WATCH VIDEO | Punky’s shows off remodel | News

Punky’s, one of many oldest companies in Johnstown’s West Finish, has developed a brand new really feel to it in latest months.

Scott Miller, son of the unique homeowners Bob and Rosalyn “Punky” Miller, used funding from the town and Johnstown Redevelopment Authority to make upgrades to the restaurant, situated at Harold Avenue’s huge bend by the Oakhurst Playground. There’s a new facade to the store that opened in 1963 and a modernized kitchen that’s used to make a wide range of meals, together with the restaurant’s well-known square-cut pizza and tender shell tacos.

On Tuesday, Miller and his enterprise accomplice and girlfriend Shannon Glover had been joined by Bob Miller and representatives of the Cambria Regional Chamber to rejoice the adjustments with a ribbon-cutting ceremony.

“I’m simply making an attempt to develop my mom’s identify and the household enterprise and hold it going,” Scott Miller mentioned.

Amy Bradley, Cambria Regional Chamber’s president and CEO, additionally talked concerning the significance of the household custom persevering with.

“It feels good to see a younger couple like this make a go of this,” Bradley mentioned. “That is type of a historic place. It’s neat that the daddy is right here that began this. Now it’s being transitioned to the son. I simply want them wild success. I hope they do actually, rather well. I’ve little doubt that they are going to.”

A part of Miller’s objective is to broaden gross sales of Punky’s taco shells which might be staples for many individuals within the West Finish and all through the town.

“My objective is to automate my shells to hopefully turn into a nationwide firm,” he mentioned. “We’re coping with seven meals distributors. We’re into West Virginia, Maryland, Pennsylvania and elements of Ohio. My final objective is to automate and construct.”

Punky’s formally reopened, following the entire upgrades, on April 9, which was throughout the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic shutdown.

“I used to be very skeptical about opening throughout COVID, but it surely was the most effective factor I did. … We had automobiles wrapped the entire approach round our constructing ready for over an hour, hour and a half to get our meals throughout COVID,” mentioned Miller, whose enterprise delivers from Westmont to Seward.

Dave Sutor is a reporter for The Tribune-Democrat. He may be reached at (814) 532-5056. Observe him on Twitter @Dave_Sutor.