Shones is Taking Flight
Barbara J. Soltis
Capital Times Staff
Attention die-hard Penn State
partiers: Next time you soar into
Shane's, scope out the gradual
transformation. Shane's is changing
flight plans after sixteen months. By the
beginning of May you'll be landing in
Shanes Flight Deck!
"At first I just wanted to create a
cheerful atmosphere, but now I'm
excited about creating a unique theme bar
in this area," said Shane Mrakovich, 28,
the proprietor. "I've always preferred air
travel opposed to driving, and the bar
will be modeled after one of my favorite
Philly niteclub spots, the 94th Air
Squadron."
Upon entering the bar the patron will
be greeted by the world of aviation. The
facelift includes: an interior repainting of
airplane colors of grey, red, and blue;
parachutes adorning the ceilings, plane
wings and various parts of planes
utilized as wall props. A new flight
menu featuring 747 burgers and daily
airport drink specials will be available to
all passengers.
Mrakovich patiently waits to acquire
the Dollar Rent-a-Car property located to
the right of Shane's in the Yankee
Highspire Plaza. Rent-a-Car's lease
expires in May, and if Mrakovich
acquires the property he plans to
construct a patio flight deck. He is also
considering adding another bar, stage or
dining area.
The renovation will not detract from
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the cozy night club atmosphere. The
sensational lighting system of wacky
lights or eight light dice, strobe lights,
and red and blue police lights will
continue to spotlight all your dance
moves. The three video screens are not
going anywhere either.
"I'll continue to cater to the college
crowd and local singles," Mrakovich
said. "Shane's is definitely catered more
toward the college crowd than the Burst,
because of our sound system, lighting,
large dance floor and videos."
Shanes is Mrakovich's first club
venture. "I was always out at the night
clubs so I figured I may as well go out
and make money at what I enjoy doing
he said. "Besides I love the music and
entertainment industry."
Upon acquiring Marabella's Italian
Restaurant, the previous twenty year
occupant's business, Mrakovich
promptly put $20,000 into remodeling.
He immediately envisioned a night club
atmosphere with a big dance floor. "I
wanted to have an atmosphere where
bouncers and security remained invisible
and people could have a great time,"
Mrakovich said.
Unfortunately advertising was not a
big vehicle for Shane's at first. "I wanted
to prepare and plan a grand opening nice,
but three PSH college customers said
they would make up fliers and pack the
place," Mrakovich said. "I had no idea
several hundred students would show
up!"
Business tapered off drastically after
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Artist Talk February 22,1990
the first night, which caught Mrakovich
unprepared. "Don't worry, those days of
no orange juice and glasses are gone
forever!" Mrakovich said. " I was new at
the business and didn't do follow-up
advertising either. But now I started to
fight the old dinosaur, the Burst, by
consistently advertising, and I get a nice
late college crowd."
Mrakovich eventually envisions
having a couple of Shane's clubs and
even foresees having an oldies club. In
the late 1950's his parents owned a
place called the Peppermint Lounge on
the main strip in Middletown. The.
Peppermint Lounge was a popular
"Happy Days" oriented hangout with a
huge soda fountain bar. Mrakovich's
parents currently own the property in the
Yankee Highspire Pla a.
Mrakovich attends as many social
activities on campus as possible. "When
I'm forty I'll probably still be here acting
Campus H
March 21, Wednesday:
12:05 Noon, Gallery Lounge
Musician Pam de Wall--a violin and
guitar duo of ethnic and classical music.
March 21, Wednesday
7 p.m., Black Cultural Arts Center
"Women in Russia"--A premiere of
March 15, and 29, Thursdays:
12 Noon, Gallery Lounge
"Women in History,"--This film
series features films dealing with
women's struggles and desires to achieve
success. Bring your lunch, beverage
provided.
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March 21, 1990, CAPITAL TIMES
young and going to those great Penn
State Harrisburg parties," the humorous
proprietor said.
Fear not Penn State patrons. Shanes
will not be raising drink prices! As a
matter of fact, Shanes will implement a
Monday night $1 drink extravaganza
especially for students in several weeks.
Presently Wednesdays and Thursdays are
dedicated to PSH partiers, complete with
fifty cent drafts and dollar test tubes
containing all your favorite mixed
potions, plus a DJ--still awaiting your
presence.
Another alluring aspect of the
facelift is a free food buffet available
two weeks from now on Monday,
Tuesday, and Friday from 5-7 pm. Italian
foods will be featured one night along
with different delectable foods the other
two nights. If the response to the buffet
is successful, it will become a five-day
deal!
appenings
Dr. Ruth Leventhal's video documentary
of the status of women in Russia.
March 22, Thursday:
8 p.m., Black Cultural Arts Center
"Women: the New Immigrants:--A
teleconference from Penn State Erie, the
Behrend College, featuring author Gloria
Steinem, editor and writer of Ms.
Magazine.
March 28, Wednesday:
12 Noon, Gallery Lounge
"Women in Business"-A panel
discussion with area businesswomen
about careers in business.