Good Neighbor Craft House thankful for warm community welcome, dine-in service to start February
By Christopher Miller
HYNER, PA – It has been a busy few weeks for Good Neighbor Craft House in the spot formerly occupied by Conti’s and Carmella Room in the village of Hyner. But for owners Kate and Vinnie Kishbaugh it has been a very positive experience for them and their new business.
“We had no idea what to expect,” said Kate Kishbaugh in an interview with The Record. “Overall I think we exceeded expectations since we were not sure what it would be like to open the restaurant, it has been great.”
For the time being the restaurant has been able to serve many people who live in the immediate area which is great, but others have slowly started to trickle in from outside of western Clinton County. “We’ve had a lot of friends and family coming up from Lock Haven and Jersey Shore to try our food, and that will only increase when we begin eat-in service next month,” Kate said.
That is correct for those who have been wondering – eat-in service at Good Neighbor Craft House will begin as early as the first week of February. “Please check our social media and website for more details on the official date and expanded hours for dine-in service,” Kate said.
“When people come in to pick up their orders, if they had been in the building prior to us owning it they look around and say things like, “oh I haven’t been in here in decades,” and it brings back a good sense of nostalgia for them,” Kate said. “We have had the same customers here multiple times and they are equally as excited each time to come in!”
Chef Vinnie chimed in saying that the hot sellers so far have been the Chopped Cheese and Beef Dip sandwiches, Soft Pretzels and the Cannoli Dippers. “People are also beginning to reach out to us for catering options, we have had requests for information regarding weddings, parties, showers, and even a reunion,” Kate said.
While the general public is excited for the food options available, they are also curious about the availability of alcoholic beverages. “We met with PLCB on Wednesday for the interview and to complete more paperwork, so the license is officially still in progress, but we are remaining hopeful that it could all be complete in another 4 to 8 weeks…I really cannot imagine it being longer than that,” Kate said.
With expanded hours coming very soon, Kate and Vinnie are still on the lookout for a few more employees. “We have an excellent team right now, but our needs could change once we open for dine-in service…it will be more convenient for people to sit and eat and there will most likely be more traffic from out-of-town looking for sit-down service,’’ Kate said. “We could use help in the kitchen then, someone who has a background in cooking would be helpful.”
An official grand opening event is being planned for late February or March depending on when the liquor license has been approved.
“We just want to say a great big thank you to the community for welcoming us and wishing us well with the new business,” Vinnie said. “Thank you all for being such warm, good neighbors.”
Please check social media and the website for updated information regarding menu and hours of operation.
