A Historic Lancaster Building With a Story to Tell
Robert Brock has lived in Lancaster his entire life, and the building he owns carries just as much history as the city around it. The structure itself dates back to the mid 1800s.
“This building was built in 1850 on top of an 18th century foundation,” Robert said.
For many years the property was home to the Lancaster Marionette Theatre. Robert operated the theatre there for decades before eventually purchasing the building himself. But once he owned it, he started to notice a few changes made by previous owners that did not exactly help the living space.
When the Windows Disappeared
At some point in the building’s past, the space had been used more like a warehouse than a home or theater.
“(The previous owner) considered this his warehouse, so he blocked up all the windows on this floor,” Robert explained.
For a storage space that might make sense. For a living space, not so much. When Robert moved his bedroom to what had once been the kitchen area, the lack of natural light quickly became noticeable.
“It was like living in a dungeon. It really was depressing.”
The solution seemed obvious: bring the light back.
The First Project With Joyland
Robert’s first experience with Joyland started with a smaller improvement.
“This is my second Joyland project. I had a storm door put in.”
The installation helped improve both protection and natural light around the entry area. After that project went well, Robert reached back out to Joyland with a bigger idea. One of the original window openings had been partially filled with brick, leaving only a small window high on the wall.
Restoring a Window That Used to Be Larger
Brandon Cutler, the Joyland sales consultant who worked with Robert, remembers the conversation.
“He was really wanting to bring more light into his back room,” Brandon said.
The original opening had clearly been altered years earlier.
“He had an existing window that used to be really big, and then the (previfous owner) blocked it all up and had a small window really high up.”
Robert suspected the original opening was still there behind the wall and began investigating himself.
“It took some time to convince Brandon that this could be done,” he said, explaining how he removed some plaster to confirm the original structure,” Robert said.
Taking the Right Approach
Because the project involved reopening a blocked window area, the team approached it carefully. While Joyland regularly installs replacement windows, this type of restoration work requires extra planning.
Brandon explained the thought process.
“It’s not something we normally do. It’s not really in our wheelhouse.”
Instead of rushing forward, the team involved project managers and planned the work so it could be done properly.
“We wanted to make sure we took our time and got it right.”
A Project That Felt Like Teamwork
Before the installation began, Robert prepared the interior to protect the space.
“I had done a lot of prep work inside with covering, because I have a lot of……stuff,” he said with a laugh.
Once the crew arrived, the work moved forward smoothly. Robert appreciated how clearly the team communicated throughout the process.
“Javan and Javon are just the nicest young men. They explained what they were doing.”
The experience felt relaxed and collaborative rather than stressful.
“Those guys were just nice. They were funny. We chatted.”
Brandon noticed the same spirit from the homeowner’s side.
“I really liked Robert, because he was consistent, but he was also very kind and understanding with the timing of things.”
Why Robert Recommends Joyland
When the project was complete, the restored window brought natural light back into a room that had been dark for years.
For Robert, the experience left a strong impression.
“Go to Joyland first. Don’t bother to research. Just go to Joyland.”
He also appreciated how responsive the team was throughout the process.
“It’s family owned and operated. It’s local. You’ll never meet nicer people.”
For Brandon, the project reflects how the company approaches its work.
“One of the things we love about Joyland is we do things to an expert level,” he said, explaining that the team focuses on quality and honesty when evaluating each project.
Robert noticed that attention to detail as well.
“I think whatever they do, they have pride in their work.”