Capitol Hotel in Hollidaysburg Closing For Now Due to COVID-19

Brian Laratonda and his family have owned the Capitol Hotel since 1970. Laratonda has worked in the business for 40 years, but the devastating economic effects of COVID-19 have made Laratonda decide to close the coffee shop/restaurant for now. Laratonda is hopeful to re-open it in late March or early spring of next year.

The three-story hotel includes 13 rooms and two apartments. The Pipe Room Bar/Lounge portion of the business will remain open. Laratonda says the Pipe Room and Hotel have actually been one entity since his father made it that way in 1975.

“We have had a problem with employees, but all restaurants were in trouble with the COVID restrictions. In food service, not a lot of employees are running back to work,” Laratonda said. “We really need a break. The profit margin for the Capitol Hotel currently is null and void.”

He went on to say that COVID-19 was costly in the cost of relationships with customers.

“I love the business, but COVID forced me to lay off my two best employees,” Laratonda said.

He had planned a large 50th Anniversary celebration for the business, but COVID-19 wiped that out as well. Laratonda has been sole owner of the business since he bought his brother out eight years ago. He said he would not be adverse to selling the business if a financial offer came along, and he could not, in good sense turn that down.

The Capitol Hotel may be closing for now, but according to its owner, that situation hopefully will not be permanent.