Baby’s Diner plans to open in the place of Bubba’s Eggs, Steaks & Shakes in mid-June, Hitham Hiyajneh told StateCollege.com on Friday. Bubba’s was formerly located at 131 S. Garner St.

A State College restaurateur plans to revive a downtown diner https://t.co/4FQDe3MCtl

— StateCollege.com (@StateCollegecom) May 15, 2026

131 S. Garner St has been home to two different diners in the past two years: Oeuf Boeuf et Bacon, which closed in 2025, and Bubba’s, which closed the following year. Both cited employment issues as a reason for closing.

The name Baby’s Diner is in respect to Baby’s Burgers and Shakes, which lived in the 1947 Silk City diner for 30 years before closing in 2022. Hiyajneh said he used to take his kids to the diner before he thought about entering the restaurant business.

Along with the name, the 20-year veteran of the restaurant scene in State College plans to include the diner’s classics, such as Whimpy Basket of burgers, hot dogs, and milkshakes. Hiyajneh also told StateCollege.com the menu will be Hilal.

“The nice thing about a diner is there’s no limit on your food. You can do whatever the heck you want to,” Hiyajneh said in an interview with StateCollege.com.

Hiyajneh plans to look forward to the project of fixing up the diner, currently cleaning the diner, and making repairs. Despite having opened several restaurants in State College before, such as Underground Burger, Fatoum, Cluck & Catch, and Fava Kitchen, the restaurateur is most excited about Baby’s Diner.

The diner plans to be open from 7 a.m. to 3 a.m. when Penn State is in session, and from 7 a.m. to 9 or 10 p.m. when it’s not.