SCRANTON – A prominent Luzerne County restaurateur enters Lackawanna County with two neighboring restaurants in downtown Scranton.
A company of Rob Friedman, whose hospitality group owns numerous venues in Luzerne County, recently purchased The 16th Ward restaurant/bar and its building at 306 Penn Ave. in Scranton.
Meanwhile, on Thursday, Friedman was finalizing a lease of the first floor and basement of the neighboring GAR Building at 300-304 Penn Ave., which is right next door to The 16th Ward, he said in a phone interview.
“We’re just really excited to branch off in Lackawanna County,” Friedman said.
The former Harry’s Bar property on the corner of Linden St. and Penn Ave. in downtown Scranton Thursday, May 15, 2025. (SEAN MCKEAG / STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER)
He said he has forged a good relationship with Don Mammano, who owns the GAR Building, and loves the area of the 300 block of Penn Avenue, calling it “a happening avenue, with other restaurants.” Friedman also likes what he sees occurring downtown in terms of burgeoning development.
“I’m just observing what’s going on in Scranton and the growth in downtown Scranton got me excited. It just seems like it’s still the tip of the iceberg there,” Friedman said.
Mammano said he has known Friedman since buying from him several years ago the former Friedman Electric building in the 600 block of Wyoming Avenue.
“We kept in touch ever since and I wanted to get him into downtown Scranton. He wanted to be a part of Penn Avenue,” Mammano said.
Harry’s Bar recently vacated the front of the first floor of the GAR Building. Jermaine Carter, owner of Harry’s Bar, said Wednesday he’s looking to purchase a building to move the establishment and may close on the property within the next week or two.
A Friedman firm is transferring a liquor license from Dunmore to Scranton for use at 300-304 Penn Ave., according to legislation pending before Scranton City Council. The council on Tuesday introduced a resolution to approve the transfer into the city of the liquor license currently owned by Debra Lynn Reese at the location of Billy B’s Restaurant and Martini Bar, 138 Smith St. in Dunmore. The resolution will come back before council for a vote on adoption at a future meeting.
Friedman’s properties throughout Luzerne County include: The River Street Jazz Cafe (Plains Twp.); The Beaumont Inn (Dallas Twp.); Grico’s (Exeter); Kevin’s Bar & Restaurant (Kingston); Cork Bar & Restaurant (Wilkes-Barre); Fire & Ice (Trucksville); Bank + Vine (Wilkes-Barre); Rikasa (Pittston); The Greens at Irem Clubhouse (Dallas Twp.); and Friedman Farms wedding venue (Dallas Twp.).
To make room for Friedman’s restaurant operation moving into the GAR building, Mammano also moved the nonprofit Scranton Tomorrow organization from space on the first floor fronting on Linden Street to a spot next door in his 317 Linden building. Scranton Tomorrow leads the city’s downtown economic development efforts.
“Freidman Hospitality Group has a longstanding history of eclectic dining and delivering exceptional experiences. We are looking forward to their expansion into Downtown Scranton and working with them closely for a smooth transition,” Scranton Tomorrow President and CEO Leslie Collins said.
The 16th Ward will continue to operate with a mix of existing staff under former owner Dmitry Starikov and Friedman staffers, including from Kevin’s in Kingston Chef Matt Gilbert and General Manager John Lahr, Friedman said, adding that Starikov also will stay on as an employee at The 16th Ward.
“Dmitry and his staff will continue to be part of it,” Friedman said. “We were very impressed with the staff that Dmitry had hired.”
The outside of the 16th Ward property on Penn Avenue in downtown Scranton Thursday, May 15, 2025. (SEAN MCKEAG / STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER)
Staff of the The 16th Ward restaurant and bar 306 Penn Ave. in Scranton on Thursday, May 15, 2025, from left, Michael Jenkins and Mark Jenkins, bar leads, Erin Crofchick, operations manager, Freidman Hospitality Group; Chrissy Cuddey, bartender/server; Josh Snyder, chef; and John Lahr general manager. The Friedman group recently purchased the restaurant and its building, and will continue to run the restaurant with a mix of existing staff and Friedman staff. (PHOTO PROVIDED / COURTESY OF LIZ BALDI OF SCRANTON TOMORROW)
A transition underway aims to have Friedman’s group fully take over operations of The 16th Ward on Wednesday, he said.
The restaurant to come in the GAR Building will be unlike The 16th Ward, he said.
“They’re going to be different. It will be a different experience” in each establishment, Friedman said.
Getting a restaurant opened in the former spaces of Harry’s Bar and Scranton Tomorrow might take at least six months, Friedman said. He is still formulating the plan for this restaurant and does not yet have a name chosen.
“The new restaurant is going to be very exciting. We have all the ideas in our heads. We have a concept in mind,” Friedman said.