×

Inlow’s Drive-In will reopen under new ownership

DUNCANSVILLE — Inlow’s Drive-In will have new owners when it reopens for business.

Greg Werstil, owner of Werstil Companies, and Duane Della, owner of Bickel’s Surplus Too, are buying the business as a partnership from Ernie Ayers and his wife, Georgette, as well as Ayers’ brother-in-law, Bill Gildea, and his wife, Diana.

Werstil is excited about the venture.

“I have been a fan and a customer for 20-plus years,” Werstil said. “It breaks my heart to see it closed. Ernie Ayers wants to retire. I am there frequently. They had a great staff and product.”

Inlow’s closed March 16 as a result of the coronavirus pandemic.

Inlow’s Drive-In was founded by Viola Inlow in 1949. It was always known for its footlong hot dogs, which sold for 35 cents back when it opened.

Werstil, whose office is nearby, often used Inlow’s as a meeting place.

“It was my off-premises office. We had a joke that if he shut down, I had to buy it,” he said.

Werstil is making some changes to the business.

“I want to accept credit cards to make it more accessible for customers,” he said. “We are making some COVID-friendly changes. We are bringing ice cream back. We will have a to-go window and online ordering. We will provide outdoor seating and a video board and will pave the parking lot.”

There will also be some minor changes to the menu.

“Our goal is to change as little as possible,” Werstil said. “We liked it the way it was. The foot-long hot dog is our flagship item. It may be better — we are talking to several hot dog vendors. It may end up being a better hot dog. Our coleslaw will be the same.”

Ayers, 69, is pleased to be selling the business to Werstil and Della.

“I am of the age to retire,” he said. “It will be a blessing to transition away from it. It is a local fixture. We are proud to have had 26 years of it. Maybe the pandemic was a blessing. It is easy to slide out — my wife retired. We can enjoy our senior years.

“I am very happy with the plans Greg has for it. It will be a fun place. We ran it as an old-time diner. Greg will bring it up a notch. I am excited for them to do well.”

The deal is expected to close by the end of this month, and Werstil hopes to reopen Oct. 1.

Most of Inlow’s former employees will be returning.

“He had about 20 employees, all were laid off,” Werstil said. “We offered them a chance to return, and most are coming back. We are keeping all of the cooks.”

Inlow’s will be open seven days a week, but specific hours have not been determined, Werstil said.

Mirror Staff writer Walt Frank is at 946-7467.

NEWSLETTER

Today's breaking news and more in your inbox

I'm interested in (please check all that apply)
Are you a paying subscriber to the newspaper? *
   

COMMENTS

[vivafbcomment]

Starting at $4.39/week.

Subscribe Today