By Bethany Hofstetter

Published: Tuesday, January 15, 2013, 1:10 p.m.
Updated: Wednesday, January 16, 2013

After almost four years of sitting vacant, the building formerly The Little Brown Jug restaurant in Shaler Township came down last week.

Crews from Pampena Landscape and Construction of Plum were on site to tear down the structure that had been vacant and falling into disrepair since March 17, 2009 when a fire destroyed the property.

“It was a hazard and an eye sore,” said Lori Voegtly Mizgorski, township commissioner for Ward 2, who has fond memories of the small Bauerstown neighborhood restaurant.

“We had hoped for a very long time it could be remodeled and made into something new that would be a viable part of the community, but that wasn't going to happen, so we were left with no other choice.”

The Shaler Township Board of Commissioners condemned the structure in October and in December approved Pampena Landscape and Construction for the demolition project for $6,850.

Pampena crews planned to complete demolition earlier this week. Demolition was slowed because crews were trying to recycle as many materials and metal from the site as possible.

The property owners, David Candle and La Buena Comida LLC, had requested the demolition be delayed because they had a potential buyer and if the building was demolished the sale would not go through.

But township officials said they could not wait.

“We'll make the site safe,” said Tim Rogers, township manager. “Then site will be clean and should be available for sale.”

Rogers said a sale is pending and might close next month.

“Hopefully it will be a fresh new start (for the site) and something that would contribute to the Bauerstown community,” Mizgorski said.

Bethany Hofstetter is a staff writer for Trib Total Media. She can be reached at 724-772-6364 or bhofstetter@tribweb.com.

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