STATE COLLEGE – A lot of people in Centre County, and Penn State alumni everywhere, were crushed as the All-American Rathskeller and Spats Cafe & Speakeasy both closed this weekend.
Now, the new tenants are speaking out and saying that things won't be changing as much as you might think.
After waiting for a miracle to happen, people in Centre County will see their wish come true.
The new owners of the Rathskeller said their goal is to keep the bar the way it is.
"It's a historical landmark, a cornerstone of the community. With all the changes going on in town, we need an anchor. Let’s be the anchor," Tom Trokso, the new operator of the Rathskeller, said.
It’s been an emotional roller coaster for students and alumni, who said goodbye to a longtime State College tradition.
On Saturday, the “Skeller” held a last call event before officially closing its doors.
"I've just always said I wanted to own a bar and I got a call from the Herlockers saying this opportunity has come up," Trokso said.
Now, Trosko, a Penn State alumnus and former employee of the university, and his wife, Kelley, have stepped in as the new owners of the iconic bar.
"Their children, their children's children -- they all go there,” Trokso said. “It's a thread that combines families, and generations of Penn Staters. We get it."
The couple's goal is to continue the long tradition of the Skeller.
"We would always come to the Skeller as a first, or that location as a first stop, when we got to town, and it's just one of those things that, you know, I've come to learn,” Kelley Trosko said.
“We've shared memories there that we hope everyone else can share memories, about what they've seen in the past and what's going to happen in the future," she said.
After 85 years of operation, Tom and Kelley hope to continue the excitement and great times for more generations to come.
"I hope we can live up to their expectations. We would love to keep it going," said Tom Trosko.
The Troksos said their lease begins in March and they have a few things they need to do before opening but they hope to welcome the community back into the Skeller as soon as possible.
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