OLYPHANT — As a remodeling and expansion project nears completion, developer John Basalyga envisions the redesigned Queen City Tavern as a cozy spot to enjoy a good meal and quality entertainment.
Basalyga purchased the former OTOWN Bar & Grill and Molly Maguires property, 400 W. Lackawanna Ave., in August and began crafting a new look for the building and business.
“When I bought it, I wanted to get a grasp of the area, so we started to rebrand slowly and transition with new menus, testing some different items that would work,” Basalyga said. “Once we figured all that out, we came up with a plan. We tried to get the lot next door and when that didn’t happen, we had to switch gears a little bit.”
Crews began renovating the property in mid-March and Basalyga expects work to wrap up by the second or third week of May. The expansion increases the capacity by 40% — adding about 46 seats, he said
Ongoing construction at the Queen City Tavern in Olyphant on Friday, April 25, 2025. (REBECCA PARTICKA/STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER)
Ongoing construction at the Queen City Tavern in Olyphant on Friday, April 25, 2025. (REBECCA PARTICKA/STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER)
Ongoing construction at the Queen City Tavern in Olyphant on Friday, April 25, 2025. (REBECCA PARTICKA/STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER)
The Queen City Tavern in Olyphant on Thursday, April 24, 2025. (REBECCA PARTICKA/STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER)
Among the big changes, the upper floor, which was rarely used, will become a focal point of the establishment, Basalyga said.
Basalyga added the layout will likely remind some guests of the former Heil’s Place — a popular watering hole at Wheeler Avenue and Ash Street in Scranton for four-plus decades.
“We cut a big hole in the floor,” he said. “When you walk in the door, you can look right up into the second level. There will be a railing around it — and seating all around the perimeter of the opening — and a separate bar upstairs. The energy will flow from both floors. I wanted connectivity … you don’t want to be sitting upstairs and feel disconnected from all the action downstairs.”
The new decor will also mirror one of Basalyga’s other properties — the Farr Street Tavern in Scranton — and the restaurant will have a similar gastropub-style menu.
“We have what I call the tavern series,” he said. “We make them look a bit more rustic. The exterior is almost done — it’s coming out great — and we’re doing the finishes inside now.”
Basalyga stressed the project completely transformed the property with new electrical wiring, plumbing, bathrooms, HVAC systems, roofing, windows and flooring, kitchen and bar equipment, and sound systems and TVs.
The structure always caught Basalyga’s eye and he looks forward to becoming more ingrained in the borough’s business district.
“I look at some of the beautiful buildings in Olyphant, and how tightknit of a community it is, and I thought it would be a great hub for a great dining option,” he said. “Every time I would drive by the building, it would stick out to me.”
Cassie Secor, co-owner of Lynn & Louie’s, a gluten-free bakery at 412 W. Lackawanna Ave., said she feels the newly refurbished Queen City Tavern ties into the borough’s revitalization and will attract people to the downtown.
“It seems to be a good project they’re doing — it’s giving it a bit of a facelift,” she said. “I think it’s a positive thing for more foot traffic and it’s definitely a draw for the area.”
Monday Update
THEN: John Basalyga purchased the former OTOWN Bar & Grill property in August and rebranded it as the Queen City Tavern.
NOW: Basalyga began remodeling the property in mid-March and expects work to be finished by mid-May.
The Queen City Tavern in Olyphant on Thursday, April 24, 2025. (REBECCA PARTICKA/STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER)
The Queen City Tavern in Olyphant on Thursday, April 24, 2025. (REBECCA PARTICKA/STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER)