Good morning, Lancaster County.
Partly sunny and 83 today — and if you have outdoor plans this weekend, read the forecast at the bottom before you commit to Saturday night.
Today's story is a new store in Lititz, and the building it's in has a better backstory than most stores do.
In today's Lancaster Local:
A century ago this building printed the town's newspaper. Now it sells bikes.
A coffee cart pulling up to the Mount Joy library
A book club that meets at a brewery and asks you not to talk
Tea, treats, and a British murder mystery in Ephrata
COMMUNITY NEWS
A hundred years ago, boys on bicycles carried the news out of this building.
There's a brick building set back off Main Street in Lititz, reached by a sidewalk beside the Bulls Head Public House.
It was the original home of the Lititz Record Express.
Here's how the new occupants describe what went on in it:
"100 years ago, our brick walls held the heavy printing equipment that labored around the clock to tell the news of the day and print bulletins for the town. Young boys on bicycles picked up packs of fresh papers to deliver."
That's their telling, not mine — but hold onto the bicycles for a second.
Because the building is now Lititz Outsider, and the thing it sells is bikes.
Rebecca and Mark, who already run Lititz Bikeworks and Earth to Lititz down the street, have moved the bike shop into the old press hall and built an outdoor store around it — an extensive shoe department, hiking and climbing equipment, some light camping gear, active apparel.
Four thousand square feet.
Bud and Alice, who ran Zum Anker Alley Shoppes in the building, are retiring — along with their shop dog, Totter.
The Bikeworks website now lists 22 East Main Street, Rear as the address.
The homepage just says: "Welcome to the Lititz Outsider."
What I like is that they clearly thought about the room they inherited.
They spent months renovating it, and they say plainly that it mattered to them to honor its history.
And then this, which is the line that got me:
"This building told the town's stories. Now, we hope it helps you tell yours."
A press hall that sent kids out on bikes with the news, turned into a shop that sells people the bike.
You take your continuity where you find it.
EVENTS
📄 Resume Writing Tips — Columbia Public Library, 24 South 6th Street, Columbia.
Monday, September 14, 1:00 to 2:00 p.m.
PA CareerLink running a workshop on resumes and interviewing.
Space is limited and registration closes at 12:45.
🖍️ Adult Coloring Program — Lancaster Public Library, 151 North Queen Street, Lancaster.
Tuesday, September 15, 12:00 to 3:00 p.m.
Three hours you can drop into at any point.
No registration.
They provide the supplies, including what they describe as ornate coloring pages.
☕ Food Truck — Fable Coffee Cart — Milanof-Schock Library, 1184 Anderson Ferry Road, Mount Joy.
Wednesday, September 16, 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.
The library's listing is just the name, the time and the place, so that's all I'll promise you: a coffee cart, at the library, for two hours.
🦁 Meet the Lititz Lions Night — Lititz Public Library Community Room, 651 Kissel Hill Road, Lititz.
Wednesday, September 16, 6:30 to 8:00 p.m.
Worth noting up front: the library is the room, not the host.
This one is the Lititz Lions Club.
An open evening to find out what they actually do — their community projects, and how they support the blind through Lions International.
Door prizes and refreshments.
Reservations aren't necessary, but they'd like a heads-up at [email protected] if you think you'll come.
✍️ Easy Writer Writing Group — Milanof-Schock Library, 1184 Anderson Ferry Road, Mount Joy.
Wednesday, September 16, 6:30 to 7:45 p.m.
Their own description says "beginners to published," which is a wide door to leave open.
Third Wednesday of the month.
It's a club, so no registration.
🤝 Sean's Social Club — Adamstown Area Library, 110 W. Main Street, Adamstown.
Friday, September 18, 1:00 to 2:00 p.m.
A monthly meet-up for adults 18 to 29 with differing abilities, plus their friends, family and caregivers.
Registration closes at 12:45.
💍 Friends of the Library Jewelry Sale — Lititz Public Library, 651 Kissel Hill Road, Lititz.
Friday, September 18, 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Nine hours, run by the Friends of the library.
No other detail is posted, so go and look.
🫖 Tea & Mystery — Ephrata Public Library, 550 South Reading Road, Ephrata.
Monday, September 21, 1:00 to 3:00 p.m. Ages 18 and up.
"A cuppa and a conundrum" is their phrase, and it's the right one.
Tea, treats, and a British mystery — a film or a classic BBC episode — then everyone works out who did it.
Registration closes at 12:45.
🍳 Whip It Up Cookbook Club — Ephrata Public Library, 550 South Reading Road, Ephrata.
Monday, September 21, 6:00 to 7:00 p.m.
A book club for cookbooks — the chefs, the ingredients, the culture around the food.
September's title isn't posted; the sign-up list is behind the circulation desk.
Registration closes at 5:45.
🍺 Silent Book Club at Our Town Brewery — 252 N. Prince Street, Lancaster.
Monday, September 21, 6:00 to 8:00 p.m.
Lancaster Public Library runs this one out of a brewery, which is a good idea twice over.
Their pitch: "All the perks of a book club, but none of the stress."
You bring a book and read it.
That's the whole format.
Partly sunny and a high near 83 today, with a low around 60 tonight.
Saturday is mostly cloudy and 82, with a 40% chance of showers and storms possible after 5 p.m.
Then Saturday night turns serious: a 90% chance of rain, and the forecast allows for one to two inches, with some storms producing heavy rainfall.
Plan the weekend accordingly.
Have a good Friday.
— The Lancaster Local