“This was kind of like a soft opening to let the community know that we’re there, we’re accessible and if they have questions, they can just stop in and ask,” said club President Bill Robbins.

Robbins said the club is no different than any other social club in town.

“It’s not strictly about politics. It’s a place where people can hang out with friends, and get good food at good prices,” he said.

While membership fees cover operational costs, the Democratic Club’s status as a non-profit allows them to give back.

Community members help themselves to a plate of summertime favorites at a community outreach cookout at the recently relocated Young Men's Democratic Club Tuesday afternoon. MATTHEW COURTER/Sun-Gazette

“We use our profits to help the community, and there’s a lot of different causes we donate to,” Robbins said.

The Williamsport club, which historically existed in bigger cities, is one of only three in the state, according to Lycoming County Democratic Committee Chairperson Chris Benson.

“We’re back in the community, so we want to get people out of the door to come to your local Democratic Club,” Benson said.

“People are really excited that there’s a lot of change happening locally,” said Benson, adding that the party just held their first executive committee meeting with the club in years.

“It’s a very palpable thing for us, so having this cookout gives us a chance to introduce ourselves to the neighborhood, tell them what we can do for them, and offer them another safe space, and that’s an important thing for everyone these days,” Benson said.

The club was chartered in 1892, 28 years before women had the right to vote, though Robbins stressed that today, the club is all inclusive.

“We would like the community, anyone in Lycoming County, to know they are welcome to stop in,” Robbins stressed.

“It’s chartered as the Young Men’s Democratic Club, but we refer to it as the Demi Club, because everybody’s welcome here,” he said.