HISTORY OF THE TOWN HALL LANDMARK BUILDING
At the turn of the century; when the Wright Brothers were beginning
to test flight, Henry Ford was still designing the model T, and construction
began on the immense, but unsinkable Titantic; Miles Rudy, had his own
vision for the town of Lititz. Rudy, a prominent Lititz resident, desired
to build a Town Hall building to be used by the community. In 1900, "Rudy's
Hall" was opened as a meeting place for lodge orders, and entertainment
events which prodeeds benefited the Lititz Hose Company.
In the early 1900s, many a horse drawn carriage supplied the first floor
with patrons for a market, bakery shop, and barber shop. The second floor
provided a large open space suitable for an indoor basketball court and
a theater to view silent pictures. The third floor was an essential area
for lodge meetings, and a ballroom for specialty dances. The Lititz Military
Band reserved this room for their practive sessions.
Ralph Spacht purchased Rudy's Hall in 1926 and transformed the building
into a showcase for fine furniture, Belgian tapestries, and Persian rugs.
In addition, the building served as a comforting funeral parlor for Spacht's
funeral directing establishment. Spacht's attention to detail and customer
satisfaction created a successful business which spanned over fifty years
and remained "Spacht's Furniture" and funeral home under the direction
of his son, William Spacht.
William Bell, Sr. purchased the building, in 1982, for his "Lititz Book
Store", open for retail business on the first floor. As the business expanded,
under the operation of his son, William Bell, Jr. the second and third
floor were used as storage for office product supplies and office furniture
until the construction of their new location at the Flyaway Business Park.
As we pass forward to the twenty-first century, Wes and Lisa Terry,
purchased the "Town Hall Landmark Building" with the desire to remodel,
and beautify the structure while retaining the historical charm of this
102 year old building. On July 1, 2002 A Perfect Blend opened a tea room,
gift shop and tea bar cafe on the first floor. |
