New Stanton Eat'n Park rolls out new look

The Eat’n Park in New Stanton is once again bringing the smiles, with diners admiring the bright, open design, including a new counter section.

The restaurant, at 111 Byers Ave., reopened in late November after a six-week remodel. A take-out window will be in operation starting Dec. 6.

“We took it down to the studs,” says Kevin O’Connell, chief marketing officer of Eat’n Park Hospitality Group.

“We actually had a backhoe in the building, tearing it up,” adds Keith Lester, a district manager with the company.

Changes include bright pops of orange and a cozy new counter section. A black-and-white history wall showcases the company’s early sites, employees and car hop service. The dining room remodel increases seating from 178 to 187, O’Connell says.

The restaurant at the Waterfront in Homestead reopened in September after undergoing a redesign. The Butler site will be next, O’Connell says, with a new restaurant being built.

It’s been almost 20 years since the company has done such a dramatic remodel, he adds.

“Eat’n Park started in 1949. This is our 70th anniversary. Restaurants have changed,” O’Connell says.

The new design reflects the three ways people use restaurants now, he says: dine in, retail and takeout.

Takeout has grown tremendously in the last 10 years, and the chain has responded with online ordering and installing pick-up windows, O’Connell says.

“Eat’n Park is the place for smiles,” he adds. With that in mind, the new design includes a big “Hi” greeting customers at the front seating podium and the words “eat happy” on backs of booths. A big Smiley “graffiti” is along the salad bar wall. “It’s more joyful, energetic,” O’Connell says.

Identical twins Pam Sage and Bobbi Bann, 63, both of Bullskin, have worked at the New Stanton site since 1978, including earlier restaurants prior to Eat’n Park opening in 1981.

“I love it. I think it’s beautiful,” Sage says of the new look. “It’s bright, very cheerful. They (customers) are glad the steps are gone.”

Joanne Moyer of Smithton agrees, recalling the steps and riser that formerly stood in the center of the dining area.

That particular fixture came with the building, Lester says. “It’s very different, interesting. It’s very nice. I love what they’ve done,” she says.

Moyer and her daughter, Samantha Keller of Yukon, ordered the salad bar for themselves and pancakes for Keller’s daughter, Maggie, 3½. Her daughter Rayah, 15 months, happily ate a mini-blueberry muffin.

“We just picked (Maggie) up from preschool and wanted to check out the new restaurant and get some lunch. We eat out a couple of times a week and we do like to come here every once in a while. It’s nice, definitely more efficient,” Keller says.

The New Stanton Eat’n Park will hold a grand opening Dec. 7. All customers will receive a free Smiley cookie, and Smiley will be on hand to greet visitors from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m.