Good morning, Lancaster County. It's the last Monday of March, and while the clouds are rolling in, there's plenty happening around the county to keep your spirits bright. Today we've got a downtown business merger that's going to make Queen Street a lot more interesting, a new Italian-American restaurant coming to Ephrata, and a full week of Easter fun headed your way.

In today's Lancaster Local:

Two Downtown Favorites Are Joining Forces - and Getting a Whole Lot More Space

Downtown Lancaster's quirky, community-driven retail scene is getting bigger. Evan Farbo is merging his two gaming-culture businesses - Farbo Co. on West Grant Street and The Midnight Oil on North Christian Street - into a single 7,300-square-foot space at 29–41 N. Queen St., the former Rainbow Shops location that's been vacant since 2024.

Farbo Co. has long been the go-to for tabletop RPGs, Japanese imports, arts and crafts, and what Farbo himself calls "general nerdery." The Midnight Oil, which opened two years ago, carved out a niche as a late-night social lounge for board game enthusiasts. Both locations stay open through the summer as the combined venture takes shape. The new name hasn't been announced yet - but with 7,300 square feet to play with, whatever it becomes is going to be worth the wait.

A Beautiful Dining Room in Ephrata Is Getting a New Life

Ephrata diners, take note: a stunning second-floor space that's been dark since 2017 is finally coming back to life.

JaKob’s, an upscale Italian-American restaurant, is planning to open at 124 E. Main St. inside the Brossman Business Complex, taking over the 120-seat Art Deco dining room that was formerly home to Lily’s on Main.

The restaurant is being developed by Jim Hecker, owner of Enck’s Plus Catering, bringing decades of hospitality experience to the project.

Hecker is targeting a late May opening, with plans to preserve the space’s distinctive character while introducing a fresh, elevated menu.

That dining room - with its Art Deco bones - is the kind of space that sticks with you. Keep your eyes on Ephrata’s Main Street.

EVENTS

🐣 Easter Bunny Train Rides - Strasburg Rail Road - 301 Gap Road, Ronks, PA 17572. Friday, April 3 through Sunday, April 5, with candy drops at 12, 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5 PM daily. Hop aboard one of America's oldest operating railroads for a magical Easter experience through the Lancaster County countryside. Tickets start at $28 for coach, $47 for premium, and $68 for the breakfast train - book ahead, because this one fills up fast. Get tickets →

🌸 Easter Celebration at The Star Barn - The Star Barn at Stone Gables Estate, 1160 North Market Street, Elizabethtown, PA 17022. Saturday, April 4, gates open 10:00 AM–3:00 PM. The Star Barn's annual Easter Celebration is one of those Lancaster County traditions that families return to year after year - and this year's lineup includes egg hunts, a petting zoo, face painting, kids' crafts, yard games, and live music by Steven Courtney across 275 acres of stunning estate grounds. Admission is $30 per vehicle (up to 8 passengers), making it an easy family day. More info →

🎭 Lancaster Improv's First Friday Free For All - Lancaster Improv Players Studio, 16 S. Prince Street, Lancaster, PA 17603. Friday, April 3, 7:00 PM–9:30 PM. Free. Lancaster Improv throws open its doors for its monthly First Friday showcase - an evening of spontaneous, high-energy comedy right in the heart of downtown. No tickets needed, no cover charge, just show up and laugh. Note: the show goes 21+ after 9 PM. More info →

🎶 Revolution: The Music of the Beatles - Lancaster Symphony Orchestra - Lancaster County Convention Center, 25 S. Queen Street, Lancaster, PA 17603. Tuesday, April 7, 7:00 PM. Doors open at 6:00 PM with a pre-concert talk at 6:15. The Lancaster Symphony Orchestra brings the full weight of a live orchestra to the iconic catalog of the Beatles - from the early years all the way through the psychedelic era. Tickets run $45–$119. Whether you're a lifelong fan or bringing someone who's never heard the LSO, this is a night worth dressing up for. Get tickets →

🎨 First Friday Lancaster - April 2026 - Downtown Lancaster, PA 17603. Friday, April 3, 5:00 PM–9:00 PM (varies by venue). Free. Lancaster City's beloved monthly arts crawl transforms the entire downtown into a walkable celebration - galleries, studios, performance spaces, and shops all opening their doors for an extended evening of art openings, live music, and community energy. April's edition falls on Good Friday, which means you can expect some specially themed events woven into the mix. More info →

🌿 Gallery Grow 1-Year Anniversary Celebration - Gallery Grow Plant Bar, 320 N. Queen Street, Lancaster, PA 17603. Friday, April 3 (10 AM–8 PM) and Saturday, April 4 (10 AM–6 PM). Free to attend. One of Queen Street's most delightful newcomers is turning one, and they're celebrating all weekend with 20% off plants and pottery - plus a Golden Egg Anniversary Hunt hidden throughout the shop. Whether you're shopping or just strolling, it's a fun stop for plant lovers and curious neighbors alike. More info →

🛍️ LAV Artisan Market - First Friday Edition - Lancaster Art Vault, 252 N. Prince Street, Lancaster, PA 17603. Friday, April 3, 5:00 PM–8:00 PM. Free to browse. The first LAV Artisan Market of the 2026 season makes its debut this First Friday, with local artists, crafters, and makers setting up an outdoor market under the eaves. It's a great way to shop small, meet the people who make things, and make the most of a First Friday evening. More info →

🏛️ First Friday Hours - Lancaster Medical Heritage Museum - 410 N. Lime Street, Lancaster, PA 17602. Friday, April 3, 4:00 PM–8:00 PM. $5 admission. A slightly off-the-beaten-path First Friday stop that's always worth adding to your evening: the Lancaster Medical Heritage Museum, with its deep collection of local medical history, opens for extended hours. At $5, it's one of the most affordable - and genuinely fascinating - cultural experiences in the city. More info →

Monday, March 30 - You've got a high of 63°F and mostly cloudy skies to work with today, which is perfectly fine coat-and-coffee weather. Enjoy the mildness while it lasts - there's a chance of showers moving in tonight, so plan your errands accordingly.

Thanks for starting your Monday with Lancaster Local. This county never runs out of good things to look forward to - we just try to make sure you don't miss them. If you found something useful in today's edition, forward it to someone who still gets their news from a Facebook group.