HUNTER SMITH /THE EXPRESS The historic Lock Haven Market House is pictured, constructed in 1871. Today, it houses Fox’s Market House Restaurant, which opened in 1991. Many improvements have recently been made to the building and business.

LOCK HAVEN — Progress has been the 2025 driving theme at Fox’s Market House Restaurant, located inside the historic Lock Haven Market House on the corner of East Church and Grove Street in downtown Lock Haven. Proprietor Matt Clark infused both time and resources to provide the finest family dining restaurant in the region.

The Lock Haven Market House was constructed in 1871.

In 1971, 100 years later, entrepreneur Stephen Poorman halted the wrecking ball and restored the building. He wanted to preserve the Romanesque architecture with corner towers, arched and key-stoned windows, brick friezes, pointed towers, arched and key-stoned windows, brick friezes and adornments. The building’s pointed tower designs are captured in stained glass hanging in the restaurant. The entire building was repainted last year and it now emphasizes some of the most unique architectural features in Central Pennsylvania.

In 1991, Mr. Poorman, along with restaurateur Jack Fox, opened Fox’s Market House Restaurant in Lock Haven. Poorman later operated the business and sold it to Mr. Clark, a former chef at The Clinton Country Club and owner of Clark’s Cafe, located in Poorman’s “Penny Lane Mini Mall.”

Matt Clark and Stephanie Simander have been operating the business for 30 years.

Progress recently unfolded when Poorman made upgrades to the property and business.

Some improvements include a newly paved parking lot with handicapped spaces, building safety devices, new restaurant equipment, a collection of memorabilia, additional menu selections, fun things for the kids and dozens of business enhancements.

The restaurant will add soda fountain favorites and they now start breakfast at 7 a.m. for the Early Birds. A Royalty Rewards program offers special discounts to diners of all ages.

The restaurant engaged the services of Morgan Caprio to develop an attentive and efficient staff.

The antique collection celebrates the property’s significance in the Clinton County mercantile industry. Under the building there is a 160 foot corridor and 22 arched rooms,

In yesteryears, feed and grain was lifted from the rooms to waiting wagons inside the building. Mr. Poorman commissioned photographer F. Calabrese to light the rooms with candles for a time-release photograph that hangs on the restaurant wall.

Recently, Poorman purchased a 1929 Oldsmobile Sedan and dubbed the “Kids Kar,” so they could scope out the vehicle or snap a selfie.

Inside the building and family restaurant, you will now discover a large collection of original antiques including Northwestern bubble gum machines, Berkel meat scales, Lancaster County wicker buggies, payphones and other reminders of days gone by.

One treasured item is the original Penny Scale that stood at the entrance to the L. L. Stearns & Sons Department Store (c.1850) that served all of central Pennsylvania.

Adding to the collection is a yellow Piper Cub model airplane on loan from The Piper Museum. It is an exact replica of the J-3, sometimes referred to as the L-4 Grasshopper, with more than 20,000 were manufactured right here in Lock Haven.

The building became a location for people to sell provisions as they discussed private and public topics of the day. Eventually, it became known as Lock Haven’s Gathering Place.

The Market House wouldn’t be complete without the old original wooden pig, used for advertising the provisions. The life-size pig was rescued from the third floor of a Philadelphia attic by Mr. Poorman. It was spotted with a sign that read “Lock Haven Market Place.” Steve dusted it off, wrapped it up, placed it in the trunk and brought it back to its historical resting place of Lock Haven.

You’re invited to stop by and enjoy some tasty food or a hand-dipped milkshake. And, you can touch the old pig. But, sometimes he squeals.

Fox’s Market House Restaurant

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142 E. Church St.,

Lock Haven, PA 17745

570-748-4000