About Us
Hi! My name is Allison Garis and my husband, Glenn, and I own The Energy Station Restaurant in Harleysville Pa. I started waitressing at the tender age of 15 at Rudy’s Country Kitchen, which was located where Club Genesis is today. I worked at many different local restaurants, including The Family Heritage, The R & S Keystone, O’grady’s and The Souderton Family Restaurant. Working for many different owners taught me a lot and inspired me to one day own my own restaurant. My dream became a reality when the opportunity arose to purchase The Vernfield Station ( formerly The Energy Station) where I was working at the time. Glenn and I bought the business in September of 2006 and worked to bring an inviting family atmosphere with a “home-cooked” menu. My favorite sounds in the world are dishes clanking and people talking and laughing! We love being a part of the Harleysville community and have met so many wonderful friends, both as customers and employees.
Over the years, we have developed many fond memories with our “counter guys”. They are some of our most loyal customers and we enjoy their wisdom, laughter and honesty. One thing we learned from those guys is that we have to continue to bring in new customers to keep the business growing and thriving. Some of the things we have done is introducing acai bowls, a hot grab and go buffet, hand-crafted drinks and coffees. We also offer vegan and gluten-free options. We carry over 36 flavors of ice cream and have a generous outdoor seating area. Our weekend breakfast and dinner specials are always posted on Facebook, you should check them out! Customers love our crepes, our special Eggs Benedicts and we have the best pancakes!
The Energy Station specializes in comfort food, just like your Grandma used to make! Our Chicken Croquettes are a local favorite and we make nearly everything in-house, including our small-batch signature ice cream(our cookies and Cream is the best!) Raspberry lemon bar, blueberry cheesecake, shoofly pie and E.T. phone home are some of our most popular flavors. Family is everything to us, and we are committed to creating a space that makes everyone feel welcome. Whether you’re grabbing a quick breakfast or enjoying dinner and ice cream with your family, the warm and inviting atmosphere of The Energy station is the perfect place to meet. We have a “kids eat free” night every Wednesday after 4 pm and offer senior discounts and veterans discounts. After 19 successful years in business, The Energy Station has become a beloved staple in the community. Challenges arise in any business, and we have faced our fair share! In 2019, we made the gigantic(and terrifying!) decision to relocate, due to outgrowing our original space. The Energy Station moved a 1/4 mile down the road, to the Shelly Square Shopping Center. This move gave us a brand new restaurant with more seating and better parking. This move was a testimony of commitment from us, as owners, and our staff! We closed at the old location and opened a day later in the new location.
COVID-19 pandemic hit 3 months after we moved, and brought with it enormous challenges. As a food service business, we were shut down temporarily. Navigating the constantly changing laws and regulations regarding running the restaurant meant we had to recreate and adapt our business models many times. Despite these setbacks, The Energy Station got back on it’s feet quickly, once we were allowed to reopen. December 2020 rolled around, and there was talk of another wave of Covid. The governor decided to shut down all restaurants and bars for the 3 weeks of the Christmas holidays. After much prayer, Glenn and I made the bold decision to stay open and defy the shutdown order. It was a risky decision, but the community rallied behind us and The Energy Station became a symbol of defiance, strength and resilience. Because we stayed open, other businesses were encouraged to stay open as well. This moment marked a triumph over adversity but also enhanced our loyal customer base. Taking great care of our customers, putting family first and staying true to our Christian faith are the three things that matter most to us. We try to reflect that in the warm, family-friendly atmosphere and caring staff that guests experience every time they visit. Memories are made at The Energy Station, where people come together and the values of love, kindness and community take center stage.
The Energy Station’s atmosphere is casual, inviting and designed with a barn-like ambience that creates a cozy laid-back vibe. Whether you are dining with your family, celebrating with your friends or enjoying a quick meal at the counter, The Energy Station provides a comfortable environment for all. We serve breakfast, lunch and dinner throughout the day and there is always something new and delicious to try. Large groups are welcome and easily accommodated in our spacious dining room. We also have a lot of booths, which many customers prefer. We take reservations for large groups during the week, but do not take any reservations on the weekend. Holidays and weekends are always busy, so you might have to wait in line, but we generally get you seated quickly. My kitchen crew is very talented and we take pride in getting food out quickly. Sometimes I am amazed how much food we serve in a week! For almost 20 years, we have been a cornerstone of the Harleysville community, serving up good food, good company and good times. We also support many local fundraisers and outreach programs. Our roots are firmly planted in faith, family values and customer care and we always enjoy serving the community. Glenn and I are committed to continuing to make The Energy Station a beloved spot for locals and visitors alike. We are so honored to be a part of this community and we can’t wait to serve you! If you are visiting for the first, please let us know, we would love to meet you!