About Us
Nestled in the heart of downtown Myerstown, DoGood’s Tavern is more than just a restaurant , it’s the latest chapter of a building with deep roots in the community, and a bright future ahead.
The story begins at 2 E. Main Avenue, a historic location that once housed the Myerstown Department Store, a significant local hub for shopping and gathering. Established prior to 1870 as Donges & Stoner Department Store, by 1905 it had been renamed the Myerstown Department Store. Notably, the store featured one of the first open stairways on the east coast. The building’s upper floors served various purposes over the years, including apartments and a third-floor lodge or town meeting hall.
In the mid-20th century, the location became home to the Buy-Rite Food Market operated by the Fulk family who served the community with warmth and dedication for many years. Eventually, the market transitioned into the Buy-Rite Thrift Store offering hand-picked antiques, collectibles, woodcrafts, art, toys, jewelry, books and more, appealing to collectors and nostalgia enthusiasts .
In 2016, owners Steve Hansen, Keith Buchter, and Kenny Gechter, also behind Ozgood’s Neighborhood Grill & Bar in Robesonia and Kutztown, purchased the property. Fast forward to June 25, 2018, the Myerstown borough council unanimously approved an economic development license for the sale of alcoholic beverages at what would become DoGood’s Tavern. This milestone marked more than just a business approval, it was a symbolic step toward revitalizing Myerstown’s downtown. The Myerstown vitality partnership described the moment perfectly:
“It was a key addition to the long-term plan to revitalize Myerstown, like a ray of sunshine. DoGood’s has rapidly become a Lebanon County destination and source of pride for the people of Myerstown. It is the definition of a win-win for the community and the restaurant.”
By 2019, the building underwent a full transformation. From the roof to the foundation, every detail was thoughtfully restored and reimagined. The renovation transformed the space into a modern yet nostalgic tavern, featuring a beautifully remodeled interior that pays homage to the building’s history. It boasts warm and inviting dining rooms with wainscoted walls, layered with tasteful colors and textures and artwork, and a one-of-a-kind bar skillfully constructed around the two massive fireplace mantels salvaged from the former Harrisburg Senate Hotel.
Despite construction delays due to the pandemic, DoGood’s Tavern officially opened its doors in September 2021, and immediately became a vibrant gathering place, a proud symbol of local renewal, connection, and continuity
Story Bites
Behind The Name
“DoGood” is a nod to Silence Dogood, the pen name famously used by Ben Franklin in 1722, and also a tribute to our good dog Ben whose spirit continues to inspire us. DoGood felt like the perfect name for the kind of welcoming, community-driven tavern we envisioned here in downtown Myerstown, a place where good food, good company, and doing good come together.
Our Motto
ASPICE, RESPICE, PROSPICE
Look to the present. Reflect on the past. Imagine the future.
We stay grounded in the present, making sure every guest feels welcomed and cared for. We honor the past, the rich history of this building and town, and the memory of our beloved Ben. And we look ahead with purpose and hope, always striving to Do Good for our community, our guests, and the causes close to our hearts.
It’s a simple phrase with deep meaning that we’re proud to live by every day, and we’re glad you are part of this journey.
The Cigar Factory
Myerstown was once a hub for cigar manufacturing, contributing significantly to Lebanon County’s prominence in the tobacco industry during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. The historical structure located behind the main building operated as a cigar factory in the late 1800s. To make room for the kitchen and patio enclosure, with preservation in mind, this almost abandoned log house was carefully dismantled, moved and reconstructed at its new location on Cherry Alley in Schaefferstown, PA.
Artwork and Design
Every corner of DoGood’s Tavern was designed and built by the hands of our talented team of craftsmen who brought their skill, vision and care into every detail. The wood for the tables, booths, bar and columns, windows, wainscoting and trim was milled from locally fallen trees or acquired at auctions. Antique mantels were repurposed into the back bar’s architectural features. The schoolhouse lighting fixtures that were once part of the lodge on the third floor were thoughtfully restored for the front bar and high-top tables. The vintage pineapple sconces acquired from a Philadelphia auction house were the design element that inspired everything else. The walls feature pieces of art and mirrors from Steve and Lori’s private collection.
Our logos and menus were beautifully designed by Mike Bachleda from Bachleda Studio in Schaefferstown, the signs and awning were crafted by Scott Adams from Quality Awnings & Signs in Robesonia, the booths and windows were fabricated by Roger Stanislaw of Wernersville. We’re also grateful for the talent and creativity of Jesse Moser & Rodney Miske who bring our seasonal outdoor arrangements to life!
Before and After Renovation
The building underwent a full transformation. From the roof to the foundation, every detail was carefully restored and reimagined. The renovation transformed the space into a modern yet nostalgic tavern, featuring a beautifully remodeled interior that pays homage to the building’s history. It boasts warm and inviting dining rooms with wainscoted walls, layered with tasteful colors and textures and artwork, and a one-of-a-kind bar skillfully constructed around the two massive fireplace mantels salvaged from the former Harrisburg Senate Hotel.
Deepest thanks and special recognition to Brad Teel of formerly Teel Home Improvements, whose incredible, versatile craftmanship is behind every inch of our beautiful restaurant! Brad recently joined DoGood’s team on a full-time basis as Maintenance Manager.
Our Bar’s History
The centerpiece of our tavern, the back bar, was designed around two striking antique mantels salvaged from the historic Senate Hotel in Harrisburg. These massive pieces, rich in architectural detail, were purchased at auction, where they were donated by the Historic Harrisburg Association. HHA salvaged them among a large variety of key architectural elements in the mid 1990’s.
The rest of the bar structure is crafted from solid black walnut, selected for its warmth, richness and timeless character. The same black walnut was used in the front bar as well, tying the space together with natural elegance. And it’s all crowned with a stunning slab of thoughtfully chosen natural quartzite, offering a clean, refined contrast to the organic beauty of the wood.
Every drink we pour is a tribute to the skilled hands that brought this bar to life, and to its interesting history.
