CELEBRATING LANCASTER COUNTY'S PEOPLE, SCENERY,

HERITAGE, STYLE & POINT OF VIEW SINCE 1987.

Let’s Go Shopping!

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I haven’t shopped for furniture in years. In fact, I’m at the point where downsizing is in my near future. However, I do have a throw pillow obsession and can’t pass up interesting picture frames, so I do get into a short list of stores and occasionally peruse online sites. Nevertheless, I set out to educate myself and poke around some of the new home décor stores that have opened, as well as some oldies but goodies. 

I’m a baby boomer whose taste over the years has gone from contemporary to country to Southwest to traditional. I also have lots of “brown” furniture, much of which is hand-me-downs from my grandparents and parents. All those elements have contributed to an eclectic mix of furnishings. My walls are filled with art I’ve collected and have been gifted over the years. I’m also a color freak, so walls, window treatments and upholstery are colorful. It seems the older I get, the more I crave color. 

My look isn’t for everyone – especially in an age of monochromatic modern farmhouse – but it’s mine. When I look around, I think of the late interior designer, John Hughes, who lived and designed by the mantra, “Why do when you can overdo?” However, I can’t help but wonder, what’s going to happen to all this stuff? 

My son, Charlie, and his wife, Jenn, will be moving to North Carolina this spring. When they visited over Christmas, I asked if they needed any furniture for the house they are buying. I suggested they take my dining room table and chairs. “NO … thanks!” they said in unison. “But it’s from Pennsylvania House and it’s solid cherry,” I cajoled. They responded with deer-in-the-headlights looks. 

“How about the stuff in your bedroom?” I asked, referring to my grandfather’s mahogany sleigh bed, a birdseye maple dresser my sister found at Porter’s and my father refinished, a rocking chair my parents bought at an auction and an end table that is the last vestige of their first living room furniture (circa mid-40s). Charlie and Jenn said they’d think about it. “You could paint everything. I wouldn’t care,” I said, knowing of their generation’s dislike of “brown” furniture.  

With that said – and considering I made Charlie and Jenn’s Christmas present the promise of footing the bill for some new furniture – I thought it might be prudent to go window shopping and see what’s out there. So, I went out – secret shopper-style – and popped into stores, shops and co-op-style venues. 

Be aware, my stops just scratch the surface. Lancaster has become a home decorator’s paradise! New stores and shops seem to be popping up every day. In addition, our auctions provide a goldmine of possibilities. And, as one who used to head for Adamstown every Sunday, it’s always fun to spend a day perusing the antiques shops there as well as in Columbia, Strasburg and other small towns. And, let’s not forget the arts and craft shows and maker events that showcase unique items.  

I came away from my shopping trip with the resolve to do it more often. Like everyone else, I’ve spent a lot of time at home over the last year and have been working on home projects here and there. My shopping trip proved to me that even if you’re not making plans to redecorate an entire room, it’s inspiring to see what’s out there. I also discovered that even the smallest purchase – throw pillows, lampshades, artwork, etc. – can not only perk up a room but they can lift your spirits. 

One warning: like other aspects of the home industry, ordering furniture can be challenging. Because of the pandemic, wait times are often six months and beyond.  

As for being leery of Covid (which I am), I must say all the stores and shops I visited had mask and social-distancing policies posted on doors and many had reminders throughout. I did not see any maskless shoppers and with the exception of two places, employees were following suit. I felt relatively safe.   

 

Interiors Home 

When Lillian Lehman set out to name her furniture store in 1969, the year 2000 seemed galaxies away. She ultimately chose Interiors 2000 to mirror the store’s selection of very modern furniture … at least by Lancaster standards. My once-treasured chrome-and-glass coffee and end tables were purchased at Interiors 2000, as was my chrome arc lamp. The rattan chairs I bought there are still with me and look right at home with my Chippendale sofa. 

When 2000 came and went, Lillian’s sons and successors, Todd and Gregg Lehman, thought it was time to tweak the name and arrived at Interiors Home as a way to convey all that the store has to offer including furnishings, accessories, rugs, mattresses and the services of its interior design staff. (There’s also an outlet center.) Today, the store carries the products of nearly 60 companies including such respected names as Stickley, Century, Bernhardt, Kincaid and Tommy Bahama. 

What caught my eye is a style Interiors Home is calling “refined country.” The styles and fabrics are so refreshing and welcoming that I’m ready to completely re-do my living room. I also loved the look of mirror-fronted cabinets and dressers. I did lose control and treated myself to a Flexsteel recliner as a birthday present. 

I must say, Interiors was the most Covid-unfriendly (that’s a good thing) store I visited. Visitors must check in at the entrance to the reception area and have their temperatures taken and complete a contact form for tracing purposes. Once that’s accomplished, you’re free to roam the large store. I visited late on a rainy and cold Monday afternoon and was amazed to see how many people were shopping. 

FYI: Interiors Home was named the 2020 Retailer of the Year (50+ employees) by the Home Furnishings Association.  

3130 Columbia Ave., Lancaster
Interiors-furniture.com 

 

Ville + Rue by Domaci 

A spin-off of the store Domaci in Bethlehem, owners Rebecca Addington and Derrick and Warren Clark debuted the Lancaster version at 101 NQ in 2019. Offering furniture and décor for the home, as well as unique gift items, the influences are traditional, industrial and mid-century styling. The global marketplace is represented as are local artisans. There’s even a Lancaster Collection whose elements – glassware, pillows, wall-hangings, tea towels and more – feature design details inspired by street maps. Oh, and there’s an adorable collection of breed-specific throw pillows that depict images of dogs, as well as one devoted to farm animals. 

In addition to furniture for the living areas of the house – the online selection is huge – Ville + Rue recognizes the emergence of the home office trend and offers a selection that ranges from traditional to the clean lines of modern styling. Outdoor furniture is also available. Another hallmark is very modern chandeliers and lighting. A design service is available. After months of searching (mostly online), I found the perfect throw for my living room sofa here. 

101 N. Queen St., Suite 99, Lancaster
Villeandrue.com

 

Ethan Allen 

Many baby boomers remember Ethan Allen furniture as being their grandparents’ and parents’ pride and joy. The sturdy-looking furniture, with its “historical” story-telling fabrics, spawned a craze for all-things colonial and put the company on the map back in 1932. Ethan Allen went on to become a trend setter in the industry, as it introduced the open stock concept, gallery-style room displays, direct marketing to the consumer and making the design services of staff members available to customers. 

As for the modern-day Ethan Allen look, colonial is no more – it has long been replaced by traditional and transitional and even modern styles that take their inspiration from what the company pinpoints as Classic, Country & Coastal and Modern lifestyles, with a great deal of global influence evident, as well. 

Lancaster’s Ethan Allen store relocated to a bright and airy building at the Crossings at Conestoga Creek in late 2019. 

1500 Gilbert Way, Crossings at Conestoga Creek
Ethanallen.com 

 

Prussian Street Arcade 

If you haven’t visited yet, put the Prussian Street Arcade on your agenda! It makes for a relaxing and inspiring way to spend an hour (or two or three). I guarantee you’ll find something you weren’t aware you needed or even wanted but now must have! Located in the REO Manheim Marketplace complex, which is being developed by Suzanne and Barney Reiley, and once was the home of a car dealership and Bickel’s Potato Chips, the 10,000 square-foot venue is filled with all sorts of things for the home including repurposed furniture, collectibles, accessories, lighting, wall art, candles and much more. 

Open since fall 2019, Prussian Street’s owners, Susan and Michael Ferrari, envisioned creating a unique space in which artists, makers, collectors and traders could share their work under one roof and in doing so, help one another succeed. If you leave hungry, Mill 72 Bake Shop & Café is just steps away from the entrance. ARTifice Ales & Mead is also slated to join the lineup. 

49 N. Main St., Manheim
Prussianstreetarcade.com 

 

Floral Designs of Mount Joy 

This provides a lesson in thinking outside the box. Yes, you’ll obviously find fresh flowers and houseplants, but you’ll also find the unexpected, including stunning throw pillows, unusual pottery and vases, accessories and even all the makings for a DIY terrarium. 

A move to the west side of Mount Joy in 2019 enabled owner Jill Hoffines-Erb to “branch out” and fill her new 8,000 square-foot shop with even more beautiful things for the home and soul than her previous location allowed. If you need a mental boost, the shop is now awash in spring blooms and colors. 

1599 W. Main St., Mount Joy
Floraldesignsofmountjoy.com 

 

Interior Fancies 

Sometimes moving is a good thing. For Kathy Shenk, relocating from a small barn in Manheim to a spacious design center and retail shop in Lancaster was pivotal to taking her interior design firm to another level. That transpired three years ago, when Kathy, who launched Interior Fancies in 1995, took over Martin’s Interior Design, allowing her to further expand into window treatments and commercial projects. The retail space features furniture, lighting and accessories. There’s a large area devoted to window treatments including Hunter Douglas. The fabric selection is mind-boggling. 

Kathy is a busy lady – she is currently involved in projects all over Central Pennsylvania and is very excited to be the designer for a residential project in Annapolis, Maryland, that will entail the creative talents of other Lancaster companies.  

1520 Commerce Dr., Lancaster
Interiorfancies.com 

 

Cocalico Creek Home 

If achieving Joanna Gaines’ modern farmhouse look is your goal, then make a beeline for this home décor store, where the look of American primitives and rural industrial antiques entice visitors from near and far to buy furnishings, lighting, braided rugs, utilitarian metal chairs and stools, woven textiles, white dinnerware, hand-poured candles and even birch branches for their suburban “farmhouses” and urban lofts. One Massachusetts Facebook poster shared she couldn’t wait to make another trip to Lancaster, as she was experiencing “Cocalico Creek withdrawal.” 

Owned by Jody and Randy Martin, the shop expanded from its original location on Reading Road to one along Lincoln Highway East several years ago. It proved to be so successful that they began searching for a larger building. They found the perfect candidate just down the road and completely remodeled it inside and out ahead of its opening in summer 2019. 

2335 Lincoln Hwy. East, Lancaster
Cocalicocreek.com 

 

Gish’s Furniture & Amish Heirlooms 

This stop served as a lesson in not making assumptions of what you’ll find inside. Indeed, one reviewer on the company’s website said she was expecting to find “stodgy-looking” furniture but was pleasantly surprised to find the opposite to be true. Turns out the Amish are “hip” to what’s trending, whether they are making quilts, kitchen cabinets or furniture. The arts and crafts and farmhouse-style furnishings I saw at Gish’s verified that. And, there was a kitchen island that was to die for! 

Made from solid hardwood (oak, cherry, maple and walnut) and reclaimed barn wood, the furniture covers the gamut (including office) and if you don’t see what you are looking for, customization is doable. The plush upholstered sofas and sectionals perfectly lend themselves to that transitional/modern farmhouse look. 

The store, which opened in East Earl in 2003, and also includes a location along Lincoln Highway East (as well as three out of the area), is owned by Teresa and Michael Gish, who learned about Amish-made furniture through working at a store in Ohio and later launching a finishing company. The relationships he forged with Amish furniture makers in Holmes and Wayne counties in Ohio, prompted Mr. Gish to start his own home-furnishings business.

1352 Main St., East Earl
2191 Lincoln Hwy. East, Lancaster
Gishs.com 

 

Next to New 

Treasure hunters will enjoy moseying around Next to New, which is a 14,000 square-foot consignment shop brimming with furniture, accessories, lighting and garden décor. There’s also the unexpected, like containers filled with seashells and boxes of vintage Shiny Brite Christmas ornaments in the dreamiest color of pink. Co-owner Gary, who is an authority on antiques, moves through the rooms answering questions and breaking the news that an item that had piqued someone’s interest “sold last week.” You’ll find antiques, retro and vintage items that would be perfect for the new decorating trend: Grandmillennial. The garden shop is stocked with some amazing items. I’ll definitely go back. 

573 Willow Rd., Lancaster
Nexttonewfinefurniture.com

 

Spruced 

The story of this small business begins in Cleveland, Ohio, where two friends, Julie and Darriel, shared an interest in art, design and antiquing. Their friendship (and families) subsequently made the move to Lancaster, where they launched Spruced. Working out of a studio in Rohrerstown, the two repurpose and upcycle furniture. Their creations are sold at Building Character (rear warehouse) in downtown Lancaster, where in addition to other items, they sell chalk-mineral products from Dixie Belle Paint Company and “college pennant” pillows that have a retro vibe. 

Speaking of Building Character, this is definitely a must-see destination for anyone interested in anything from old hardware for doors to retro, vintage and upcycled items. 

342 N. Queen St., Lancaster
Sprucedlancaster.com
Buildingcharacter.biz  

 

Space 

If mid-century modern (the real deal and not reproductions) is your look, then head for Space in downtown Lancaster. As I told the person manning the register, “I’m seeing way too many things from my childhood here.” He responded with, “We hear that a lot!” Owner Jesse Speicher has immersed himself in antiques and collectibles for the last 15 years (he maintains booths at three antiques venues plus eBay and Etsy). Jesse’s discerning eye provides Space with the best examples of retro and mid-century modern furniture, lighting, glassware, pottery, kitchen items, barware and home accessories. 

24 W. Walnut St., Lancaster
Spacelancaster.com 

 

Always Never Done 

I set out for Always Never Done just before 10 on a Saturday morning and arrived to find it was already very busy. You would have thought Martha Stewart or Joanna Gaines was making a special appearance! No, that wasn’t the case – visitors were there to ooh and aah over the ever-changing selection of furnishings and accessories and seek owner Amy Geib’s advice or opinion. 

Amy is one of those creative people who can look at a piece of outdated or trashed furniture and immediately envision a new look and purpose for it. Her love for thrifting began as a child, when she spent Saturdays going to yard sales with her grandmother. That led to her developing an eye for transforming trash into treasure. The success of a blog relating to home-improvement projects prompted her to open a small shop in Landisville. 

Two years ago, she took yet another step and transformed a former ceramics studio into an all-things-home store that features her work as well as that of other makers and artisans. If you’re leery of painting your own furniture or kitchen cabinetry, you could sign up for a class or have Amy and her assistant, Jess, do it. They also offer design services. 

3090 Harrisburg Pike, Lancaster
Alwaysneverdone.com 

 

Heritage Design Interiors 

Founded by interior designer Anita Yoder, HDI makes its home in a former inn that dates to the 1800s. The cozy rooms of the one-time inn provide the perfect backdrop for the displays of accessories, pottery, lamps, artwork, seasonal florals and window treatments (they’ve been a Hunter Douglas dealer since 1990) that make a room complete. (HDI is a must-see at Christmas time.) A fabric-filled design center is equally as cozy and inspiring. 

Anita and her staff of three other designers will help you bring your vision of a beautiful and comfortable home to life. HDI, which has the distinction of being part of Parade of Homes’ entries deemed “Best of Show” and “Best Interior Design” for 19 years running, will be a stop on next month’s Best Kept Secrets Tour. I can’t believe I left there with Christmas ornaments in hand – but they were pink and shimmery and at 50% off, I couldn’t resist. 

1064 E. Main St., New Holland
Heritagedesigninteriors.com 

 

Hometown Refurnishing 

In business since 2014, Hometown Refurnishing initially operated out of co-owners Chris and Christy Anderson’s home. Success prompted a move to a location on State Street in Ephrata and eventually to a prime spot along Main Street – the historic Sprecher’s Hardware building. Now, the space is filled with new and used furniture whose styles cover the spectrum. 

Treasures can be found here! A few years ago, a friend was in the process of furnishing his den and happened to stop by the store. He couldn’t believe his eyes! There sat the down-filled Williams-Sonoma sofa he had been coveting for the past year but couldn’t bring himself to pay the retail price. Let’s just say Hometown Refurnishing’s price was right and the sofa went home with him.  

24 E. Main St., Ephrata
Hometownrefurnishing.com 

 

Fern.ish Home

This design firm/studio/shop, which is owned by Lindsey Barnes, grew out of the success it experienced at Prussian Street Arcade. When space opened at the Champion Center in Lancaster, Lindsey saw it as an opportunity to expand her horizons – pandemic or no pandemic. She opened the Lancaster location in spring 2020 (plus continues to maintain her space at Prussian Street and is a vendor at Artisan Mill Co. in Rothsville). Lindsey’s design goal is to bring beauty, function and a touch of nature to her customers’ homes, which she achieves through products and objects that deliver an organic look and feel. 

398 Harrisburg Ave., Lancaster
Fernishhome.com 

 

Martin Furniture & Mattress 

Martin Furniture & Mattress, which is part of the Martin Appliance & Water Conditioning family, grew out of a small refinishing shop that was established in Ephrata in 1996. Success prompted the shop to expand into a full-scale furniture store. In 2003, Martin Furniture & Mattress made its debut in its current location that has grown to include 20,000 square feet of showroom space. The company further expanded in 2006 by opening a showroom in New Providence, which was further enlarged last year. At Martin’s you’ll find such companies as La-Z-Boy Flexsteel, Catnapper, Hooker, Klaussner International, Serta, Simmons and other well-known names. 

1717 W. Main St., Ephrata
2318 Beaver Valley Pike, New Providence
Martinfurniturepa.com  

 

Harry’s Used Furniture 

Owned by Rich and Gini Harry, Harry’s has been a fixture in Leola for the past 25+ years. Inventory includes both new and used furniture and accessories. Rich brings an eye for what customers are looking for through his other career as an auctioneer. An avid toy collector, he partners with Randy Stoltzfus to host toy auctions on a regular basis. 

11 Graybill Rd., Leola. Harrysusedfurniture.com

 

Finial & Fern 

This is one of those places I’ve passed by for years and always made a mental note to check it out the next time I was in the area. I finally stopped! What a jewel box of a place this is! Located in what appears to be a former florist shop, it opened in 2014. Owners Bonnie and Ron Strasko keep it interesting by filling it with antiques, curiosities, home and garden décor, plants, work by local artisans, vintage items and recycled salvage/industrial pieces. 

15 W. Main St., Leola
Finialandfern.com 

 

Alchemy 

Every time someone on nextdoor.com asks for suggestions regarding businesses that specialize in reupholstery, glowing reviews for Alchemy fill the comments section. Owned by a husband-and-wife team, Alexis and Sandra Granthon-Roman, the shop also specializes in custom pillows and furniture repairs, painting and refinishing. They also represent several fabric companies and create unique, one-of-a-kind textiles they call “Art Cloth.” I have a chair that is calling their name! 

Millersville
Alchemydee.com 

 

Gallery Row

For one-stop inspiration and shopping, head downtown to Gallery Row, where art lives and breathes. Yes, original artwork is the emphasis, but many galleries make affordable prints available, so don’t be intimidated. Also, be sure to frequent First Friday events, which allow you to mix and mingle with artists and art lovers alike. Some suggestions: 

Red Raven Art Company features the work of established local and regional artists. In addition, the work of an emerging artist is highlighted each month. 138 N. Prince St., redravenartcompany.com.  

CityFolk Gallery is a mainstay on Gallery Row. Owned by Karen Anderer, it features the work of member artists, as well as guest artists. Eric Fausnacht is a member artist whose whimsical furniture – he calls his chairs and pillows soft sculpture – is definitely a conversation piece. 146 N. Prince St., cityfolkgallery.com. 

Liz Hess Gallery is another anchor along Gallery Row. The Lancaster County native’s paintings feature subject matter from near and far and often include her signature red umbrella. 140 N. Prince St., lizhess.com. 

Freiman Stoltzfus Gallery is home to Stoltzfus’ distinctive paintings that draw their inspiration from his native Lancaster County, as well as his far-flung travels, not to mention music, nature and flowers. 142 N. Prince St., freimanstoltzfus.com. 

Christiane David Gallery is the perfect destination for those who live life in color. The artist’s contemporary impressionistic work exudes drama, color, texture and dimension. Cat lovers will also appreciate her feline studies. 112 N. Prince St., christianedavid.com. 

Gallery Grow Plant Bar is an urban outpost of Ken’s Gardens and is the perfect place to “go green” whether you’re a plant novice or possess a green thumb. The shop is stocked with houseplants, succulents and air-plants, as well as a dizzying array of containers. Pull up a chair at a workstation, get your hands dirty and in no time you’ll have a new addition for your home or a “living gift” for a friend or family member. 150 N. Prince St., gallerygrow.com.  

 

Modern Artisans of Woodcraft

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From tall case clocks to Amish furniture, woodworking has been engrained in the persona of Pennsylvania for centuries. A melting pot of influences has shaped the craft since the foundation of the original colony and, while today Pennsylvania ranks only in the middle of labor statistics for employed woodworkers, it is one of the most lucrative regions for those who make their living carving, joining and surfacing wood.

With backyard entertainment growing in popularity because of Covid, Frank’s custom and colorful cornhole boards are in demand.

Furniture regarded as authentic Pennsylvania Dutch dates from around 1720 to 1830 and is characterized as straightforward and direct, a result of colonial necessity. These pieces, containing the earmarks of European craftsmanship from whence the artisan traveled to the new world, are noted for their elaborate joints, resonant colors and resounding strength. 

Today’s woodworkers are allowed a more creative flair, a poetic license in lumber. To get a sense of the current state of the craft here in Lancaster County, I found a couple of guys who know the difference between a sliding deadman and a shiplap joint.

Bartender to Builder

Frank Fontaine has turned his love of woodworking into a new venture called Dusty Beards Custom Creations.

Frank Fontaine has always been into woodworking. Working as Dusty Beards Custom Creations, his company is described as a “one-man workshop building everything from decks and wine lockers to chess boards and shelves.”

However, if you have been around the Lancaster bar scene at all over the past couple of years, you will recognize the man under the bushy beard as one of the area’s premier cocktail creators. 

When Covid chased him out from behind the bar he knew he wanted to pursue an art that has called to him since he was a kid. “It’s part of what I went to school for,” explains Frank, who graduated with a degree in theatre and focused on set design and construction at Indiana University of Pennsylvania. 

While you can still find him tending bar at Double C a couple days a week, he recognized that as 2020 rolled on, he had to find another income stream. “With the bar world being the bar world as it is now, I knew I needed to find another way of getting by. I thought I’d tap into my other skillset and see if it would be of any use to anybody,” he explains. 

Frank’s biggest project to date is an industrial-sized wine locker for the members of Meadia Heights Golf Club. The structure, made with timber from Groff & Groff Lumber in Quarryville, stands floor to nearly ceiling and consists of 21 lockable compartments each holding up to a dozen bottles of wine. “It’s massive,” says Frank, who was planning to install the piece’s final touch on the day we spoke from his home. “With my background of bartending, I’d love to do more bar cabinets, hutches for home bars, places for people to display their collections and barware. I’ve repurposed old pieces, but now I am working on pieces for more finer décor.”

Frank’s most ambitious project to date is a wine locker he crafted for members of Meadia Heights Golf Club.

As far as a finished product is concerned, one of Frank’s favorite woods is walnut; however, he has a love-hate relationship with it. He despises working with the medium-density hardwood because even for Dusty Beards Custom Creations, there is just too much dust from walnut. White oak is his favorite medium and he enjoys creating fingerlap joints or what he calls a “poor man’s dovetail.” 

A cutting board crafted from exotic woods.

Concentrating more on woodworking than the bar scene is becoming a priority since he became a father several years ago. He now has a one-year-old, too. “I want to be able to spend as much time with my family as possible,” he says. A desire to be with the young people in his life has led him back to a passion he discovered as a young person himself.

A plant container.

Follow Frank on Facebook @dustybeardscustomcreations. 

 

 

The Salvaging Artist 

Dan’s designs are also inspired by the Japanese concept of wabi-sabi, in which beauty is seen in nature even though it might be imperfect, impermanent and incomplete.

Dan Dennis’ appreciation for wood also started at a young age. Growing up, he and his father would reclaim lumber from deconstruction projects for use in their home’s wood stove. “One time we ended up salvaging a lot of wood from an old barn that turned out to be useable lumber,” says Dan, remembering the early days of his life in Lititz. 

Dan, who is the son of missionary parents, actually grew up in Japan, where he gained an appreciation for the concept of wabi-sabi – an aesthetic that is sometimes described as “one of appreciating beauty that is imperfect, impermanent and incomplete in nature.” It still inspires his work today. 

Made from materials salvaged from dismantled barns, Dan Dennis’ free-standing cabinets fulfill a myriad of storage purposes. They also are built using his signature curved-door design.

For his first piece – a cabinet for a TV – he worked with what was available, fashioning doors from old shutters and piecing something together from his own creativity. “Someone else liked it. Then, someone else wanted one and it has been a really slow-moving snowball over the years,” he recalls.

Woodworking slipped to the wayside as he traveled the world with stops in England, Israel, India and Nepal. Returning stateside, he graduated from Millersville University with a degree in English, but he never had any passion for what the degree enabled him to do professionally. 

About 20 years ago he stumbled upon Pennsylvania Guild of Craftsmen shows and his inspiration grew. “I think I would be classified as a folk artist more than a craftsman,” says Dan, whose only formal training was a seventh-grade woodshop class. “It’s 100 percent self-taught mixed with little tips I’ve learned from people over the years.”

Dan has also expanded into cabinetry that is perfect for holding televisions, DVRs and other electronics.

Dan’s business name says it all: Lancaster County Barn Art. He specializes in repurposing local, salvaged material, all of which comes from dismantled barns. To obtain his materials, he relies on a small network of contacts who are often happy to trade a truckload of lumber for a day’s worth of labor. 

Then he works his magic and turns barn boards and rafters into works of art, primarily free-standing cabinets with signature curved doors. This hallmark of his design harkens back to wabi-sabi. “I’ve learned to leave certain knots where they are,” explains Dan. “You have to develop an eye for how you want your world to look. There’s no rule that doors have to be square, for instance.”

While many of Dan’s designs take their inspiration from furniture such as armoires, he considers himself to be a folk artist as opposed to a woodworker.

He also draws a lot of inspiration from modern folk art. He builds on themes. And he builds what sells; over the years he has come to recognize which pieces people like to buy, and his curved-door cabinets are one of those things.

He also creates commissioned pieces for friends and clients, including the 10-foot table he recently finished for a Delaware family made from floorboards of a home built by writer Upton Sinclair circa 1900. So, maybe the English degree paid off anyway!

For more information, visit lancobarnart.com.

It’s a Beautiful Day with Derek Banks

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Imagine Covid doesn’t exist and you have a day off from work. You are free to spend the day doing exactly as you please. Inspired by U2’s It’s a Beautiful Day – “It’s a beautiful day, don’t let it get away” – we asked Derek Banks to describe his perfect Lancaster County day. 

Derek and Brandie Banks and their daughters (left to right): Macy, Olivia and Evelyn.

About Derek 

A native of Southern California, Derek is a military veteran, having served in the U.S. Navy for four years. He and his family moved to Lancaster County eight years ago. Derek is the force behind Banks Décor, which grew out of his love for making. “I’ve always made things for friends and family and I felt that God was tugging at me to share my creations with more people,” he explains of the woodworking skills he now uses to create such things as unique wall-hangings, boxes specifically made to hold essential oils, inspired signage, blanket ladders and what he calls yarn-hangings. 

Banks Décor has become a fixture at makers markets held across Lancaster County. “I want everyone to love the spaces they are in,” he elaborates. “Home is where we share life with people close to us; it’s where we share laughter, food and relationships. Home is where we escape the stresses of the world.” 

Derek also recognizes that home represents a very personal space. “The décor we choose sets the tone for how we feel in our homes and tells a little of our story,” he continues. “The right piece of décor can make a space feel peaceful, inviting and relaxing. I want to help people create these types of spaces. When someone selects something I’ve made for their home, I feel like I’ve become a small part of their life – like in a small way, I’ve helped them make their space special.”   

In His Own Words: Derek’s Perfect Lancaster County Day 

My perfect day would start off by waking up around 7 a.m., which would be later than I normally wake up yet early enough to fill the day with fun. I’d have time to hang out in the living room and sit and talk to my wife, Brandie, and maybe scroll through Instagram. We’d have 45 minutes to ourselves before our kids would emerge from their rooms. 

Once we’re together as a family, Brandie would make us breakfast – her famous biscuits and gravy. Ask anyone who has sampled it how good it is! It definitely hits the spot as a culinary comfort blanket. 

On my perfect day, the weather would be a sunny 70 degrees with a slight breeze. We’d head for Middle Creek in search of wildlife. During our hike we would catch a glimpse of a few deer emerging from the woods. Shifting our gaze skyward we would witness a bald eagle soaring majestically in the sky, fresh prey clenched in its talons. 

The fresh air makes me hungry, so we would head for The Pretzel Hut on Route 501 to grab a couple of ice cream cones. I remind myself to order a small cone because the larges are huge. 

Back home, we’d relax and maybe play a game like Phase 10, Uno or maybe even some Left Center Right. Or we’d do absolutely nothing. That might sound boring but the feeling of having accomplished everything that has needed to be done – chores around the house, house projects, etc. – and being permitted time to just relax is an amazing thing. 

It’s dinner time, so we head to Ginza on Greenfield Road for some sushi. I would eat way too many ocean medley and eel avocado rolls and share some delicious shaggy dog rolls with my wife. 

After dinner, we’d head for a place that would truly provide the end for a perfect day – Clipper Magazine Stadium, where the Barnstormers would be taking on the York Revolution. Not only would it be an exciting game, but the Barnstormers’ win would be punctuated by a grand slam in the last inning, making the score 4-7. To top it off, I would have caught two foul balls and a T-shirt. 

Back home, I would climb into bed and, as always, thank God for the blessings and the gift of the beautiful day I had been given. Then I would close my eyes only to realize that it is Saturday, and it happens to be a three-day weekend! 

God is good! 

Follow Banks Décor on Instagram @banks.decor.

Lombardo’s: Classico Italian Cuisine and a Nuovo Look

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Lombardo’s, the family-owned, classic Italian restaurant that has been a fixture in Lancaster for 75 years, has a new look, vibe and owner. After being closed for a renovation project that took more than 10 months to complete, the restaurant briefly reopened to showcase its new look in November. “The goal is to appeal to our long-time customers, as well as to people who may be trying Lombardo’s for the first time,” says owner Sam Lombardo, who is carrying on the Lombardo legacy with his wife, Dena. 

Passersby can’t help but notice the dramatic exterior changes that transformed the building, including a new entrance, walls of windows, new signage and a modern gray exterior color. Photo by Zach Kurtz.

Unfortunately, fans of one of Lancaster’s long-time favorite restaurants haven’t been able to see its metamorphosis. Food service has been relegated to take-out only but Sam anticipates that will change – plans call for the restaurant to reopen for indoor dining on March 2. “The health and safety of our customers and staff are important to us and therefore, we made the decision to offer take-out only,” he says of the restaurant’s reaction to the surge in COVID-19 numbers that began in late fall. 

Sam and Dena Lombardo purchased the restaurant in late 2018 and devoted more than 10 months to renovating and updating it.

Sam, who is the founder of The Benecon Group, a Lititz-based employee benefits consulting firm, purchased the restaurant in December 2018, in part because he was determined to see Lombardo’s legacy – and family connection – continue. Launched in 1946 by his uncles, Joe, Jim and Dave, the small café benefited from the hands-on help that was provided by their brother, Nick, and sisters, Mary and Toddy. (Aunt Toddy’s recipes are still used today.) Success prompted a move to the Harrisburg Avenue location in 1969, after which a new generation of Lombardos – Sam’s cousins, Paul, Mike and Dave Jr. – became the restaurant’s owners and leadership team. 

In a town that has been touted as a bona fide foodie destination, a restaurant cannot survive on its laurels alone. It has to evolve from both a culinary and aesthetic perspective. “We’re a food-loving Italian family and I’m glad I can continue the family tradition of the restaurant, but it was tired-looking,” Sam explains. “It needed a total overhaul.”  

The changes in the restaurant’s exterior appearance are almost startling – it doesn’t look like the same place and clearly achieved the objective to “open up the restaurant.” For example, the main entryway has returned to its original location along Harrisburg Avenue. It now has windows! Most noticeable is the fact that the exterior of the building was painted a very modern hue of gray. 

Fresh pasta is made in-house for such signature dishes as lasagna and spaghetti and meatballs.

The interior was totally gutted. New is a dining room for private parties. A piano lounge was reclaimed from space that once held an office and a coat room. Furthermore, the wall between the bar and formal dining room area was removed in an effort to open up the area. New restrooms were also part of the renovation. 

As for ambiance, new furnishings and lighting distinguish the space, while the décor features photographs and artwork that celebrate and pay homage to the Lombardo family’s Italian heritage. (Sam’s father, Nick, was a first generation Italian-American who hailed from the Calabria region of Italy. He met his wife, Jeannette Gavitone, in Naples during World War II and brought her to the United States.) Memorabilia that “pays tribute to family members and the restaurant’s heritage” are also part of the décor. 

The interior of the restaurant was completely revamped, allowing for more of an open-concept floor plan. Seen here is the bar and lounge area. The artwork pays homage to the family’s culinary legacy in Lancaster.

The kitchen was also updated. Now, the chef and kitchen staff work in a completely overhauled kitchen that provides such amenities as a large pasta extruder. “We make every pasta in-house,” Sam explains. “Fresh pasta has a much better taste. It has a shelf-life of about five days. It doesn’t freeze well, so what we don’t use we donate to Water Street Mission.” 

The kitchen also boasts a pizza oven. Sam points out that pizza is new to the restaurant’s menu and he reports that a lot of research went into creating the dough, which is inspired by an iconic Jersey Shore pizza place. Lombardo’s pizza also boasts fresh tomatoes and a unique blend of cheeses. 

You’ll also see new faces at Lombardo’s. The “front of the house” is overseen by manager Meredith Thompson, who holds a degree in hospitality from Northern Vermont University and previously worked in restaurants in New York City and the Hamptons. 

Lombardo’s culinary team includes executive chef John Marconi, chef de cuisine Ryan Stradley, and sous chef Shawn McKinney. They’ve worked together to refine and update Lombardo’s classic menu – lasagna, spaghetti and meatballs, chicken and veal parmesan, and calamari among others – and have added some delicious new items that are in keeping with the Italian style. “We maintain the tradition of using fresh ingredients,” Sam stresses of the elements that define Lombardo’s unique sauce and signature meatballs. “Fresh produce, meats and other ingredients are sourced locally.” 

One of the new menu items is arancini – a rice ball with a truffle flavor that’s lightly breaded and deep fried and then served with a house-made fig sauce. Scamorza, consisting of aged mozzarella that’s cut into strips, pan seared and then topped with honey, is a new appetizer. Steaks from aged prime beef are also a new addition. Some sandwiches and panini are available, as well.

Once the restaurant is able to welcome guests, they will be able to toast its return with cocktails, beer and, of course, Italian wine.    

Lombardo’s is located at 216 Harrisburg Avenue. Indoor dining is slated to resume March 2 with the following hours: Lunch, Tuesday-Saturday, 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Dinner, Tuesday-Thursday, 4-9:30 p.m. and Friday and Saturday, 4-10 p.m. Take-out remains available, as well. For more information, call 717-394-3749 or visit lombardosrestaurant.com and on Facebook and Instagram. 

Comfort Food: Pierogi

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Few things can lift one’s late-winter spirits like comfort food and I’ve discovered the perfect remedy: Pierogi. Either doughy or crunchy on the outside, filled with gooey cheese and hot mashed potatoes on the inside, slathered in sour cream and topped with caramelized onions, pierogi are one of the simplest yet heartiest comforts around. Thanks to Inna Kondramashin, we can enjoy authentic pierogi in Lancaster!

Inna’s vegan Potato & Onion Pierogi, served with sour cream, chives and caramelized onions. The vibrant Ukrainian-made linen tablecloth is from the Etsy shop UkrWork.

My first pierogi encounter happened around age 10, when a neighborhood friend brought over a snack of what was likely Mrs. T’s Pierogies. My initial reaction was they looked strange. However, I also don’t recall my friend sharing his bounty, which indicated to me that pierogi are probably amazing. 

What’s a pierogi, you ask? The word “pierogi” is Polish (and is plural) and is a generic term for filled dumplings. This Eastern and Central European treat is a distant cousin of the Italian ravioli and Chinese pork dumpling. Various fillings comprise their soul: onions, cheddar cheese, potatoes, mushrooms and meat. There are even dessert pierogi made with fresh fruit, powdered sugar and, of course, butter. Despite the area’s strong German heritage, pierogi tend to be uncommon here. Then, one day as I was perusing the stands at Lancaster Marketplace, I was floored to come across one solely dedicated to pierogi. 

Carrying on a Family Tradition

Credit for that goes to Inna Kondramashin, a small business owner, pierogi chef, wife and mother of five, in no particular order. The force behind Inna’s Pierogi Shop is the daughter of Ukrainian immigrants who owned a business making European wafers before coming to the United States. Inna’s grandparents eventually followed, reuniting the family. Inna’s mother, Tanya, carried on the family tradition and started a catering business.

Inna is sharing her Polish and Ukranian heritage with Lancaster through her pierogi.

As a child, Inna remembers watching her elders work in the kitchen. Traditionally a day would be dedicated to making pierogi. Her grandmother would cover the entire table in flour, with potatoes going in the middle, and everyone would gather around to make pierogi. Boards covered in flour would be placed on the table for filled pierogi, ready to be boiled. Most pierogi were preserved in the freezer for future use, but some would be eaten right away.

When preparing pierogi for a meal, Inna suggests boiling them before sautéing in a pan with onions and finishing them with sour cream. “Very traditional, and that’s the way I like them,” she says. “That’s how Grandma used to make them; that’s the only way that I remember them. Potato cheddar pierogi are more Polish. My grandma is half Polish, half Ukrainian; she always stuck to onions.”

Coming from a food family, it might seem obvious that Inna would follow suit but the journey she took is anything but expected. “My passion for cooking did not start when I was a little kid,” says Inna. “I started cooking for my husband,” she says of Alex. “Three months before I got married, my mom taught me how to make borscht and plov [rice pilaf]. Other than watching my parents, that was the extent of my training.” Besides, Inna already had a career – she was an invasive cardiovascular technician. When she and Alex welcomed their fourth child, she decided to become a stay-at-home mom. 

The process begins with peeling potatoes.

Inna ultimately found a love for the kitchen when she baked a cake for a party using a recipe given to her by her mother over the phone. Unafraid to cook without recipes and try new dishes, she cooked for family and friends, who encouraged her to start a baking business.

Following their advice and encouragement, Inna first rented a church kitchen and then a larger kitchen at a café, before opening Tanya’s Pastry Shop at Lancaster Marketplace. (Note: Lancaster Marketplace closed its doors on February 28.) Named after her mother, Inna’s menu included the Ukrainian and Eastern European dishes she grew up with. “Many of the dishes didn’t connect [with customers] and were perhaps too unfamiliar,” Inna says. “The menu I had planned out and tried for 30 days was not working,” she recalls. “People did not know the culture. They were, I guess, scared to try new foods.” 

Rolling and cutting perfectly shaped dough by hand to make pierogi.

So, she went back to the drawing board, contemplating which foods from her culture she could make that people would be familiar with and would want to buy. Her lightbulb moment was pierogi. “I said I’d never do it because it was too much work and I didn’t think it would ever go,” she says. To her surprise, “it went well the first week, even with no advertising.” 

The business has since rebranded to Inna’s Pierogi Shop, moving in line with the hit food she offers.

A Whirlwind of Change

In December 2019, Inna started to pursue selling pierogi in other markets. Thinking there must be podcasts pertaining to the subject, she discovered an online workshop created by a food purchasing agent whose intent was to supply small food companies with the knowledge to reach larger audiences. As a result, rebranding and new packaging came next, along with an unexpected overhaul of her grandmother’s pierogi recipe that came about in early 2020, when Inna made it her goal to try a vegan diet. She immediately realized she wouldn’t be able to eat pierogi. 

Forming pierogi by hand around fillings of potato and onion. Pierogi are flash-boiled in order to seal the dough ahead of serving or freezing.

She went to work, tweaking her grandma’s recipe and then did a blind taste-test on some  friends. “Every single person opted for the vegan recipe, saying it has so much more flavor. I started taking samples into stores,” she recounts. “There was the repetition of one line: ‘I do not feel heavy after I eat your pierogi.’ Comfort does not have to bring you down. You can eat comfort food and still feel good after eating something that’s satisfying for your soul. It’s only because I decided to do a 30-day vegan diet,” she marvels. “Every so often, I’ll do vegan for a week or a day.” 

Inna’s pierogi recipe pivoted to become non-GMO, plus it entailed ingredients such as organic canola oil, oat milk (which is made in-house) and cheddar cheese, plus vegan butter. Additionally, the dough does not include eggs, making it dairy-free. Eight varieties are available, a majority of which are either vegan, vegetarian and/or dairy-free.

Baking sheets allow flash-boiled pierogi to dry before freezing.

Altering the pierogi recipe to be vegan-friendly (and healthier) opened doors. In three months – during the COVID-19 pandemic, no less – Inna went from having no wholesale customers to having more than a dozen. She credits her path from retail to adding wholesale distribution to her faith in God. She only seems to be getting warmed up. As of the start of 2021, Inna’s Pierogi will be carried by Rainforest Distribution, which works with companies such as Nora Snacks and Tate’s Bake Shop. “With this distribution company, we are excited because we can expand to supply other wholesale stores and markets,” she explains. Inna’s Pierogi are also now available at all 20 of Mom’s Organic Market locations.

“What we are trying to accomplish at Inna’s Pierogi Shop is to create a healthy comfort food – a pierogi – something that the market does not have. We’re doing that by adding organic ingredients,” says Inna. “We want people to eat comfort food, but healthy comfort food.”

Growing, Debt-Free

Another remarkable discipline has been Inna’s desire to grow her business in a debt-free manner. “My husband and I took a course called Financial Peace University with Dave Ramsey. After we saw results in our personal lives, being debt-free, we decided to carry that into the business. At first, I didn’t pay myself, so I could have a debt-free journey,” she says. “We had to balance that out. My husband worked full-time, while I worked full-time here. Everything was reinvested back into the business.”

Following Ramsey’s strategy, “I had to say no to opportunities that were bigger than my financial state was. You have to get into debt to grow fast and that’s something I had to turn away. Turning that away gave me the freedom to not feel pressure to do what everyone else is doing, this pressure where I have to grow fast and I can’t develop myself,” she theorizes. 

“Slow growth is necessary, not just for financial freedom but also for the impact you have on yourself and the people around you. For a business owner, before you take a loan, exhaust all of your options that will allow you to operate debt-free. The first piece of equipment that helped me was a potato peeler. I paid cash for it, saving money for three months to pay for it. These pieces of equipment will help me save on labor costs but it’s a steady, one piece at a time process.

“It’s really hard because your job demands one thing and if you can’t get it, you have to wait a certain amount of time. Controlling your own [sense of] urgency is hard because the world doesn’t teach you that. It teaches you that if you need it, you need it now. Get a credit card, you can get it now. You can pay it off later, but why? Why put that burden on yourself?

“I still stand strong on that because of the freedom I feel for my family, having five kids, having my husband bringing in a stable income. I know with the pandemic, if I had to close down the business, I’m not carrying a financial burden to the family. I have this freedom of saying, okay, if it were to fail, I could sell my equipment and walk away.”

Inna has often been told she needs to be a contestant on Shark Tank, which she also resists. “Having investors is like having a loan, too. You have the pressure to bring in a paycheck for someone else and in a way, that isn’t fitting with the original vision. I feel like I have a clearer vision because I don’t have that distraction. I thought, maybe I’m selfish because I don’t want to bring someone on board but I’m doing what I was called to do. I can do it debt-free.”

Mothering as a Business Owner

Inna has found further opportunity in parenting through being a small business owner. “If you’re a mom, and you think your schedule is busy, think again,” laughs Inna. From discerning what you want to teach your children and what you want to spend your time on, “You become very intentional when you’re so busy,” she says. “Don’t ever think you can’t do it because you have a child – or two, three or four, whatever you have. Remember that your kids are watching you.

Inna opened a location at Lancaster Central Market in late January.

“In my experience, there are a lot of teachable moments with my kids because of opening a business,” she explains. “Some of them are very practical, like, they can make dinner because I work so much. It benefits me but it benefits them because they [are learning] practical living skills.” One such skill is cleaning the house. “It’s not because I don’t want to do it, it’s because that’s the circumstance,” Inna points out. “I work full-time and overtime, so they’ve learned to keep a clean environment. My husband is also a clean freak so that helps the situation,” she says with a smile.

“Not everyone is called to the same thing. I stayed home for nine years with the kids. I went to school and did things other than business – business is a whole different ball game. As the kids grow older – my son was 8 when I started the business – you start involving them in the struggles. When I have a bad day, you actually talk about it. You share that with them and they take it with them, which makes them more sensitive to what you are doing. They understand when you share your deep thoughts and concerns.

“For me, it was probably my husband who pushed me toward opening a business. I think it’s the support of your spouse that makes the difference,” says Inna. “Alex and I will take a walk around the neighborhood, and there are hard days where I’m like, ‘I’m going to close the business down, I’m exhausted.’ And, he’ll say, ‘You can’t – it’s your calling, that’s what you are called to do. Through thick and thin, I’m right here.’ He will not let me quit even when I want to,” she shares. “He makes me a stronger person.”

Her career path has taught Inna to stay humble and keep learning. “I tend to think I know it all and want to always come up with my own ideas,” she admits. “What I’ve learned is asking for help is necessary, [as is] staying humble through the process. I have asked for a lot of help, asked a lot of questions, and I’ve gotten farther than I would have ever gotten with the mentality of, ‘I know it all.’”

Where to Find Inna’s Pierogi

Having outgrown the small space, Inna closed her Lancaster Marketplace location in January and relocated to Lancaster Central Market. She’s working on plans to operate a larger kitchen to meet wholesale demands. 

In addition to visiting Inna’s Pierogi Shop at Lancaster Central Market, Inna’s Pierogi are available at Rooster Street in the Market at Wilbur, Harvest Lane Farm Market in Lititz, and Lemon Street Market in Lancaster city.

For more information, visit innaspierogishop.com. 

At the ReStore, Your Purchases Mean More

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While we continue to spend most of our time at home, the Lancaster Habitat ReStore, which is an arm of Lancaster Lebanon Habitat for Humanity, has been flourishing and transforming thanks to a steady stream of donations flowing in and out, as Lancaster residents have more time to purge unwanted possessions, as well as redecorate and remodel. The home improvement store offers everything from antique furniture and lighting fixtures to tile and building materials. You never know what you’ll find when stepping foot inside the ReStore!

“It’s fun to see what comes through the doors,” ReStore manager Ben Mathus says while reflecting on some of the most notable donations he’s seen over the years, including a boxing ring, a troop of naked mannequins and original artwork from well-known artists.

In a time of economic trepidation, the ReStore provides affordable furniture and renovation materials for families across the county. Those who are looking for new projects to keep busy often look at the ReStore’s expanse of furniture and building materials – much of which is donated by local builders who have excess supplies in their warehouses or at the end of projects – as a canvas full of opportunity for DIY and upcycling experiments. “People enjoy breathing new life into old things,” Ben remarks. He’s seen customers transform kitchen cabinets into play kitchen sets for children, TV armoires into sewing tables or dry bars, mannequins into planters and milk jugs into end tables. The possibilities are endless.

ReStore manager Ben Mathus says it is rewarding to see the families in the program find their way out of poor living conditions and into homeownership.

Looking at the bigger picture, the ReStore serves as much more than an affordable hub for secondhand items. Every purchase and donation made at the ReStore directly helps to house a local family through Lancaster Lebanon Habitat for Humanity. For Ben, the best part of working at the ReStore is watching and interacting with families as they go through Habitat’s homeownership program. “It’s rewarding to see these families find their way out of poor living conditions and into homeownership,” Ben says. “They are why we are here.”

Also important is the fact that the ReStore is good for the environment. Last year, the ReStore saved 600,000 pounds of waste from going to landfills. 

Housing as a Human Right

Habitat for Humanity believes that shelter is a basic human right. This belief came to the forefront of our society last year when we were urged to stay at home as a matter of public health and safety. While many of us worked from home in pajamas and enjoyed the safety and comfort of our environs, others weren’t so lucky and were forced to shelter in place in unsafe, unaffordable or overcrowded conditions.

Lancaster Lebanon Habitat for Humanity strives to make decent housing accessible for local families through their homeownership program. Applicants for the program must fall within a specific income bracket, have reasonable credit, a manageable level of debt and the willingness to spend up to 400 hours of sweat-equity to build their home.

Manny Cruz and his wife, Awilda, are one of 14 families currently in Lancaster Lebanon Habitat for Humanity’s homeownership program. Even though he has surpassed his required volunteer hours at the ReStore, Manny continues to volunteer there whenever he can.

Applicants must also meet certain housing criteria. They must be experiencing inaccessible, overcrowded or substandard living conditions, spending over 30% of their gross income on housing expenses, living in an unsafe community or living in public or Section 8 housing.

Once accepted into the program, homebuyers contribute hundreds of sweat-equity hours, in which they volunteer mainly at their own or a fellow homebuyer’s house or at the ReStore. By working on build sites, homebuyers learn valuable skills and information about their homes to better prepare them for life as homeowners. To further strengthen self-sufficiency, homebuyers are also required to take classes relating to subjects like plumbing and financial literacy.

An array of chandeliers hangs above the lighting section.

After all sweat-equity hours are completed and construction on the home is finished, Habitat for Humanity – which acts as both the builder and the lender – sells the home to the family with affordable monthly mortgage payments that are molded to each buyer’s budget. 

The Journey to Homeownership

Manny Cruz and his wife, Awilda, are one of 14 local families currently in Lancaster Lebanon Habitat for Humanity’s homeownership program. Originally from New York City, Manny made the move to Lancaster County four years ago, following his mother and siblings to the area. “The city was just getting way too expensive,” Manny laments, adding that he still struggles with adapting to the quiet and calmness of Lancaster County in comparison to New York City.

Manny works full-time as a brazer at Lift-All in Landisville, which manufactures slings for overhead lifting, pulling and load securement on construction or industrial sites. Outside of work, Manny can be found volunteering at the ReStore, spending time with his family and working on his car. One day, he hopes to turn his enjoyment for working on cars into a profession. “That’s always something I’ve wanted to do,” he shares. 

While volunteering at the ReStore, Manny oversees the donation dock and helps customers load heavy items into their cars.

Manny’s journey to homeownership through Habitat for Humanity began in January 2019 when, after encouragement from a since-passed close friend, he applied and was accepted into the program. In January 2020, Manny finished his preliminary volunteer hours, and by the following August, he was matched with his future home on Howard Avenue in southeast Lancaster city. 

“Homeownership means a lot,” he emphasizes. Manny and Awilda have only been living by themselves for a few months, previously living with family. “We were living eight or nine people in the house and all fighting over one bathroom,” Manny remembers. Manny and Awilda, who each have early-teenage daughters, are excited to be able to offer the girls their own rooms when they come to visit.

In a time of economic uncertainty, many people rely on the ReStore for affordable furniture.

Homebuyers can complete their sweat-equity hours through multiple avenues, such as construction, the ReStore, homeownership classes or volunteering at Habitat for Humanity events. In the two years that Manny has been in the program, he has already accumulated 500 volunteer hours at the ReStore and continues to volunteer there after work and on weekends (when he isn’t working on his own home). “It’s better to give than just sit at home,” Manny explains. At the ReStore, Manny oversees the donation dock where people drop off their unwanted items and helps customers load heavy purchases into their cars.

 Manny and Awilda’s future home is currently under demolition and renovation, so Manny expects to knock out his required construction hours quickly. By helping with construction, Manny will learn a lot about his house, which will come in handy in the future when something needs to be repaired or replaced. Habitat’s homes usually take about nine months in total to complete. Unfortunately, COVID-19 has slowed down the process, causing delays in permits and volunteer limits on build sites, but Manny remains hopeful that his house will be completed on time.

A Staff of Many Talents

In addition to homebuyers completing their required hours, the ReStore sees a wide variety of volunteers including college students, corporate groups and the dedicated regulars who believe in Habitat’s mission. “It’s a great place to volunteer. Everyone is awesome to work with,” Manny emphasizes.

The ReStore’s social media gives followers a glimpse into the fun, close-knit environment that the staff creates. Photos of actor Nicolas Cage scatter the store (as does a masked cardboard cutout of the actor that greets customers as they enter). 

As the ReStore manager, Ben is “in charge of the circus.” From bookkeeping to pricing to laying out the store, he does it all.

Local musician and performer Ian Sanchez-Herasme doubles as the ReStore’s customer service specialist and posts frequent live tours of the store’s current offerings on Facebook. One night, while Ian sipped on wine and messed around on his piano, the ReStore Theme Song was born. The catchy tune, which can be streamed from all major music platforms, invites customers to the store and illustrates the store’s purpose: “Come to the ReStore, your purchases they mean more…helps empower families in need. Your local community will thrive just wait and see.”

Ben, who has a background in cinematography and has worked on movies like The Fault in Our Stars and television shows like Gossip Girl, filmed a music video for the jingle. The video, which follows Ian and other staff members around the ReStore, can be found on YouTube.

Current Builds

Land acquisition is a constant process for Lancaster Lebanon Habitat for Humanity. They have built on land donated by local churches or private entities, as well as constructed homes on properties where condemned houses once stood. Currently, the organization owns two properties in Lancaster and three on Cumberland Avenue in downtown Lebanon, which were severely damaged in 2017 during the city’s worst fire in 30 years.

The Lancaster Habitat ReStore is currently located at 155 Independence Court, Lancaster. In the coming months, the ReStore may be relocating. Keep an eye on the store’s Facebook page or website to learn of any new developments. Current hours are Tuesday through Friday, 9 a.m.-4 p.m., and Saturday, 9 a.m.-3 p.m. For more information, visit lancasterlebanonhabitat.org or their Facebook or Instagram. 

The Wedding Arch

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Kelsey Skworch and the team from Tudbinks have been dabbling in weddings for the past few years. Projects have included lavish containers, mock gardens and tree-filled reception areas. That all ended with the arrival of the pandemic. Large weddings with spectacular floral designs and décor came to an end. Or, did they? Kelsey took note that couples were pivoting and, while their weddings were scaled back in size, they embraced the opportunity to design a ceremony and reception that provided them with the chance to share their personal style with their guests.

Photo by Sue Long.

Of course, many pandemic-era weddings are being held at home or at an outdoor venue. Tudbinks began fielding SOS calls from couples asking how outdoor ceremony sites could be made special. As it turns out, the solution is as old as time – a wedding arch or in today’s lingo, a ceremony structure, would provide the perfect accent. Arches and other ceremonial structures – such as the Jewish chuppah – have been used throughout time as a way to symbolize the fact that a couple is entering a new phase in life. The structures also symbolize protection, divine presence and home.

Aesthetically, an arch can “frame” a ceremony with beautiful flowers and fragrance or be simply wrapped in sheer fabric and white twinkle lights. They’ve become yet another way in which couples can exhibit their taste and style. It seems they’ve taken on a life all their own, as they are also now being used to create entrances for seating areas and have made the move indoors for ceremonies and to make sweetheart tables all the more special.

For 2021, Tudbinks has embraced the concept of the arch in a special way. They have erected an arch on the farm in Conestoga that is being made available to the public for use as a backdrop for family portraits, engagement and wedding pictures, collabs, etc. The arch will be decorated to echo each season of the year. A small fee is charged, which covers manpower to spruce up the arch for your appointed time and to have a Tudbinks’ rep on-site who will guide you to other areas in which photography is permitted.

Photo by Sue Long.

Tudbinks kicked off their new service on January 27, with a styled shoot that involved Gabe McMullen (photography), Hannah Rose Miller (model), Walnut Hill Creations (bouquet), Heritage Style (jewelry), Posh Bridal (gown by Daria Karlozi), Jasmine Sweigart (hair), Simplistic Beauty Design (chair) and Brooke Stoltzfus (makeup). Even though the late-afternoon temperature was 27 degrees (and falling!), the barren trees and setting sun created some great photo ops.

Word is already out! The arch and other areas on the property have been used as backdrops for shoots involving couples, a mom-to-be, families and children.

 Message Tudbinks on Instagram @tudbinks for more information.

 

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What’s Trending?

As 2021 arrived, it became obvious that for the foreseeable future, weddings would have to remain small affairs because of Covid restrictions regarding guest-list size, etc. However, couples are forging ahead and holding weddings that may look different than they originally envisioned but nonetheless are special.

Micro-weddings: Small, intimate weddings have become the rule, but don’t view yours as the wedding not of your dreams. Instead, embrace the concept and pull out all the stops to make it personal and stylish. Think of it this way: fewer tables mean you can splurge on food, beverages, flowers, décor, linens, mood lighting, etc.

Wed Now/Party Later: Go ahead and get married and have a wonderful dinner with your families and closest friends. Once the pandemic is under control, have a reception for hundreds that is truly the definition of a bash!

Live-Streaming: For those going the micro route, set up a live stream of the ceremony so that friends and family can still be a part of your wedding.

As Always, Think Local: In this age of hardship – the wedding and hospitality industries have been especially hard hit by the pandemic – make it your mission to shop and buy local as you plan your wedding.

  

Hand-in-Hand Fire Company and the Search for Linda Stoltzfoos

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Photo courtesy of Jordan Bush.

When we think of fire companies, we often forget how much they truly do for the community. Hand-in-Hand Fire Company has been a poignant reminder this past year. Other than fighting fires, the volunteer company responds to accidents and floods, provides traffic control, answers automatic fire alarms and educates the community about fire prevention. The company is also one of only a few confined space rescue teams in Lancaster County, meaning they can perform rescues in silos, tanks, underground vaults and pits.

Last June, tragedy struck Lancaster County when Linda Stoltzfoos, an 18-year-old Amish woman, disappeared. According to police, Linda – who remains missing – was abducted while walking home from church services on June 21. She was last seen near a farm on Stumptown Road in Bird-in-Hand. During the early days of Linda’s disappearance, Hand-in-Hand Fire Company served as a hub for search efforts.

The search process required a significant and diverse use of non-firefighting resources. The station’s large commercial kitchen served as a receiving and staging area for thousands of pounds of food and drinks, which fed and hydrated hundreds of volunteers each day. They had “Missing” posters commercially printed. Their station meeting room and office were equipped with internet, computers, video projectors, communication equipment and more. The station provided restrooms for the volunteers. It also provided seating areas for queuing volunteers and a large parking area for searchers’ vehicles, horse transports and UTV trailers, both of which were used for organizing and dispatching searchers during the first week Linda was missing.

Fortunately, the fire company had the financial resources and infrastructure to make the search happen without worrying about how much it was costing, says president Tim Hoerner. Hand-in-Hand hosts a number of fundraisers throughout the year, including their Carriage & Antique Auction, a half marathon/5K and community dinners. The money raised at the fire company’s events not only funds equipment, training and community engagement, but also the fire company’s assistance during uncommon tragedies like Linda’s disappearance.

Photo courtesy of Jordan Bush.

Hand-in-Hand Fire Company’s Chicken Pot Pie Dinner is one of their crucial fundraising events. In our February issue, Foodographer Jordan Bush explores the meticulous process that the volunteers undertake to create – in Jordan’s opinion – the best chicken pot pie of his life. While Jordan observed the making of the delicious dinner, he also got to know some of the dedicated volunteers behind the company. To read Jordan’s article, click here!

Hand-in-Hand’s Chicken Pot Pie Dinner will be held February 20 from 10:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. (or until sold out). Drive-thru and dine-in options are available. The fire company is located at 313 Enterprise Drive in Bird-in-Hand. Call 717-392-0112 or visit their website or Facebook for more information.

 

It’s a Beautiful Day with Laura Brenner & Piper

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Imagine Covid doesn’t exist and you have a day off from work. You are free to spend the day doing exactly as you please. Inspired by U2’s It’s a Beautiful Day – “It’s a beautiful day, don’t let it get away” – we asked Laura Brenner to describe her perfect Lancaster County day. 

Photo by John Martin.

About Laura 

Growing up in West Lampeter Township, Laura always dreamed of living the farm life. She’s come close through buying her own horse at the age of 16 and becoming the communications coordinator for Lancaster Farmland Trust. 

Laura is also a fan of communing with nature through running, hiking and biking –
in any season and on any surface. Laura’s latest adventure (November) took her and her dog, Piper, to the Dolly Sods Wilderness in West Virginia. 

Laura is a graduate of Penn State University (B.A. in political science, with a minor in agronomy) and earned her master’s degree (communication) from Perdue University. She also volunteers with Big Brothers and Big Sisters and the Lancaster Recreation Commission.  

About Piper

Before Piper – aka The Queen of Lemon Street – Laura’s family fostered a Plott Hound, a 60- to 70-pound dog bred to hunt bears in the hills of West Virginia and other mountainous southern states. The dog was ultimately reunited with her family after a few months. “That was all [the experience] we needed with that breed to want another just like her,” Laura explains. “My parents found Piper, then named Chole, through an online listing at a rescue in northern New Jersey. They listed her as a Plott Hound, which we assumed meant she was ‘all’ Plott Hound. Six months and 20 pounds later, we realized she was not the dog we originally anticipated. But, it’s true what they say: good things come in small packages. Nearly nine years later, Piper is my best friend and greatest partner in crime. She’s followed me to three homes and on several vacations. She even comes to work with me and serves as our unofficial office mascot … and official lunch moocher.”

In Her Own Words: Laura (and Piper’s) Perfect Lancaster County Day  

It would begin around sunrise with a few puppy snuggles. Piper is not a fan of the cold. She loves to sleep under the covers; it can take some time for her to leave the warmth of our bed.

I love breakfast, and today’s needs to be a hearty one. Don’t tell Piper, but I’m planning a romp through the woods later in the day. Depending on what I have stocked in the fridge, I make breakfast at home or order from one of our favorite spots in the city. One of the things I love about living in Lancaster city is not needing to drive everywhere – so, you can bet on Piper and me to pick up our breakfast order by foot. Even when dine-in is an option, I usually opt to get take-out and eat at home with Piper this time of year.

After we fill our bellies, I need to discreetly pack a bag for hiking. Piper has a keen eye for when I’m fiddling with my running or hiking gear. If she senses an adventure is coming, she becomes my shadow, which makes packing and prepping a bit more of a challenge. Even if I manage to pack and change stealthily, Piper loses her chill once I grab the keys. She bounces across the kitchen towards the door, barking as if to say, “Let’s go, Mom. You’re taking too long!” 

We are lucky to have so many hiking and trail-running options in Lancaster County. One of our favorite spots – and perfect for a mid-week day-off – is the Conestoga Trail. You can access one end of it at Kelly’s Run – that’s where we are heading. The trail follows the Susquehanna River toward the Pinnacle Overlook, then on to Tucquan Glen. Though the trail continues to House Rock and Wind Cave before dropping trekkers into Pequea, Piper and I will take a snack break in Tucquan Glen and then head back towards our car.

There’s nothing like a good, hot meal after a winter hike. On our way home, I’ll call a friend and ask, “Want to grab a bite somewhere?” With sleepy Piper snuggled under a blanket on the sofa, I’ll walk downtown to meet my friend and enjoy a hot meal and a couple of drinks.

Follow Laura and Piper’s adventures on Instagram or on the blog, laurambrenner.com. 

Decades: Bowl Over Your Valentine

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Open since March 2019, Decades combines amusement, food and drink and a bit of nostalgia. This boutique six-lane bowling alley and arcade boasts a full-service restaurant and bar and makes its home in the former Stahr National Guard Armory building. 

The former Stahr National Guard Armory, which dates to the 1920s, is now home to Decades, an amusement center and bar/restaurant.

“We knew we wanted to be in downtown Lancaster. There’s a lot of art, theater and restaurants but not a lot of amusement-type places. There aren’t a lot of buildings downtown that can accommodate a bowling alley, so we were glad we found the armory. We walked in here and knew that we found the place,” says Chris Trendler, a partner and Decades’ general manager. Other partners include Jonathan Yeager and Adam Ozimek. If their names sound familiar, they are the team behind Joycat Events, which is best known for Lancaster Craft Beerfest, which is tentatively slated to return on August 28 after a year’s hiatus due to the pandemic. 

The building was constructed in two phases in the 1920s and ‘30s and is on the National Registry of Historic Places. The National Guard left the space in 2010; it served as the performance venue for Theater of the Seventh Sister for several years. Today, the space is filled with the sounds of bowling balls colliding with pins, laughter as guests challenge one another at arcade games and the conversational buzz of guests sharing food and beverages. “In our unique space, you have an interesting experience even before you order food,” Chris says.

From Decades’ breakfast take-out menu: Donut Breakfast Sandwich (glazed donut, fried egg, cheddar cheese, chipotle mayo and a choice of sausage, bacon, Canadian turkey bacon or veggie tempeh bacon).

The venue’s name, Decades, is intended to instill a sense of nostalgia. The ambience is high-end and on-trend. Crystal chandeliers hang over the seating area in the bowling lanes but there’s a bit of an industrial feel with the exposed black metal beams and lofty wood ceiling. Natural light filters in from windows on the wall containing the large bar. It’s not a sports bar, but there are two TVs near the bar. “We want to encourage people to interact with one another but we also know that some people like to keep up-to-date on their team’s score,” Jonathan says.

The mix of experiences – bowling, arcade, food and drink – was part of the partners’ vision from the onset. “It’s a very social experience,” Jonathan notes. “Decades is a great place for couples as well as groups of friends. People have come to think of us as a fun date place – the games are a great way to break the ice.”

The regulation-size bowling lanes use string-set pins – Jonathan says they’re easier to maintain and are what most entertainment venues have in place. Scores are tallied on digital screens above the lanes. The COVID-19 policy is generally to use every other lane.

Jonathan Yeager is one of the owners of Decades, along with Chris Trendler and Adam Ozimek.

As for the arcade, it features a variety of 30 retro arcade games, which operate on a token system. (A token machine is available, so there’s no need to bring quarters.) Video games include Donkey Kong, Centipede, Pac-Man and Super Mario Bros. “Adam and I grew up playing video games,” Chris explains. “When we decided to do Decades, we had a wish list of the games we wanted to find.” 

There are also some basketball hoops and Skee-Ball, which Chris says is popular and a favorite of nearly everyone no matter their age group. He also reports that the #12-ranked Skee-Ball player in the U.S. can sometimes be found at Decades rolling a few games.  

The Vegan Breakfast (scrambled tofu, hash browns, veggie tempeh bacon, sautéed onions and peppers, griddled tortillas and vegan ranch).

The menu has shifted a bit during the pandemic and now focuses on fare that does well for both take-out (including breakfast) and dine-in (when permitted). Wings (including vegan wings) and Decades’ signature smash burgers (beef burgers that are prepared in a different way than traditional burgers) are popular items. The menu also includes harvest salad, brisket chili, skillet cornbread, vegan Nashville hot chicken sandwich, chicken and waffles (also available as a vegetarian entrée), pimento mac & cheese and hand-cut fries. 

As for dessert, blondies or beignets (with a chocolate coffee reduction) are on the menu. Bar selections include sommelier-selected wines (Chris’ area of expertise), 24 microbrews on tap and some fun cocktails. 

There’s also a kid’s menu. While children are welcome, those under 8 must have adult supervision at all times.

Jonathan also points out that Decades is a great space for business and team-building events, as well as other social events. 

The arcade area features 30 games.

Decades is located at 438 North Queen St., Lancaster. Hours have shifted during the pandemic – check the website or Facebook for the most up-to-date hours. Take-out food is available and can be ordered via the website. Pickup can be made at the restaurant or through delivery services such as Uber Eats, DoorDash or Grubhub.  Reservations for dine-in can be made on their website. Call 717-282-1421 or visit decadeslancaster.com or Facebook.

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