Liberty at Dryville to open in early 2021 in former Rockland Township hotel

Renovation for restaurant caters to the past

The former Dryville Hotel on the corner of Lyons and Fredericksville roads in Rockland Township is getting a makeover.

By December the heavy smell of sawdust will be swept away and the Liberty at Dryville restaurant and bar will be preparing to open in early 2021.

It is the latest Berks County venture for co-owners Greg and Sherry Russoli and her son, Tony Reber. In 2011 they converted Nick’s Chat-a While Inn on Prospect Avenue in Exeter Township into Liberty Taproom and in 2016 they converted the former Avenue Bar and Grill into Liberty Ale House. Reber operates all the Berks locations.

The Russolis also own and operate Tavern on Liberty in Allentown.

The family purchased the former Dryville Hotel Jan. 10 from Henry-Moss LLC according to county property records.

Constructed around 1847, there was a lot to be updated and fixed in the historic tavern.

“Jan. 15 the owners — Greg Russoli and Tony Reber — and myself, we cracked into the walls,” said Anton Altrichter, who is overseeing the construction at Dryville and is involved at projects at the other locations. “When I

Liberty Tap Room co-owners are shown April 6, 2011. From left are Gregory Russoli, his fiancée at the time, Sherry Julian, and her son, Tony Reber. They purchased the former Chat-a-While Cafe in Exeter Township and remodeled it. Now, the Russolis and Reber have purchased the former Dryville Hotel and plan to open Liberty at Dryville in early 2021.

Anton Altrichter, operations manager for the Liberty family of bars and restaurants, with the floor boards he has salvaged from the former Dryville Inn and turned into a bar top for the newest location, Liberty at Dryville.

SUSAN E. MIERS SMITH — MEDIANEWS GROUP The former Dryville Hotel at 110Lyons Road in Rockland Township will be reopening in 2021as Liberty at Dryville restaurant and bar.

Anton Altrichter is heading up the renovations at the former Dryville Hotel in Rockland Township.