Spencer and Stephanie Erickson have taken over the ownership and management of the Chop House, located at 2 E. 2nd St. They have revamped the menu to include more family-friendly prices and food options, as well as live entertainment and discounted drinks. Submitted photo

The Chop House, located at 2 E. Second St., has recently changed management and ownership and the new owners are planning and have implemented some exciting improvements for the steakhouse eatery.

On Dec. 18, 2024, married couple Spencer and Stephanie Erickson stepped into their new roles as owners and operators. Spencer, who had previously honed his culinary skills as the Chop House’s renowned mainline chef at the eatery. Together, the couple embarked on an exciting journey to transform the beloved establishment, infusing it with their shared passion for exceptional food and warm hospitality.

“The previous owners wanted to sell the restaurant, and we offered to buy it,” said Spencer Erickson. “We work as a duo – we each have different areas of responsibility, but we work well together. Plus we really wanted to expand the current offerings and menu items.”

Nonetheless, running a restaurant comes with a variety of issues, obstacles, and other quandaries – yet the Ericksons believe they can tackle these challenges and are eager to elevate their business venture to greater heights of achievement.

“Our new roles are different, and with it comes different levels of stress, but we love it,” said Spencer Erickson. “Right now, a problem we’re having is staffing, but it seems like a lot of other industries are having the same problem. Unlike some of the other food-service providers -in our area- who really seem to get busy during the winter months, we get swamped in the summer.”

Spencer Erickson, a chef at the Chop House for the past two years, sees restaurant ownership as a natural next step in his career. His passion for cooking began during his culinary school days, where he refined his techniques and developed a desire to share his creations. Now, under his and his wife’s tutelage they intended to showcase his unique culinary vision and create a welcoming space for diners.

“I graduated from the Pennsylvania Culinary Institute,” he said. “I love cooking, and this seemed like a natural next step in my and Stephanie’s progression.” According to Spencer Erickson, he graduated in 1999 with a degree in culinary arts.

The Ericksons also plan to expand the restaurants’ menu with a focus on fresh, locally sourced ingredients and modern culinary practices, they aim to elevate the dining experience and bring a unique twist to their fine cuisine.

“We’re also expanding our main menu items to be more cost-effective and family-friendly meal items,” said Spencer Erickson. “We host a half-off martini night, once a week with half-priced beer and house wine; an upcoming wine-pairing night which we partnered with Johnson Estates and a live jazz band on Mondays.”

Additionally, Stephanie Erickson mentioned, “We now offer a variety of bakery items and an all-new dessert menu.” She explained, “I oversee all the desserts and sweet menu items, while also managing the front of the house and supervising our wait staff and hosts. With our new menu offerings, we aim to provide more cost-effective options for our local customers.”

The Ericksons would like to remind the community that the restaurant is still open for business.

“I want to clarify that we are still open for business. Some people on social media wrote that they have seen a for sale sign at our store and thought we have closed. That is not true. We are ready to serve our customers. We’re open for business,” the Ericksons said.

For more information, visit thechophouseonmain.com, call 716-708-6978, or follow them on their official Facebook page.