New Castle's MP Coney Island expands to two new locations

After 100 years in business, New Castle's MP Coney Island restaurant isn't slowing down.

In fact, the company is expanding, with two new locations on the horizon.

One of those locations will be in Hermitage, the first in Mercer County. John Mitsos, chief operating officer at MP Coney Island, tells 21 News that renovations to an existing building are already underway.

MP's started back in 1923, by Mitsos's grandfather's uncle. It's stayed in the family ever since.

The Hermitage restaurant will be located at 600 S. Hermitage Road, and just like MP's, it has some history.

The building started out as St. John's Byzantine Catholic Church, before Stone Church Pizza House and Brew Hub took it over in 2015. Stone Church had a three year stint there, before closing its doors in 2018.

Mitsos says the ongoing renovations include removing Stone Church's bar and pizza ovens to add a kitchen and some indoor seating.

They'll keep some of the original church fixtures, like the stained glass windows.

The Hermitage location should be open some time this spring, according to Mitsos.

As for the second new location, it will stay in New Castle. But- it's the company's very first franchise. Mitsos say franchising was the natural next step for the business.

"So many people over the years have inquired about how they can get involved," said Mitsos. 

Groundbreaking for the first MP Coney Island franchise happened this week. That will be located in the Lawrence Village Plaza.

Mitsos says the opportunity to expand MP's means the world, as it carries on his family's legacy.

"It's very exciting," he says. "It's almost our duty to expand our business."