Good morning, Lancaster County. The new week is here, the April air is crisp, and there's plenty happening around the county to pull you away from that second cup of coffee. From a groundbreaking on Lincoln Highway to a history lecture downtown tonight, let's get into it.

Gish's Furniture is building a new home on Lincoln Highway

Gish's Furniture & Amish Heirlooms is breaking ground this Friday, April 24, on a new 12,000-square-foot showroom at 2217 Lincoln Highway East in East Lampeter Township - right across Route 30 from Tanger Outlets. The new space, developed by Samuel Brothers Real Estate with Heck Construction as general contractor, will feature an expanded selection of handcrafted living room, dining room, bedroom, and home office furniture. Completion is slated for December 2026. Founded by Michael Gish, the company has grown from its Lancaster roots to include locations in East Earl, Camp Hill, Kennett Square, and Cockeysville, Maryland.

A big week ahead in Lancaster County - here's what's coming up.

🎓 Revolutionary Lancaster Lecture - Lancaster History - 230 N President Ave, Lancaster, PA 17603. Tonight, 7:00–9:00 PM. Join Lancaster History for a fascinating look at the city's role in the American Revolution. Whether you're a lifelong history buff or just curious about Lancaster's colonial roots, this one's worth the Monday evening out. More info →

🎸 One Night of Queen ft. Gary Mullen & The Works - American Music Theatre - 2425 Lincoln Hwy E, Lancaster, PA 17602. Thursday, April 23, 7:30 PM. Gary Mullen and The Works bring a full-scale recreation of Queen's legendary live performances - the sound, the spectacle, the showmanship. If you've ever wanted to experience Freddie Mercury's magic in person, this is your night. Get tickets →

🤠 Shenandoah - American Music Theatre - 2425 Lincoln Hwy E, Lancaster, PA 17602. Thursday, April 24, 7:30 PM. The Grammy-winning country group brings their catalog of classic hits and high-energy stage presence to the AMT. A can't-miss show for country fans. Get tickets →

🕺 Stayin' Alive: One Night of The Bee Gees - American Music Theatre - 2425 Lincoln Hwy E, Lancaster, PA 17602. Friday, April 25, 7:30 PM. The quintessential Bee Gees tribute delivers the disco hits - Night Fever, Jive Talkin', and of course Stayin' Alive - with a big sound and an even bigger playlist. Get tickets →

⚾ Lancaster Stormers vs. Long Island Ducks - Clipper Magazine Stadium - 650 N Prince St, Lancaster, PA 17603. Sunday, April 26, 1:00 PM. It's opening weekend for the Lancaster Stormers! Head to the ballpark for professional baseball, family fun, and all the energy of a new season. More info →

🎁 Decades Springtime Gifts Market - Decades Lancaster - 438 N Queen St, Lancaster, PA 17603. Friday, April 25, 12:00–4:00 PM. A curated pop-up featuring local vendors and unique springtime gifts. Great for grabbing a Mother's Day head start or just treating yourself on a Friday afternoon. More info →

🥞 Lancaster Breakfast & History Walking Tour - Starting at Penn Square, Lancaster, PA 17603. April 25th, 9:00–11:00 AM. Fuel up with a delicious breakfast, then take a guided stroll through Lancaster's historic architecture and storied streets. A perfect midweek morning adventure. More info →

The escape room where everything - yes, everything - is custom-made

Most escape rooms buy their puzzles from a catalog. Enigma Escape Room in downtown Manheim builds theirs from scratch - and that's because the owner has a secret weapon most escape room operators don't: his own special effects shop.

Jarred Alaca, a Manheim native, opened Enigma in December 2025 with its first room, "The Lost Temple." Walk in and you'll feel like you've stepped onto an adventure movie set. That's no accident. Jarred is also the founder of Shattered FX, one of the world's largest silicone mask producers, whose work appears in TV shows, movies, and theme parks across the country. He studied storytelling and game theory to design puzzles guests won't find anywhere else.

The room accommodates groups from 2 to 10 people, takes about an hour to complete, and - good news for the claustrophobic - you're never actually locked in. Enigma recently added Monday hours for corporate team-building groups, and two new rooms are on the way: a Salem Witch Trials theme this summer and a "Mission to Mars" experience by the end of 2026.

👉 Read the full story →

Monday, April 20 - A cool start to the week with highs near 48 and a chance of a passing shower. Layer up if you're heading out tonight, but drier and warmer days are ahead - mid-50s Tuesday and upper 60s by Wednesday.

Thanks for reading Lancaster Local. We'll be back tomorrow with more of the good stuff happening around the county. If you found something useful in here, forward it to someone who still gets their news from a Facebook group.