LANDMARK SOLD
Restaurant planned at former 'Tino's'

A prominent building at Emporium's busiest intersection will be the site of a new grill-style restaurant in the coming months.

Emporium Borough Council Monday night accepted the lone bid received for the former Tino's Italian Restaurant. Former Emporium resident Mike Hapfner, now of Aberdeen, N.C., bid $40,000 on the property.

Hapfner announced his plans for the building, formerly the Emporium Public Library and First National Bank, in a letter accompanying his bid.

Kathleen Costantino purchased the property in 2004 for $75,000 and made thousands of dollars in upgrades. She and Jimmy Constantino operated the restaurant until closing its doors last October. The land sale agreement between the borough and Constantino was dissolved by mutual consent at the Borough Council meeting last November.