Barry Burkholder’s 1973 Side Project Grew Into a Multi-Location Lancaster County Business

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

Barry’s Paint Shop is marking its 50th anniversary in 2026, celebrating five decades of collision repair service rooted in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania. What began in 1973 as an informal hobby in a repurposed chicken house has grown into a multi-location operation serving generations of vehicle owners across the region. The milestone speaks to both the longevity of the business and the sustained dedication of the people who have kept it running.

From a Chicken House to a County Institution

The origins of Barry’s Paint Shop trace back to Barry Burkholder, who in 1973 began repairing and painting vehicles out of a converted chicken house. The informal setup drew enough interest that Burkholder formalized the operation, opening a dedicated shop in Ephrata in 1975. A year later, in 1976, the business brought on its first employee – a sign that a solo venture was evolving into something more substantial.

Over the decades that followed, Barry’s Paint Shop built a steady reputation in Lancaster County through consistent work and deep community familiarity. Burkholder’s emphasis on craftsmanship and reliability became defining values of the business long before its current chapter took shape.

Expansion Across Lancaster County

Growth at Barry’s has been measured and geographically concentrated within the county. In 2010, the brand expanded with the opening of Barry’s Automotive in Neffsville, reaching beyond its Ephrata roots. In 2016, the business acquired Roy’s Body Shop, adding another service location to its footprint. That site was rebranded as Lititz Collision LLC in 2022, and in March 2023, it launched as 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 centered on local accessibility, keeping the business connected to the communities where Barry Burkholder first built 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 guiding the business. The transition combined operational experience with family continuity, as Eric Burkholder carries a direct connection to the founder’s lineage.

Under the current ownership, the business has pursued formal quality benchmarks that reinforce consistent service standards. I-CAR Gold Class certification and recognition through AAA provide third-party validation of the technical and service standards maintained across locations. These credentials reflect the tagline, “You will feel the difference” – a standard that runs through each of the brand’s three locations and shapes how the business evaluates its own performance.

Multiple Locations, One Standard

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

The 50-year milestone also underscores the durability of a business model grounded in community service rather than rapid expansion. 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 throughout its entire history.

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