🌹 The Lancaster Ledger

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Good morning, Lancaster.

Quick question: if you could only eat at one restaurant in Lancaster County for the rest of your life, what are you picking? We've been thinking about this all morning and honestly can't narrow it past three. It's an impossible question. But it's also the best kind of argument to have over coffee.

In today's Lancaster Ledger:

• Lititz is getting cocktails, new meters, and a festival move

• The Clair family just dropped $5M on a Lititz landmark

• A Lancaster company is building giant bison for the NFL

• A $1,000 treasure hunt is coming to downtown Lancaster

Let's do it.

— Collin

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Lititz Borough Council had a packed agenda at its March 31 meeting. The big headline: New Holland Coffee Co. at 51 W. Kleine Lane got the green light for a liquor license transfer from the closed Black Knights Tavern and Grill in Landisville. The cafe already brews its own beer under a state brewing license, and the new license will let them serve mixed drinks and cocktails alongside their brunch and lunch menu. Owner Mark Fisher noted that alcohol consumption is actually down among younger people — the cocktails are meant to complement the food, not replace the coffee.

Council also approved two new ParkMobile kiosks for downtown at $12,000 each, accepting credit, debit, cash, coins, or payment via text and app. Installation will take at least three months. On the festival front, the L'Italia Festival is moving to the second block of East Main Street on September 19, and a traffic study was approved for the North Cedar and North New Streets intersection after a car crashed into a house near there on March 27.

The Clair family just dropped $5 million on the Lititz Springs Inn and Bulls Head Public House at 14 E. Main St. in Lititz. Troy Clair, president and CEO of Clair Global, purchased the property through the holding company Zum Anker RE LLC. The seller, David Stoudt, originally bought it in 2017 for $4.2 million.

The $5 million covers just the real estate — the brand name, equipment, recipes, and hotel liquor license were transferred separately for an undisclosed amount. According to a January press release, the Clairs plan to maintain day-to-day operations and retain staff at the property, which includes a 16-room inn, private event spaces, a restaurant, and the British-style pub. Clair Global, headquartered in Warwick Township, has been a powerhouse in audio equipment for touring musicians since 1966. Now they're in the inn business too.

A piece of Lancaster County is headed to the NFL. ART Research Enterprises, a fine art foundry in East Hempfield Township, is manufacturing a family of three stainless steel bison statues for the new 60,000-seat Highmark Stadium in Orchard Park, New York. The largest — a bull standing 27 feet tall and weighing 23,000 pounds — will anchor the "Family Circle," an outdoor gathering area near the stadium's main entrance. The cow will stand 22 feet tall, and a calf will come in at 12 feet.

The sculptures are the work of artist Blessing Hancock, and stadium communications director Todd Starowitz said the statues are expected to be installed in July or August ahead of the 2026 NFL season. At night, they'll light up with programmable lighting systems, and the bull and cow are designed to emit smoke through their nostrils. ART Research has a long resume of notable projects, including historic conservation work at the U.S. Capitol, the James Buchanan Memorial in Lancaster, and the stainless steel ampersand outside F&M's Lombardo Welcome Center. Pretty cool company to have in our backyard.

Mark your calendars: Uncharted Lancaster is bringing another treasure hunt to the city on Saturday, May 2, with $1,000 in cash prizes. Lampeter-Strasburg teacher Adam Zurn, who founded the history-adventure website, is launching the hunt at noon from the Community Block Party for History outside the new Thaddeus Stevens & Lydia Hamilton Smith Center for History and Democracy at 13-15 E. Vine St.

The hunt is free to play and should take one to two hours. This time, Zurn is judging teams on speed and accuracy rather than just who finishes first — so you won't feel like you've already lost if you don't start right at noon. "You do not need to be a historian to enjoy it," Zurn says. "If you like exploring Lancaster, solving clues and seeing the city in a new way, this event is for you." Visit unchartedlancaster.com for details as they drop closer to the event.

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Spring Bubble Bowl Arrangement Workshop | Create floral arrangements with expert guidance — all materials provided | 5:30 PM – 6:30 PM | Central Market Flowers on Queen, 258 North Queen St, Lancaster, PA 17603 | $75

Una Noche en Casa Blanca | Latin-themed girl's night with food, drinks, and salsa/bachata lessons benefiting Lancaster County Women for Good | 6:00 PM – 9:00 PM | 10 North Event Venue, 10 North Market St, Lancaster, PA 17603 | $70

Trivia Night at Southern Market | Weekly trivia with gift card prizes and $1 off drinks | 7:00 PM – 10:00 PM | Southern Market, 100 South Queen St, Lancaster, PA 17602 | Free

Lancaster County's Best Kept Secrets Tour | Self-guided adventure hitting 44 off-the-beaten-path local businesses with refreshments, demos, and goody bags | 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM | Various locations across Lancaster County | $12

Ryan & Friends: Laughter in Lancaster | Opening night for Ryan Bomgardner's ventriloquism and comedy show in PA Dutch Country | Varies (check venue) | Bird-in-Hand Stage, 2760 Old Philadelphia Pike, Bird-in-Hand, PA 17505 | $15–$34 (show only) or $15–$60.50 (with meal)

So, We Bought a Bookshop (Author Talk at Nooks) | Indie bookshop owners talk books, shops, and community | 7:00 PM – 8:00 PM | Nooks, 112 North Prince St, Lancaster, PA 17603 | Free

Friday Night Improv: GO BULLDOGS! + Luxury Gas | Double bill of improv comedy — GO BULLDOGS! at 7 PM, Luxury Gas at 8:30 PM | 7:00 PM & 8:30 PM | Lancaster Improv Players, 16 South Prince St, Lancaster, PA 17603 | $15

An Evening with Jeff Foxworthy | The legendary comedian performs live | 8:00 PM | American Music Theatre, 2425 Lincoln Hwy E, Lancaster, PA 17602 | $89–$149

Earl David Reed's 65th Birthday Show | Pittsburgh comedian celebrates 65 with a special set | 8:00 PM | Mickey's Black Box, 101 Rock Lititz Blvd, Lititz, PA 17543 | Sold out (check venue for availability)

Spring Ephemeral Wildflowers Hike | Guided hike through 70 species of spring wildflowers at this world-renowned preserve | 9:00 AM – 11:00 AM & 1:00 PM – 3:00 PM | Shenks Ferry Wildflower Preserve, 857 Green Hill Rd South, Conestoga, PA 17516 | Free

Thaddeus Stevens College Spring Open House | Explore programs, tour labs, and meet faculty | 9:00 AM – 1:00 PM | Thaddeus Stevens College of Technology, 750 E King St, Lancaster, PA 17602 | Free

Video Game Day at Lancaster Science Factory | Smash Brothers and Mario Kart competitions plus game design workshops | 10:00 AM – 3:00 PM | The Lancaster Science Factory, 454 New Holland Ave, Lancaster, PA 17602 | Free with museum admission ($13.99)

Habitat Advocate: Native Garden Design Workshop | Learn to turn stormwater challenges into conservation landscaping with native plants | 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM | 102 Chester St, Lancaster, PA 17602 | Free

Cold Tolerant Spring Porch Pot Workshop | Hands-on spring planter creation with cold-tolerant plants | 11:00 AM – 12:00 PM | Ken's Gardens, 2467 Old Philadelphia Pike, Lancaster, PA 17602 | $60.54

Landscape Workshop with PCAD Professor Jason Ward | Outdoor art class responding to the landscape — all skill levels | 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM | Lancaster Art Vault, 100 North Queen St, Lancaster, PA 17603 | $100

An Evening of Alton Brown | Food Network's Good Eats host brings his live show to AMT | 7:30 PM | American Music Theatre, 2425 Lincoln Hwy E, Lancaster, PA 17602 | $64–$200 (VIP)

Tap the Tanks at Nissley Vineyards | Taste wines straight from the tanks and barrels with live local music | Check venue for time | Nissley Vineyards, 140 Vintage Dr, Bainbridge, PA 17502 | $28–$35 (estimated; check venue)

Penn Manor Post Prom Committee Bingo | Community bingo fundraiser with designer purse and Yeti prizes | 12:00 PM | Millersville VFW Post 7294, 219 Walnut Hill Rd, Millersville, PA 17551 | Check venue for pricing

POV Comedy Presents: Jenny Zigrino | Stand-up comedy at Tellus360 | 7:00 PM | Tellus360, 24 E King St, Lancaster, PA 17602 | Check venue for pricing

Nitty Gritty Dirt Band – All the Good Times: The Farewell Tour | The legendary band brings their farewell tour to AMT | 7:00 PM | American Music Theatre, 2425 Lincoln Hwy E, Lancaster, PA 17602 | $39–$79

Hairspray at Fulton Theatre | Running April 8 – May 3 | Fulton Theatre, 12 N Prince St, Lancaster | $20–$74

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Wednesday High 53°F, low 29°F.

Thursday High 56°F, low 30°F.

Major Vibes: Friends-Days | Electronic/Eclectic | 9:00 PM | Tellus360, 24 E King St, Lancaster, PA 17602 | Free

Pool Kids | Indie Rock | 7:00 PM (Doors 6 PM) | Phantom Power, 121 W Frederick St, Millersville, PA 17551 | $18 advance / $23 day of show

RE/POSE | Live Music | 8:00 PM | Tellus360, 24 E King St, Lancaster, PA 17602 | Check venue for pricing

The Willie Marble Xperience featuring the World Famous Marblelettes | Funk/Soul | 7:00 PM | Tellus360, 24 E King St, Lancaster, PA 17602 | Free (21+)

Shawan Rice & The Quiet Riders | Funk/Roots/Soul | 7:30 PM | Ware Center for the Arts, 42 N Prince St, Lancaster, PA 17603 | $15

Jake Xerxes Fussell & Sam Amidon | Folk/Americana | 7:30 PM – 9:30 PM | West Art, 816 Buchanan Ave, Lancaster, PA 17603 | $12–$35

PENNTERA – Pennsylvania's Pantera Experience w/ Gallowglas | Metal (Tribute) | 8:00 PM (Doors 7 PM) | Phantom Power, 121 W Frederick St, Millersville, PA 17551 | $15 advance / $20 day of show

The Woodshines | Folk/Jazz | 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM | Corner Coffee Shop at Smucker Village, 3526 Old Philadelphia Pike, Intercourse, PA 17534 | Free

BIG ROOM VIBES with Major Vibes (DJ Set) | Electronic/Dance | 10:00 PM | Tellus360, 24 E King St, Lancaster, PA 17602 | Check venue for pricing

DJ Edge: Lounge Edition | Electronic/Lounge | 10:00 PM | Tellus360, 24 E King St, Lancaster, PA 17602 | Check venue for pricing

The Warped Band (Warped Tour Tribute) | Pop Punk/Emo/Ska | 7:00 PM (Doors 6 PM) | Tellus360, 24 E King St, Lancaster, PA 17602 | $15 advance / $20 day of show

AMPED FEST – Tribute Festival | Rock (Tribute Festival) | 8:00 PM (Doors 7 PM) | Phantom Power, 121 W Frederick St, Millersville, PA 17551 | $15 advance / $20 day of show

The Reagan Years (80s Tribute) | 80s Rock (Tribute) | 8:00 PM (Doors 7 PM) | Mickey's Black Box, 101 Rock Lititz Blvd, Lititz, PA 17543 | $41–$42

Sarah Fleiss (Soprano, Curtis Institute of Music) | Classical/Vocal | 7:00 PM | The Trust Performing Arts Center, 37 N Market St, Lancaster, PA 17603 | Check venue for pricing

LeRoy Stoltzfus | Traditional Country | 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM | Corner Coffee Shop at Smucker Village, 3526 Old Philadelphia Pike, Intercourse, PA 17534 | Free

raDiANCE with DJ Edge | Electronic/Dance | 10:00 PM | Tellus360, 24 E King St, Lancaster, PA 17602 | Check venue for pricing

Stars In Sapphire | Live Music | 10:30 PM | Tellus360, 24 E King St, Lancaster, PA 17602 | Check venue for pricing

Jam Session with Matt Wenger | Bluegrass/Jam | 2:00 PM | Tellus360, 24 E King St, Lancaster, PA 17602 | Free

Fresh Takes On Jazz: Banks Sapnar Septet | Jazz | 3:00 PM | Mickey's Black Box, 101 Rock Lititz Blvd, Lititz, PA 17543 | $35

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