Juana’s Venezuelan Cuisine Closing, But Owner Plans to Return With New Format

A Venezuelan restaurant in downtown State College is closing, but its owner plans to relaunch in early 2026 with what she calls a new business concept.

Juana’s Venezuelan Cuisine, 129 S. Fraser St., will conclude its weeklong celebration of seven years in business at 7 p.m. Friday, owner and chef Ady Martinez announced in an Instagram post.

“It has been a great pleasure to serve you and offer you our homemade Venezuelan cuisine — the wonderful experience of grandmother’s cooking, with the flavor and seasoning of Isla de Margarita, made by the hands of her granddaughter and great-grandchildren, all from La Guaira,” Martinez wrote. “The love, the quality, the process behind the creation of our dishes, and the unforgettable moments we shared will always remain in our history — a history we built together in this wonderful town… State College, Pennsylvania, a story that will live forever in our memories.”

Calling the closing of Juana’s a “transition from a dream fulfilled,” Martinez told StateCollege.com that “maintaining the quality and ethics of our current menu requires an investment that is no longer sustainable.”

“We will now focus on the community’s favorite items and will continue offering catering from the same location, with more flexible hours,” she said.

Martinez, who is also a musician, added that she plans to “continue hosting special events once or twice a month, where everyone can keep enjoying Venezuelan cuisine.”

She expects to announce more details about the relaunch of the business, which will remain in the Juana’s location, early next year.

“Thank you to my clients and beloved community for all your support,” Martinez said.

Juana’s opened in 2018 and has specialized in authentic Venezuelan foods such as arepas, empanadas, tequeños, pabellón criollo bowls and chicha criolla. The restaurant also has offered its dishes on-site at a variety of local events.