Columbia turns 300 and bets on a comeback

The Digest

Columbia turns 300 and bets on a comeback

Columbia Borough is marking 300 years since John Wright founded it in 1726, and the story isn't just history. Downtown storefronts are now roughly 90% occupied after years of empty windows, and a wave of tattoo shops, clothing boutiques, and small operators are leaving Lancaster city for Columbia, citing cheaper rent and more room. Developer Don Murphy is also bringing the Chip Factory Hotel to town, a project projected to add 40 to 60 jobs.

The borough's anniversary calendar runs all year, with a firefighters parade on June 6, an official opening ceremony June 19, and Riverfest PA June 26-28. Columbia, we see you.

Read more at LancasterOnline →

Advocates push Lancaster city to ease its zoning rules

At a May 26 City Council meeting, affordable housing advocates pressed Lancaster leadership to relax zoning restrictions and streamline the permit process to help low-income residents. The city has completed 1,423 housing units toward its 2,000-unit goal, and 20.45% of those qualify as affordable. Council also approved $6 million for the Water Street Bike Boulevard and signed off on a 2026-30 community block grant plan expected to bring in $6.82 million for low-income housing.

1,423 down, 577 to go.

Read more at LancasterOnline →

What's happening

Monday

Mindful Monday at Ewell Plaza | Weekly family-friendly movement and meditation session downtown with on-site vendors. | 5:30 PM - 7:30 PM | Ewell Plaza & Binns Park, 100 N Queen St, Lancaster | Free

Tuesday

Rural City Beer Garden at Binns Park | Traveling beer garden series with Rural City Beer Co. pouring cold drafts on the plaza. | 5:00 PM - 8:30 PM | Ewell Plaza & Binns Park, 100 N Queen St, Lancaster | Free entry (beverages sold on site)

Free HIIT Bootcamp with LAFitness | Outdoor HIIT bootcamp on the plaza led by LAFitness trainers. Bring water, towel, and a mat. | 6:00 PM - 7:00 PM | Ewell Plaza & Binns Park, 100 N Queen St, Lancaster | Free

Improv 201 with Shannon | Tuesday session of Lancaster Improv Players' Level 201 class, building on the fundamentals from Improv 101. | 7:00 PM | Lancaster Improv Players, 16 S Prince St, Lancaster | Sliding scale $10-$20

Create a Hex Sign Workshop | Hands-on PA Dutch hex sign workshop with artists Jason and Katherine Horst. Design, paint, and take one home. | 7:00 PM | Horst Arts Center, 17 N Main St, Manheim | $65.87

Tellus 360 Trivia Night | Weekly trivia at the Irish pub on East King Street. Gather a team and play through several rounds. | 7:00 PM | Tellus 360, 24 E King St, Lancaster | Free

Wednesday

String Art Workshop | Hands-on workshop building a custom string-art piece from templates or your own design. Ages 13+. | 1:00 PM & 7:00 PM | Horst Arts Center, 17 N Main St, Manheim | Check ticket page

Lancaster's Backyard Cornhole League | Weekly Switcholio-format cornhole night downtown with random partners each round and an 80% payout to winners. | 6:30 PM - 9:30 PM | Ewell Plaza & Binns Park, 100 N Queen St, Lancaster | $10 per player

Improv 101 with Mike | Lancaster Improv Players' beginner-level class. Learn the fundamentals of long-form improv in a low-pressure setting. | 7:00 PM | Lancaster Improv Players, 16 S Prince St, Lancaster | Sliding scale $10-$20

Now Playing

All Shook Up | Elvis-fueled jukebox musical inspired by Shakespeare's Twelfth Night, with dinner-and-show packages. Runs through June 20. | Tue 7:30 PM · Wed 1 PM & 7:30 PM | Dutch Apple Dinner Theatre, 510 Centerville Rd, Lancaster | $32-$83 (dinner & show)

Ned & Nancy See America | Brand-new musical comedy from Blue Gate about a retired couple's cross-country RV trip gone hilariously wrong. Runs through July 25. | Mon-Wed showtimes vary (check box office) | Bird-in-Hand Stage, 2760 Old Philadelphia Pike, Bird-in-Hand | Show only $47 adult / $18 child; Dinner & Show $73.50 / $34

Choir Boy | Tarell Alvin McCraney's coming-of-age drama at a prestigious prep school, soundtracked by gospel music. Final week, runs through June 7. | Wed 7:30 PM | Ephrata Performing Arts Center, 320 Cocalico St, Ephrata | $35-$54 ($15 student rush)

Live music

Monday

Open Mic Artist Sessions w/ Henry Devorick | Open Mic / Singer-Songwriter | 7:00 PM | Tellus 360, 24 E King St, Lancaster | Free

Tuesday

Acoustic Open Mic | Open Mic / Acoustic | 7:30 PM | Shank's Tavern, 36 S Waterford Ave, Marietta | Free

Wednesday

Lovely Ladies of Jazz Trio | Jazz | 6:30 PM | The Greenfield Restaurant & Bar (Trellis Lounge), 595 Greenfield Rd, Lancaster | Free (no cover; dining)

William Prince with Ric Robertson | Folk / Americana | 7:30 PM | West Art, 816 Buchanan Ave, Lancaster | $25 advance / $30 door