Our relentless attention to detail, fierce commitment to quality, and peerless customer satisfaction lie at the heart of everything we do.

Our company

Scalleat Hospitality Group began from humble beginnings when John Scalleat opened, Jon's Campus Shop a pizza and hoagie shop in downtown Kutztown, PA while attending Kutztown University in the 1970's. The shop was decorated by Kutztown's art students and so small that it inspired the name of his second restaurant Close Quarters opening in 1975. That restaurant quickly became popular with skiers and tourists in the Lake Harmony area of the Poconos, and, after a successful run, John sold it in 1999. Along the way, he purchased the Ovalon Bar & Grill in 1977, and in 1989 he opened the Powerhouse Eatery in an abandoned power station that required two years of work to renovate. He purchased and remodeled the building that houses Connor’s Grillroom in 2002.

Today, the Powerhouse Eatery still retains the original brickwork, valves, and boilers that serve as the backdrop for a menu of classic and contemporary American fare, with steaks, chops, and seafood dishes to appeal to the heartiest appetites. With over 200 seats, it’s the largest of Scalleat Hospitality Group’s five establishments, attracting tourists as well as travelers, thanks to its food, unusual architecture, and visibility from Interstate 80 that passes nearby. The Ovalon, which has been in continuous operation since 1946, has 150 seats and leans toward traditional Italian fare in a family- and kid-friendly atmosphere. Connor’s Grillroom, also with 150 seats, was focused on white-tablecloth dining and served contemporary interpretations of classic American dishes.

Our Team

Hiring the right people, training them for excellence, and giving them room to grow is what sets us apart. We take care of our team through competitive compensation, meaningful benefits, and thoughtful community initiatives. Attracting, hiring, an nurturing employees that believe in these values is what sets our businesses apart. Our team consists of individuals who embody our family values, excellence in hospitality, and integrity.

“It’s important to me to keep the ambience and hospitality of a family-run business. We always have been family owned, family operated, and family oriented."

— JOHN SCALLEAT, FOUNDER

Want to work with us? Join our team.

Our Philosophy

Our customer-service philosophy is simple: Satisfaction is guaranteed.

Although, we believe our commitment extends further then our customers - we seek to ensure individuals, businesses, and communities that we operate with and within are always dealt with the highest standard of integrity and trust. 

Our Community 

The essence of a restaurant is serving food. Every day we get to serve customers exceptional food and be apart of memories that will last a lifetime. However, we believe it is our responsibility to not only serve our customers but the community in which we operate. This is why we are beginning to work with Feeding America to help extend our reach outside of our restaurant. Your donation will benefit H & J Weinberg NEPA Regional Food Bank in Pittston and food banks across our nation where supplies are needed most.

We prioritize doing our part to contribute to the neighborhoods that support us, and helping to make the world a better place.