White Dog Café has started work on revitalizing the former home of Vickers Restaurant in Exton, which will become the popular local concept’s fifth location. Laura Smythe, in the Philadelphia Business Journal, covered not only the site’s refurbishment but also the retention of its historical significance.

The space at 192 East Welsh Pool Road is more than a year out, as the construction phase will take that long to wrap up. The timeline prediction came from Sydney Grims, director of development at White Dog Café parent company Fearless Restaurants.

The slow-and-steady renovation pace is not without a compelling reason: The building was once home to abolitionist John Vickers and was a stop on the Underground Railroad.

It was transformed into the Vickers Restaurant in 1972 and closed only this past October after nearly 50 years in business.

Fearless Restaurants still must bring the building up to code but commits to retaining its historic roots.

“We want to preserve the historical significance of that building, especially with the Black Lives Matter movement and ensuring that Black history is not lost,” said Grims.

Work on the building will include roof renovations, entryway remodeling, and a reconfiguration of the kitchen. A three-season room will also be added to allow for extended outdoor dining.

Read more about White Dog Café in the Philadelphia Business Journal.