The property located at 665 Fritztown Road between Sinking Spring and Weitzelville was originally built around 1895 by William and Alice Eberly as a farm and barn. Ralph and Anna Riffert took ownership of the property in 1925. Ralph was already a successful business man; owner of a Paint store in town and a milling company in Oley. His first wife Mazie tragically passed away in 1921 at the age of 29, and in 1924 he remarried to Anna Whitman of Sinking Spring. Riffert had a gas pump installed out front for motorist which at that point were few and far between. Anna began making ham sandwhiches to feed hungry passers-by, and when prohibition was in full swing they saw an opportunity – opening a “restaurant” which was really a front for a speakeasy in the basement level of the barn of their property. They named their establishment “Die Scheier” which is Pennsylvania Dutch for “The Barn“.
Die Scheier was raided by state police after they received reports of the establishment taking part in illegal alcohol distribution. Both Riffert and his bartender were fined $1000, which would equate to nearly $19,000 in 2025.
After prohibition ended Riffert again found himself in trouble in 1937 when he was indicted for selling liquor on a Sunday as well as maintaining gambling devices in the building. It is worth noting that Riffert also owned and operated the West Reading Hotel beginning in 1938. He sold Die Scheier in 1947. It became known as “The Angelica Kennel Club” which lasted until it went bankrupt in 1961. Ralph continued to live in the property’s original farm house until his own death in 1970.
The property changed hands again to Tom Holland who again operated under the name “Die Scheier”.
In 1971 Louis Fronina purchased the property and continued operations as the “Camelot Inn”. Shortly after he constructed the home that currently sits behind the restaurant building, as the original farmhouse was razed by that time. It was a popular spot for Steel Co. employees who worked next door. Louis operated until around 1998. AmericanTom.com, a dive bar review website, wrote the following in 2002 to describe the Camelot Inn:
The Camelot is a time warp bar – the dying breed of tavern that makes you think that you went back in time as soon as you pass through the doors. It is not only exactly like it was about 5 years ago when I last went in – but the sole patron at the bar said it is exactly like it was 25 years ago.
The dining room still remains setup, complete with placemats, even though they haven’t served food in years. The bar is heated by a woodstove. There are some old and interesting photographs of Reading – its vibrant downtown and trolley/street cars.
The old man who owns this diamond in the rough apparently does not believe in change. He has a recliner next to the woodstove and when I was last here – he was asleep in it in the middle of the day. I think I left without a beer because he never woke up. This time, he was away somewhere and a friend was tending bar. He wasn’t sure if they had Captain Morgan ( they did ) and had to go find ice to finish the captain and coke. He didn’t even know what to charge for a highball so he said $2.
The walls of this place are pine board paneling. The men’s room has two urinals and two sinks. Unusual in such a small place and a hint that this place was often hopping from the workers of a nearby steel fabricating company.
The only guy at the bar said there is never a band but the owner’s cute niece and her friend tend bar from time to time. The old man often opens at 1PM and closes at 6PM is things are slow. The basement houses many rooms and another bar – a speakeasy of sorts from the days of prohibition or simply to stay open past the legal hours.
I like this place even though there are only two draft beers ( Rolling Rock was one but the other was out of order and had a cup covering its tap head ).
The Black Sheep Tavern
After sitting vacant for a quarter century, the property was purchased by Darrell and Carol Wenrich in 2023. With the help of their family they renovated the property back to life, including scrubbing decades worth of nicotine off the walls, new flooring and beautiful new ceiling tiles around the bar. They officially opened in March as the “Black Sheep Tavern”, exactly 100 years after the Riffert’s first utilized this space as a speakeasy.
Owner Darrell explained his ties to the building run deep – he worked here for previous owner Lou. The bar is the same one as back then, but the paneling on the outside is actually repurposed from the downstairs speakeasy room walls. From the bathrooms to the barroom you will find pieces of this building’s past, adding to the charm. The once-secret downstairs bar is otherwise untouched, but unusable… for now. Who knows what the future may hold. I suggest you check out this fantastic new (but delightfully old) establishment yourself.
Our band played there in 91′ and 92′. The owners son, Lou, played in our band. Great times and a lot of parties. One of the last time we spent there was when we had a 50th anniversary party for my parents. The owners, Lou and Judy, cooked all the food. Was an awesome time
Good ole Louie…a bunch of coworkers and I would stop every Friday after work. He would put our ham and cooper cheese chunks out for us all the time
I was a little confused, and then I realized that I was mixing this place up with the Beverly Hills Tavern located on the Old Fritztown Road. I haven’t been in that area for almost thirty years. I don’t think I ever went to the Camelot.
At some point in 2008 or 2009 the kitchen got remodeled I was told by the contractor that it had to be done or they would loose there liquor license. It was definitely creepy place. I know for sure they never opened. The owners son Lou was or still is a patrolman for spring township because his card was tacked up on the bulletin board behind the bar.
Been driving past there for 30 years. Never realized it was still open, as I’ve never seen a car parked there or a light on. After this pandemic passes, I’ll definitely stop in. I love a throw back bar.
Hey Devyn, unfortunately it’s no longer open. Closed probably over a decade ago. The property is for sale though
Is now re-opening as The Black Sheep. I live a few blocks away.
My mom bartended there in the early 80’s and stayed a tiny apartment above the bar till our home was finished construction in wernersville. My dad was part of the crew from Baltimore that moved here in 83 (??) to work at AT&T plant in Reading (which changed to Lucent then Agere). I remember sitting at a table in the bar and eating Lou giving me berks version of chicken pot pie. I remember him as having such a big heart and stayed in touch with my parents for awhile after we were settled.
We used to drink there in the early ‘70s. It was easier than going to New York.
That was my great uncle’s restaurant. Louie Fronina was my grandfather’s brother. I remember going there when I was little. His house was on the same lot as the restaurant. My grandfather helped cook there sometimes. Great memories!
Can I have a Tour inside
My sister and I were the bartenders there in the 90’s.