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 was 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.