Wycombe House To Reopen This Summer Under New Ownership

WRIGHTSTOWN, Pa. — The Wycombe Publick House is scheduled to reopen sometime this summer under a new name and under new ownership.

Warminster resident Jerry Driscoll, who purchased the business in March, updated the Wrightstown Township Board of Supervisors at its June work session on his plans to reopen the restaurant located on Mill Creek Road midway between the Lingohocken Fire Station and the historic Wycombe Train Station.

The restaurant is on track to reopen in late July or mid-August under a new name - the Wycombe House - serving traditional tavern fare (burgers, cheese steaks, etc.) along with a southern-influenced American cuisine menu featuring some exciting new dishes including steak smothered in pork chops, chicken fried steak, a New Orleans gumbo, bacon and bourbon stuffed chicken breast, chicken and waffles with a bourbon maple syrup among others.

“We’re not going to be a beer and shot kind of place, but also not a five star Zagat-rated restaurant. It’s going to be a place that’s comfortable for family members and their children,” said Driscoll. “I want it to be a place where I would want to take my wife and my kids to.”

Between renovations and the purchase of a liquor license, Driscoll said he is pouring more than $1.5 million into the Wycombe, including the conversion of four apartments on the second floor to handicapped accessible bathrooms, a small pool room and a private dining room for birthday parties and special occasions.

Renovations have also included what he calls “an upscale” of the entire building, including rewiring the electrical system, the installation of new plumbing and addressing structural issues with the structure.

In addition, the Wycombe is getting a new bar, a new bar top, new ceilings and a fresh coat of paint.

Driscoll told the supervisors he would also like to add a 48 square foot handicapped accessible entryway at the rear of the restaurant so patrons will no longer have to walk to the front of the establishment to gain access.

The addition would extend five feet from the side of the building, provide access to the main dining area for the handicapped and include an ADA compliant restroom.

“Not only would we be able to better accommodate the handicapped, there would be a bathroom right there and it would also make it easier to access the outdoor dining area without having to go through the entire restaurant,” said Driscoll.

He also will be seeking a change of use to create an outdoor dining and bar area, which had been operated under the previous owners during COVID.

“The Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board has approved the area for outdoor serving,” said Driscoll. “It is pretty much expected for restaurant facilities, especially this one, which had it during COVID. The former patrons and customers did enjoy that and we’re looking to continue
that.”

The outdoor area would include a small fire pit, seating for between 20 and 25 people and a limited bar. He’d also like to offer amplified acoustic music on weekend afternoons from 2 to 6 p.m.

“I am concerned about the noise levels as I want to be very compliant with that,” he told the supervisors.

Supervisor Charles Pogonowski said while the previous owners continued outdoor dining after the pandemic, the area has never been set up officially for the use under the township’s ordinances.

“It’s not something that can’t be done,” he added. “We just need to go through the process so it doesn’t interfere with the neighborhood.

“We have another business in town that sometimes has music that causes inconvenience to the neighbors and we have to deal with it,” said Pogonowski. “As we change to a new owner at the Wycombe we want to make sure that the ambiance in the neighborhood is maintained, that you’re
able to be successful and at the same time we don’t want to be getting calls from neighbors asking what did we do, what did we approve?”

Pogonowski recommended that Driscoll focus on securing the building permit for the entryway and opening up the restaurant.

After the restaurant is open, Pogonowski said Driscoll could then work on securing approvals for the outdoor dining, which might not happen until next year anyway due to the waning season.

“I hope things work out really well for you. Many of us over the years have frequented the Wycombe so we’re used to going there. So we really want to see it opened up again,” said Pogonowski . “Let’s get your restaurant open and then work these other issues out,” he said.