Sandra and Chad Lechliter will open Yorkshire Old English Pub and Restaurant in the former Three Onions space.

Last Tuesday Three Onions restaurant and lounge announced that it would be officially closing its doors via its Facebook page.

This week following the announcement, Sandra and Chad Lechliter began their work transforming the space into what will soon be The Yorkshire Old English Pub and Restaurant.

The couple, who are leasing the space, are both lifelong residents of the Eastern Panhandle.

Chad, a 31-year-old chef trained at La Acamdemie de Cuisine, has held executive chef positions at many restaurants, working as a cook since the age of 15.

Chad explained that his vision for the Yorkshire is to provide Shepherdstown with an alternative to the many fine-dining restaurants it’s known for.

“We want that casual feel that Shepherdstown doesn’t really have,” he said.

The menu would offer customers variety, traditionally English-inspired with some American favorites, like Chad’s “award-winning wings” thrown in the mix.

The couple described prices as mid-range and reasonable for college students and families and stressed the “nonexclusive” vibe they hope the restaurant/pub will have.

Sandra, a mother of four, has worked in the restaurant management business for 13 years. She explained that the pub is inspired by her English roots and named after the town where her family originates.

For Sandra the highlight of the new restaurant will be its versatility.

She explained that the Yorkshire will offer a full children’s menu in the dining area, as well as many appetizer choices that can be served at the bar.

Both are “very excited,” and Chad said that ultimately he hopes the pub will, “be a staple restaurant in Shepherdstown.” Sandra said that they, “want to be known for food and fun atmosphere.”

Though no date has been set for the Yorkshire to open, the couple hopes to be ready as soon as possible.

The Three Onions itself is also in the process of transitioning.

Ken Lowe, who owns both the Three Onions and the Yellow Brick Bank, said the restaurant and lounge will relocate to the second floor above Yellow Brick Bank, which can be accessed now by a fully operational elevator.

Lowe described the new spot as an intimate space that will serve as an overflow area for the Yellow Brick Bank and can be used for private parties and meetings. He said that the project is still in its early stages, but his vision is to have a place that could potentially host live music, food and drink.

Lowe described the desired ambiance of this new space as “something uptown in an old town,” and said he hopes it will have “a wow factor.”

Work on both locations will continue, with the new Three Onions slated to open sometime this summer.