Hi, Chester County! 👋
As the battle over Exton Square Mall’s future wages on, we speak with the lawyer fighting for its redevelopment. Also this week, a township and its historical commission are at odds over the future of the Darlington Inn, U.S. Rep. Chrissy Houlahan brings personal experience to her affordability legislation, plus, more measles cases have been identified in the county.
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Meet the real estate lawyer fighting to convert Exton Square Mall
Real estate lawyer Marc Kaplin is feeling “pretty optimistic” about the future of Exton Square Mall, which shuttered at the end of June.
He’s currently representing the developers looking to transform the largely defunct space into a mixed-used town center, waging a legal battle to get the project going.
Unlike other similar redevelopments in the region, this one has received pushback, including West Whiteland supervisors’ denial, something he sees as an anomaly given the tax drain vacant sites like this can have.
📍 Countywide News
- The county announced last month that it had reached “functional zero” for homelessness. One local family, the McNeils, has gone above and beyond for decades to help, becoming an example of the cross-sector collaboration that officials say resulted in the achievement.
- The affordability crisis is a personal one for U.S. Rep. Chrissy Houlahan, one of the centrist House Democrats helping craft a detailed “affordability agenda.” The Devon resident’s household, where both her adult child and her parents currently reside, has become a part of the so-called sandwich generation. The Inquirer’s Sam Janesch explores how her personal life informs her legislative goals.
- Two more measles cases have been diagnosed in the county as the disease continues to spread in southeastern and central parts of the state.
- Mariel Kornblith-Martin, who served as campaign manager for Mark Pinsley’s 2024 auditor general campaign and was later accused of paying college students to sign petitions with forged signatures, including those of multiple elected officials, agreed to a guilty-plea deal in Chester County last week.
- There’s lots of roadwork taking place throughout the county this week, including some closures. Here’s where to expect detours and delays.
💡 Community News
- In case you missed it, Westtown Township’s supervisors are looking to remove members of the historical commission as the two groups butt heads over the future of the Darlington Inn. The Inquirer’s Brooke Schultz has the details.
- Kevin Krebs, the Malvern man who brought guns to a West Chester No Kings protest last year, and was later discovered to have homemade pipe bombs at his house, has been sentenced to over three years in prison.
- More potential amendments to a proposed 1.5 million-square-foot data center struck a nerve with some East Whiteland Township residents when the developer presented them last week. Here’s what to know.
- Family members are mourning Sean O’Connor, the 29-year-old who died during storms that swept through the region when he was at Downingtown’s Marsh Creek State Park on July 4. He was “the sweetest man you could ever meet,” his wife, Lucy Troutman, recalled, while O’Connor’s father remembered his kindness and willingness to go out of the way to help others.
- Students at West Chester University will see tuition go up 4.3% after a Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education board of governors vote last week.
- Peco has purchased the former Vanguard-leased building at 100 Chesterfield Parkway in Malvern, expanding its real estate footprint in the region.
- Fans of Berwyn native Brad Ingelsby’s hit HBO shows Task (which just got six Emmy nods) and Mare of Easttown will finally see their two worlds collide in a crossover. Here’s what we know.
- Downingtown’s borough manager, Jeffrey A. Smith, recently stepped down, but will continue to consult on borough matters. He’s being replaced on an interim basis by Corinne Badman.
- The Nest, a new holistic health community and retreat space, has opened in Lincoln University.
🏫 Schools Briefing
- Two Downingtown high school students admitted to drinking alcohol while supervising a football camp at Downingtown East High School last month. Here’s what to know about the incident.
🍽️ On our Plate
- A mother-and-son-owned juice joint is opening in Kennett Square. Located at 148 W. State St., Lupita’s Juice Bar will host a grand opening on Sunday. It will serve fresh-squeezed and blended juices, as well as smoothies, yogurt parfaits, overnight oats, and salads.
- A new ice cream shop soft launched over the weekend at 503 E. Gay St. in West Chester. Urban Scoop serves up an array of flavors in cups and bubble waffle cones.
🎳 Things to Do
🎵 Chill on the Hill: This month’s edition of the East Whiteland concert series features bluegrass artist East Nash Grass, as well as Americana singer/songwriter Jack Blocker. ⏰ Wednesday, July 15, 6:30-8:30 p.m. 💵 Free 📍 Valley Creek Park, Malvern
🎹 Tredyffrin Township Summer Concert Series: Rick’s Office Band, which plays cover tunes, headlines this week’s show. ⏰ Thursday, July 16, 7 p.m. 💵 Free 📍 Wilson Farm Park, Wayne
🇺🇸 Charles Towne Market: Charlestown Township is celebrating the nation’s 250th anniversary with a history-inspired market, complete with period dress, quill writing, and a flag dedication. There will also be food trucks and vendors. ⏰ Saturday, July 18, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. 💵 Pay as you go 📍 Brightside Farm, Malvern
🍦 Ice Cream Social: This family-friendly event includes ice cream, crafts, a photo booth, face painting and more. ⏰ Sunday, July 19, 2-5 p.m. 💵 Free 📍 Springton Manor Farm, Glenmoore
🎡 Kimberton Community Fair: Now in its 97th year, the fair features carnival rides, livestock shows, a beer garden, and more throughout the six-day event. ⏰ Monday, July 20-Sunday, July 25, times vary 💵 Pay as you go 📍 Kimberton Fair Grounds, Phoenixville
🏡 On the Market
A four-bedroom Downingtown home with a sun room
With easy access to the Uwchlan and Struble Trails, this four-bedroom Downingtown home blends the indoors and outdoors. That’s evident in a sun room addition that opens onto a patio and the backyard. Other features include a kitchen with granite countertops and an island, an office, dining and living rooms, and a family room with vaulted ceilings, a skylight, and a fireplace. The primary suite also has its own sitting area and a double vanity. There are open houses Friday from 4 to 6 p.m. and Sunday from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.
See more photos of the home here.
Price: $850,000 | Size: 3,031 SF | Acreage: 0.8
🗞️ What other Chester County residents are reading this week:
- Freedom Fuel stations across the Philly region offer cheap gas, feature local owners, and raise ethical concerns
- Where microburst storm damage has been reported around Philly, mapped
- Bryce Harper responds to controversy over his video that went to a FanDuel customer with a gambling addiction
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This suburban content is produced with support from the Leslie Miller and Richard Worley Foundation and The Lenfest Institute for Journalism. Editorial content is created independently of the project donors. Gifts to support The Inquirer’s high-impact journalism can be made at inquirer.com/donate. A list of Lenfest Institute donors can be found at lenfestinstitute.org/supporters.
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