Bobcat Creamery in Manchester to reopen after previously announcing it would close

A week after it announced it would be closing its doors for good, the Bobcat Creamery said Tuesday it will be back open at the end of this week. 

The Manchester restaurant posted on Facebook that it will be reopening Friday with a "limited food and full ice cream menu."

The store's new hours will be 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday. 

The decision comes just over a week after the store announced it would be closing permanently. 

On May 18, the restaurant posted on Facebook that it would no longer operate due to the economic strain caused by the coronavirus pandemic. 

"It is with a heavy heart we announce the closing of the Bobcat Creamery," the post on Facebook said. "These times are tough with this virus and not being able to operate. These new restrictions are going to make it impossible to operate and be profitable."

The post drew hundreds of replies from customers who were sad to see the establishment close its doors.

In a phone call Wednesday morning, owner Brian Klinger said the business originally decided to close due to a lack of customers and its inability to convert to a takeout operation. 

However, Klinger said he and his wife, Wendy, weren't aware how much the establishment meant to the community. When they saw how many people were disappointed to see them close, they decided to give the business another shot. 

Klinger said he realizes now he should have posted on social media and let the community know the business needed more support before announcing it would close. 

"We should have put something out there asking the public for more help," Klinger said. "Not handouts, just more business. I had people telling me to start a GoFundMe, but I didn't want to do that. I have other businesses which is one reason (the Bobcat Creamery) has survived as long as it has. I'm not looking to make a huge profit with it, just to break even and have something for the kids and the school. 

"The outcry from the community that they would support us was overwhelming so we decided to give it another shot." 

The restaurant's post Tuesday about its reopening drew close to 100 comments from people happy to see the establishment running again. Many commented that they will be supporting the restaurant soon. 

The Bobcat Creamery also posted pictures Tuesday of some student-age workers getting the restaurant ready for Friday. High school students have helped operate the business as managers. 

Restaurants in Pennsylvania are only allowed to offer carryout or delivery until all restrictions are lifted.

A number of York County restaurants have closed due to economic fallout from the pandemic. Bald Hills Distillery in the Dover area plans to close by the end of the month.

Matt Allibone is a sports reporter for GameTimePA. He can be reached at 717-881-8221, mallibone@ydr.com or on Twitter at @bad2theallibone. 

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