How a 1973 Chicken House Became a Three-Location Collision Repair Business Over 50 Years

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

Barry’s Paint Shop is marking its 50th anniversary in 2026, recognizing five decades of collision repair service grounded in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania. The business traces its origins to 1973, when what began as a hobby in a repurposed chicken house gradually developed into a multi-location operation serving generations of vehicle owners throughout 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 history of Barry’s Paint Shop starts with Barry Burkholder, who in 1973 began repairing and painting vehicles out of a converted chicken house. The informal setup attracted enough demand 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 clear sign that what had begun as a one-person effort was growing into something more established.

Through the decades that followed, Barry’s Paint Shop built a steady reputation across Lancaster County, rooted in consistent work and community familiarity. Burkholder’s emphasis on craftsmanship and reliability shaped the values that would carry the business well into its next chapter.

Expansion Across Lancaster County

Growth at Barry’s has been measured and geographically focused within the county. In 2010, the brand extended its reach with the opening of Barry’s Automotive in Neffsville, moving beyond its Ephrata base. In 2016, the business acquired Roy’s Body Shop, adding another location to its footprint. That site was later 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 Lancaster County communities – Ephrata, Neffsville, and Lititz.

This geographic presence reflects a deliberate approach that has prioritized 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 passed to Daryl Horst, Gerald Hoover, and Eric Burkholder, the team currently leading the operation. The transition combined operational experience with family continuity, as Eric Burkholder carries a direct connection to the founder.

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

Multiple Locations, One Standard

The Barry’s brand family currently 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 provide broader regional access for Lancaster County drivers.

The 50-year milestone also highlights the durability of a business model built around 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