Hollerbach’s Willow Tree Cafe´ to celebrate 15th anniversary

Hollerbach’s Willow Tree Cafe will be celebrating its 15th anniversary this Monday, Aug. 1. The festivities will include 12 different activities throughout downtown Sanford, including sauerkraut and strudel making classes, beer and wine tasting, and a special screening of their new documentary.
The event will take place from 6 to 9 p.m., starting at 5 p.m. for those who bought V.I.P. passes. Activities will be held at the three Hollerbach businesses: The Willow Tree Cafe, the Magnolia Square Market, and the Art Haus. The Sanford Homebrew Shop will also be involved, and their film, “Gemutlichkeit: Made in America,” will screen at the Wayne Densch Performing Arts Center.
There will be photo ops and live music, merchandise, and games of schnitzel corn hole held throughout the evening.
Hollerbach’s has come a long way in Historic Sanford. Owner Theo Hollerbach described that they first came to the area for his wife’s work, and during that period, discovered the perfect location to start their dream of running a restaurant. They began with seven employees in a 60-seat space with no hood system. Over the years, Hollerbach’s has grown with the Sanford community; they now have near 90 employees and three businesses.
“We’re trying to let them know how appreciative we are,” explained Hollerbach. He continues, “Creating that energy and making the livelihoods for all these people just by my wife and me having this idea back in the 80’s [...] It’s perfect every day. I get paid to be happy.”
After 15 years in Sanford, the Hollerbachs are enthusiastic yet about the years to come. They are currently planning to introduce more baked goods at the market, and a charity is in the works, “Hollerbach’s has Hearts.” Hollerbach is also planning to host its own Octoberfest down 2nd street this year, a day after the annual festival that’s combined with Alive After 5.
“It was unexpected that it would grow this large,” commented Hollerbach, in response to their growing influence.
Over the Willow Tree’s time here,  Downtown Sanford has grown from an area of mainly antique shops to a bustling entertainment and arts district. Hollerbach remembers when guests would arrive at 8:30 p.m. at night, simply because they were excited to be able to eat downtown that late.
Hollerbach concluded, “I just want to say, ‘Thank you to the Sanford community and the city of Sanford.”
He paused to describe Don Knight who ran a shoe store in Historic Sanford for more than 39 years, before passing away about 11 years ago. Hollerbach said that Knight had told him how to get involved in the Sanford community, and it opened a lot of doors for him.
“I just want to thank Mr. Knight and his family,” added Hollerbach.

- Aida Lashinsky, Herald Reporter, ALashinsky@MySanfordHerald.com