Author: Lisa Dukart

  • An artisan brewery is opening its second outpost | Inquirer Chester County

    An artisan brewery is opening its second outpost | Inquirer Chester County

    Hi, Chester County! šŸ‘‹

    A new brewery is opening this weekend in Spring City. Here’s what to know. Also this week, we take a peek inside a couple’s Berwyn garden that blooms year-round, a Pennsylvania Supreme Court case involving West Chester University could have broader ramifications, plus, several new eateries are opening, including a coffee shop.

    If someone forwarded you this email, sign up for free here.

    Punch Buggy Brewing Company opens Spring City location

    Punch Buggy Brewing Company’s Spring City outpost will open Saturday, June 13.John McGuire

    A Philadelphia brewery is getting ready to open its new outpost in Spring City. After a year in the works, Punch Buggy Brewing Company will debut its second location at 77 N. Main St. this Saturday, taking over a former hardware store.

    The new location will serve Punch Buggy’s brews, which range from IPAs and lagers popular with the Philly crowd, to sours and dark beers, which have gained popularity locally thanks to the brewery’s foray into the farmer’s market.

    In addition to beer, Punch Buggy will partner with Deezy’s Famous Cheesesteaks for food, and host live music on select nights.

    The Inquirer’s Brooke Schultz has all the details.

    How a couple transformed their Berwyn garden to have year-round color

    Bob and Bonnie Dettore in the garden at their Berwyn home. Allie Ippolito / For The Inquirer

    After purchasing their Colonial-revival split-level in Berwyn in 1987, Bonnie and Bob Dettore set about transforming the home, inside and out.

    Owned by seven people before them and full of old growth trees and bare ground, it was once ā€œdark and damp all the time,ā€ Bonnie said. That’s no longer the case thanks to Bob’s handiwork.

    The inside of the home has been overhauled and in the past four decades, its grounds have been transformed to showcase year-round color, thanks to showy rhododendrons, redbuds, ironwoods, magnolias, dogwoods, spring bulbs, and yellow witch hazel.

    Take a peek inside their garden.

    šŸ“ Countywide News

    • Chester County remains in a drought warning as the hot summer months approach. Officials are asking residents to voluntarily reduce water usage by 10% to 15%.
    • An April Pennsylvania Supreme Court ruling in favor of West Chester University may have ripple effects beyond the borough. Judges ruled that the tax-exempt university didn’t have to pay for stormwater treatment after considering it a tax, not a fee. Now numerous Pennsylvania communities might see higher stormwater bills as a result, The Inquirer’s Anthony Wood explains.
    • Some 32,000 Main Line Health patients insured by UnitedHealthcare could face service interruptions and providers going out of network if the insurer and the health system, which owns Paoli Hospital, don’t reach a deal by June 30. The two organizations are currently in negotiations.
    • There was another black bear sighting over the weekend, this time in East Goshen and Willistown Townships. In April, residents reported spotting a black bear in West Vincent Township. Residents are advised to take precautions and report sightings. (6abc)

    šŸ’” Community News

    • Global investment firm Vanguard is shrinking its physical footprint in Malvern by not renewing its expiring lease at 45 Liberty Blvd. The company said it plans to relocate employees working at that office to its nearby main campus.
    • West Chester-based home shopping giant QVC is among the largest companies in the U.S., ranking No. 433 on the latest Fortune 500. The company reported $9 billion in revenue last year before filing for Chapter 11 bankruptcy earlier this spring.
    • After pushing the NCAA Division II baseball championship to a deciding third game, West Chester University fell to the University of Tampa 8-4.
    • West Vincent Township’s board of supervisors is scheduled to consider Toll Brother’s proposal to build 46 single-family homes along five properties on South Chester Springs and Conestoga Roads, about 60% of which is preserved open space, at its meeting Monday at 7 p.m.
    • Last week, Willistown Township’s board of supervisors voted to approve creating a township sewer authority, which it will now file with the state.
    • West Whiteland Township’s board of supervisors will discuss adopting a new comprehensive plan, which includes goals of improving public transit services, pedestrian and bicycle access, and conservation. The board will meet at 6:30 p.m. tonight at the township building, as well as on Zoom.
    • There’s a public open house on Monday at the Caln Township building to discuss the Lincoln Highway corridor. Residents can weigh in on safety improvements, access, and preliminary designs.

    🚧 Roadwork to watch out for

    • Coatesville and Caln, Sadsbury, Valley, and West Caln Townships: There will be an overnight lane closure on Route 30 westbound between Airport Road and Kings Highway from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. through Friday.
    • East Coventry Township: A monthslong project to update the bridge on Ellis Woods Road over Pigeon Creek got underway this week and will continue through October, during which time the bridge will remain closed.
    • East Nottingham Township: Woods Road between Pugh and Hickory Hill Roads will be closed today from 6 a.m. to 3 p.m. for pipe repairs.
    • London Grove Township: Resurfacing work begins today on Clay Creek Road between Garden Station Road and the Avondale Borough line, as well as on East Avondale Road between Clay Creek and Rose Hill Roads. Work is expected to continue through June 22 with daily road closures.
    • Wallace and West Nantmeal Townships: Creek Road between Fairview and Manor Roads will be closed on weekdays from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. through next Thursday.
    • Warwick Township: Work continues on Harmonyville Road next week, with a closure between Hopewell and Saint Peters Roads on Monday and Tuesday from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m.
    • West Chester: Both South Church Street between University Avenue and Price Street and Sharpless Street between High and Darlington Streets will be closed from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. through Friday.
    • Willistown Township: Milling and paving work began this week and is expected to continue for the next three weeks on roads throughout the township. See which ones will be impacted here.

    šŸ« Schools Briefing

    • Great Valley School District’s board approved its 2026-27 budget earlier this month, which includes a 3.49% property tax increase.
    • Registration for Phoenixville Area School District’s Power Up for School program is now open. During the July 30 event, families can learn about programs and get vaccines or physicals for their children. Registration must be completed by July 17.
    • West Chester Area School District has approved its 2026-27 budget, with a 3.3% real estate tax increase for Chester County residents.

    šŸ½ļø On our Plate

    • Looking for a spot to watch the World Cup? The Inquirer’s Beatrice Forman rounded up bars to catch the game, including Kildare’s Irish Pub in West Chester, which is hosting a 21+ watch party Friday when Team USA takes on Paraguay.
    • Twin Valley Coffee has opened a location at 4043 Main St. in Elverson, with a ā€œhomecoming weekendā€ taking place Friday and Saturday.
    • Asad’s Hot Chicken is opening a location in Malvern this Friday at 490 Lancaster Ave. in the Frazer Shopping Center. To mark the occasion, it will offer free food from 3 to 6 p.m. The Philadelphia-born fast-casual eatery specializes in halal fried chicken.
    • Parlor Doughnuts is opening in Berwyn this Saturday and will give away donuts from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Located at 602 Lancaster Ave., the Indiana-based donut chain is known for its sweet and savory layered donuts with flavors like buffalo chicken, pepperoni, maple pecan, and bourbon caramel. It also offers vegan- and keto-friendly options.
    • Herr’s released the winning chip flavors for the 2026 spin on its ā€œFlavored by Phillyā€ competition this week, but instead of a single winner, the Nottingham chip company is releasing three in honor of the nation’s 250th birthday. The ā€œTaste the 250ā€ winners are Freedom Loaded Cheese Fries, Liberty Hickory Barbeque, and United JalapeƱo Cream Cheese and will be available throughout the summer.

    šŸŽ³ Things to Do

    šŸŽ™ļø Sound of Summer Free Concert Series: The annual concert series returns for the season, featuring a performance by Coatesville’s classical soul, funk, and jazz outfit The Sermon! There will also be food trucks. ā° Wednesday, June 10, 6:30-8:30 p.m. šŸ’µ Free šŸ“ Anson B. Nixon Park, Kennett Square

    šŸŽ¹ Tredyffrin Township Summer Concert Series: This year’s concert series kicks off with a performance by the Tim Williams Band. ā° Thursday, June 11, 7 p.m. šŸ’µ Free šŸ“ Wilson Farm Park, Wayne

    šŸŽØ Phoenixville Art Street Festival: Now in its ninth year, the festival will feature over 70 artists, including live performances. ā° Saturday, June 13, 11 a.m.-5 p.m. šŸ’µ Free šŸ“ Downtown Phoenixville

    šŸ‡ Mainstreet on the Vine: There will be wine, live music, vendors, and ice cream at this afternoon event. ā° Saturday, June 13, noon-5 p.m. šŸ’µ Pay as you go šŸ“ Wayvine Vineyard, Nottingham

    ā˜€ļø Downingtown Summer Jam: There will be live music, food trucks, and drinks at this family-friendly event. ā° Saturday, June 13, 4-9 p.m. šŸ’µ Pay as you go šŸ“ Kerr Park, Downingtown

    šŸ· Kennett Summerfest: Sample sips from over a dozen local and regional wineries, cideries, and meaderies at this 21-and-over event. There will also be music, vendors, and food to purchase. Non-alcohol tickets are also available. ā° Sunday, June 14, 2-6 p.m. šŸ’µ $46.35-$103 šŸ“ 100 block of South Broad Street, Kennett Square

    šŸ” On the Market

    A converted 1850s farmhouse with modern flair

    The home’s family room features vaulted ceilings and a floor-to-ceiling stone fireplace.Paul Ingram/PCI-Pro | Courtesy of The Stagliano Team

    A three-bedroom carriage house-style home in a converted farmhouse that dates back to the 1850s is on the market for the first time. Part of the Greenbank Cottages, the home is located in what was once the defunct Upattinas School that was converted into five residences. This one spans three levels and has stone on the interior and exterior. The main level features a living room with 30-foot ceilings anchored by a stone fireplace, original beams, and several chandeliers. Other features include a lounge area with a wet bar, an office, a courtyard, and a primary suite with a built-in closet system. There’s an open house Friday from 4 to 6 p.m.

    See more photos of the property here.

    Price: $824,999 | Size: 2,594 SF

    šŸ—žļø What other Chester County residents are reading this week:

    By submitting your written, visual, and/or audio contributions, you agree to The Inquirer’s Terms of Use, including the grant of rights in Section 10.

    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.

  • Debate over district’s Black history requirement | Inquirer Cherry Hill

    Debate over district’s Black history requirement | Inquirer Cherry Hill

    Hello, Cherry Hill! šŸ‘‹

    The school board faced pushback recently after one of its members suggested dropping an African American history course requirement amid a budget crunch, which was later withdrawn. Here’s what to know. Also this week, a township resident will become the next artistic director of an area theater, two local spots will be streaming World Cup games, plus, the Radin’s Deli sandwich our reporter loved.

    P.S. The Inquirer is launching a new South Jersey morning newsletter next week. Staring Monday, you might see the free daily edition in your inbox. Not already signed up? Get it here. Get to know newsletter editor Taylor Allen and her South Jersey essentials here. And don’t worry, we’ll still be coming to you with Cherry Hill-specific news every week.

    If someone forwarded you this email, sign up for free here.

    Cherry Hill will keep African American history course requirement

    Cherry Hill will maintain an African American history course graduation requirement after a board member suggested making it an elective.Tom Gralish / Staff Photographer

    Cherry Hill Public Schools will keep its African American history course as is after a school board member suggested dropping it as a graduation requirement amid budget woes.

    The suggestion last month to instead make the course an elective got pushback from students and the community alike, ultimately prompting board member Renee Cherfane to withdraw her proposal.

    In 2021, Cherry Hill was the first New Jersey district to require such a course for graduation.

    The Inquirer’s Melanie Burney delves into the controversy.

    šŸ’” Community News

    • Cherry Hill resident Amina Robinson has been named the next artistic director of Theatre Horizon in Norristown. Robinson gained acclaim in 2018 when directing The Color Purple, for which she became the first Black woman to win the Barrymore Award for outstanding direction of a musical. The Inquirer’s Rosa Cartagena spoke with her about the new role and her passion for theater.
    • World Cup matches are kicking off tomorrow, with local games at Lincoln Financial Field starting Sunday. Don’t have tickets? Soccer Post Cherry Hill will be streaming games on its seven TVs and later this summer it’ll host a youth soccer camp with a mock-World Cup tournament. AMC Theatres on Route 38 will also have viewings of select games with Spanish-language broadcasts.
    • Applications are open for qualifying residents interested in living in Hampton Square, the newly built affordable housing community at 614 Hampton Rd. Qualifying applicants will be put on a waitlist for 45 available units and then randomly selected. Hampton Square offers studio and two- and three-bedroom units for those with very low, low, and moderate incomes. Applications are due by Aug. 7.
    • The township has made changes to its household appliances and metal pickups. Starting this week, the township will collect appliance and metal items on Thursdays. Residents must make an appointment for pickup by 3 p.m. on Wednesdays.
    • Four people and two dogs were potentially exposed to a rabid bat in a Cherry Hill home recently. On Monday, a state lab confirmed that the bat found was positive for rabies. The dogs were up to date on their vaccines but will be confined for four months.
    • Heads up for drivers: Work continues on Kresson Road, which will have a partial closure westbound between Springdale and Cropwell Roads from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. through Friday. Starting today, Kenilworth Avenue will be closed between Chapel Avenue and Route 38 from 7 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. through Friday. Cooper Landing Road will also be closed between Georgia Avenue and Route 70 overnight from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. through Friday.
    • Appliances Outlet is hosting a grand opening from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday for its new Cherry Hill location at 1811 Route 70.
    • The former Cherry Hill Diner, which closed in 2023, was demolished last week to make way for a new car wash. The Courier Post captured photos of it coming down.

    šŸ« Schools Briefing

    • As the school year winds down next week, there will be elementary clap-outs on Tuesday and middle school graduations on Wednesday. Next Thursday are the high school graduations, and it’s also the last day of classes for the school year. See the district’s full calendar here.
    • Cherry Hill Public Library will have a pop-up graduation photo spot set up in the lobby starting tomorrow and running through next Saturday, complete with props.
    • 6abc recently profiled the Domenica Foundation, a South Jersey organization supporting underserved communities, including by providing scholarships for students to attend Catholic schools. The foundation recently celebrated the graduation of its class of 2026 from Camden Catholic High School in Cherry Hill. See the segment here.

    šŸ½ļø On our Plate

    • One of the best things an Inquirer reporter ate last week? A hot corned beef sandwich at Radin’s Deli. Kicking it up a notch, reporter Beatrice Forman added chopped liver to the famously massive sandwich at the Evesham Road spot, which she said gave it ā€œmulti-dimensional flavors.ā€ She added: ā€œDon’t knock it ā€˜til you try it.ā€
    • A new burger joint is now open in Cherry Hill. Located at 906 Route 70, Slap Burger serves smash burgers, chicken tenders, chicken sandwiches, hot dogs, loaded fries, and milkshakes.
    • La Cita Authentic Mexican Restaurant is one of the best spots for Mexican food in the state, according to a recent list from NJ.com, which ranked the Marlton Pike eatery No. 13. It’s known for its tacos, but also offers other classics like fajitas, enchiladas, burritos, and quesadillas.

    šŸŽ³ Things to Do

    šŸŽ¶ Twilight Concert Series: Max Weinberg’s Jukebox, which specializes in old-school tunes, headlines this week’s event. ā° Thursday, June 11, 8 p.m. šŸ’µ Free šŸ“ Cooper River Park Jack Curtis Stadium

    šŸŠā€ā™€ļø Youth Splash and Dash: Kids ages 7 to 12 can compete in three age-specific divisions in this running and swimming competition. ā° Sunday, June 14, 1-3 p.m. šŸ’µ $32.80 šŸ“ Katz JCC

    šŸ—“ļø VinChelle’s Juneteenth Celebration: The drag show ahead of the holiday will celebrate Black culture. ā° Sunday, June 14, 2:30-5 p.m. šŸ’µ $19.03 šŸ“ Vera

    šŸ” On the Market

    A four-bedroom Springdale home with a covered porch

    The home has a covered front porch and a two-car garage.Virtual Vista | Courtesy of Jackie DiAntonio/Keller Williams – Main Street

    Located in the Springdale neighborhood, this four-bedroom home has multi-level living thanks to its layout. The main level features a foyer, living room, dining room, and eat-in kitchen with granite countertops and stainless steel appliances. There are four bedrooms on the upper level, including a primary suite with a walk-in closet, while the lower level has a family room with a brick fireplace, a full bathroom, and a bonus room. There’s also a finished basement and a fenced backyard.

    See more photos of the home here.

    Price: $600,000 | Size: 2,499 SF | Acreage: 0.2

    šŸ—žļø What other Cherry Hill residents are reading this week:

    By submitting your written, visual, and/or audio contributions, you agree to The Inquirer’s Terms of Use, including the grant of rights in Section 10.

    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.