Grant Funding Awarded to Gingerbread Man Owner

On Thursday, December 16, a fire broke out at the Mechanicsburg Gingerbread Man around 10:24 p.m. damaging a third-floor apartment above the restaurant located at 26 W. Main Street.

No one was injured and the 13 individuals who lived above the restaurant have evacuated and are being helped by the Red Cross.

Rebecca Yearick, Community and Business Development Manager, Redevelopment Authority of Cumberland County and overseer of the About Face! Grant for the Downtown Mechanicsburg Partnership, said that they are pleased to award owner Richard Phelan a $5,000 grant, which will help Phelan repair the damage caused by last night's fire. "We applaud, once again, the exceptional work of the Mechanicsburg Fire Department and mutual aid responders in battling the blaze," said Yearick.

Phelan's plans, according to Yearick, are to open the business as a new Gingerbread Man, with promotions and events like in its early years. Phelan had started renovations on the first floor, while working to add apartment to the third floor. Yearick has been working with Phelan on the project and his application to the PLCB for an economic development liquor license. "The Partnership recognizes the importance of this project in continuing our collective movement to revitalize Downtown Mechanicsburg and preserve our architectural treasures. Phelan's project does both--and then some. The Partnership is proud to provide this About Face! funding to assure that this landmark business and building are not only a part of our proud past, but our promising future," she said.