From a 1973 Chicken House to a Lancaster County Institution: 50 Years of Collision Repair

Ephrata, United States – May 23, 2026 / Barry’s Paint Shop /

Barry’s Paint Shop marks its 50th anniversary in 2026, celebrating five decades of collision repair service rooted in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania. What started in 1973 as a hobby in a chicken house has grown into a multi-location operation that has served generations of vehicle owners across the region. The milestone reflects not only the longevity of the business but the sustained commitment of the people who have carried it forward.

From a Chicken House to a County Institution

The story of Barry’s Paint Shop begins with Barry Burkholder, who in 1973 began repairing and painting vehicles out of a repurposed chicken house. That informal operation proved popular enough that Burkholder formalized the business, opening a dedicated shop in Ephrata in 1975. Just one year later, in 1976, the business brought on its first employee – a signal that what had started as a solo venture was becoming something larger.

Over the following decades, Barry’s Paint Shop built a reputation in Lancaster County on consistent work and community familiarity. Burkholder’s approach emphasized craftsmanship and reliability, values that became embedded in the business long before its current chapter began.

Expansion Across Lancaster County

Growth at Barry’s has been deliberate and geographically focused within the county. In 2010, the brand expanded with the opening of Barry’s Automotive in Neffsville, extending its reach beyond Ephrata. In 2016, the business acquired Roy’s Body Shop, adding another service point to its growing footprint. That location was rebranded as Lititz Collision LLC in 2022, and in March 2023, it launched Lititz Collision & Repair, completing a transition that brought the full brand family into alignment across three distinct Lancaster County communities – Ephrata, Neffsville, and Lititz among others.

This geographic presence reflects a strategy that has prioritized local accessibility over outward expansion, keeping the business tied to the communities where Barry Burkholder first established his name.

New Ownership, Continuous Legacy

In January 2020, ownership of Barry’s Paint Shop transferred to Daryl Horst, Gerald Hoover, and Eric Burkholder – the team currently leading the business. The transition brought in a combination of operational experience and family continuity, with Eric Burkholder representing a direct connection to the founder’s lineage.

Under the current ownership, the business has pursued formal quality benchmarks that reinforce the shop’s commitment to consistent standards. I-CAR Gold Class certification and recognition through AAA serve as third-party validations of the technical and service standards the team maintains across locations. These credentials reflects the tagline, “You will feel the difference” – a standard that runs through each of the brand’s three locations and defines how the business measures its own performance.

Multiple Locations, One Standard

Today, the Barry’s brand family operates across Ephrata, Neffsville, and Lititz, with each location offering collision repair services under the quality standards established over five decades. The original Ephrata shop remains the anchor of the operation, while Barry’s Automotive in Neffsville and Lititz Collision & Repair provide expanded regional access for Lancaster County drivers.

The 50-year milestone also reinforces the durability of a business model grounded in community service rather than rapid scaling. From a single chicken house operation to a recognized multi-location presence in one of Pennsylvania’s most active counties, Barry’s Paint Shop has remained a Lancaster County story from start to present.

About Barry’s Paint Shop

Barry’s Paint Shop is a Lancaster County, Pennsylvania collision repair business with locations in Ephrata, Parkesburg, and Lititz. Founded in 1973 by Barry Burkholder, the business has operated continuously for over 50 years. Current owners Daryl Horst, Gerald Hoover, and Eric Burkholder have led the company since January 2020. The business holds I-CAR Gold Class certification and is recognized by AAA.

Learn more at Barry’s Paint Shop