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Old barn back in business

By on September 3, 2014

Zieglers to open bakery, restaurant, catering business next spring

The old barn along East Newport Road (near the Turkey Hill) has been idle for years. A new bakery/restaurant/banquet facility will open here next spring. (photo by Preston Whitcraft)

The old barn along East Newport Road (near the Turkey Hill) has been idle for years. A new bakery/restaurant/banquet facility will open here next spring. (photo by Preston Whitcraft)

An old barn has found new life.

On Aug. 26, a groundbreaking ceremony took place along East Newport Road, celebrating the birth of Brick Gables, future home of Zig’s Bakery & Café, Country Home Catering, and a new wedding event space.

“This is a significant project for the Lititz area,” explained Marlin Miller of MDM Creative Inc., “reusing an existing barn structure and consolidating several businesses into one location.”

Owners Dean and Carole Ziegler and son Brandon Ziegler welcomed about 50 guests to last week’s groundbreaking, many of whom played a role in the development of Brick Gables.

“We’re excited to be here today to celebrate a milestone for this Lititz landmark, and thank all of the people who have helped us to reach this point,” said Brandon.

Upon completion, Brick Gables will house Zig’s Bakery & Café on the ground level, with seating for 60 indoors and out, and a menu featuring breakfast, lunch and light dinner fare.

“It’s going to be good for the whole community, a great gathering space on a regular basis,” said Janine Arnesen-Nolt, interior designer for the project.

The upper level will feature an event venue run by Country Home Catering, owned by Dean and Carole, who looks forward to the expanded event space.

“We’ve been catering for over 20 years,” she said. “This adds a whole new avenue for us to be able to serve brides in an air-conditioned and comfortable setting.”

She said they have a couple events already lined up, and expect to hire 10-12 more people for the bakery, cooking, and event planning.

An addition just south of the barn will include a lower level kitchen shared by the two businesses, upper level offices, and a buffet line.

The Great Barn Search

“We knew we wanted to be in Lititz,” said Dean Ziegler of their search for the right location. “My brother-in-law, Gary, has been all over the place looking at barns.”

Turns out Gary has a good eye. As president of Speedwell Construction, Gary Myers saw in the Newport Road barn a structure that captured the essence of historic Lancaster County, had space to develop both indoors and out, and could accommodate parties up to 300 people.

The team at Speedwell took a good look at the barn to determine which elements could be retained and which needed to be replaced.

“The masonry in the barn is in excellent shape, but the timber frame is in trouble,” explained John Yoder, registered architect. “The masonry will be restored. We will re-frame the barn using an Amish framer, Riehl’s Construction of Leola. The goal is to harmonize with the existing barn.”

Warwick Township manager Dan Zimmerman dates discussion of the barn back 12 years, to the original development of Newport Commons (the adjacent housing development).

“The barn was on our radar as a historic site,” he said. “It took a long time to find the right people with the right resources and the drive.”

Joel Snyder, managing principal at RGS Associates, described how the barn fit into the original design and land development of Newport Commons.

“This whole project was master-planned to incorporate the eventual use of the barn,” he explained. “It’s great to see the patience pay off, after all of these years.”

“It’s a vision quest,” said Zimmerman. “It’s neat to see it come to fruition.”

Breaking Ground

In attendance were representatives from many entities that have contributed to the development of the project &tstr; Warwick Township; Newport Commons; Orrstown Bank; Speedwell Construction; and Blakinger, Byler and Thomas, P.C.

Dennis Jordan, controller at Speedwell Construction, appreciates the Zieglers’ labor of love for the restoration.

“The barn isn’t on any historic registry. The township wanted to see it preserved as much as possible, and it’s being done because the owners want to do it.”

“It’s been a dream,” Dean Ziegler said to the gathering of about 50 attendees. “You dream and dream, and all of a sudden, here we go! It’s been an amazing journey for our family.”

Brick Gables is scheduled to open for business in early spring 2015.

Katie Grisbacher is a freelance writer and editor living in Lititz. She welcomes your comments at kgrisbacher@gmail.com.

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