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  • A can’t-miss tomato tart | Inquirer Greater Media

    A can’t-miss tomato tart | Inquirer Greater Media

    Hi, Greater Media! 👋

    Peak tomato season is here and you won’t want to miss this savory tart showcasing the summer staple. Also this week, a Media Farmers Market breadmaker has expanded, county measles vaccination rates have declined slightly, plus, Middletown Township will continue discussions about Rose Tree Media School District’s proposed K-1 Early Learning Center.

    We want your feedback! Tell us what you think of the newsletter by taking our survey or emailing us at greatermedia@inquirer.com.

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    Two local farmers’ markets staples to know about

    John Goncher recently expanded Wild Yeast Bakehouse. Tyger Williams / Staff Photographer

    Two brands that might be familiar to local farmers’ market goers have raised their profiles this summer.

    Wild Yeast Bakehouse, the sourdough startup that frequently has sell-out crowds at the Media Farmers Market, has opened a Main Line storefront, allowing it to expand its capacity.

    🥖 The Inquirer’s Jenn Ladd has the details.

    And Market Day Canelé’s savory tart recently got a shout out from Inquirer reporter Kiki Aranita, who said it was the best thing she ate last week. She’s especially loving the mushroom, tomato, corn, ham, gruyère, and egg tart right now, at the height of tomato season.

    You can score a piece when the eatery sets up shop at the Swarthmore Farmers Market.

    🍅 Read more about Aranita’s thoughts on the tart.

    💡 Community News

    • Delaware County has fully restored operations after a June cybercriminal attack, but is continuing to investigate what may have been compromised, noting hackers were able to access data “maintained within the network.”
    • The executive director of DELGO Community Transit, a Delaware County subsidized transportation organization for seniors and people with disabilities, is facing felony charges of child endangerment after a DUI arrest. Nick Miccarelli, a former state representative and Ridley Park native, was previously accused of physical and sexual assault.
    • New data shows that 93.9% of Delaware County kindergarteners are vaccinated against measles, which is below the 95% threshold scientists say is needed to prevent the spread of the contagious virus. Across grades, the county has seen a slight drop in measles vaccination rates.
    • The Walgreens at 51 Baltimore Pike in Glen Mills is closing its doors on Sept. 3.
    • Spooky season may still be a couple of months away, but Spirit Halloween has already opened at a former Joann space in the Marple Crossroads shopping center in Springfield. It’ll be joined this month by another Springfield location in the former Party City on Baltimore Pike, as well as one in the former Joann at the Concordville Town Centre in Glen Mills.
    • Planning to take the D1 trolley in the next few days? SEPTA will be doing work on the Lansdowne Avenue grade crossing and substituting in bus service tomorrow through Sunday.

    🏫 Schools Briefing

    • Middletown Township’s planning commission will consider Rose Tree Media School District’s application to reverse subdivide a parcel at 134 Barren Rd. with the goal of building a K-1 Early Learning Center there. The meeting will take place Tuesday at 6:30 p.m. at Penn State Brandywine.

    🎳 Things to Do

    🎶 Rose Tree Summer Concert Festival: The upcoming lineup features performances from wind ensemble Pennsylvania Symphonic Winds tonight, the Americana-rooted Matt Santry Band tomorrow, Barbershop’s Best on Saturday, and Polynesian luau band Paradise Island on Sunday. Zydeco-inspired New Orleans Fish Fry will play on Wednesday. ⏰ Thursday, Aug. 6-Wednesday, Aug. 12, 7:30 p.m. 💵 Free 📍 Rose Tree Park, Media

    🌻 Sunflower Festival: Pick your own sunflowers, participate in dance workshops, and listen to live music. ⏰ Saturday, Aug. 8, 8 a.m.-6 p.m. (rain date: Aug. 9) 💵 Pay as you go 📍 Linvilla Orchards, Media

    🎵 Tribute to Fleetwood Mac: Tickets are going fast for this concert featuring covers of some of the band’s most iconic songs. ⏰ Saturday, Aug. 8, 6:45 p.m. 💵 $52.92-$63.72 📍 Media Theatre

    🗞️ What other Greater Media 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.

  • Could auction-bound St. Peter’s get more housing? | Inquirer Chester County

    Could auction-bound St. Peter’s get more housing? | Inquirer Chester County

    Hi, Chester County! 👋

    Could the auction for the majority of St. Peter’s Village mean more housing density? We look at some of the options on the table. Also this week, a new vinyl listening room is opening in Kennett Square, some Tredyffrin Township residents are concerned that a park conversion isn’t worth the hefty price tag, plus, work has resumed at a controversial data center site.

    We want your feedback! Tell us what you think of the newsletter by taking our survey or emailing us at chestercounty@inquirer.com.

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

    Could more housing be coming to St. Peter’s Village?

    There’s the potential for a future owner to add housing to St. Peter’s Village. Steven M. Falk / For The Inquirer

    Nearly two months out from an auction that will see the quaint St. Peter’s Village go to the highest bidder, some local business owners are excited, if a little apprehensive, about the prospect.

    “There is this rural charm there, and that is part of what the village has built its reputation on over the years,” said Doug Reeser, who owns Excursion Ciders at the Snug. “So, if development could be done with an eye towards preservation and minimal impact, I think that would be great.”

    There are several high- and lower-density housing developments on the table that could bolster it into a tiny town, but not without its challenges.

    The Inquirer’s Brooke Schultz looks at some of the potential outcomes.

    Kennett Square is getting a new vinyl listening room and bar

    Top Dog Cocktails is also opening a listening room in Fishtown. Courtesy of Ken Smukler

    Top Dog Cocktails is expanding its offerings in Kennett Square, with plans to add a Japanese-inspired vinyl listening room and bar.

    The ready-to-drink cocktail brand, which already has distilling operations at 110 E. State St., has hundreds of albums to spin, with a goal of offering “a quieter, safer, more sophisticated space to consume alcohol and listen to really good music,” founder Ken Smukler said.

    Top Dog also has plans to partner with nearby music venue Kennett Flash.

    Here’s what you can expect when the new concept opens.

    📍 Countywide News

    💡 Community News

    The construction site at Chase Road Park in Tredyffrin Township.Tyger Williams / Staff Photographer
    • Tredyffrin Township residents are expressing concern after work to convert the dilapidated Chase Road Park has swelled from $725,000 in the first year to $1.7 million this fiscal year. Here’s what to know.
    • Work on the 1.5 million-square-foot data center at an East Whiteland Township Superfund site resumed last week after a temporary order halting work.
    • Tyler Humphreys, a 24-year-old Malvern man and former Sharon Hill police officer, was sentenced to nine to 20 years in state prison after admitting he raped and sexually assaulted three children.
    • A 20-year-old Coatesville man, Kevin Reza-Gonzales, has been arrested and charged with first- and third- degree murder, as well as strangulation, in the death of his girlfriend.
    • The University of Valley Forge, a Christian institution in Phoenixville, announced last week that it will suspend operations after the summer semester.
    • Oxford’s borough council voted last week to pursue joining the Southern Chester County Regional Police Department amid rising costs. At a special meeting Monday night, New Garden Township’s board of supervisors agreed to move forward with negotiations for Oxford to join the regional police department.
    • Caln Township’s board of commissioners approved E. Khan Development Corp.’s proposal to build a 97-townhome community on a roughly 29-acre parcel at 4109 Lincoln Highway.
    • Developer D.R. Horton is looking to build a 130-townhome community known as Meadowview at the nearly 30-acre site at 200 N. Church St. in Parkesburg. The borough will hold a zoning hearing tomorrow at 7 p.m.
    • Imaging Associates, LLC, along with Toll Brothers, is looking to build an age-restricted community on a nearly 119-acre site at 500 Hibernia Rd. in Coatesville. Plans call for 163 single-family homes and 74 twin homes. West Brandywine Township will hold a conditional use hearing for the project tonight at 7 p.m.
    • Speaking of Toll Brothers, the homebuilder recently opened Regency at Valley Creek, a 317-home 55-and-over community in Exton.
    • East Fallowfield swore in its new township supervisor, Robert Sparr, last week.
    • The Hot Spot, a pottery painting, candle-making, and mosaic concept, has opened at 34 S. Main St. in Phoenixville.

    🏫 Schools Briefing

    • Coatesville Area School District’s board voted last week to approve a bond resolution of up to $100 million, funding that will support the yearslong North Brandywine Middle School construction project.
    • The tracks at both Downingtown Area School District high schools are closed for renovations for several weeks. The Downingtown East track is expected to reopen Sept. 7, with the Downingtown West track to follow on Sept. 21.

    🍽️ On our Plate

    • Cutter and Cannon Spirits opened its new location at 104 E. Gay St. in West Chester over the weekend. The distillery’s new spot has a tasting room and bottle shop.

    🎳 Things to Do

    🎆 Phoenixville First Responders Appreciation Night: Rescheduled from the Fourth of July, the event includes water ice, pizza, and a fireworks show. ⏰ Thursday, Aug. 6, 6 p.m. 💵 Free 📍 Friendship Field, Phoenixville

    🚴 Tour-de-Trike: See teams of adults compete in tricycle races. ⏰ Friday, Aug. 7, 3:30-6 p.m. (rain date: Aug. 8) 💵 Free 📍 Gay Street, West Chester

    🎻 Old Fiddler’s Picnic: Now in its 97th year, the festival brings together performers for free concerts. There will also be food trucks, vendors, and yard games. ⏰ Saturday, Aug. 8, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. (rain date: Aug. 9) 💵 Free 📍 Hibernia County Park, Coatesville

    🥕 Phoenixville VegFest: Check out all things vegan at this festival, complete with food trucks and a beer garden. ⏰ Saturday, Aug. 8, 11 a.m.-6 p.m. (rain date: Aug. 9) 💵 Pay as you go 📍 Reeves Park, Phoenixville

    ✈️ 2026 Festival of Flight: See acrobatic flight displays, a drone show, and fireworks at this two-day event. ⏰ Saturday, Aug. 8, 2-10 p.m. and Sunday, Aug. 9, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. 💵 $13.57-$47.02 📍 New Garden Flying Field, Toughkenamon

    🏡 On the Market

    A century-old Honey Brook farmhouse with a modern interior

    The home also has a detached garage.Courtesy of Alex Whitt/Keller Williams Elite

    Built in 1900, this farmhouse has been renovated to bring it into the 21st century while retaining its historic-looking exterior. The first floor has an open-concept living and dining area that opens onto a kitchen, plus two bedrooms. There are two additional bedrooms upstairs, including a primary suite with a sleek, updated bathroom. The property also has a large detached garage with room for additional living space.

    See more photos of the home here.

    Price: $550,000 | Size: 2,128 SF | Acreage: 0.61

    🗞️ 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.

  • The 5 most Wikipedia-famous local celebs | Inquirer Cherry Hill

    The 5 most Wikipedia-famous local celebs | Inquirer Cherry Hill

    Hello, Cherry Hill! 👋

    There’s a surprising depth of acting talent among some of the township’s most notable natives, something evident in 2025 Wikipedia searches of celebrities born locally. We look at the top five. Also this week, Cherry Hill police arrested a man who allegedly attempted to lure an underage girl to a park, the school district has named a replacement for the director of elementary education, plus, Brio Italian Grille has closed, one in a number of area eateries to shutter.

    We want your feedback! Tell us what you think about the newsletter by taking our survey or emailing us at cherryhill@inquirer.com.

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

    Four actors top the list of the most-searched Wikipedia pages of locally born celebrities

    Cherry Hill native Ali Larter is currently starring in “Landman.”Emerson Miller/Paramount+

    Ever wonder who the region’s most-searched-for locally born celebrities are?

    The Inquirer recently dug into the 2025 top five most-searched individuals born in Cherry Hill, with the results showcasing some serious acting talent.

    Topping the list of township natives with the most searches is former model and actress Ali Larter, followed by fellow actress and musician Cristin Milioti. Two additional actors, one whose name you’ll likely hear a lot more of soon, and a former NBA player, also make the top five.

    See the full list here.

    💡 Community News

    • Cherry Hill police arrested an Atlantic City lifeguard, Stephen M. Pagnoni, last week after he allegedly arranged to meet with someone he believed to be a teenage girl at a township park for sex in exchange for money. The Inquirer’s Robert Moran has the details.
    • Major League Soccer has named Cherry Hill native Larry Berg as its next commissioner, a role he’ll assume on Jan. 1. The 60-year-old, who is an owner of Los Angeles FC, will be the league’s third commissioner.
    • Friday is the deadline to join the waiting list for the 45 rental units soon to be available at affordable housing development Hamilton House. Qualifying applicants will then be randomly selected.
    • Marmara International Market & Cafe, a new Mediterranean and Turkish spot, opened this week at 2083 Old Marlton Pike.
    • Spooky season may still be a couple of months away, but Spirit Halloween has set up shop at the former LA Fitness on Route 38. (If you’re down the Shore, you can check out the newly opened 20,000-square-foot flagship in Egg Harbor Township.)
    • DIY studio Deko Deko is opening its Cherry Hill location Saturday at 1601 King Highway North. The Philadelphia-based business lets you paint ceramics as well as make custom creations of things like keychains and pixel beads.
    • Roadwork continues on Kenilworth Avenue and Kresson Road, which will have a mix of closures and lane shifts throughout the week. Work will also impact Springdale, Cooper Landing, Haddonfield-Berlin, and Old Orchard Roads.

    🏫 Schools Briefing

    🍽️ On our Plate

    • After fending off closure rumors, Brio Italian Grille officially closed its doors last week at Towne Place at Garden State Park. It’s one of a number of restaurants to shutter in the region recently. The Inquirer’s Michael Klein looks at the flux and what it could signal.
    • Dolsot House has some of the best chicken wings in South Jersey, according to a ranking from BestofNJ.com. The website touted the Sawmill Village shop’s double-fried Korean wings, which you can douse with flavors such as honey sesame, soy garlic, spicy, or diablo sauce.

    🎳 Things to Do

    🦖 Jurassic World: Teens can watch the 2015 film starring Chris Pratt and Bryce Dallas Howard. Registration is required. ⏰ Wednesday, Aug. 5, 6-8:30 p.m. 💵 Free 📍 Cherry Hill Public Library

    🛼 SpongeBob’s Ice Cream Party: This themed skate event includes a snowball fight and freeze pops. ⏰ Saturday, Aug. 8, noon-3 p.m. and 4-7 p.m. 💵 $14 admission 📍 Hot Wheelz

    🦪 Shuck and Sips Oyster Night: Enjoy fresh oysters from Laughing Gull Oyster Farm, along with gin and tonics and music. ⏰ Wednesday, Aug. 12, 5:30 p.m. 💵 $49 📍 Randall’s Restaurant

    🗓️ Looking for more things to do? Check out our guide to ongoing South Jersey events.

    🏡 On the Market

    An elegant seven-bedroom home with a first-floor primary suite

    The home spans nearly 4,800 square feet.Steve Edwards Photography | Courtesy of Cristin Holloway/eXp Realty

    Located in the Fox Hollow Woods neighborhood in the Springdale section of Cherry Hill, this seven-bedroom home features a family room with a fireplace and soaring ceilings; a living room with built-ins and a library ladder; and a finished lower level that could be its own suite thanks to a bedroom, full bathroom, living room, and kitchenette. The home also has a first-floor primary suite with a walk-in closet and soaking tub.

    See more photos of the home here.

    Price: $1.1M | Size: 4,791 SF | Acreage: 0.41

    🗞️ 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.

  • These four actors are Cherry Hill’s most-searched Wikipedia celebrities

    These four actors are Cherry Hill’s most-searched Wikipedia celebrities

    Ever wonder which locally-born celebrities are searched the most?

    The Inquirer’s Lizzie Mulvey and Charmaine Runes recently dug into the 2025 most popular celebrities on Wikipedia who were born in the Philadelphia area. The results were a mix of obvious contenders and surprises.

    Which Philly-area celebrities had the most Wikipedia pageviews?

    We went even further, looking at the top five most-searched individuals born in Cherry Hill, with the results showcasing some serious acting talent.

    Topping the list of township natives with the most searches is former model and actor Ali Larter, who gained acclaim in the Final Destination films and had roles in Legally Blonde, Marigold, and Obsessed. She’s currently starring in Paramount+ drama Landman.

    In addition to topping the local list, Larter is among the most-searched celebrities in the area, landing at No. 6 overall.

    Fellow actor and musician Cristin Milioti is No. 16 on the list overall, but ranks No. 2 locally. She played in sitcom How I Met Your Mother and HBO’s The Penguin. The Cherry Hill High School East alum earned a Grammy award for her performance in Once: A New Musical and got her first Emmy nomination last year for The Penguin.

    Cristin Milioti arrives at the 82nd Golden Globes on Sunday, Jan. 5, 2025, at the Beverly Hilton in Beverly Hills, California.Jordan Strauss

    Like Larter, she has garnered a lot of search region-wide, ranking No. 16 overall.

    Lauren Cohan of The Walking Dead fame is the third-most-searched Cherry Hill-born celebrity, coming in No. 42 overall. She’s followed by up-and-comer Dominic Sessa, who lands at No. 61 on the larger list. Expect to hear his name a lot more — he’s playing a young Anthony Bourdain in the forthcoming biopic Tony, due out this month.

    Dominic Sessa arrives at the Oscars on Sunday, March 10, 2024, at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles. John Locher

    Rounding out the top five is former NBA player Mike Bibby, who was born here while his father, Henry Bibby, played for the Sixers.

    See the full list of the most-searched celebrities born locally.

    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.

  • Lower Merion shut down a school board meeting amid shouts from parents angry about tech use

    Lower Merion shut down a school board meeting amid shouts from parents angry about tech use

    A Lower Merion school board committee on Monday advanced new rules on when screens should be used in classrooms, while facing anger from parents who want more limits on technology.

    The policy committee, which has been hammering out a technology policy after parental backlash to excessive screen time, went into recess and later shut down its meeting in the district’s administrative offices in response to shouts from people in the crowd.

    “When you are disrupting a public meeting, you are actually breaking the law,” school board president Kerry Sautner said, as a parent in the crowd, David Smyth, called on the committee, which had stopped public comment after 45 minutes, to allow more people to speak.

    Sautner — who said earlier that 45 minutes was typical for the committee’s public comment period — told Smyth he could leave, or stay and listen. When he answered that he wanted more public comment, the committee ended the in-person meeting and switched to Zoom to vote to advance the policy.

    The policy now goes before the full school board for a vote on Aug. 17. It sets new guidelines for how technology is to be used in Lower Merion, one of the Philadelphia area’s most affluent districts, amid a national debate over whether excessive technology use is impairing kids’ educations.

    Lower Merion’s proposed policy scales back on screens for the youngest students — specifying that kids in kindergarten and first and second grades will not be issued individual devices. Previously, kindergartners and first graders were given iPads, while second graders received Chromebooks.

    “Many of you came and said, ‘I don’t think my kindergartener needs a one-to-one device.’ I don’t disagree with you,” Superintendent Frank Ranelli said at Monday’s meeting.

    Under the proposed policy, any technology use for K-2 students “shall be minimal, highly structured, and limited to specific educational purposes.”

    Students in third and fourth grades will not have personal devices, but will have “an assigned log-in” that they can use to access computers on classroom carts, according to a district spokesperson, Amy Buckman.

    In grades five and six, students will be assigned devices but will not bring them home unless their parents want them to, Ranelli said.

    While bringing computers home becomes the default by seventh and eighth grade, Ranelli said, students who choose not to do so will not be penalized.

    But, the superintendent said, families “cannot decline technology” in the new policy — a bitter point of contention throughout school board debates earlier this year, as families demanded to opt out of devices.

    The board voted in June to scrap its former policy, which contained language requiring the district to serve families who did not consent to being issued a computer. While more than 800 parents signed a petition supporting the right to opt out, Ranelli said doing so was not possible.

    Parents have continued to organize under a Pencils Over Pixels group.

    At Monday’s meeting, Matthew Posey, a district parent, read from an April 9 email obtained through a Right-to-Know request, indicating that Ranelli had “instructed” Sautner to repeal the policy, according to Posey.

    “We also want to make sure … that the board sees the vision in not allowing parents to totally ‘opt out’ of getting a device and having to use it for part of our curriculum,” Ranelli wrote, describing the district’s response to parental concerns.

    Replying the next day, Sautner told Ranelli: “Got it.”

    “We do not pay premium local taxes to have this insulting, rubber-stamp school board governance,” Posey said. He accused the board of treating months of public meetings over technology use as “an inconvenience to be managed,” rather than a genuine consideration of parental concerns.

    Sautner said that she would have to review the email Posey mentioned, but that she sometimes responds “got it” to indicate she has received a message.

    “We hold the superintendent accountable,” she said. “It is literally our job as the board.”

    Parents pressed the committee for answers Monday on how the policy would work in practice. Ranelli said the district had been training principals in a “default to off” philosophy, to instruct their teachers to tell students that if they are not actively using their computers for an activity, “we want your screens to be down. Or we don’t want them at their desks.”

    While rules accompanying the policy include some guidelines for how much screen time kids should be getting each day — from 30-45 minutes in third and fourth grades to up to 90 minutes in fifth through eighth grades — there are no parameters for high school.

    School officials said that was too difficult, given how many classes high school students have in a given day.

    “I want to make sure we’re not handcuffing the teachers,” Ranelli said.

    Ranelli also said the district had stepped up efforts to block inappropriate websites, including all Google sites, which kids had used to play games, he said. It has also blocked all streaming services and AI summaries, Ranelli said.

    He said the district — and parents — would be able to better monitor kids’ online activity through a new Securly program, which allows teachers to monitor what kids are looking at in class. Parents, meanwhile, can block more categories of websites and set schedules for their kids’ devices out of school hours, Ranelli said.

    Smyth, the parent whose interruptions led the board to end the meeting, said in an interview that parents feel like board members are “checking a box and not really interested” in their comments.

    “In our mind, the big sin is really one-to-one devices,” said Smyth, who has children in seventh and eighth grade. He had planned to ask if the district will be tracking time spent by students on various computer programs — to set metrics for “what would have them reconsider” the amount of technology use in classrooms.

  • A longtime Bala Cynwyd bistro is closing, and Center City Italian restaurant veterans are moving in

    A longtime Bala Cynwyd bistro is closing, and Center City Italian restaurant veterans are moving in

    After more than three decades, the Wakim family is handing off Bala Cynwyd’s Aldar Bistro to veterans of Center City’s Gran Caffè L’Aquila, who plan to transform the longtime Lebanese restaurant into a soft-lit, white-tablecloth Southern Italian destination called Bruzi.

    Two Philly-based couples from Cosenza in Calabria — Luciano and Tania Spensierato and Marco Mondello and Anna Bellizzi — are buying the restaurant at 285 Montgomery Ave. from Joseph Wakim and family.

    The sale, contingent on approval of the liquor license transfer, will end the Wakims’ 34-year run at Aldar, which will be open during the transfer process. The restaurant succeeded the family’s Italian restaurant, Allegresse, which opened in 1980.

    The Wakims — brothers Joseph, Michel, and George, and sister Fadia — also own Murray’s Deli next door, as well as Evviva, a restaurant, catering venue, and private-events space in Narberth.

    “We all grow older, and it’s time to step aside,” Joseph Wakim said. “Over the past five years, we probably had 10 suitors, and I said, ‘No, thank you.’”

    He said he ultimately chose the two couples because they were “the right families for us to pass the torch to.”

    Tania Spensierato said Aldar “checked all the boxes we were looking for. We wanted to be on the Main Line. We wanted tall ceilings, an existing liquor license, and a space that was roomy but not enormous. We weren’t looking for a 200- or 300-seat restaurant. We wanted a spacious kitchen so the chef would have room to do what he does best.”

    “We also wanted to be part of a community,” she said. “Bala Cynwyd and Lower Merion really fit that vision. The location on Montgomery Avenue was exactly what we were looking for.”

    Aldar will remain open until the liquor-license transfer is approved, a process that Wakim believes could be completed in September. The new owners then anticipate about two months of renovations before opening Bruzi in late October or November.

    Luciano Spensierato has worked behind the bar at Gran Caffè L’Aquila since 2015, while Marco Mondello joined the Center City restaurant a year later as a bartender. Tania Spensierato works in retail, though her background is in restaurants. Bellizzi is a scientist at Temple University.

    The name Bruzi refers to the ancient people of Calabria, where all the partners trace their roots. Tania Spensierato, a first-generation Italian American, said the restaurant is intended to reflect that heritage.

    The menu will focus on house-made pastas and traditional Calabrian cooking. Planned dishes include sliced black boar prosciutto, Calabrian cheeses, fusilli with slow-cooked meat sauce, baked lamb with tomatoes, olives, and roasted peppers, and grilled tuna with arugula.

    The beverage program also will be a centerpiece. Marco Mondello, an Italian-trained sommelier, plans to open with about 100 Italian wines and expand the list over time. Spensierato, who has worked as a bartender for 35 years, said cocktails will also play a prominent role.

    Glynis Tart of Verden Interior Design will give the dining room a modern Mediterranean makeover with blue-and-gold accents inspired by the Calabrian flag, along with olive trees and other greenery, Tania Spensierato said. A small retail section will sell imported Italian products.

    The partners have hired an Italian-born chef currently working in Florida but declined to identify him until a later date. “Our first priority is simply to get started,” Tania Spensierato said. “One goal at a time.”

  • MLS’s new commissioner will be Cherry Hill native Larry Berg, a LAFC part-owner

    MLS’s new commissioner will be Cherry Hill native Larry Berg, a LAFC part-owner

    NEW YORK – Larry Berg, a member of Los Angeles FC’s ownership group with roots in Cherry Hill, has been elected as the new commissioner of Major League Soccer.

    He will officially take the reins on Jan. 1, with current commissioner Don Garber keeping the job until then. Garber will then take the role of chairman.

    “Thanks to the vision and commitment of so many people, Major League Soccer has achieved tremendous success, but I believe our greatest opportunities are still ahead,” Berg said in a statement. “We have an extraordinary opportunity to strengthen the quality of our competition, develop more world-class players, deepen our connection with supporters, and continue elevating Major League Soccer’s place in the global game. Together with our owners, clubs, players, partners, supporters, and league staff, I could not be more excited for what comes next.”

    A formal news conference will take place Tuesday at the league’s Manhattan headquarters. Monday’s vote took place there, with representatives of all 30 teams’ ownership groups.

    Larry Berg poses for a photo at MLS headquarters after being elected as the league’s new commissioner.Major League Soccer

    “Having worked closely with Larry over the past decade, I’ve seen firsthand the qualities that make him an exceptional leader, and I have complete confidence he is the right person to serve as Major League Soccer’s next commissioner,” Garber said. “His integrity, judgment, collaborative leadership, and unwavering commitment to building LAFC and the league have made him an invaluable partner. I look forward to working alongside Larry during this transition and supporting him as he leads MLS into its next chapter.”

    Berg, 60, has been part of LAFC’s ownership group since the team launched in 2018. He will be just the league’s third commissioner since it launched in 1996. Doug Logan had the job from 1995-99, and Garber has had it ever since.

    This summer created World Cup fans, but that’s not the same as soccer fans. MLS must bridge the gap.

    Berg topped David Nathanson, a former Fox Sports executive with ownership stakes in teams including the Seattle Sounders, NWSL’s Angel City FC, and NHL’s Seattle Kraken.

    Those were the only two candidates, and just one other was known to have been in the race: veteran San Francisco 49ers and Leeds United executive Paraag Marathe. He took himself out in mid-July.

    Don Garber has been MLS commissioner since 1999.Tyger Williams / Staff Photographer

    Berg has recently been co-chair of MLS’s powerful sporting and competition committee. That group is in charge of setting the league’s roster rules, including a long-anticipated overhaul to push the pace harder in the global game. That overhaul seems close to arriving, and no doubt Berg will be a leading figure in presenting it to the public.

    He also has quite a few ties to the Philadelphia area. He’s a Cherry Hill native who played soccer at Cherry Hill East High, and attended Penn’s Wharton business school. He’s a Philadelphia sports fan, from the Eagles to soccer’s Atoms back in the day, and his wife is from the city.

    This summer’s World Cup served as the ultimate proof of how big global soccer stars have become in America

    Berg’s career away from soccer has been in the investment world. He knows 76ers lead owner Josh Harris well, having worked at Apollo Global Capital and Harris’ newer 26 North investment firm.

    Of course, Berg’s fandom hasn’t extended to the local MLS team here, but that’s no surprise. He has helped build LAFC’s juggernaut, with a history of stars and a 2022 MLS Cup title at the Union’s expense.

    Now everyone will see if his business acumen with a club can translate to the overall league.

    Larry Berg (left) with his wife Allison, a Philadelphia native.FilmMagic

    Nathanson spent many years in the media world. His biggest feat was helping Fox land World Cup broadcast rights starting in 2015, after ESPN had held them for decades. He was also involved in deals for Concacaf tournaments and other soccer properties. After leaving Fox in 2017, Nathanson became an investor in a wide variety of areas, including sports teams.

    Coincidentally, he also has ties to Philadelphia as a Penn alum, and is a regular visitor to the city. His top selling point as a candidate is having TV rights experience, with MLS already starting to look for its next round of big deals. The all-in-one Apple package will end in 2029, and Fox’s small package of linear broadcasts expires after this year.

    Nathanson declined to comment when approached, but he no doubt will be heard from in other ways in the sport.

    Union president Tim McDermott discusses signing ‘bigger name players,’ a Philly stadium, and much more after a World Cup reset

    Union principal owner Jay Sugarman told The Inquirer he was pleased with Berg’s victory.

    “We had two very impressive candidates, and both of them had clear plans on how to build on Don Garber’s legacy, which gives us a lot of excitement for the future,” Sugarman said. “I think Larry understands this league inside and out, and I’m excited to move forward with him.”

  • Former Sharon Hill police officer sentenced to state prison for raping, sexually assaulting three children

    Former Sharon Hill police officer sentenced to state prison for raping, sexually assaulting three children

    A former Sharon Hill Police officer was sentenced to nine-to-20 years in state prison after admitting he raped and sexually assaulted three children, one as young as 9.

    Tyler Humphreys, 24, pleaded guilty in March to rape, corruption of minors, involuntary deviant sexual intercourse, and related crimes in connection with the assaults, which took place between 2014 and 2022.

    The sentence was handed down by Chester County Court Judge Annalisa Sondergaard during a lengthy hearing Wednesday evening. As a condition of his sentence, Humphreys, of Malvern, is barred from contacting any of the victims or their families.

    His attorney, Elliot Marc Cohen, did not immediately return a request for comment Thursday.

    During the hearing, the mother of one of the victims described how Humphreys betrayed the trust afforded him as a public servant and had torn their family apart.

    Humphreys was hired as a Sharon Hill police officer in September 2023, three months before he was arrested.

    The borough fired Humphreys shortly after the charges were filed by prosecutors in Chester County. During his brief stint with the department, Humphreys worked as a school resource officer, but Sharon Hill officials have said there were no allegations that he had committed any crimes during his tenure with the department.

    Investigators said they received a report in November 2023 about the rape, which occurred the previous December at a home in Charlestown Township, according to the affidavit of probable cause for Humphreys’ arrest.

    The victim, then 15, told police Humphreys served her alcohol until she was drunk, then carried her to a bedroom and raped her as she was “in and out of consciousness, the affidavit said. Humphreys was 20 at the time.

    Another victim later told police about a second incident that also occurred in December 2022.

    The woman, then 19, told police she woke up next to Humphreys in bed, and felt sharp pain in her genitals, according to the affidavit. Earlier, she said, Humphreys had urged her to take over-the-counter medication in a dosage that far exceeded what was recommended. When she confronted him about the pain she felt, he denied any wrongdoing, the affidavit said.

    She also told investigators that Humphreys sexually assaulted her, groped her and exposed himself a number of times between 2014 and 2018, starting when she was 11 and he was 12, according to the affidavit.

    Humphreys was also charged with — and admitted to — the sexual assault of a 9-year-old boy that took place when Humphreys was 12.

  • A psychiatrist’s inappropriate patient relationship | Inquirer Lower Merion

    Hi, Lower Merion! 👋

    A local psychiatrist is seeking to get her license back after it was revoked for inappropriate sexual contact with a young patient. Also this week, a sourdough startup founded in a Rosemont living room has expanded, a bike share program could be coming to the township, plus, we pay a visit to the newly updated 333 Belrose.

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

    Bryn Mawr psychiatrist’s license revoked over inappropriate sexual contact with a young patient

    The State Board of Medicine recently revoked the medical license of Bryn Mawr psychiatrist Amy Mazza MacIntyre.Julia Duarte / Staff Illustration,

    Bryn Mawr psychiatrist Amy Mazza MacIntyre, whose practice is on Lancaster Avenue, has had her medical license revoked after a state investigation found she had sex with a young patient for years while prescribing him powerful psychiatric drugs.

    The former patient, who attended Lower Merion High School and is now 39 years old, breached a nondisclosure clause in a previous settlement by discussing the case with authorities “for the good of the public interest.”

    “This is not acceptable and she needs to be held accountable,” he told The Inquirer’s Wendy Ruderman.

    Here’s what to know before MacIntyre is scheduled to go before a judge to argue her case today.

    A Rosemont baker’s expansion from living room to brick-and-mortar

    John Goncher recently opened a brick-and-mortar space for Wild Yeast Bakehouse, which he initially launched in his Rosemont home. Tyger Williams / Staff Photographer

    Last year when John Goncher’s Rosemont living room had become overrun by sourdough loaves, he knew it was time to reassess his burgeoning bread business: “I said to my wife, ‘It either has to contract or it has to really grow.’”

    Goncher opted for the latter and recently debuted a brick-and-mortar for Wild Yeast Bakehouse in Wayne.

    His new storefront in the Eagle Village Shops was designed by the same team who renovated his family’s home and maintains a living room vibe, while dramatically upping capacity.

    The Inquirer’s Jenn Ladd takes us inside the new space.

    💡 Community News

    🍽️ On our Plate

    🎳 Things to Do

    🎭 Hamilton: Catch a film screening of the original Broadway hit, complete with a singalong ahead of time. Registration is required. ⏰ Thursday, July 30, 5-8:30 p.m. 💵 Free 📍 Ludington Library

    🎶 Bryn Mawr Twilight Concerts: Hear Americana duo Larry Campbell and Teresa Williams perform. ⏰ Friday, July 31, 7 p.m. 💵 $25.88, free for kids 12 and under 📍 Bryn Mawr Gazebo

    🥖 Hands on Challah Bake: Learn the basics of making this braided bread or get a refresher on it. ⏰ Thursday, Aug. 6, 11 a.m.-12:30 p.m. 💵 $10 📍 Kaiserman JCC

    🏡 On the Market

    A three-bedroom Wynnewood home with a sunny primary suite

    The home has three bedrooms and three bathrooms.Realtour Pilot | Courtesy of Matt Tallent/Keller Williams Main Line

    Situated near South Ardmore Park, this three-bedroom Wynnewood home has been updated over the years, including with a three-story addition. Among the highlights is a bright and airy primary suite with vaulted ceilings, multiple skylights, and lots of windows. The space also has a walk-in closet and a bathroom with a tub. There are three upcoming open houses: tonight from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m., tomorrow from 5 to 7 p.m., and Saturday from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.

    See more photos of the home here.

    Price: $900,000 | Size: 2,722 SF | Acreage: 0.13

    🗞️ What other Lower Merion 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.

  • Inside Granite Run’s evolution | Inquirer Greater Media

    Inside Granite Run’s evolution | Inquirer Greater Media

    Hi, Greater Media! 👋

    Malls were once a quintessential part of everyday life, but that shifted with the rise of online shopping. The Granite Run Mall was no exception. We take a look at its evolution. Also this week, Wawa debuted a hoagie-inspired mini-tote, the county has launched a measles vaccination campaign, plus, Wallingford-Swarthmore School District has among the highest athletics participation in the region.

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

    Why the Granite Run Mall had to evolve

    The former Granite Run Mall has undergone a massive transformation in the past decade to turn it into a mixed-use town center. Google Earth

    A regular at Granite Run Mall growing up, Delaware County native Mike Fenn is a little saddened about the state of former malls throughout the region. After all, many hardly resemble what they did in their heyday.

    That’s the case for Middletown Township’s former mainstay, which closed in 2015 amid declining store occupancy. But it soon got new life when developer BET Investments began a more than $100 million effort to transform the hulking space into a mixed-use town center now known as the Promenade at Granite Run.

    Today it consists of luxury apartments, stores, restaurants, and a medical facility, with retail nearly fully leased and apartments not far behind, BET president Michael Markman said.

    The Inquirer’s Erin McCarthy takes a deep dive into why malls like Granite Run proliferated and then changed over the years.

    💡 Community News

    • Main Line Health, which owns Riddle Hospital, is in the process of adding specialty physicians such as gastroenterologists. The goal is to reduce how long patients have to wait to access specialized care.
    • As measles cases continue to climb statewide, Delaware County has launched an immunization campaign to increase vaccination uptake. While no cases have been reported yet in the county, it’s “only a matter of time,” the department’s director said.
    • A Havertown man, Sean Keenan, 40, has been charged with terroristic threats and ethnic intimidation after allegedly leaving racist, threatening voicemails for Delaware County Sheriff Siddiq Kamara.
    • More mosquitoes capable of spreading West Nile virus were recently detected in surrounding communities, including Ridley and Springfield Townships. The Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection conducted controlled spraying last week and reminded residents to reduce standing water on their properties.
    • Heads up for drivers: Roadwork will close the southbound I-476 ramp to Baltimore Pike from Saturday at 9 p.m. until Monday at 5 a.m. In Middletown Township, Darlington Road will be closed between Old Forge and Valley Roads from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. through Friday. Expect paving today and tomorrow on select roads in Swarthmore. And in Aston Township, Pennell Road will be closed between Old Pennell Road and Glendale Boulevard Monday through next Thursday from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m.
    • Tomorrow is the last day to provide feedback on PennDot’s draft planning and environmental linkages study for its Routes 352 and 1 roadway improvements project.
    • Nonprofit Well Rooted has launched a new housing initiative geared toward young adults aging out of foster care. Ardmore-based Well Rooted Housing has partnered with Media home goods store Chosen Tweed to open two furnished apartments in the borough, which will be used by two individuals for the next year. The organization is also providing supportive services like mentorship, financial literacy, and trauma-informed mental health resources.

    🏫 Schools Briefing

    🍽️ On our Plate

    In addition to the tote, consumers could score a Wawa-themed charm and a T-shirt. Wawa
    • Delco-based Wawa recently teamed up with Lands’ End to create a limited-edition mini tote just big enough for lunch. Known as the Shorti Tote (naturally), the bag cost $39.95 and sold out online when it debuted last week.

    🎳 Things to Do

    🎶 Rose Tree Summer Concert Festival: Echoes of Laurel Canyon, which performs a wide range of American throwback covers, kicks things off tonight. Tomorrow, cover band FuseBox performs, followed by Prince tribute Controversy on Saturday, and the Merion Concert Band on Sunday. Reggae Thunder will perform Jamaican-style music on Wednesday. ⏰ Thursday, July 30-Wednesday, Aug. 5, 7:30 p.m. 💵 Free 📍 Rose Tree Park, Media

    🔥 Summer Fireside: There will be food trucks, fire pits, and marshmallows at this evening event. ⏰ Friday, July 31, 5-8 p.m. 💵 Admission is free for members and $10-$18 for non-members📍 Tyler Arboretum, Media

    🍿 Movie Night: Catch an outdoor screening of 1984 classic The Karate Kid. ⏰ Saturday, Aug. 1, around 8 p.m. 💵 Free 📍 Media Borough Hall lawn

    🗞️ What other Greater Media 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.