The Country Cupboard is auctioning off pieces of restaurant equipment, other items

The Country Cupboard Restaurant & Shops closed in late February.

Now, you can nab a piece of history from the 50-year-old restaurant, a one-time popular pit stop for travelers along Route 15 near Lewisburg. The PCI Auction Group in Manheim is hosing an online auction of the restaurant’s equipment and restaurant items through the end of March.

The auction, which started March 7, includes tables, chairs, kitchen equipment, decor, leftover merchandise and more. A quick scan of the lots shows placemats, commercial deep fryers, ceramic plates, rocking chairs and commercial toasters.

Country Cupboard CEO and third-generation co-owner Chris Baylor announced the restaurant’s closing in January.

“There’s not one reason why we are at this point. It’s a combination of factors,” he said, pointing to COVID restrictions, the labor crunch and skyrocketing food costs. “It just felt the timing was right and we’re at peace with it as difficult as it may be.”

Over the years the Country Cupboard, which opened in 1973 as a small restaurant, farmers market and gift shop, grew into a destination. It was known for its buffets and homestyle foods such as broasted chicken, Pennsylvania Dutch pot pie and chicken and waffles.

The auction includes more than 500 items and features a preview day from 10 a.m. -1 p.m. March 30. Those who win bids will have two days to pick up items from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. April 7-8.

This story was originally published March 8, 2022 at 3:43 PM.