LANCASTER COUNTY, Pa. — The Bird-In-Hand restaurant reopened Tuesday in Leacock Township, less than two months after a fire that forced it to relocate.
The fire on January 30 caused "extensive damage" to the restaurant's previous location at Old Philadelphia Pike in Bird-In-Hand. Fortunately, no one was injured.
The new, temporary location, at the site of the old Revere Tavern at 3063 Lincoln Highway East, will remain open until the previous location is ready.
Longtime customers and employees were thrilled at the return of the longtime Lancaster County staple and a frequent stop on bus tours.
"You just become like a family within the restaurant," said Vivian Law, an employee for more than 40 years. "We get to know a lot of the guests that come in and it just is a wonderful atmosphere."
Restaurant management says the future of their employees was murky following the fire.
"When this first happened, and we had no idea how long we were going to be closed, we were actually really worried," said operations manager Darryl Hassler. "We thought, 'Oh my goodness, how are these people going to support themselves?'"
Hassler says the return of customers and staff has shone a light following a dark two months.
"One of our first guests that walked in said right away, 'Look at all the familiar faces,'" Hassler said. "So that just warms your heart when our guests are coming here for good food, but also to see our staff. It means so much to all of us that they have returned. Bird-In-Hand is just one big family."
The restaurant will be open from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday and will serve a buffet-style "smorgasbord" for lunch and dinner along with an à la carte table service.