Restaurant

By JENNIFER FITCHwaynesboro@herald-mail.com MERCERSBURG, Pa. - A historic building on Mercersburg's center square has had many incarnations over the years but has returned to being a restaurant through the efforts of a Greencastle, Pa., man. John Flannery worked in manufacturing for 17 years but "just always dreamed of having a nice restaurant/lounge. " He drove past the circa-1800 stone building many times from his Greencastle home to practices for the baseball team he coached in Mercersburg.

HAGERSTOWN -- A local barbecue restaurant might put Hagerstown on the culinary map Monday when the results of a grilling contest are announced on "Live! with Regis and Kelly. " Hempen Hill BBQ Bar & Grill's Chorizo Burger is one of the five finalists in the show's Ultimate Hometown Grill-Off burger category. Jason Vogel, the restaurant's executive chef, appeared in a video segment on Friday morning's show, talking about his burger creation. The video also is available online at the show's Web site ( www.LiveRegisandKelly.

Plans for a Golden Corral restaurant were approved Monday night by the Washington County Planning Commission. The 1,661-square-foot restaurant is to be built at Valley Mall, near Firestone, according to plans. It will have access to interior roads in the mall, and the developer will add 149 parking spaces for the restaurant. Plans estimate that the restaurant will serve 1,000 customers per day.

FREDERICK, Md. - The Golden Corral Restaurant on Spectrum Drive in Frederick will host a Veterans Appreciation Day ceremony Monday at 3:30 p.m. Veterans are invited to eat at the restaurant free of charge. Scheduled speakers for a 3:30 p.m. ceremony include U.S. Rep. Roscoe Bartlett, State Sen. Alex Mooney and Del. Rick Weldon. A proclamation from President Bush will be read.

The Board of License Commissioners for Washington County on Wednesday granted a liquor license to the co-owners of the Hard Times Cafe at 1705 Massey Blvd. Co-owner Joseph Szekeres said he plans to open the restaurant in September. The Hard Times Cafe is a restaurant chain that serves chili, burgers, wings and other items, according to the company's Web site. - Dan Dearth

waynesboro@herald-mail.com WAYNESBORO, Pa. - About 30 people showed up at a job fair Monday seeking management and salaried employment at a KFC fast-food restaurant. The restaurant is scheduled to open in July in Washington Township, near Rouzerville, Pa., by Aarsand & Co., company officials said Monday. The daylong job fair was held in the basement of the Always There Hook & Ladder Fire Co. on South Potomac Street. Sharon Smith, human resources director for Aarsand & Co., in Hunt Valley, Md., said a second job fair will be held in June for hourly paid restaurant workers.

The Burger Park U.S.A. fast-food restaurant on Northern Avenue has closed temporarily for remodeling, co-owner Tom Sutton said Friday. The Burger Park is being remodeled into a Freddie's Express, said Sutton. Sutton and family members own the Burger Parks as well as Freddie's Corner sub shops. Sutton said he hopes the changes will help improve business at the Northern Avenue restaurant. Freddie's Express is expected to open on Friday, Aug. 15, after closing on Aug. 1, he said.

A Williamsport restaurant that could open as early as Monday was granted a liquor license Wednesday by the Board of License Commissioners for Washington County. Before the Governor's Landing Deli & Restaurant receives its liquor license, the owners must provide the commissioners with proof that the business has passed fire and health inspections, said Robert L. Everhart, commission chairman. Mike Fotta, the manager of Governor's Landing, at 10212 Governor Lane Blvd., Suite 1012, said the restaurant will serve steaks, subs, seafood and several other items.

Chipotle, a Mexican restaurant opening in Hagerstown, is holding fundraisers for two local high schools. The first will be for South Hagerstown High School on Nov. 28 from 5 to 8 p.m. The second will be for North Hagerstown High School on Nov. 29, also from 5 to 8 p.m. Both nights, people can pay $5 at the door for a burrito, tortilla chips, salsa and a drink, according to a Chipotle press release. All of the money will go to the schools. The restaurant will open for business Nov. 30 at 18003 Garland Groh Blvd.

Restaurant seeks permit to serve alcohol outdoors The owners of The Rhubarb House, a restaurant and catering business at 12 Public Square in Hagerstown, are requesting permission from the Hagerstown City Council to serve alcohol at outdoor tables. The City Council is reviewing an agreement that would allow the business owners, John D. and Shellie C. Ralston, to serve alcohol at tables in the area between the front of the restaurant and a planter on Public Square. Councilman J. Wallace McClure said Tuesday he opposes the agreement because it would allow alcohol to be served.