West Chester Weekly News Roundup

With so much going on around town. Catch up on what you may have missed.  

It’s Friday September 5. Yes, people, I said, September. It’s been a good week for the business district. Action is heating up downtown with several exciting new businesses announcing their impending arrival, and dare I say it, construction coming to end on Gay Street. Plus, rideshare rules go into effect and why football Rustin is giving up its home games. It’s good to be back. Let’s get started. 

How do you like me now? So, the word on the street is, West Chester is hot, hot, hot. I have heard, but have not been able to confirm, Landsdale-based, Stove and Tap, is planning to open their third location in…  West Chester! Rumor is they will take over the corner of Gay and N. Darlington (formerly Landmark), but with their second location not yet open, the popular brew-pub does not appear ready to make a public proclamation. So, I guess we’ll have to stay tuned for the official announcement.

Speaking of popular, with still more than six months until their spring completion date the highly-anticipated 44 West (Gay and Church) has only two restaurant spaces left and rumor is fifteen offers were made for the remaining slots. Does this make us the cool table? Can’t wait to see who else joins our ranks!

“It’s very good news for the downtown.”

-Malcolm Johnstone, Business Improvement District Executive Director

I can hardly contain my excitement. The Daily Local is reporting after 14 months of construction work on Gay Street is just about done! (I’m trying to be more measured in my use of exclamation marks but I felt that one was warranted.) Borough Manager Mike Perrone told the paper the work would be completed in the next week and a half. (Fingers-crossed).

I need a Lyft. Staying downtown for a moment, new rideshare pickup and drop off areas are now in effect at designated areas from 10 p.m. to 3 a.m. Thursday through Saturday.  If you have requested an Uber or Lyft during these times you will need to go to one of the designated pickup areas marked by a bright green rideshare sign. 

Giving up home field advantage. A last minute message went out to parents and students at Rustin High School this week notifying them of a change to the Varsity Football schedule. The changes were made after the school was informed they would only be allowed to play four games under the lights at the Westtown field they use.  Under the new schedule the first REAL Rustin home game will be September 27. The team will be on the field this Friday for their first “home” game however, the game is now being played at Unionville High School. Spread the word to all local football fans especially those without a kid at Rustin.

Can I help you? Last week West Chester University became the first university to open a campus convenience store staffed by autistic students. The store is to serve in part as a workplace training opportunity for students for whom managing multiple tasks and understanding basic social cues can sometimes be a challenge. Read the full article.   

“We are proud to be helping women athletes find greater opportunities and economic incentives.”

-Mark Yoder, President of the Greater West Chester Chamber of Commerce

Equal pay for racing women. Speaking of people who lead the way, the women racers at this year’s Benchmark Twilight Cycling Classic received the same prize money as the men, reports Vista Today. The equal payout was thanks in part to Wilmington University which took over as sponsor the women’s race this year. As parents of small kids, we have become big fans of the Women’s race (and its earlier start time). The athletes are top in their class and we find it just as exciting and entertaining as the men who compete after. I’m glad to hear they are getting the recognition (and $$$) they deserve.

The warnings. Lock your bike. The West Chester Police Department is looking for help locating a missing bike. The bike, a teal blue Vilano Women’s Hybrid Bike, was taken from the front yard in the 100 block of E. Washington Street on August 15. Contact the police if you have any information. 

Track your packages. There have been reports of several mattresses being delivered to the wrong location. If you are the recipient of an accidental mattress, go on Nextdoor and share your story. There are several West Chester University students sleeping on the floor as they wait for the issue to be corrected. 

The accolades. Congratulations to West Chester high schools Henderson and Rustin who are considered by Philadelphia Magazine among the top 40 suburban public high schools in the Philadelphia region. Among the criteria looked at: graduation rate; college percentage and student-teacher ratio. While, East did not make the cut, if other rankings are any indication, it probably falls within the next five. The rankings appear in the September issue.

Also, kudos to the West Chester Restaurant Festival which was included in Main Line Today’s list of 20 things to do in the Philadelphia suburbs in September. Mark your calendars it’s coming up soon. Editor’s note: The West Chester Restaurant Festival is taking place on September 15. The date in the Main Line Today article is incorrect.  

Finally, congratulations to whoever purchased the winning lottery ticket from the Goshen Beverage Center on Turner Lane. The ticket is reportedly worth $100,000. 

Hello. To 7 Mile Free Ride. The one and only street legal golf cart and free transportation shuttle service is coming to West Chester. The popular Jersey Shore shuttle is planning for a West Chester extension. Not sure yet, when exactly it will be available. Unless it already is? The announcement on Facebook was a bit vague.  

Also, welcome to co-working space for local stylists. Philadelphia Magazine reports, Image Studios 360, a community-based salon that leases space to independent stylists, is coming to West Chester. Yay, no more shampoo sinks in the basement!

Goodbye. To the racquetball courts at the downtown branch of the YMCA. Management is planning to convert the courts to offices beginning in October. 

Give back. Always thought someone should be looking up to you? Now’s your chance. Big Brothers Big Sisters are in need of mentors for kids in our zip. If you’re interested reach out to Garfield Jackson at gjackson@independencebigs.org.  

The freakin’ weekend. What are you up to this weekend? We took the kids to D.C. over Labor Day weekend, then I was traveling for work, so, I’d like to just sit for a minute. Maybe binge a few episodes of Working Moms?  But instead, I will be at the soccer fields. Yes, it’s official I can now add “soccer mom” to my list of attributes. I’ll also be here.

For those of you with a life, there are lots of interesting things going on this weekend. Starting with first Friday tonight, then the Kennett Square Mushroom Festival Saturday and Sunday, and of course, the Eagles season kicks off at home on Sunday.   

Mark your calendars: 

• Secret Gardens of West Chester tour, tickets can be purchased at the Chester County Art Association, Sept. 7
• Sidewalk Astronomy, Downtown, Sept. 7 
• A Conversation on Race and Privilege in Our Community, Stetson Middle School, Sept. 9
• West Chester STOMPS Cancer 5K, Downtown, Sept. 13
• West Chester Restaurant Festival, Downtown, Sept. 15 
• Ray Didinger, The Uptown! Speaker Series, Sept. 17
• Treehouse Yoga for Preschoolers, Starkweather Elementary School, Sept. 18 (registration required)
• Treehouse building workshop, Treehouse World, Sept. 21- Sept. 22
• Fall Block Party, E. Lafayette St., Sept. 28
• Oktoberfest, Thornbury Farm, Sept. 28

That’s it. Thank you for stopping by. I have a lot of fun, new (and informative) posts in the works. So stay tuned!  Have an amazing week and I’ll see you back here next Friday, (and hopefully before.)

P.S. I have an awesome new welcome email I’ve been working on. So, sign up so I can test it out.