Hundreds of Reasons to Travel to Fin, Fur and Feather by Parks
By Christopher Miller
It is always a good day for a long road trip. Period.
A drive up PA Route 44 reveals a forester’s dream land. For nearly 100 miles from Jersey Shore to just over the New York border in Little Genesee this stretch of highway, partially known as the Highway to the Stars, is a little-traveled rural “highway” in our beautiful state.
Along the way, dozens if not a hundred or more, small businesses dot the landscape enveloped by centuries-old trees and weekend getaway camps. One of these businesses is the subject of this article.
For nearly 100 years (get the whole “hundred” reference in the article title?) hunters, fisherman, outdoorsmen and adventurers have been traveling the ol’ Pennsylvania backroads to Fin, Fur and Feather by Parks.
and Aaron Parks are brothers and business partners in their 2018 acquisition of the business located at 17770 N State Route 44.
More than just outdoors gear and apparel, Fin, Fur and Feather by Parks is a revamped brand and near-century old household name.
Built in the 1930’s and 40’s, previous owners have put their stamp and name on the property. From a past dealer of Arctic Cat snowmobiles to a sporting goods store and wildlife museum, one can sit in the diner and take in nature and decades of families walking through the store and taking in the sights.
Upon walking into the store, you will most likely be greeted by Bear, a tame Shih-Tzu puppy who has been in training to not bark, but greet customers and sit with them, if invited to, while they enjoy a home cooked meal. In fact, business owner Adam Parks informed the writer that a live bear used to be kept at the site as part of the wildlife museum. Long gone, Bear, the Shih-Tzu, is the only namesake to the animal unless you are lucky to spot one in the area.
“The restaurant was built in the 90’s, and we’ve spent the last couple years modernizing it, and improving the life of the building,” explained Adam. “We bought it on June 1, 2018 and have been at work with it since…modernizing the fixtures, insulating, improving the air conditioning.”
“Here, I can make you an omelet for breakfast, deliver wood to your campsite, sell you a t-shirt and dip ice cream for dessert,” explained Adam. “We are a full-service restaurant and convenience store.” Adam went on to say that his brother, Aaron, who is the self-proclaimed chef of the diner, has had plenty of time to perfect the food of the menu.
“Oh the Chicken Cheesesteak, he’s spent lots of time perfecting that, and breakfast is our number one seller here,” explained Adam. “We have a big following with our burgers and breakfasts, especially Sausage and Gravy, and our deep fried Scrapple on a stick, aptly named Scrappy Sticks.”
The menu also boasts the favorites – hot cakes, omelets, burgers, fries, and salads. Even after the diner closes at 2pm, “if you want a cold cut sub, such as the Carnivore, which is the largest sub on the menu where the lettuce and vegetables come on side, yeah, we can do that for you,” Ada stated. Where most restaurants close and stay closed at a certain time, cold cut subs are always available if you ask for one.
The favorite treat among people old and young alike is the Hershey’s Hand Dipped Hard Ice Cream available in cups or cones.
Along with the food in the diner, Fin, Fur and Feather by Parks sells the normal convenience items especially since there are many full-time residents on top of the mountain and town being 17 miles south. Even if you were camping nearby, there are plenty of essentials here such as milk, eggs, bread, and bacon.
“We also sell hats which are very popular, apparel and other branded merchandise, camp supplies, souvenirs, decorations and trinkets, a good selection of basic hardware, maps of the area and the recently popular throwing axes and handmade knives,” Adam listed. “For the fishermen we have bait, and orange and camo apparel for the hunters.”
Being on top of the mountain, one can find themself in a different world, both climate-wise and distanced-wise. Sometimes it seems as if 17 miles from town could feel like a hundred, especially when your cell phone reads “No Service.” Usually the change in temperature can be a difference of 10 degrees from Lock Haven to Haneyville, as the writer of this column has observed over the years.
“You wouldn’t survive up here if you didn’t have a certain level of enthusiasm…if summer doesn’t burn you out, then the winter will destroy you,” Adam stated. “It isn’t easy, and that is the best thing about it.”
“I can do what I want to do, use my own business philosophy on my own time and this is the fun part of making my own job: talking to the customers, and at the end of the day, I can see what I worked for.”
According to Adam, “Fin, Fur and Feather by Parks is here to serve our entire community, whether you are passing through or have lived here for 50 years, I want you to come in…if I do not have something you need, please tell me…if the food is wrong, tell me…my philosophy is better service, we want to be the best that we can be.”
Fin, Fur and Feather by Parks
17770 N State Route 44 Lock Haven, PA
570-769-7888
www.finfurfeatherbyparks.com
Business Hours:
Thursday 8am – 3pm
Friday, Saturday, Sunday 8am – 5pm
Monday 8am – 3pm
Closed Tuesday, Wednesday
Diner is open 8am – 2pm
