops a following that’s just as successful.”
Still, with Farley’s closing, the business it brought in could still be distributed among the area’s other establishments, he said, where competition for patrons is stiff but “friendly.”
Co-owner of the nearby Backyard Ale House, Patrick Nasser, said business has been slower than normal this summer, perhaps owing to the recession, and the ale house could always use the added patronage. But, he said, he is saddened it would be at the expense of a landmark.
“I would love to have the longevity that Farley’s had,” Mr. Nasser said. “All the local restaurant and bar owners like to frequent each other’s establishment. The more that the downtown has to offer the more chance we have for that to thrive. It’s all healthy for downtown Scranton.”
Contact the writer: jkohut@timesshamrock.com @jkohutTT on Twitter
