This spring, Doc Magrogan’s Oyster House will open its fourth location on 3432 Sansom Street.
The location was previously occupied by La Terrasse, which closed its doors in February 2011.
The new restaurant, created by restaurateur and former chiropractor Dave Magrogan, will feature an array of fresh seafood, a raw bar serving a variety of east and west coast oysters and a comprehensive list of wine and handcrafted beers. The restaurant will offer indoor, outdoor and private dining for lunch and dinner.
Magrogan is also the owner of Harvest Seasonal Grill & Wine Bar, which will open in June at 40th and Walnut streets, in the former location of Marathon Grill.
The other three locations of Doc Magrogan’s are in West Chester and Moosic, PA and Dover, DE.
“We choose all of our locations very carefully and believe that this concept is unique to the area and something that the surrounding neighborhoods, students, professionals and visitors will all enjoy,” he said in a statement.
College junior Lili Valentine said she had heard of La Terrasse, but she “never got around to going” when the restaurant was still open. Valentine is excited for the opening of the Oyster House, which seems like a restaurant she would enjoy, she said.
However, College seniors Catherine Galloway and Genevieve Fischer are unsure about frequenting the new restaurant. “We don’t like oysters,” they said in unison.
However, Galloway said, “I’ll go if they have burger and beer Wednesdays like LT’s did,” referring to La Terrasse.
La Terrasse, which opened in 1966, had undergone a series of management changes over the past 15 years before it closed last year
“Doc’s will provide another enticing food venue for Sansom Row and the community,” Penn’s Executive Director of Real Estate Datz said in a statement. “The design and atmosphere of Doc’s in downtown West Chester, PA showcased how this concept would translate well to our campus and bring new energy to this historic city block.”
In an Oct. 27, 2011 Daily Pennsylvanian article, Penn’s Executive Director of Real Estate Ed Datz said La Terrasse had found it difficult to find a “niche” within the Penn dining community.
“It’s unfortunate that restaurants are closing because of the economy,” Nursing freshman Julianne Clampet said. “I hope it turns around because we need more options for students.”
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