Chef and Owner Theo Hollerbach of the popular German restaurant Hollerbach’s Willow Tree Cafe recently gave us a tour of their new $1.6 million expansion project next door in historic downtown Sanford.

The Willow Tree first opened on August 1, 2001 with just seven employees. Since then, they have continually expanded the restaurant, added two new businesses, and grown their staff to over 90 employees. In addition to the Willow Tree Café German restaurant, the Hollerbachs also own and operate the Magnolia Square Market a true German deli, and Outfitters costume and jewelry shop next door.

The new expansion project includes two stories of bars and Sanford’s first rooftop bar. The wood is 200 to 300 years old refurbished from barns and old buildings from Bavaria, shipped straight from Germany and assembled here.

They will be opening in phases most likely this December 2019.

Meanwhile, this weekend they celebrate Oktoberfest – Orlando!