When Lancaster County restaurant owners learned that outdoor service would be permitted, with restrictions, in the yellow phase of the process to reopen the county, many begin thinking outside the box in order to create outdoor seating for their venues.
For Gina Dissinger, who owns Lickity Split, 209 E. Main St., New Holland, with her husband, Mitch, finding outdoor table space was an issue as the eatery has little parking lot or sidewalk area to work with. "About mid-May, we began researching what other restaurants around the country that were in green were doing," recalled Gina. "We realized we had limited options since our restaurant only has 13 tables, and you can only open at 50% capacity (in the yellow phase)."
Realizing that it would be financially impossible to use only that limited space and offer takeout service, Gina and Mitch began to brainstorm. "We started walking around (outside) and looking at the beautifully landscaped church next door," said Gina, who noted that she and Mitch have had a positive relationship with Trinity Lutheran Church, 221 E. Main St., since the restaurant opened in 2010. "I reached out to (the church)," said Gina, who noted that the church board met to discuss the possibility only a few days later. "They called and said, 'Yes, we're on board,'" reported Gina. "(They said) to not only use the side (lawn), but the front lawn (of the church) as well."
Next, the Dissingers set about figuring out what kind of tables would best fit in the allotted area and how to fund them. For a week, Gina hunted for a deal on tables that seated eight, traveling to Parkesburg to pick up a number of them. She ordered black and white striped umbrellas that she admitted remind her of her favorite Cape May, N.J., vacation spot.
The Dissingers were able to fit four tables on the lawn alongside the church, and there is room for two more on the Main Street side. Gina found four sponsors for the tables. An anonymous donor funded one in the name of CrossNet Ministries, and the New Holland Elementary School sixth-grade class sponsored a table and dedicated it to the Class of 2026. Another table was sponsored in honor of the late Ed Sprecher, former police chief in New Holland, and Lyons & Hohl Paving of East Earl funded another.
The tables opened on June 15 at 4 p.m. Currently, hours are Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays from 4 to 7 p.m. On Fridays, the tables are also open from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. The tables are reserved for Lickity Split customers. Each table is numbered and has a full food and ice cream menu available, and ordering instructions are included. "Right now, (customers may) order online or call from the table, and we will bring the food out to you," said Gina. Customers may order through http://www.lickitysplit.info or by calling 717-354-4986. Those who order from the tables are asked to wear a mask during the time the food is delivered. The necessary items for sanitizing are located at each table. The Dissingers intend to keep the outdoor tables open as long as the weather is conducive to outside dining.
Gina, who launched the Essential Businesses Open in New Holland Facebook page, expressed gratitude for the response she received from the community. "(The page) has been instrumental in helping all our local businesses, (and it) has brought our town together to help each other out," she said. "The town (of New Holland) has been so supportive (of us)."
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