On the green roof at Tellus, people can catch up while they enjoy drinks, farm-fresh food, and live music
by Antonia Little
Photo taken by Antonia Little on December 3, 2024 at Tellus360
Tellus360 is an exciting pub located in downtown Lancaster where everyone is equal and anything is possible. They want to tell stories and love people who believe in a simple community driven life. It is a place where creativity is welcome. Tellus gets its name from the Roman goddess of productivity and the 360 refers to a simple way of living. It began as a furniture store opened by Joe Devoy. Now, Tellus is a popular pub that also hosts events.
- Main goal: to offer services to the community
- For example, they hosted yoga classes on the rooftop
The rooftop garden makes you wonder if you are still in the city from its growing plants to its great food. When the original store at Tellus opened years ago the owners knew they wanted a green roof. They knew that they had a flat roof and wanted to recycle the rain water. They opened the front half of the roof as a bar and the back half as grass and plants. While on his trip to Costa Rica, Joe Devoy saw some amazing gardens and came back with some ideas for extending the rooftop bar into something huge.
Photo taken by Antonia Little on November 16, 2024 at Tellus360
They knew since the beginning they wanted their food and drinks as local as possible with everything coming from the Lancaster Central Market. They use all their sources to create a 8,000 square foot wonderland in the city. Not only is it but it promotes eating local and sustainable living. Plants change things like their menu in July, Kendra from Ken’s Gardens helps them. Kendra worked with their team directly to figure out what the kitchen wanted as well as the bartenders. A lot of people on the team wanted Lavender. They wanted the garden to look and feel different than last year.
- They have plants like Sage, Thyme, Lavender, Mint, Basil, Lettuce, Jalapenos, Tomatoes, Onions, Hibiscus, Peas, Beans and more.
- Also in the garden is an arbor of pear trees growing above the walkway
They wanted to grow Strawberries and grapes and even planted plants that attract hummingbirds. The bar section of the roof has all cocktail goodies while the back end of the roof where the grill is has veggies. Which makes it great for the bartender who can get the veggies right from the garden and in front of the customer. During the summer they would host a few harvesting events where the community can come out to the garden and pick some veggies and then they would create a big salad to have a community meal. During the summer the burgers are made with fresh garden ingredients that are from the rooftop garden or from the Central Market the chef also makes house made hot sauce from the rooftop Jalapenos.
Joe Devoy, Owner of Tellus
Joe Devoy is a Ireland native who found a home in Lancaster, PA. He has lived here since 1988 and he was inspired to start Tellus360 by Annie Bailey’s Irish Pub and Restaurant. He owned a construction company for 25 years and wanted a change. Devoy felt like at home when he moved to Lancaster because of the community. At first, he wanted to open a bar in the furniture store but couldn’t, so he opened a pub that became Tellus. He has rebuilt the kitchen in the basement and expanded the lounge and the rooftop. This is how people recognize Tellus today.
Tellus360 trip to Ireland
In 2012, when Tellus360 was a furniture store, people talk about their connection to Ireland and they decided to organize a trip to Ireland year later. People still enjoy these trips to Ireland today. They bring you to their favorite places in Ireland like Galway, Aran Isnads, and Cliffs, just to name a few. During the trip, people can enjoy a range of activities and attractions. For example, food tours, sailing on the Atlantic Ocean, and wildlife experiences. It has become the trip of a lifetime and one you will never forget. You get to experience a lot of what Ireland has to offer.
Photo taken by Antonia Little at Tellus360 on November 16th, 2024
Wedding at Tellus
Tellus is an indoor and outdoor wedding venue that gives couples the rich and modern experience in a historical building. lt is located in downtown Lancaster near many landmarks and attractions. Tellus can meet the needs of any wedding event, including ceremonies, dinners, and bridal showers. Couple can choose from four customizable indoor spaces or the beautiful rooftop garden. Tellus also offers wedding planning services to help couples bring there vision to life. For example, they offer bar services, catering, and decorations. One couple admired the beauty of the venue and what the staff have done with the details. Other couples agree, and they also enjoyed food and the ceremony.
VelcoCity at Tellus360
Lancaster City Alliance hosted VeloCity at Tellus360. It is a fundraiser and celebration for the city and its local businesses. The events included a silent auction, a cocktail competition, and a fashion show. The fashion show featured clothes from local businesses like Basura Thrift Boutique, Ellicott & Co, and more. The goods of the event were donated and included participating models from Lancaster City. A nail salon call Keystone Claws even help put the final touches on the models. The night included music from Evita Colon, Major Vibes, Mambojaz Dance Company and Suge. It also had Janine James and Marie Cleaves Rothacker served as masters of ceremonies.
References
Brommer, Madeline Rice. “Tellus360’s Rooftop Makeover and Menu to Match.” PA Eats, 24 Nov. 2017, http://www.paeats.org/news/2017/tellus360s-rooftop-makeover-menu-match/.
“Info.” Tellus 360, 22 Jan. 2024, http://www.tellus360.com/about-tellus360/.
“Ireland Trips.” Tellus 360, 6 Mar. 2023, http://www.tellus360.com/tellus-360-ireland-trips/.
Photographer, LOGAN GEHMAN | Staff. “Fashion, Food and Fun Are Highlighted at Velocity Fashion Show [Photos].” LancasterOnline, 20 Sept. 2024, http://lancasteronline.com/features/entertainment/fashion-food-and-fun-are-highlighted-at-velocity-fashion-show-photos/collection_2333d106-768d-11ef-bde4-773ef3c2dd52.html.
“Restaurant Gardens: Tellus 360: Lancaster, PA Restaurant News.” PA Eats, 2024, http://www.paeats.org/feature/restaurant-gardens-tellus360/.
Sawyers, John. “A Magical Wedding Venue: Tellus360 in Lancaster, PA.” PERFECT HARMONY ENTERTAINMENT, PERFECT HARMONY ENTERTAINMENT, 9 Aug. 2023, http://www.perfectdj.net/blog/tellus360.
Writer, KELSEY THOMASSON | Staff. “Tellus360 Is More than a Community Hub, It’s an ‘Eclectic Mix of Craziness.’” LancasterOnline, 31 July 2015, http://lancasteronline.com/features/tellus360-is-more-than-a-community-hub-its-an-eclectic-mix-of-craziness/article_7e59f26a-36f3-11e5-b1d5-dbefe3484418.html.
Writer, MICKAYLA MILLER | Staff. “Tellus360’s Rooftop Bar Goes Viral on TikTok after PA Travel Vlogger Visits.” LancasterOnline, 8 June 2022, http://lancasteronline.com/features/entertainment/tellus360s-rooftop-bar-goes-viral-on-tiktok-after-pa-travel-vlogger-visits/article_9f3c9e26-e685-11ec-b30e-77c3889d71c5.html.