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A new home is found, but rumors still abound
Salon Art-Tiff moves, but what will become of The Artworks building?
By ANDREA JOHNSON
Ephrata Review
Published: Jul 09, 2008 11:12 AM EST
EPHRATA - Sue Burkholder has two goals in mind for the future of her salon: To expand
business and become the best in the county. With 7,500 clients in the Salon
Art-Tiff database, relocating along Route 272 may be a step in the right
direction.
"We've been looking in Ephrata since November, and we
even talked 10 years ago, saying that this would be an awesome location,"
said Burkholder referring to the former Sovereign Bank building at 194 N.
Reading Road.
Salon Art-Tiff is currently the largest business
within the Doneckers Artworks complex, aside from the Furniture Gallery,
occupying 2,500 square feet. Opting to move from The Artworks building and
into her new building in April 2009, Burkholder says, has nothing to do
with the potential restructuring of Doneckers or rumors about it closing
completely.
"We were talking about this before this starting
happening," Burkholder said. "One of the main reasons we chose to leave is
because of what may come to the other end of the Doneckers (Artworks)
building." Burkholder added what may be in the works may not coincide well
with her own business, but declined to state on the record what that may
be.
Burkholder said she scoped out other Doneckers buildings as a
potential relocation for her business, however, they were not large enough
to accommodate her plans.
In the new location, Burkholder will have
3,200 square feet, and plans to increase her staff size from 17 to 25
employees. The salon's new home will have two floors; the first for hair
and retail, and the second for spa services. The first floor will have 10
hair stations while the second floor will have a couples massage room, a
relaxation room and three pedicure and manicure stations each. Burkholder
added that the salon will keep its outdoor massage services and they may
even install a gazebo in the back of the building in the
future.
Though the status of The Artworks remains unclear, Nancy
Harris, zoning and codes administrator for Ephrata Borough said, "It's safe
to say that no one has applied for zoning relief, subdivision land
development approval or a building permit for the Artworks
Complex."
The Lancaster County Planning Commission officials also
said they have not received any formal plans either.
Rumors swirling
around Doneckers include everything from closing its doors completely, to
low-income housing to upscale apartments.
A call placed to Doneckers
regarding the future of The Artworks' future was not returned by press
time.
Leilami Hoxworth, of the coffee shop Oh Beans that has been
housed within The Artworks for 10 years, said she even heard a rumor that
she and her husband Mike Hoxworth bought the building, among
others.
"We heard certain sections were closing too," Hoxworth said.
But, she added, they do not know what their fate is until they hear from
management.
When asked if they were given a date that they'd have to
leave the complex, Hoxworth said they've heard nothing to that
extent.
Reiterating that no plans have come through the borough for
Doneckers, Harris said that if any business in the borough were to switch
from a commercial to residential, it would have to go through a long
process if there are drastic changes that will be made. She said the
borough is more concerned about what the building would be used for as
opposed to just a change in ownership.
Rumors of the restructuring
or closing of the 47-year-old, North State Street complex began in mid-May
after the business held sales throughout the clothing and furniture stores
with signs such as "Due to circumstances, we can no longer accept the
Doneckers charge card," "nothing held back" and "price cuts" placed
throughout the buildings.
The Restaurant at Doneckers closed June
30, however, it is unclear if it will reopen. A new message left on the
restaurant's telephone says:
"Our restaurant is now closed for
reorganization and renovations," says a new message on the restaurant's
telephone.We anticipate reopening (in) mid- to late fall, although an exact
date has not yet been determined."
The fashion and furniture stores'
sales have been marked down to 30-50 percent off
merchandise.
Doneckers is believed to employ 300 employees who are
renowned for providing exquisite service to a loyal customer base, who
travel here from several states.
Doneckers began selling upscale
clothing in 1961. In the 1980s, it diversified by opening a restaurant,
guest houses and an artist studios, galleries and events building named The
Artworks.
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