Don’t delay. Stop by today!
At Kelly’s Korner, our remarkable staff will make sure you get extraordinary service while providing you an excellent meal at a very reasonable price. Using the freshest ingredients, we prepare our food to the highest standards to ensure that when you visit us you’re going to walk away happy and satisfied.
If you are in the Huntingdon area, we encourage you to stop in for a visit. Our friendly and attentive staff will help ensure a fantastic dining experience that will leave you wanting to come back for more.
So, don’t delay. Stop by today!
Celebrating 45 Years of Family
October 2024, we’ve celebrated 45 years of owning one of the area’s most popular family restaurants.
From The Daily News article – October 15, 2024
When the Johnson family purchased Kelly’s Korner on Pennsylvania Avenue in Smithfield Township in October 1979, Jennie Johnson had a vision for the establishment.
“When I took over, I wanted it to be a family place,” said Jennie, recalling the longtime business was known as a bar at the time. “If they wanted to get a drink, fine, but we still wanted people to come if they didn’t and bring their family.”
Kelly’s Korner History
Kelly’s Korner has been a local landmark for generations for the residents of Huntingdon County. During this time, Kelly’s Korner has acquired a great history. Before 1923 Harry W. Wagner owned the property. Mr. Wagner sold the property to Louis Saltzman in September of 1928 who made the property commercial by opening a filling station and eating establishment.
John J. Kelly and his wife Martha N. Kelly purchased the establishment from Mr. Saltzman in 2918. The Kelly family upgraded the business by adding the extended roof, modern gas pumps, and erecting the sign. The photographs in Kelly’s dining room show several different views of the restaurant over the years. John and Martha had the sign painted that was on the roof. Imagine the painter’s surprise upon learning that there was not a second “e” in Kelly’s. John Kelly was an avid big game hunter and for many years his trophies were displayed in glass cases at the business. An advertisement published in 1948, mentions Kelly’s famous Bar-B-Q sandwiches. At this time, there was not any liquor or beer sold at Kelly’s.
H.L. Garman and his wife Clarabell purchased the restaurant from the Kelly’s in August of 1951. The next owners were C.W. Rutter and his wife, Elise. Mr. Kelly’s animals were still on display at this time. In February of 1953 Mr. George Prendergast became partners with Mr. Rutter. They were in business together until February of 1959. It is believed that the partners acquired the first liquor license. Mr. Prendergast removed the trophy animals and added the dining room to the building. George operated Kelly’s until January of 1972. Upon his retirement, his employees presented him with an oil painting of the business.
Robert and Grace Peters became the next owners and sold to Robert and Maxine Roland in April of 1975. The Roland’s and their son Mark operated the establishment for less than 5 years.
Jennie and Raymond Johnson next purchased the restaurant on October 12, 1979. The first year after their purchase, the Johnson’s removed the gas island and the portico. They concentrated on food service and family dining. Shortly after their acquisition, Mr. Prendergast presented the Johnsons with the oil painting that he had received upon retiring. Today the painting still hangs in the dining room at Kelly’s Korner.
Since the Johnson’s purchase, Kelly’s Korner has been a family operated business. Jennie and Raymond retired in 2000. Karen Johnson and her daughter Elizabeth Feather officially purchased and took over operations of the restaurant in 1999. We are proud that Kelly’s Korner has been in the Johnson family for three generations and value our customer’s continued support.