717 Data

A brief on Lancaster County and nearby towns.

Borough · Lancaster County, PA

Ephrata Borough: what’s happening

Updated

As of 2026-09-27, 717 Data lists 6 openings, 5 closings, 4 ownership or space changes, and 3 county plan reviews for Ephrata Borough, dated 2025-04-04 to 2026-08-10. Most recent: JaKob's was announced 2026-03-26 at the former Lily's on Main, downtown Ephrata, Ephrata Borough (LNP). County plan reviews (LCPC) include 1413 West Main Holdings LLC and 867 West Main Street.

Permits: no municipal permit feed is used. Plan reviews below are advisory Lancaster County Planning Commission (LCPC) reviews for the 2026-09-14 meeting, not municipal permits.

Openings

  1. announced

    JaKob's was announced 2026-03-26 at the former Lily's on Main, downtown Ephrata, Ephrata Borough (LNP).

    Source: LNP | LancasterOnline (What's in Store)

  2. open

    Hillside Spirits Co. opened 2026-02-18 at Doneckers, Ephrata Borough (LNP).

    Reopened 2026-02-25 under new ownership (see closings: Hillside Public House).

    Source: LNP | LancasterOnline (What's in Store)

  3. open

    Element by Bodega opened 2025-10-31 at lobby of Brossman building, downtown Ephrata, Ephrata Borough (LNP).

    First reported 2025-10-15.

    Source: LNP | LancasterOnline (What's in Store)

  4. open

    Golden Lotus Asian Kitchen opened 2025-08-07 at 415 E. Main St., Ephrata Borough (LNP).

    Takeover of former Nara Cafe space (see closings).

    Source: LNP | LancasterOnline (What's in Store)

  5. open

    Dutchland Diner opened 2025-06-27 at the former Ephrata Plaza Diner, Route 272, Ephrata Borough (LNP).

    Takeover of Ephrata Plaza Diner (see closings).

    Source: LNP | LancasterOnline (What's in Store)

  6. open

    272 BBQ opened 2025-04-04 next to Warwick to Ephrata Rail Trail, Ephrata Borough (LNP).

    Takeout open; outdoor expansion planned.

    Source: LNP | LancasterOnline (What's in Store)

Closings

  1. closed

    The Hillside Public House at Doneckers closed 2026-02-18 at Doneckers, Ephrata Borough (LNP).

    Takeover: reopens as Hillside Spirits Co. (see openings).

    Source: LNP | LancasterOnline (What's in Store)

  2. closed

    Morgan Truck Body, LLC closed Oct 2025 at 485 Wenger Drive, Ephrata, PA 17522, Ephrata Borough (PA WARN).

    PA WARN site. Jobs affected per source: 92. WARN closure notice W-202510-01; effective 2025-12-15; Effective date as listed: "12/15/2025"; notice_date = month heading on PA DLI WARN listing (2025-10); exact notice day not published (date_precision=month); municipality geocoded (485, Wenger Drive, Ephrata, Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, 17522, United States) …

    Source: PA Department of Labor & Industry WARN Notices

  3. closed

    Ephrata Plaza Diner closed 2025-06-27 along Route 272, Ephrata Borough (LNP).

    Takeover: reopened as Dutchland Diner (see openings).

    Source: LNP | LancasterOnline (What's in Store)

  4. closed

    Nara Cafe closed 2025-06-26 at 415 E. Main St., Ephrata Borough (LNP).

    Space later became Golden Lotus Asian Kitchen (see openings).

    Source: LNP | LancasterOnline (What's in Store)

  5. closed

    Turkey Hill (Ephrata Borough, near library) closed 2025-05-14 near Ephrata Public Library, Ephrata Borough (LNP).

    Circa-1975 barn-style store; became RDV Gas & Tobacco (see openings, 2025-11).

    Source: LNP | LancasterOnline (What's in Store)

Ownership and space changes

  1. open Ephrata Borough takeover

    The Hillside Public House at Doneckers to Hillside Spirits Co.: takeover, reported 2026-02-18 at Doneckers, Ephrata Borough (LNP).

    Closing row C-075 (closed) and opening row O-135 (open) describe one change at one location. Status shown is the new business's status as of its source. Rows: C-075, O-135.

    Source: LNP | LancasterOnline (What's in Store)

  2. open Ephrata Borough space reuse

    Turkey Hill (Ephrata Borough, near library) to RDV Gas & Tobacco: space reuse, reported 2025-11-21 at the former Turkey Hill near Ephrata Public Library, Ephrata Borough (LNP).

    Closing row C-024 (closed) and opening row O-112 (open) describe one change at one location. Status shown is the new business's status as of its source. Rows: C-024, O-112.

    Source: LNP | LancasterOnline (What's in Store) · also 1

  3. open Ephrata Borough takeover

    Nara Cafe to Golden Lotus Asian Kitchen: takeover, reported 2025-08-07 at 415 E. Main St., Ephrata Borough (LNP).

    Closing row C-033 (closed) and opening row O-077 (open) describe one change at one location. Status shown is the new business's status as of its source. Rows: C-033, O-077.

    Source: LNP | LancasterOnline (What's in Store) · also 1

  4. open Ephrata Borough takeover

    Ephrata Plaza Diner to Dutchland Diner: takeover, reported 2025-06-27 at the former Ephrata Plaza Diner, Route 272, Ephrata Borough (LNP).

    Closing row C-035 (closed) and opening row O-065 (open) describe one change at one location. Status shown is the new business's status as of its source. Rows: C-035, O-065.

    Source: LNP | LancasterOnline (What's in Store)

Developments

None in the sourced window.

County plan reviews (LCPC)

  1. LCPC review · outcome unknown LCPC SALDO 26-36

    1413 West Main Holdings LLC (Land Development Plan) at 1413 West Main Street, Ephrata Borough was filed with the Lancaster County Planning Commission 2026-08-10 for its 2026-09-14 advisory review; outcome not recorded (LCPC).

    Minor Land Development Plan. Removal of existing garage and parking lot and building a 12 unit apartment building with redesigned parking lot. Classification: Final Plan. Gross acres: 0.6867. Proposed residential units: 12. Zoning: Ephrata Borough: Neighborhood Commercial. LCPC SALDO 26-36. Advisory county review for the 2026-09-14 meeting, not a municipal permit or approval.

    Source: Lancaster County Planning Commission (LCPC) meeting review layer

  2. LCPC review · outcome unknown LCPC SALDO 26-33

    867 West Main Street (Land Development Plan) at 867 West Main Street, Ephrata, PA 17522, Ephrata Borough was filed with the Lancaster County Planning Commission 2026-08-03 for its 2026-09-14 advisory review; outcome not recorded (LCPC).

    Proposed building renovation and building addition for a total 8 unit apartment building with associated parking. Classification: Final Plan. Gross acres: 0.785. Proposed residential units: 7. Zoning: Ephrata Borough: Residential-Medium Density. LCPC SALDO 26-33. Advisory county review for the 2026-09-14 meeting, not a municipal permit or approval.

    Source: Lancaster County Planning Commission (LCPC) meeting review layer

  3. LCPC review · outcome unknown LCPC SALDO 88-160-2

    1522 Lincoln Heights Avenue (Subdivision Plan; Land Development Plan) at 1522 Lincoln Heights Avenue, Ephrata, Ephrata Borough and Ephrata Township was filed with the Lancaster County Planning Commission 2026-07-17 for its 2026-09-14 advisory review; outcome not recorded (LCPC).

    Subdivision and development of a single family home and a 12 unit apartment. Classification: Final Plan. Gross acres: 1.073. Proposed residential units: 13. Zoning: Ephrata Township: Residential-Medium Density. LCPC SALDO 88-160-2. Advisory county review for the 2026-09-14 meeting, not a municipal permit or approval.

    Source: Lancaster County Planning Commission (LCPC) meeting review layer

Public notices

None in the sourced window.

Machine copy with the same facts: https://717data.com/towns/ephrata-borough.json