Tucked away on Benner Pike is a unique sandwich shop that approaches lunch a bit differently.

Moxmoe Pictures, owned by Maurice “Moe” Thompson, uses cinema as a metaphor to craft memorable sandwiches and share local stories. They believe life is a movie, and it’s meant to have highlights.

The shop’s State College location opened in November 2024 and is approaching its two-year anniversary on October 14, but Moe and his wife Kate originally started crafting their unique lunches in their hometown of Huntingdon, Pennsylvania.

Moxmoe Pictures delivers much more than standard takeout. It serves a mission to better people’s days and their stories.

My first visit to the shop was a few months ago.

I immediately noticed the cinema-themed atmosphere, as well as the posters designed to look like movie posters that shared more about the business itself.

The most intriguing part of the experience, though, comes after you pay. Instead of giving your name, Moxmoe Pictures gives you a ticket with a celebrity’s name on it.

Whenever your food is ready, they call the name of the celebrity on your ticket. It was something I had never seen before, especially in State College.

“We don’t want to just take your name, because we could call Jennifer and three Jennifers and come up with this counter. So, like, how can we make it different and unique?” Moe said.

Moxmoe has an extensive menu of sandwiches, sauces, and more.

Their signature sandwiches are named after people’s personalities and professions, such as “The Lawn Chair Legend” and “The EMT.”

“I mean, honestly, we have nothing to do with actual movies,” Moe said. “As our sign says, we are a brand about people and their stories.
Our sandwiches are named after people on these personalities or occupations.”

The name Moxmoe Pictures combines the names of the owner’s dogs, Mox and Moe.

Mox was named after Jonathan Moxon from Varsity Blues, one of Moe’s favorite movies.

Moe has been fascinated with movies ever since he was young. He was especially fascinated by the TV series “Movie Magic,” which explored special effects in filmmaking.

“I’m just kind of taking from that passion a little bit and creating my own cinematic world,” he said.