Ye Olde College Diner or “The Diner” will be shutting down after over 30 years of serving the State College community.

Owner Dan Rallis said his lease is up in April, and increasing costs to run the establishment factored into the decision.

The announcement comes weeks after the Rathskeller and Spats owners said they would be closing their doors.

The Diner is known by most people for its Grilled Stickies. Rallis said when he first started out, he was making 10 trays of Stickies a day – he now makes up to 200 trays a day. While The Diner may be closing, Rallis plans to continue making the sticky.

“I’m keeping the sticky. That is really the heart and soul of the diner,” Rallis said.

Rallis plans on building a new facility in Boalsburg. They will continue to be sold and grilled at Corner Room, the Creamery, the Waffle Shop, Penn Stater, Nittany Lion Inn and can be purchased boxed in various supermarkets. They are also shipped around the world.

“Getting new equipment, sheeters, rotating ovens will be much more efficient, and by efficient the quality will be increased,” Rallis said.  

Rallis plans to bring his 15 or so employees to his new Stickie operation or his catering business. His catering business usually sells 800-1,000 meals on Thanksgiving for 50 cents.

Since the business has been around for years, many long-time customers are sad to see it go.

“(I’m) sad to see it go. I’d prefer someone breathe new life into it. It was always a great place, don’t know if there’s anything like it,” Penn State alum Cindy Covaleski said.

“Is it disappointing that my husband and I can’t come and split a grilled sticky? Yeah, but maybe something better comes along, new tradition will be born, new generations will know that instead of the diner,” Penn State alum Kara Haberberger said.

Rallis said his lease is up April 21, but will close by April 1 if no one steps in to take over the business.

Anyone interested in taking over the restaurant can contact Rallis by stopping by the diner, or contacting ReMax Realty for the property. Rallis said a new owner could sell his product, but he would be involved.

The Diner is open 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. on weekdays and 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. on weekends.

Stickies can be bought HERE.