OT: Observations on Arts Fest and what happened to Gamble Mill in Bellefonte...

[BowieLion]

Was up in State College for Arts Fest this weekend. A couple observations....
1. Arts Fest is really for this high rollers. Between the high priced art and high priced hotel rooms for the weekend....
2. We had a great time anyway, hit some of the local places, saw JayPa at the Corner Room, and had some Creamery Ice Cream....
3. Don't get discouraged if you see a long line at the creamery. It was out the door and down the side of the building, but it only took a half hour to get in and we waited in shade all the way. Damn, that ice cream is good. Had peanut butter swirl and yes, they still have Peachy Paterno! Line moves fast...
4. Stayed at the Fairfield Inn on Atherton...WOW! what a great place! Newly renovated rooms and they are probably the best "Fairfield" room we've stayed in! The breakfast was great, but really , we are oatmeal eaters so...but they do have the "real" oatmeal, not the packets, plus it's right next to Otto's...
5. We really enjoyed Otto's beer. I had the "Pilsner Lager" and wifey had the "Apricot Wheat" both very good. We both had the grilled fish tacos which were "ok"....
6. So the line was soooo long at Otto's for dinner we thought we'd drive to The Gamble Mill but did a quick Google check and found out that they are "closed permanently"?!?!?! What happened? Anybody know the back story? I think they were related to one of the restaurants downtown if not mistaken...
Anyway, beautiful weekend in Happy Valley and the Boalsburg Arts Fest was nice too.

 

[fairgambit]

I heard that the Gamble Mill had closed temporarily due to lack of business but the temporary closure has become more permanent. My wife and I have eaten there a number of times and always enjoyed the food and atmosphere. As to the Creamery, maybe it's the impatience of age, but while I enjoy their ice cream, there is no way I would wait a half hour in line for it.

 

[psuguy04]

I heard that the Gamble Mill had closed temporarily due to lack of business but the temporary closure has become more permanent. My wife and I have eaten there a number of times and always enjoyed the food and atmosphere. As to the Creamery, maybe it's the impatience of age, but while I enjoy their ice cream, there is no way I would wait a half hour in line for it.

If you have a group of people and a freezer, the trick is get a half-gallon and enjoy it back at the hotel or outside. Go in the side door and skip the line, heading straight for the open register.

 

[pmjoe]

Unless things have changed in the past couple of years - via the Alumni Association you can stay in the dorms cheap (no air conditioning though and dorm showers), plus you get a free ice cream social with Creamery ice cream (and there are some other alumni activities).

 

[getmyjive11]

Was up in State College for Arts Fest this weekend. A couple observations....
1. Arts Fest is really for this high rollers. Between the high priced art and high priced hotel rooms for the weekend....
2. We had a great time anyway, hit some of the local places, saw JayPa at the Corner Room, and had some Creamery Ice Cream....
3. Don't get discouraged if you see a long line at the creamery. It was out the door and down the side of the building, but it only took a half hour to get in and we waited in shade all the way. Damn, that ice cream is good. Had peanut butter swirl and yes, they still have Peachy Paterno! Line moves fast...
4. Stayed at the Fairfield Inn on Atherton...WOW! what a great place! Newly renovated rooms and they are probably the best "Fairfield" room we've stayed in! The breakfast was great, but really , we are oatmeal eaters so...but they do have the "real" oatmeal, not the packets, plus it's right next to Otto's...
5. We really enjoyed Otto's beer. I had the "Pilsner Lager" and wifey had the "Apricot Wheat" both very good. We both had the grilled fish tacos which were "ok"....
6. So the line was soooo long at Otto's for dinner we thought we'd drive to The Gamble Mill but did a quick Google check and found out that they are "closed permanently"?!?!?! What happened? Anybody know the back story? I think they were related to one of the restaurants downtown if not mistaken...
Anyway, beautiful weekend in Happy Valley and the Boalsburg Arts Fest was nice too.

A few comments...

If you go to arts fest and want to look at more affordable art, go to the people's choice in boalsburg.

The Fairfield is owned by Shaner which does a pretty good job with keeping their hotels fresh.

The Gamble Mill was fantastic until they changed owners about five years ago. Supposedly the new owners put a bigger emphasis on the bar which was a major mistake. Quality suffered and people stopped going there.

 

[psu1969a]

Was up in State College for Arts Fest this weekend. A couple observations....
1. Arts Fest is really for this high rollers. Between the high priced art and high priced hotel rooms for the weekend....
2. We had a great time anyway, hit some of the local places, saw JayPa at the Corner Room, and had some Creamery Ice Cream....
3. Don't get discouraged if you see a long line at the creamery. It was out the door and down the side of the building, but it only took a half hour to get in and we waited in shade all the way. Damn, that ice cream is good. Had peanut butter swirl and yes, they still have Peachy Paterno! Line moves fast...
4. Stayed at the Fairfield Inn on Atherton...WOW! what a great place! Newly renovated rooms and they are probably the best "Fairfield" room we've stayed in! The breakfast was great, but really , we are oatmeal eaters so...but they do have the "real" oatmeal, not the packets, plus it's right next to Otto's...
5. We really enjoyed Otto's beer. I had the "Pilsner Lager" and wifey had the "Apricot Wheat" both very good. We both had the grilled fish tacos which were "ok"....
6. So the line was soooo long at Otto's for dinner we thought we'd drive to The Gamble Mill but did a quick Google check and found out that they are "closed permanently"?!?!?! What happened? Anybody know the back story? I think they were related to one of the restaurants downtown if not mistaken...
Anyway, beautiful weekend in Happy Valley and the Boalsburg Arts Fest was nice too.

pilsner lager: there is an oxymoron for you.

 

[psu1969a]

I heard that the Gamble Mill had closed temporarily due to lack of business but the temporary closure has become more permanent. My wife and I have eaten there a number of times and always enjoyed the food and atmosphere. As to the Creamery, maybe it's the impatience of age, but while I enjoy their ice cream, there is no way I would wait a half hour in line for it.

Gamble Mill closed the owners thought they knew how to run 5 restaurants at one time!

 

[Oakwooder]

For future reference, the satellite Creamery for the festival under a tent between Willard and Sackett has much shorter lines. The Gamble Mill became awful after the two women who ran it sold it. In Bellefonte, you might try the Distillery in the old match factory building (on the left side coming from State College just as you enter Bellefonte). It's more snack food (cheese and meat plates) and pricey mixed drinks ($10), but a really nicely appointed space and great for live music when they have it.

 

[psuguy04]

For future reference, the satellite Creamery for the festival under a tent between Willard and Sackett has much shorter lines. The Gamble Mill became awful after the two women who ran it sold it. In Bellefonte, you might try the Distillery in the old match factory building (on the left side coming from State College just as you enter Bellefonte). It's more snack food (cheese and meat plates) and pricey mixed drinks ($10), but a really nicely appointed space and great for live music when they have it.

The problem with the distillery (Big Spring Spirits) is the service.

30 minutes for drinks on a slow night is sad.

 

[Sharkies]

pilsner lager: there is an oxymoron for you.

How is it an oxymoron? A pilsner is just a pale lager. ?!

 

[mn78psu83]

How is it an oxymoron? A pilsner is just a pale lager. ?!

That's true. I had a college acquaintance from Germany who educated me on that early on. I can hear him now.

"Pilsner Urquell is the first pale lager. It's good. Your Budweiser sucks. The real Budweiser is Czech."

 

[RS54]

ate at Lettermans on the way out of town (The old Damons) Food was very good and they totally revamped the place. Keith Conlin is one of the owners

 

[Pocono Lion]

ate at Lettermans on the way out of town (The old Damons) Food was very good and they totally revamped the place. Keith Conlin is one of the owners

Good to hear. The early returns on Lettermans were not so good.

 

[Class of 67]

Was up in State College for Arts Fest this weekend. A couple observations....
1. Arts Fest is really for this high rollers. Between the high priced art and high priced hotel rooms for the weekend....
2. We had a great time anyway, hit some of the local places, saw JayPa at the Corner Room, and had some Creamery Ice Cream....
3. Don't get discouraged if you see a long line at the creamery. It was out the door and down the side of the building, but it only took a half hour to get in and we waited in shade all the way. Damn, that ice cream is good. Had peanut butter swirl and yes, they still have Peachy Paterno! Line moves fast...
4. Stayed at the Fairfield Inn on Atherton...WOW! what a great place! Newly renovated rooms and they are probably the best "Fairfield" room we've stayed in! The breakfast was great, but really , we are oatmeal eaters so...but they do have the "real" oatmeal, not the packets, plus it's right next to Otto's...
5. We really enjoyed Otto's beer. I had the "Pilsner Lager" and wifey had the "Apricot Wheat" both very good. We both had the grilled fish tacos which were "ok"....
6. So the line was soooo long at Otto's for dinner we thought we'd drive to The Gamble Mill but did a quick Google check and found out that they are "closed permanently"?!?!?! What happened? Anybody know the back story? I think they were related to one of the restaurants downtown if not mistaken...
Anyway, beautiful weekend in Happy Valley and the Boalsburg Arts Fest was nice too.

My family ate at the Gamble Inn in May 2007 to celebrate my son's graduation. Excellent then: wonderful food, great ambience. Too bad about its closure.