It’s an extraordinary combination: the pastoral beauty of Lancaster County; the small-town charm and history of Ephrata; and a 50-year-old family business offering exclusive designer wardrobes for the entire family, unusual fashions for the home, world-class fine dining, and luxurious comfort at historic bed & breakfast inns…all presented in the best small-town traditions of hospitality and attention to customer service.

C. Paul Donecker and his son, Bill, instituted the mail-order C. Paul Donecker Club Plan in 1949, when Bill decided that starting a business with his father would be at least as valuable an education as attending college. In 1957, the current Store location at 409 North State Street was purchased, and the old tobacco warehouse there was transformed into a furniture and dry goods showroom for the Club Plan.

The entire family, including Bill’s mother, wife and sister became involved in 1961, when Bill and his father opened a dress shop in three second-floor apartments at the rear of the building. By 1968, they launched The Carriage Room, a boutique of better dresses, and the ladies’ traditional sportswear department, now known as The Loft.

The family purchased a children’s clothing store in Shillington in 1968, and four years later, moved the store, renamed Young World, to add 6,000 square feet to their Ephrata location. An additional 6,000 square foot addition to 409 North State Street made way for The Men’s Store in 1978, and the company further diversified its offerings in 1980, with the opening of the Home Fashions Department in the former Groff’s Grocery Store, just across Walnut Street at 333 North State Street.

An additional 7,000 square foot improvement to 409 North State Street made way for the Home Fashions Department to be relocated to the lower level of The Store, as well as enlarging the selling area on the first and second floors to 20,000 square feet.

That same year, Doneckers entered the bed & breakfast business with the opening of twelve rooms at The Guesthouse – two adjoining Victorian structures at 322 and 324 North State Street. The Guesthouse would soon expand, with the 1986 purchase of an adjoining home, to bring the total number of rooms to nineteen…a number which would more than double in less than ten years.

The 1984 launch of The Inns wasn’t Doneckers’ only grand development that year; the 333 North State Street property, vacated by the move of the Home Fashions Dept., became The Restaurant at Doneckers: an establishment based on Bill Donecker’s love of fine dining, early American tradition, and modern American flair for the unexpected. The Restaurant, adorned with many pieces from the Donecker family’s collection of 18th and 19th Century European artwork and American antiques, was conceived as – and remains – an award-winning destination for world-class fine & tavern-style dining.

The hospitality of Doneckers’ Inns grew by another ten rooms and suites in the main house and two carriage house suites with the 1988 acquisition of The 1777 House at 301 West Main Street, just a few blocks from The Store, The Restaurant and The Guesthouse. Built in 1777, the house was originally the home and shop of noted clockmaker Jacob Gorgas, later a tavern where weary travelers parked their Conestoga wagons for a night’s rest, and during the early 1900’s, the elegant "Ye Village Inne". In 1990, two luxurious multi-level loft suites were added in the property’s renovated Carriage House.

The Doneckers Story: Fifty Years of the Finest

In July of 1989, The Artworks at Doneckers was opened in the former Fleet-Air Shoe Factory at 100 North State Street, becoming a showcase for working artists and fine art galleries from around the world.

In the fall of 1992, Doneckers celebrated another grand opening at The Artworks, launching The Farmer’s Market, a new source for fresh Lancaster County produce, meats and specialties.

The summer of 1993 brought the addition of The Homestead to The Inns. A former business site and later residence of the Donecker family, the home was restored into four charming suites and rooms, each with fireplace or Jacuzzi® amenities. Located at 251 North State Street, the home was carefully appointed in the style of the other Inns: using local antiques and textiles from various periods, as well as artistically crafted furnishings from throughout the country. The Homestead’s opening brought Doneckers’ total number of unique guest rooms and suites to its present number of thirty-five.

The Ballroom opened in April, 1994, creating within The Artworks an elegant dining facility for weddings, receptions, meetings, parties and other special events for groups up to 450.

In 1995, a full-service resident florist was added to The Doneckers Community as La Fleur Boutique opened its doors at 43 West Walnut Street, in a cottage between the Fashion Store and The Gerhart House.

The company’s next grand opening event occurred in 1998, with the opening of The Christopher Radko Christmas Gallery at 100 North State Street, in The Artworks. After carrying Radko ornaments in their Home Fashions Department for years, Doneckers greatly expanded its offerings of the unique mouth-blown, hand-painted ornaments and collectibles. The Radko Gallery at Doneckers has reached "Rising Star" status, due to the extensive nature of its selection…the largest in Pennsylvania. In addition to their vast displays of ornaments, the Radko Gallery offers paintings, china, picture frames, limoge boxes, candle holders, needlepoint pillows, finials, Christmas trees, stockings, storage boxes, snow globes, tree skirts, topiaries, wreaths, garlands, lapel pins and more – all designed by Mr. Radko, and all displayed in a warm, inviting virtual luxury home interior, complete with European-influenced stucco entrance, marble and wood flooring, fluted columns, and the skillful design touch of Doneckers interior designers.

In 1999, Bill Donecker completed the circle in the evolution of the business, launching The Fine Furniture Galleries. Occupying two floors and 18,000 square feet of The Artworks with heirloom-quality furniture from Baker, Hickory Chair, Karges and other exclusive makers, plus accessories and bed linens, the Galleries are staffed by skilled interior designers who bring Donecker’s signature personal service to the new venture. The trio of galleries, including The Hickory Chair & Furniture Gallery, The Baker Fine Furniture Gallery and Leather Furniture & Sleep Gallery, feature vast selections of living room, dining room, bedroom and occasional furniture to delight both classic and contemporary tastes. A furniture enthusiast himself, Mr. Donecker touts his newest venture as "The finest of furniture at the lowest possible prices."

The Galleries now encompass 4 floors and over 48,000 square feet. Century, Henredon and E.J. Victor Galleries have been added to the esteemed list of companies represented. In addition, we feature a wonderful selection of Maitland-Smith accessories, La Barge mirrors and occasional furniture, spectacular lamps, and original fine art.

The Doneckers Community has grown into a center of excitement and activity for everyone – with trunk shows, concerts, wine tastings, fashion shows, art exhibits, demonstrations and more – all while maintaining the beauty, history and tradition of Ephrata, the small town where it all began.

Your Designer will help you create the perfect ensemble: piece by piece, department by department.