They can serve as shelter. They can be a venue for al fresco dining. They can be a space for gathering and meeting.
In the world of outdoor structures, pavilions are among the most wholesome. They fit perfectly into Colebrook Crossing’s business plan.
Colebrook Crossing, Lebanon County’s newest and increasingly popular ice cream eatery, recently built and donated a pavilion to South Londonderry Township’s Colebrook Park.
Situated at 1550 Mount Wilson Road, Colebrook Crossing – which has been warmly received by the local community partly because of its wholesome approach to business – paid for the pavilion to be built at Colebrook Park, a playground right next door to the Colebrook trailhead of the Lebanon Valley Rail Trail.
Read More: Lebanon Valley Rail Trail set for completion in 2027
“Pavilions are a place for families and friends to meet and enjoy being together,” said Dean Hoover, who, along with wife Mary Ann, brother Reid Hoover and sister-in-law Diane, owns Colebrook Crossing. “They are a very good place to do that. We wanted something nice there. We thought it would be in our best interest to have something attractive there.”
Large enough to cover four picnic tables, the new pavilion took about two weeks to construct and was completed near the end of March, right before Colebrook Crossing opened for its second season of business. The new pavilion replaced a similar one that had been in disrepair and had stood in the same spot at Colebrook Park.
The new construction was performed by King Construction of New Holland, for which Dean is employed as a sales and design representative.
The township’s highway department will add a short trail to connect the pavilion to the rail trail parking lot and paint the swing set at the playground to match the new pavilion.
“I had thought about the idea, so we talked to the township about it,” said Dean. “We wanted to do it for the community and for us. A lot of people who come to Colebrook Crossing use it.
“That’s probably true (the pavilion could serve as a space for overflow seating during Colebrook Crossing’ busy times), but in a secondary way,” Dean added. “Parents were using the pavilion a lot when their kids were at the playground. But it is helpful because sometimes seating is at a premium.”
The addition of the pavilion could be seen as Colebrook Crossing sustaining momentum created by a successful first year of business.
“It’s gone beyond our expectations,” said Dean. “I think the community has gotten behind us. I think our customers enjoy the atmosphere and enjoy the food, or they wouldn’t keep coming back. We are always surprised and extremely grateful for all the people who come.”
A leap of faith taken by family members new to the restaurant business, Colebrook Crossing opened on May 11, 2023. The Hoovers temporarily closed the ice cream shop and eatery for the winter season in early November of last year, re-opening on April 4.
“When we started the business, it was an unknown,” said Dean. “We really didn’t know what to expect. There were always questions, ‘Is this what we want to do approaching retirement? What are we thinking?’ It was some of that. There was always a great expectation. But it was an opportunity to offer something that people enjoy.”
Colebrook Crossing has a staff of about 20 full-time and part-time employees.
“I think we are at a maximum size for both seating and parking,” said Dean. “Unless something else happens, I’m not sure we can grow anymore. I don’t see any changes coming and I don’t see the menu changing. We just want to improve what we have now.”
For additional information on Colebrook Crossing, visit ColebrookCrossing.com or find them on Facebook.
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