Greater Harrisburg's Community Magazine

Restaurateur Nick Laus has died, opened numerous eateries in, around, Harrisburg

Harrisburg restaurateur Nick Laus died suddenly earlier today, numerous sources have confirmed.

Laus, 59, grew up in the restaurant business, getting his start at the family-owned Italian Pizza and Subs on Derry Street in Swatara Township.

After a brief career hiatus, he returned to the food business, opening Café Fresco on Paxton Street in 2002, then debuting a second location in downtown Harrisburg three years later.

Laus would go on to open the dance club, Level 2, above the Harrisburg location and, a few years later, started Home 231 on North Street in Harrisburg.

Several years ago, Laus sold Café Fresco, Level 2 and Home 231, turning his attention to a new enterprise, Cork & Fork, an Italian trattoria at State and N. 2nd Streets. More recently, he opened the gourmet hamburger restaurant, Burger Yum, in downtown Harrisburg, and a second Cork & Fork location in Camp Hill.

“The Cork & Fork family is devastated by the loss of our dear friend, Nick,” David La Torre, of the Cork & Fork investor group, said in a statement. “He was more than a restaurateur. He was an artist who has left an indelible mark on the central Pennsylvania restaurant scene. We will continue to carry on his vision for Cork & Fork. We are thinking of his family at this difficult time.”

TheBurg would like to express our sympathies to the Laus family and to his friends, staff and colleagues.

Please click here for funeral arrangements.

 

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