For the past six months Terry Bender, a self-proclaimed man of vision when he sees certain places, has been working diligently with his crew to renovate, rebuild, restore and prepare the Alburtis Tavern and Lodge, 106 S. Main St. Alburtis, for its reopening.

"It took six months but I'm so glad it's open now," Bender said. "I had this vision and just kept going, going, going. I knew I could do this and had the support of the community, the borough and family. I wanted to bring what used to be here back. It was like starting over. We got everything people wanted or asked for and more. I love this town," said Bender, who has already shown his philanthropic side in the community by sponsoring the Alburtis 5K in August.

Bender's greatest wish since he first saw the old hotel was to provide an all-family oriented casual restaurant for people in Alburtis and nearby communities to enjoy themselves. He will be employing 40 or more people with 30 people hired so far.

Bender had his share of challenges restoring the building. He and his crew raised the foundation when it was discovered the building was not level.

Future plans include an outdoor dining area on the recently built large wooden deck. Still under construction is a rooftop patio over the new kitchen in the back of the hotel where train lovers will be able to watch the trains go by as they dine outside.

Inside patrons will find old signs, photos and memorabilia about trains. Hanging over the extended bar are railroad lanterns. There are three large televisions which can be seen from many angles. To the left of the bar is a new dining area named "Caboose" with wagon-wheel chandeliers and additional railroad lanterns.

The first floor of Alburtis Tavern and Lodge is for fellowship and dining and for those nights when people don't want to cook. They also have a take out menu filled with a wide variety of food.

The second and third floors over the tavern are for lodgers. There are six rooms and a laundry room on the second floor and six rooms and an office on the third floor; all have been completely renovated and furnished.

To oversee his hotel rooms, apartments and commercial space, Bender has opened Bender Property Management run by Property Manager Jamie Shaffer who is presently conducting tours of the lodging area.

All rooms are furnished with cable television, WiFi, a small kitchennette with a microwave, a small refrigerator with a freezer, kitchen cabinets and a private bath with a shower and sink. There is a laundry room on the second floor with a washer and dryer and a place to hang clothes when taking them out of the dryer.

There are surveillance cameras throughout the building which will be monitored.

Family, friends, Alburtis Borough Council members and The Press were invited to the soft opening Nov. 27.

"I tasted everything on the menu," friend Jeff Dietz said. "The Dietz burger is named after me. It's a burger with a fried egg, cheese and bacon."

"Nobody does things like Terry Bender. He is a marketing guru, a genius," friend Dr. J. P. Orlando said.