Morning, Lancaster! 

It brings me such joy to get to know the neighbors and businesses that surround us. 

As I was walking around town the other day in preparation for writing this edition, all I could think about was how wonderful it was to get to know so many businesses and talk with them in person. 

In the last few days, almost 50 businesses reached out to me just in my local part of the county. 

While I can’t talk with everyone (all at once), it’s such a pleasure to get to know who is here …

And how wonderful our Lancaster County community really is. 

In the coming weeks we’ll interview more folks (we’re booked out for the next month) and help you get to know who is right around the corner. 

You never know, you might just discover your new favorite shop :) 

Here’s what I think is worth your time today.

When you walk into Dave’s Toy Box, it doesn’t feel like a toy store.

It feels like someone took every era of childhood, lined it up neatly on white shelves, and gave it a second life.

Transformers tower over display cases. 

Marvel figures stand mid-battle. 

Retro PlayStations and Atari consoles wait patiently for someone to relive a Saturday from 1998. 

Pokémon cards sit next to Lego sets. 

Vintage action figures share space with modern collectibles.

Dave opened his shop three years ago, celebrating that anniversary this past December.

But the story started before that.

He used to run the operation out of his garage, setting it up like a miniature store. 

What started as a passion project slowly turned into something bigger. Now, it’s a staple for collectors across Lancaster County.

The top sellers?

Pokémon.
Legos.
Video games.

“I get people in here every day for Pokémon,” Dave told me. “Every day.”

On weekends, Lego flies off the shelves - sometimes two or three sets at a time. 

Demand is steady enough that he says he can’t buy inventory fast enough. If something’s popular, he has to keep it stocked. 

That consistency is what keeps people coming back.

But what stood out most wasn’t the inventory.

It was the love for his community, and the joy it brings him to see collectors and neighborhood kids find something they love. 

When I spoke with him, he told me one of the things he really loves is when a local neighborhood kid finds that perfect action figure. 

Something that really makes them grin ear to ear. 

As someone who grew up collecting Batman action figures, that warmed my heart and it reminded me a bit of my own childhood. 

I remember that feeling well, and I’m so thrilled that kids today can have that same experience. 

It's a core reason why shops like Dave's ToyBox are so special.

Dave’s wife, Joy, helps organize 4th Fridays locally and recently ran the Chocolate Stroll - which sold out 200 tickets and raised $3,000 for Friends of Donegal, a local charity that helps others in need.  

It’s another reminder that small businesses here aren’t just retail spaces. 

They’re part of the fabric of the community.

Dave’s Toy Box isn’t trying to be flashy. It’s not chasing trends.

It’s building something steady.

A place where collectors rebuild old collections.

Where kids discover characters for the first time.

And where nostalgia isn’t boxed up and forgotten - it’s displayed proudly on a shelf.

For many, it’s their childhood brought back to life. 

And if today happens to be National Pokémon Day, that’s just a bonus.

For every $20 Pokémon purchase, Dave is giving away a free Pokémon prize - and he’s open until 6 p.m. if you want to stop in.

But Pokémon Day or not, Dave’s Toy Box has quietly become one of those places in Lancaster that feels like it’s here to stay.

Click here to learn more about Dave’s Toybox and keep up to date with what’s in stock. 

Speaking of Pokémon, If you’re looking for a fun, family-friendly way to spend Friday evening in Lancaster, Decades Lancaster has an event worth penciling into your calendar.

Pokémon Night is happening Friday, Feb. 27 from 4 p.m. to 10 p.m. at Decades - and whether you’re a longtime fan of the franchise or you’re just along for the activities and community vibe, there’s something for everyone.

There will be fun themed activities, snacks and drinks, and of course classic games from decades past. Trainers of all ages can join in on Pokémon-inspired games and activities like design your own Pokémon card and create your own gym badge.

Decades Lancaster, known for its community-centered game nights and pop-culture celebrations, has become one of those local spots that feels like home for hobbyists and families alike.

 This Pokémon Night is just another example of that - a chance to bring people together around games, creativity, and shared nostalgia.

Whether you grew up with Pokémon or you’re sharing it with the next generation, this event offers something fun for everyone - and it’s a great way to kick off the weekend.

If you’re looking for a creative (and surprisingly relaxing) way to end your Friday night, consider trying something a little different this weekend.

On Friday, Feb. 27, from 6:30 PM – 8:30 PM you can join a Junk Journaling workshop hosted by Butter and Bean Cafe‑Tanger Outlets in Lancaster. 

This is one of those hands-on local experiences that’s equal parts craft night, community gathering, and creative outlet.

So what is junk journaling anyway?

Imagine a scrapbook, but way more personal. Instead of pristine pages and rigid rules, junk journaling embraces scraps, ephemera, stickers, buttons, decorative tape and all sorts of embellishments. You’re given the supplies then encouraged to build something meaningful:

It could be a travel journal, a recipe book, a memory keepsake, or something uniquely you :) 

No two journals look the same, and there’s no right or wrong way to do it. It’s a low-pressure environment perfect for artistic folks and beginners alike.

The workshop is run in partnership with Horst Arts Center and includes materials, tools, and a welcoming space to make your journal. Whether you’re doodling dreams, organizing ideas, or crafting pages that describe your story, this event is one of those local gems that’s equal parts creative night out and community experience.

Tickets are available ahead of time - and at around $35, it’s a fun, affordable way to try something new AND make something you’ll love keeping.

If you need a little boost of inspiration before (or after) the workshop, grab a coffee, pastry or snack from Butter & Bean - the cozy cafe known for welcoming creatives, coffee lovers, and anyone who wants a relaxed place to hang.

This is one of those weekend experiences you don’t have to be an “artist” to enjoy - just curious and ready to make something uniquely yours.

Click here to learn more and grab tickets.

Hey Lancaster, if you’re new here I’m Andrew. 

Great to meet you :) 

My wife and I publish the Lancaster Local, and we’re so thrilled you’re here for the ride!

We’ve experienced exponential growth these last few weeks, so I figured with all the new faces here I’d share a bit more about me. 

I started the Lancaster Local as a way to build up, encourage, and highlight all the wonderful businesses and community members in the county. 

My main business is running marketing campaigns for businesses of all sizes. 

I help brands big and small build the right marketing ecosystem for them. 

That’s how the Lancaster Local is rapidly growing - I run all the advertising myself from the ground up. 

We live in Elizabethtown and we’re deeply ingrained in the community here. 

When my dog needs to see the vet, we go to Donegal Animal Hospital just over in Mount Joy. 

When I’m hungry I talk a walk and grab a sandwich at The Spot Hometown Deli. 

And when I feel like I need to get out and see a show, my wife and I head over to Fulton Theatre. 

So when you read the Lancaster Local daily, you’re reading the perspective of someone deeply involved in the county. 

My wife lived here all her life, and I’ve been in the county since 2013. 

This is our permanent home, and we couldn’t imagine being anywhere else. 

It’s been one of the deepest joys of our life bringing the Lancaster Local to you each weekday morning. 

Thank you for being a part of the journey, and we hope you love it as much as we do. 

- Andrew

P.S - If you have any stories you’d like us to cover, just send me an email or reach out on Facebook or Instagram! Send us your tips and if we can fit them into the local, we will.