The Alburtis Tavern has grown with the addition of banquet facilities which officially opened Nov. 23.

Terry Bender opened the Alburtis Tavern in November 2013.

In an interview with The Press in December 2013, owner Terry Bender told Press reporter Loretta Fenstermacher it took six months to rebuild, restore and prepare the Alburtis Tavern and Lodge, a former hotel, for its reopening.

“I had this vision and just kept going, going, going. I knew I could do this and had the support of the community, the borough and family. I wanted to bring what used to be here back. It was like starting over. We got everything people wanted or asked for and more. I love this town,” Bender said in the Dec. 4, 2013 interview.

Almost two years later, Bender met with The Press to discuss the acquisition of the building next to the tavern and the renovation which took approximately six months.

Bender said he had been trying to buy the building next to the Alburtis Tavern for months. The deal was signed the morning of the Buckeye Tavern fire.

The bottom floor of the new building has been completely renovated into a large banquet room and a smaller banquet room. The rooms are suitable for parties, graduations, shows and more.

The new bar in the banquet facility was built with wood from the barns at the Buckeye Tavern which were removed for parking in the back.

Above the banquet facilities are rooms being renovated into 15 one and two bedroom suites.

The Press had an inside look Nov. 25 prior to the near sold-out crowd expected for Thanksgiving dinner Nov. 26.

The Lockridge Room and the Caboose Room can accommodate small and large events.

Bender has also purchased additional buildings next to the tavern. He has plans for a pizza shop and a Laundromat. In the back of the buildings, Bender plans to build a courtyard and provide additional parking for patrons.

“We are very happy here,” Bender said, referring to the borough of Alburtis. “We have been very busy.”

Bender believes in the importance of being a good member of the community.

All proceeds from the sale of Lockridge Lager, a signature beer brewed specifically for the tavern, are presented each month to the fire company.

Bender also will sponsor the surrey rides at the Alburtis Holiday scheduled Dec. 6.

Plans are to provide additional suites in the newly acquired buildings since there is a wait list for the suites above the Alburtis Tavern.

Les Schoenberger, of Emmaus, enjoyed Thanksgiving dinner at the Alburtis Tavern.

“It’s as good, if not better, than the Buckeye,” Schoenberger said referring to the Alburtis Tavern. “Everybody is happy.”

To celebrate the two year anniversary of the Alburtis Tavern, Bender held a sold-out Neil Diamond tribute show Nov. 29 with impersonator Tom Sadge. Bender thanked everyone for attending and told a few jokes, a tradition he started at the Buckeye Tavern to get the crowd ready for the show.

Bender then told the over 125 guests they could keep a special glass on the table as a gift and bought the patrons a drink as a thank you for their support.

“What a night,” Bender said following the show, as he shook hands and thanked the guests for attending.

To all who have not been to the Alburtis Tavern yet, Bender said, “Come see what everyone is talking about.”