Restaurant Week set in downtown Scranton
About a dozen restaurants will showcase their best offerings starting Friday as Scranton Tomorrow officials continually work to support and spotlight local businesses.
During the Summer of Scranton Restaurant Week, eateries will serve three-course meals at three different prices - $19.99, $29.99 and $39.99, said Liz Baldi, business development director for Scranton Tomorrow. Some restaurants will offer menu options at each price point, Baldi said.
Started four years ago after a suggestion from the owners of Bartari on Adams Avenue, the event continues to evolve, Baldi said.
"We wanted to make it a little more elevated this year and add some themes for America250PA and celebrating our nation's birthday," she said.
Sam Agolino, president of Bar Pazzo, 131 N. Washington Ave., feels events like Restaurant Week help attract more customers to the establishments.
"It brings more people in at a better price point," he said. "They're going to come and try it, and hopefully we'll get some repeat business."
Bar Pazzo's house-made gelato - described by Agolino as unique to the area - will be part of the restaurant's menu, he said.
Agolino credits Scranton Tomorrow's employees for helping drive traffic to local businesses, contributing to more stores opening in the area.
"There are a lot more restaurants now than when we first started 10 years ago," he said. "Years ago, there wasn't really anything to do downtown."
Other restaurants participating include the 16th Ward, 306 Penn Ave.; Alter Bar, 116 N. Washington Ave., Suite 100; AV, 320 Penn Ave.; Bar Pazzo, 131 N. Washington Ave.; Fork ‘N' Bowl, 305 Penn Ave.; Picciocchi's Pasta, 114 Wyoming Ave.; P.J.'s 1910 Pub, 100 Adams Ave.; The Roof at Oppenheim, 409 Lackawanna Ave.; Robata Sushi and Hibachi, 244 Adams Ave.; and Warney Cellar and Tap, 515 Center St.
The American Independent Business Alliance started Indie Month - formerly Independents Week - as a national support-local movement in 2005. Scranton Tomorrow, a nonprofit community and economic development organization, has organized the promotion locally since 2019.
Additionally, Scranton Tomorrow developed a Guide to Downtown on its website - scrantontomorrow.org/guidetodowntown - featuring more than 75 retailers, from restaurants to salons to entertainment venues.
A report from the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development found that for every $100 spent at a small business, $73 goes back into the local community.
"Dollars spent at a small business primarily stay local, compared to a chain store or big-box store," Baldi said. "Local businesses are the backbone of a strong and vibrant community. They're the first to step up to sponsor something, or donate something, or help raise awareness for causes, so we're doing initiatives that spotlight each individual business."
Baldi stressed constant collaboration between business owners has contributed to the thriving retail landscape, which has turned into more of a neighborhood.
"They're always willing to work with one another and they understand the concept that if someone is doing well, then everyone's doing well," she said.
Baldi also believes several big events in downtown Scranton this summer - including a visit from the Union Pacific's Big Boy 4014 locomotive and the FIFA Fan Zone for the World Cup - energized local shops.
"I think it's sparking a lot of creativity," she said. "They're putting more effort into designing their outdoor eating areas, they're putting sale racks for retail on the sidewalks, and they're putting a lot of effort into social media marketing trying to capture new audiences."
Copyright 2026 Tribune Content Agency. All Rights Reserved.