Getty Image
While fast food may not be as cheap as it once was, it’s still one of the most cost-efficient ways to fill yourself up. Especially if it’s a late night and you’ve been out drinking and partying, which makes it perfect for college students across the country.
Sadly, Penn State students will now have one fewer option for their late-night/early-morning dining options after a beloved McDonald’s in downtown State College closed its doors on Sunday. Students mourned the closing of the restaurant by holding a candlelight vigil and telling the community exactly what they thought about the planned high-rise to be built in its place.
Penn State students are holding a candlelight vigil outside of the McDonalds in downtown State College because it closed.
A high rise will be built in this spot & previous reports indicate a McDonalds will be in the high rise. Chants of “fu— your high rise” have broken out pic.twitter.com/s7CA955oqF
— halie kines 🗞️ (@haliekines) November 18, 2024
Students gathered at the site of the now-closed McDonald’s left items on its windowsills as a shrine. They also chanted “f— your high-rise” in protest. However, they seemed to ignore plans for a new McDonald’s on the first floor of the new building.
When that building will actually be completed has not been announced. It will likely not open until long after the protesting students have graduated.
As a Penn State graduate myself, I’ve spent many nights in the very same McDonald’s. And it’s hard not to feel like this is a bit of an overreaction. Even if the vigil is in jest, the McDonald’s won’t be missed. It was typically overcrowded and the service stunk. State College does not lack for downtown dining options, even after bars close.
Does a 3 a.m. McDouble hit different? Absolutely!
But hopefully, this will just lead students to discovering the magic of local spots such as Penn Kebab, Yallah Taco and, yes, even Canyon and College Pizza.