WEST PENN TOWNSHIP -- The landmark Leiby's Restaurant and ice cream parlor in Schuylkill County is making a comeback.
The original owners retired and closed Leiby's back in 2007. Now some of their relatives are restoring the restaurant.
There are no longer any "for sale" signs in front of the old Leiby's Restaurant near Tamaqua. The place found a buyer and will soon be back in business.
Rumors of a return ran rampant last month when the new owners accidentally launched the restaurant's website before the sale was finalized.
Within a day, they were flooded with past patrons who sent more than 2,000 emails.
"As much of a headache as it caused, seeing the community's response to all of that, that was something."
For many, this restaurant was part of the community, known for its one-of-a kind pies and old fashioned ice cream parlor experience.
The place closed in 2007 when the original owners retired after running the busy business seven days a week for more than 30 years.
"We all thought it'd be such a great thing to come back!" said new owner Daniel Leiby.
Daniel Leiby and his father are in the process of restoring the restaurant. The two are cousins of the original owners and still bear the Leiby name.
John Leiby was five years old when the place was built. Now in his 50s, he plans to help his son restore it.
"We want to take it back to as close as we can get it to what it was," said John Leiby.
Although a lot was auctioned off after the place originally closed, the Leibys found a few gems to help them with the restoration. An ice cream marquee that had all the Leiby ice cream flavors will be restored, and they found the recipes for the famous Leiby pies.
The owners hope to have the restored restaurant open in five months.
