Another sports bar is set to open its door to the State College community. Greene Turtle, a popular sports bar native to Maryland, announced this week that it will open six establishments in central Pennsylvania.

The five other Greene Turtle restaurants will open in the Cumberland, Lancaster, Lebanon, Dauphin and York regions, Greene Turtle owner David Trimbur said.

There are no Greene Turtle restaurants currently located in Pennsylvania. The sports bar is only located in Maryland, Delaware, New York, Virginia, West Virginia and the District of Columbia.

Although a location in State College has yet to be determined, Trimbur said he is confident Greene Turtle will find the right spot for the franchise to break ground.

Trimbur is unsure if the restaurant will be located directly downtown or farther from a campus.

Greene Turtle is still looking for the ideal settlement that meets the square feet requirement, which is between 6,500 and 7,300, Trimbur said.

While he is optimistic the State College location will open before the end of the year, Trimbur said realistically speaking, it may take longer than he had hoped.

Depending on the location, the new Greene Turtle can create a competition among the other popular sports bars in State College.

“I believe there’s no such thing as too many sports bars, especially in a college town,” Stephanie Levine said.

As a Maryland resident, Levine (senior-human development and family studies) said she is excited to bring a part of home to State College.

Erin McKee, a Penn State Altoona student from Delaware, is also looking forward to the new sports bar.

“I believe Greene Turtle will be a great addition to State College,” McKee (senior-history) said via email. “In Delaware, especially in college towns, the bars are always packed.”

The restaurant offers specials on both its drinks and food which can attract college students, McKee said.

“We’re a niche bar. I’m sure we’ll have competition with the other sports bars in town,” Trimbur said, “I think our family-friendly atmosphere will help set us apart.”

Trimbur said he hopes to employ 100 to 140 workers.

Though Greene Turtle is most popular in its home state, Trimbur is positive the restaurant will do well in State College.

“While it is a Maryland-based company, we’ll be a Penn State bar, not a Maryland bar,” Trimbur said.

To read the article which was originally published on The Daily Collegian, click here.