Summit’s Luminary Distillery needed to expand. They asked Fuhrman’s owners if they knew of any place. Turns out, they did.

The important thing is not to panic. Fuhrman’s Cider Mill’s cider and doughnuts will be available Sept. 11 just like they always are.

But the traditional general store stocked with gifts and fall decor will be replaced with restaurant tables, and the old cashier’s counter will be raised to the height of a standard bar, where thirsty customers can someday (after COVID-19 restrictions are loosened) sit and have a custom craft cocktail.

That’s because the owners of Luminary Distillery, located next door to Fuhrman’s at 8270 Peach Street in Summit Township, recently purchased the well-known cider making operation. The sale was first reported by www.YourErie.com.

The restaurant will start serving lunch at 11 a.m. from a menu of “comfort and bar food” developed by general manager and chef James Madder, who has worked in the restaurant business for 35 years, and opened four restaurants from Washington, D.C., to Texas. He currently lives in Erie, where his wife has family.

“There will be something for everyone that’s not run of the mill,” Madder said, adding that the dinner menu will be served starting at 5 p.m. and running until 9 p.m, with many items paired with craft cocktails created by Luminary owners and husband and wife team Joel Normand, 37, and Maria DiSanza, 38.

Liz Pacinelli, 60, of Greene Township, was enjoying a cocktail at Luminary’s original location Friday. She said she’s thrilled about the plans.

“We’ve been coming (to Luminary) since it opened,” Pacinelli said. “I like the craft cocktails, friendly atmosphere, rustic informal.

“It’ll be great to be able to get some real food,” she said with a laugh, eyeing the bag of chips she was forced to buy in order to have her cocktail. “I’m glad they can keep what (Fuhrman’s) is and enhance it. It’s a real win-win.”

Normand and DiSanza are in the process of moving their operations into the Fuhrman’s building, owned by the Schaaf family, including Tim Schaaf, Debbie Hodinko and others. They have renovated the interior, expanding Luminary’s available square footage from 2,000 to 9,000. Luminary will completely move out of its original location a few doors down.

“It was funny,” Normand said. “We were looking to expand, so I asked them if they knew of any buildings or property we could look at. They told us they had been looking for a buyer for a few years.”

Planning to merge the two businesses, with the help of the pandemic, took up most of the past year, but the final purchase finally went through less than a week ago at $250,000.

Austin Adams will stay on to teach them how to make the cider, and Morgan DiFucci will continue to run the bakery.

DiSanza said they are nervous, excited and all but ready to move their business operations into the renovated building, which now houses their spirit-making equipment. Meanwhile, they are considering purchasing a larger still to help them fill larger online orders.

Madder is probably the only restaurateur in town who is glad his eatery is limited to 25% capacity for the moment, due to COVID-19 restrictions.

“I think it will give a new staff who doesn’t know the menu a chance to cook it and serve it and grow into our skin,” Madder said.

DiSanza said they will have about 30 employees when they open. “It’s like a brand new family,” she said. “It’s nice to let us slowly get into it.”

They will try to have takeout and outdoor seating to boost revenue, at least until the weather gets bad.

DiSanza has big plans for special events at the new location, which will be named Luminary Distillery, Eatery and Fuhrman’s Cider.

She wants to have a Ciderfest in 2021, cocktail pairing dinners, barrel programs, in which customers would buy a barrel in advance and get their bottle after it ages.

But right now DiSanza’s main focus is keeping Fuhrman’s traditions alive along with her own family business.

“Hopefully we do Erie proud.”

Contact Jennie Geisler at jgeisler@timesnews.com. Follow her on Twitter @ETNgeisler.