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  • Bala Cynwyd-based Pep Boys to be acquired by Mavis for $700 million

    Bala Cynwyd-based Pep Boys to be acquired by Mavis for $700 million

    Billionaire investor Carl Icahn’s company is selling Pep Boys, the Philadelphia-founded auto service chain, to private equity-backed Mavis Tire Express Services for $700 million in cash, the parties said Tuesday.

    Icahn’s publicly traded company, Icahn Enterprises LP, will keep owned real estate as well as Montgomery County-based Aamco Transmissions and Precision Tune Auto Care businesses.

    Founded more than a century ago by Navy veterans Emanuel Rosenfeld, Maurice L. Strauss, W. Graham “Jack” Jackson, and Moe Radavitz, Pep Boys started with a store at 63rd and Market Streets in Philadelphia’s Overbrook section. It now offers repair and maintenance services at more than 750 locations across the country.

    The founders became immortalized in the company’s branding, with a logo that included the cartoon faces of Manny, Moe, and Jack.

    “For more than 100 years, Pep Boys has earned the trust of drivers across the country by delivering quality service with honesty and care,” Pep Boys CEO Joe Auriemma said in a statement. “Mavis shares these values and, as part of the Mavis family, Pep Boys will have the scale, footprint, and operational and technological strength to continue building on its legacy as it enters a new chapter of growth.”

    A spokesperson for White Plains, N.Y.-based Mavis said Pep Boys “will continue operating under its iconic brand name.”

    The deal expands Mavis’ footprint to more than 4,400 service locations. David Sorbaro, co-chief executive officer of Mavis, said in a statement that Pep Boys “brings a loyal customer base, deep-rooted market presence across the United States, and a distribution network that will meaningfully enhance our supply chain nationwide.”

    The acquisition comes a decade after Icahn won Pep Boys in a bidding war with Japan-based tire giant Bridgestone for $1 billion. Around the same time, Icahn also bought the smaller Auto Plus chain, based in Kennesaw, Ga.

    That bet did not go as planned. Auto Plus filed for bankruptcy in 2023, with Icahn citing “lessened demand, supply chain disruptions, an inflationary environment, and the effects of COVID-19.”

    Under Icahn’s ownership, Pep Boys closed retail auto parts stores as it focused on repairs and tire sales.

    Icahn Enterprises’ auto segment reported a 3% decline in revenue in 2025 over the prior year, for a total of $1.4 billion, according to a securities filing. Icahn’s company cited “the strategic closure of underperforming locations.”

    Icahn Enterprises has also pointed to reduced consumer spending on auto repairs and maintenance.

    Around 2020 Icahn sold Pep Boys’ longtime headquarters on Allegheny Avenue in North Philly — which had been home to 500 employees — but leased back some space. Pep Boys no longer occupies the building, a spokesperson said.

    The company is now based in Bala Cynwyd. Pep Boys spokesperson Amanda Crisafulli declined to say how many jobs are based there. She also declined to say how many employees work for the company in total.

    Asked whether Mavis will keep the Bala Cynwyd office, a Mavis spokesperson said: “The integration of Mavis and Pep Boys will follow the closing of the transaction, which we expect to occur in the coming months, subject to customary closing conditions.”

    Editor’s Note: This story has been updated with additional information about Mavis’ plans for Pep Boys.

  • The 5 most Wikipedia-famous local celebs | Inquirer Lower Merion

    The 5 most Wikipedia-famous local celebs | Inquirer Lower Merion

    Hi, Lower Merion! 👋

    A surprising number of celebrities hail from this corner of Montgomery County, but who are the most-searched-for online? We take a look. Also this week, residents are continuing to clean up after Saturday’s storms, police are investigating home burglaries, plus a local teen had a viral moment at the Home Run Derby.

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

    Kylie Kelce tops the list of the most-searched Wikipedia pages of locally born celebrities

    Kylie Kelce is the most searched for celebrity on Wikipedia from Narberth or Lower Merion. Yong Kim / Staff Photographer

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

    Kobe Bryant? Of course. Sabrina Carpenter? Obviously. But a fighter pilot born in the early 1900s? Not so much.

    The Inquirer recently dug into the 2025 top five most-searched individuals born in Lower Merion or Narberth, with the tiny borough punching above its weight class.

    Topping the list is Narberth native Kylie Kelce, who gained traction online after her podcast “Not Gonna Lie” launched in late 2024.

    She’s followed by two fellow Narberth natives, one a former Navy fighter pilot and the other a best-selling author. Rounding out the list is an MLB player and the former president of the Cleveland Browns.

    See who made the top five here.

    💡 Community News

    🍽️ On our Plate

    🎳 Things to Do

    🎶 Bryn Mawr Twilight Concerts: There are two shows this weekend. On Friday, get a preview of the upcoming Philadelphia Folk Fest, and on Sunday, hear Trout Fishing in America, an eclectic folk/rock band. ⏰ Friday, July 17, 7 p.m., and Sunday, July 19, 4 p.m. 💵 Free on Friday; $25.88 for adults and $16.56 for kids 12 and under on Sunday 📍 Bryn Mawr Gazebo

    🎞️ To Catch a Thief: See a screening of the 1955 Alfred Hitchcock film starring Cary Grant and Grace Kelly. ⏰ Sunday, July 19, 4 p.m. 💵 $11.75-$16.25 📍 Bryn Mawr Film Institute

    🎵 Music in the Park: Coca Leaves and Pearls headlines the next concert. ⏰ Wednesday, July 22, 7 p.m. 💵 Free 📍 Narberth Park gazebo

    🏡 On the Market

    A bright and airy Merion Station Tudor

    The home has a screened-in porch.Ben Floyd Photography | Courtesy of Kathleen Hartnett/Compass RE

    Built in 1926, this four-bedroom Tudor has undergone a number of updates to blend the past and present. The home features a living room with a stone fireplace, a dining room, a kitchen with quartz countertops and stainless steel appliances, and a screened-in porch. It also has bonus living space on the third floor and a deck out back.

    See more photos of the home here.

    Price: $679,000 | Size: 1,700 SF | Acreage: 0.05

    🗞️ 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.

  • Kylie Kelce tops the list of the most-searched Wikipedia pages of celebrities born in Lower Merion or Narberth

    Kylie Kelce tops the list of the most-searched Wikipedia pages of celebrities born in Lower Merion or Narberth

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

    Kobe Bryant? Of course. Sabrina Carpenter? Obviously. But a fighter pilot born in the early 1900s? Not so much.

    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 Lower Merion or Narberth, with the tiny borough punching above its weight class.

    Topping the list is Narberth native Kylie Kelce, who is also among the top 100 searched celebrities in the region, ranking No. 50 overall. Part of her online rise came about after her podcast “Not Gonna Lie” launched in late 2024.

    She’s followed by fellow Narberth native James Julien “Pug” Southerland II, a Navy fighter pilot credited with a number of victories in World War II. He reportedly earned his nickname because he was a pugnacious boxer at the U.S. Naval Academy. Sutherland died in 1949 at the age of 37 during a flight training accident, according to his page.

    Author Beck Dorey-Stein grew up in Narberth. Lawrence Jackson

    Beck Dorey-Stein, another Narberth native, has the third-most page views among area residents. A Lower Merion High School alum, Dorey-Stein gained acclaim after penning her 2018 memoir From the Corner of the Oval about her time as a stenographer in the White House, predominantly under former President Barack Obama. Her most recent book, Spectacular Things, came out last year.

    Former Phillies minor leaguer and Houston Astros player Taylor Buchholz and former Cleveland Browns president Alec Scheiner, both from Lower Merion, come in numbers four and five, respectively.

    Kobe Bryant played for Lower Merion High School.Ron Cortes / Staff Photographer

    While Kobe Bryant was born in Philadelphia, he famously attended Lower Merion High School. The 18-time NBA All-Star is the No. 2 most-viewed page among all locally born celebrities.

    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.

  • Narberth, Lower Merion residents and officials grapple with afternoon of vicious microburst storms

    Narberth, Lower Merion residents and officials grapple with afternoon of vicious microburst storms

    When a violent microburst storm slammed into Narberth on Saturday, it brought down a 120-year-old Sycamore tree onto a home in the historic Narbrook Park neighborhood.

    The fire department in the surrounding Lower Merion Township responded to 98 incidents over the weekend, making numerous water rescues.

    And residents are still grappling with the aftermath of a violent storm shaking their communities.

    Communities in Montgomery County, along with other spots in the Philadelphia region, suffered vast amounts of damage Saturday afternoon as microburst storms ripped through the area.

    A microburst is a highly-localized column of sinking air during a thunderstorm that can produce strong winds and extensive damage and, in some instances, can be life-threatening, according to the National Weather Service.

    Peco has continued to restore power to affected households, as of roughly 5:30 p.m. Monday, with 119 outages affecting a little more than 1,500 customers.

    Narberth Council Vice President Cyndi Rickards said the skies went from clear to stormy in just a matter of minutes Saturday before a microburst ripped through the Montgomery County community.

    Then, just as quickly as it arrived, came the downed trees, power lines, flooding, and power outages.

    It was something Rickards, a more than 20-year resident of the community, had never seen before.

    “It became apparent that nearly every street in Narberth had a tree down, a substantial tree on a car,” Rickards said. “I believe we had two that fell on or near houses. Many that narrowly missed houses.”

    One of those near misses happened at Hugh Parker’s residence while he was spending time with relatives down the Shore. Once he and his family heard about the 40-foot tree knocked down in their front yard — covering their driveway and the car of his wife, Grace, they rushed home.

    Their basement had also been flooded and the family’s newly reconnected power lines started a fire, which eventually went out on its own.

    Hugh and Grace Parker continue the cleanup in the basement of their Narberth home Monday, July 13, 2026, following the weekend’s storm. They weren’t home so don’t know why it flooded, as the house had not had any water enter since it was built in the 1990s. They also had a tree fall in front, crushing one of their cars.Tom Gralish / Staff Photographer

    Rickards described the local government’s response to the storm as “such a comprehensive disaster response for a small little borough,” adding that Jeff Eldon, the public works director, closed down any streets where he suspected downed wires or trees.

    Narberth Mayor Dana Edwards also declared a state of emergency, which has since been lifted, and has facilitated a spot at the borough hall where residents can cool off and charge their devices. He also indicated that the borough had “great support” from Peco.

    “It was really everything we could do just to keep everybody as comfortable as possible,” Edwards said.

    In the surrounding Lower Merion Township, commissioner Ray Courtney reported similar issues as Narberth’s, especially when it came to old trees that were toppled by the storm.

    A pickup truck is left crushed Monday, July 13, 2026, after the tree that fell on it had been cleared as the cleanup continued following the weekend’s microbursts that ripped through parts of the city and Montgomery County, downing trees and power lines and causing outages and road closures. This was along Wynnewood Avenue by the baseball fields in Narberth.Tom Gralish / Staff Photographer

    When the storm was over, the public works department closed the roads, some of which continued into Sunday morning, said Courtney, who represents parts of Ardmore and Wynnewood. As of Sunday night, crews had cleared 59 downed trees and there were 38 remaining.

    For local officials, the episode also underscored a need for further discussions regarding improving local infrastructure and resources for extreme weather events.

    Many communities, like Narberth and Ardmore, for instance, have historic infrastructure that cannot always handle aggressive storms.

    “I think this is the reality of storms now,” Courtney said. “They are hard, they are intense, and they dump a lot of precipitation in a short period of time, and all local governments, and our state and federal government, need to be thinking about improvements to our infrastructure, and the resiliency against this kind of weather event.”

    In the immediate aftermath of Saturday’s storm, residents — especially those whose property has been damaged — are hoping for incremental improvements.

    Utility workers restore power on Beacom Lane in Merion Station, Monday, July 13, 2026, as cleanup continues following the weekend’s microbursts that ripped through parts of the city and Montgomery County, downing trees and power lines and causing outages and road closures.Tom Gralish / Staff Photographer

    A neighbor’s tree fell on the roof of Robert Hilton’s home on Merion Avenue. Water started dripping into his second-floor bedroom and the carpet remained soaked.

    “I’ve lived here for 41 years, and I’ve never seen anything like this,” said Hilton.

    The fallen tree, Hilton says, had been a concern for more than 20 years. It was old, unhealthy, and situated at the top of a bank, making it prone to structural instability. The microburst was the final piece of the puzzle, and the uprooted trunk now lays tangled with power lines in the middle of the street.

    Hilton lost power during Saturday’s storm, but it was reconnected on Monday at 2:30 p.m. “It’s baby steps,” he said. “That’s all we can hope for.”

  • Microburst storms caused unprecedented tree damage in some Philly-area neighborhoods

    Microburst storms caused unprecedented tree damage in some Philly-area neighborhoods

    Hundreds of trees fell in Philadelphia within a matter of minutes during a weekend storm that left a narrow but destructive band of what one official called “unprecedented” damage in its wake in the region.

    “We’ve never seen anything like this,” Parks and Recreation commissioner Susan Slawson said. “We’ve never seen a 15 and 20 minute storm come through an isolated area and take down that many trees.”

    Those downed trees came following a series of four “microbursts,” which brought wind gusts traveling 60 to 70 mph. Those isolated instances of high winds primarily impacted parts of Philadelphia and Montgomery County.

    Microbursts, the National Weather Service said, happen when a thunderstorm experiences a rapid increase in updraft. When that updraft stops, the mass of the storm system comes crashing back down, resulting in severe winds that sent trees tumbling into homes and vehicles, damaged public parks, and left neighborhoods grappling with cleanup efforts days later.

    Slawson’s department, which handles downed trees in the city, had responded to at least 340 emergency requests as of Monday afternoon, and inspected about 220 trees. The hardest hit areas, she added, were in South Philadelphia, Wynnefield, and Southwest Philadelphia.

    Where microburst storm damage has been reported around Philly, mapped

    The harsh winter’s heavy caps of ice and snow that lasted for weeks likely left some trees weakened or damaged, Slawson said, making them more vulnerable to being toppled. Those that fell were being taken to the city’s Fairmount Park Organic Recycling Center in West Fairmount Park.

    Evidence of the damage was apparent around the region Monday. In Malcolm X Park in West Philadelphia, piles of giant fallen trees, cut into large chunks, sat waiting for disposal. And nearby on Spruce Street, a downed tree blocked a busy two-way road between 53rd and 54th Streets, its corpse resting atop a crushed red pickup truck.

    “They need to cut these trees down, they’re too tall,” said Schonder Pickney, 61, who lives across the street from the wreckage. She and her neighbors had asked the city to remove some of the old trees that appeared dangerous, but she said nothing came from it.

    Philadelphia Parks and Recreation workers throw debris into an auxiliary chipper at Wharton Square Playground in Point Breeze, on
    Monday.Aidan T. Gallo / Staff Photographer

    Private tree management companies, like Rapid Tree Care in Grays Ferry, were inundated with service requests following the storm. Caleb Coome, the company’s founder, said that the storm’s intensity knocked down large trees across densely populated city blocks, and across multiple homes.

    “It’s definitely unprecedented in terms of the amount of volume over a couple-day span,” said Coome, whose company has been in operations for three years.

    Homeowners impacted by fallen trees, he said, were largely concentrated near FDR Park and the stadiums in South Philly, as well as the Cobbs Creek and Cedar Park neighborhoods in West Philly. Homeowners face logistical and financial hurdles for cleanup, as much of the damage occurred in areas with tight rowhouses.

    The Southeast Asian Market in FDR Park sustained heavy damage from Saturday’s storm

    In those tight quarters, a single fallen tree can span up to six properties, creating liability issues and disputes among neighbors over who is responsible for removal costs. A downed tree spanning multiple properties must be removed all at once, rather than limb-by-limb, for safety reasons, Coome said.

    Some parts of the suburbs also saw shared tree damage. For example, in Narberth, Hugh Parker and his family hurried home from the Shore Saturday after they heard from neighbors that a 40-foot tree had been knocked down in their front yard.

    Hugh and Grace Parker continue the cleanup in the basement of their Narberth home Monday. It flooded during weekend’s storm.Tom Gralish / Staff Photographer

    Located on their neighbor’s property, the tree landed to cover their driveway, as well as a car belonging to Parker’s wife, Grace. As it came down, the tree’s canopy also took down power lines and blocked the street, and the damage it did to the vehicle remained unclear Monday.

    A day later, Peco reconnected their power, which Parker said had been out for a little more than 24 hours. Then, he smelled smoke, thanks to a power line that started a fire after power had been restored. After about 30 minutes, the fire went out, but no one from the utility had come to check the power lines as of Monday morning.

    “It was like something from a movie scene — there were sparks flying 10 to 15 feet in the air,” said Parker.

    Montgomery County residents and officials grapple with afternoon of vicious microburst storms

    In Lower Merion Township, the local fire department responded to 98 incidents over the weekend, including numerous water rescues. Montgomery County communities were some of the hardest hit.

    “It became apparent that nearly every street in Narberth had a tree down, a substantial tree on a car,” said Narberth Council Vice President Cyndi Rickards said.

    The episode also highlights what many local officials have said is a need to further discuss improving local infrastructure and resources for extreme weather events.

    “I think this is the reality of storms now,” said Lower Merion Commissioner Ray Courtney. “They are hard, they are intense, and they dump a lot of precipitation in a short period of time, and all local governments, and our state and federal government, need to be thinking about improvements to our infrastructure, and the resiliency against this kind of weather event.”

    In addition to downed trees in the area, roughly 1,500 Peco customers remained without power across 119 reported outages as of late Monday afternoon. That number is down significantly from the height of the storm, when some 60,000 customers experienced extended outages. Overall, 105,000 Peco customers experienced some loss of power during the course of the storm, the company said.

    Power for all customers in the region, Peco added, was expected to be restored by 11 p.m. Monday.

    Among those impacted were West Philadelphia resident Lisa Phillips, who lives on the 5100 block of Hazel Avenue. A tree on her block went down Saturday, taking power lines with it. Electrical workers arrived Monday to take care of the downed lines, but she was still waiting for the city to clear the tree from her street.

    “Never in my life have I experienced anything like this,” she said.

    Staff writers Isabel Maney, Olivia Prusky, and Fallon Roth contributed to this article.

  • Lower Merion police are investigating a string of residential burglaries

    Lower Merion police are investigating a string of residential burglaries

    Lower Merion’s police department is investigating a string of itinerant burglaries that have occurred in the township in recent weeks.

    Officials believe burglars are targeting high-value homes that appear to be unoccupied and are taking small valuables and jewelry. The incidents have been consistent with “burglary trends” reported across the region, the police department said in a statement on Thursday.

    “Summertime is burglary season,” Lt. Michael Keenan of the Lower Merion Police Department said.

    Keenan said the Lower Merion Police Department has seen several burglaries over the last three weeks, but declined to say where in the township they had taken place. The crimes have been consistent with previous patterns of burglaries by individuals who drive to wealthy neighborhoods in the Philly area, steal from empty homes, and flee, Keenan said.

    The police department has said the crimes “may be connected to the South American Theft Group.” The Federal Bureau of Investigation has described “South American Theft Groups” as groups of foreign nationals who overstay visas in the U.S. and commit crimes, including burglaries, often using rental vehicles and fake IDs and documents.

    Officials say leaving one’s home vacant for long periods of time can put it at risk for burglaries. Lower Merion’s police department is encouraging residents to use a home alarm, keep lights on timers, make sure mail and packages aren’t piling up outside, and leave a car in the driveway, if possible, when away from home for an extended period of time.

    “Make it look like you’re there,” Keenan said.

    The Lower Merion Police Department offers programs for residents to help secure their homes. Officers will conduct security inspections around residents’ homes while they’re out of town through the township’s Vacant Home Program. All Lower Merion residents are also eligible for a free home security survey through the Home Security Assessment Program.

    The police department has encouraged residents to report suspicious behavior by calling 911.

    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.

  • Ardmore adds a dozen businesses | Inquirer Lower Merion

    Ardmore adds a dozen businesses | Inquirer Lower Merion

    Hi, Lower Merion! 👋

    If it seems new spots are opening regularly in Ardmore, you’re not wrong. We take a look at the dozen businesses that have set up shop this year and the ones still to come. Also this week, we pay a visit to new Japanese steakhouse OGYU, the viral dot cake has come to Bryn Mawr, plus, the district attorney has dropped assault charges against Mike Missanelli.

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

    Ardmore’s retail boom continues

    Gouldsburger’s is among the recent openings in Ardmore. Tyger Williams / Staff Photographer

    Downtown Ardmore has welcomed a dozen new businesses so far this year, with more still on the horizon.

    Newcomers have ranged broadly from a Japanese barbecue joint to a home goods spot to a new yoga studio. A pair of burger eateries have also joined the fray.

    The downtown core’s scene will continue to grow when five new concepts open later this year. Here’s the scoop on what’s still to come.

    💡 Community News

    • The Montgomery County District Attorney’s office has concluded its investigation into an April domestic incident between Mike Missanelli and his fiancée at their home in Lower Merion and withdrawn assault charges against the sports radio personality.
    • The community is mourning the death of Narberth resident and longtime Friends’ Central Lower School teacher Peter Grove, who died in May at the age of 82. An award-winning educator, Grove mentored other teachers and fellow naturalists, and created dozens of notable community gardens throughout the region.
    • Two people, a 35-year-old woman and a 40-year-old man, were critically injured when a tree fell on their car while they were driving in Lower Merion on Friday. A 10-year-old girl who was also in the car suffered minor injuries. (6abc)
    • There will be a virtual meeting Monday at 11 a.m. for residents interested in learning more about Ardmore House II, the affordable senior community expected to open later this year.
    • Penn Valley resident Samantha Paige Rosen’s debut book, Living, Together: Reimagining Community in the Age of Disconnection, is due out Tuesday. In it, she and nearly two dozen other writers explore what it means to live communally. She’ll host a book launch event next Thursday from 6:30 to 9 p.m. at the Philadelphia Ethical Society.

    🍽️ On our Plate

    🎳 Things to Do

    🎸 Echoes: Tickets are going fast for the Pink Floyd tribute band, which will perform the entirety of “Wish You Were Here.” ⏰ Friday, July 10, 8 p.m. 💵 $26.91 📍 Ardmore Music Hall

    🧚 The Little Mermen and The Princess Pals: The kid-friendly show will include performances of iconic Disney songs through the ages. ⏰ Sunday, July 12, noon 💵 $26.91-$67.28 📍 Ardmore Music Hall

    🎶 Bryn Mawr Twilight Concerts: American folk duo Shovels & Rope, made up of husband-and-wife duo Michael Trent and Cary Ann Hearst, will take the stage. ⏰ Sunday, July 12, 7 p.m. 💵 $25.88, free for kids 12 and under 📍 Bryn Mawr Gazebo

    🎵 Music in the Park: The Daniel Villarreal Trio brings its mash up of psychedelia, jazz, Latin rock, and funk to the stage. ⏰ Wednesday, July 15, 7 p.m. 💵 Free 📍 Narberth Park gazebo

    🏡 On the Market

    A waterfront Gladwyne home with a private dock

    The lodge-style home has its own dock and plenty of water vistas.Gary Schempp | Courtesy of Janice Manzi/Elfant Wissahickon-Chestnut Hill

    Situated on the banks of the Schuylkill River, this Gladwyne home has unobstructed water views and multiple decks to enjoy them from, in addition to its own dock. The main living level features a living room that looks out on the water and also has a wood stove surrounded by Moravian tiles. The space opens onto a rounded deck, as well as a dining area and kitchen. There are four bedrooms, including a primary suite with its own balcony and walk-in closet.

    See more photos of the home here.

    Price: $899,900 | Size: 2,200 SF | Acreage: 0.1

    🗞️ 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.

  • Montgomery County DA drops assault charge against Mike Missanelli in domestic dispute

    Montgomery County DA drops assault charge against Mike Missanelli in domestic dispute

    Montgomery County prosecutors have withdrawn criminal charges against longtime Philly sports personality Mike Missanelli, ending their investigation into an alleged domestic dispute between him and his fiancee.

    Missanelli, a former Inquirer sportswriter best known for his 15-year stint as a host at 97.5 The Fanatic, was arrested in April and charged with simple assault and harassment after his fiancee accused him of slapping her across the face during an argument inside their home in Lower Merion.

    During a preliminary hearing late last month, prosecutors declined to move forward with the case.

    In a statement Wednesday, Kate Delano, a spokesperson for District Attorney Kevin Steele, said that “after reviewing additional information, the office made the determination that it would withdraw the charges.”

    “In every case, we are always continuing to investigate after charges are filed,” she said.

    Missanelli’s attorney, Brian McMonagle, declined to comment Wednesday. Missanelli did not respond to a request for comment.

    In the affidavit of probable cause filed by Lower Merion police, officers wrote that Missanelli, 70, was in a heated argument with his fiancee over their engagement. His fiancee’s name was redacted from court records.

    Police responded to a 911 hangup shortly after midnight, and Missanelli told officers the argument led to a “scuffle.”

    The fiancee struck him in the chest and Missanelli’s “open hand slapped her on the left side of her face/head,” the affidavit said. One officer said he saw fresh blood on the woman’s forehead from a laceration allegedly caused by the slap.

    Missanelli was fired from WIP in 2006 after he punched a producer. He was then fired by 6abc in 2017 for misogynistic comments he made about Beth Mowins, an ESPN broadcaster.

    In recent years, Missanelli has been in the news for various job changes. After 15 years with 97.5 The Fanatic, he was pushed out by management in 2022, then brought back in 2024, only to be ousted once more last August.

    Currently, he is embroiled with a legal battle with JAKIB Media and its owner, Joe Krause, for their alleged failure to pay him $85,000.

    Staff writer Rob Tornoe contributed to this article.

  • A dozen businesses have opened in Ardmore this year. Here’s a list of what’s new, and what’s on the horizon.

    A dozen businesses have opened in Ardmore this year. Here’s a list of what’s new, and what’s on the horizon.

    A dozen new businesses have opened in downtown Ardmore so far this year, bringing Japanese barbecue, build-your-own salads, and organic dog treats, among other goods, to the Main Line community. New and incoming businesses include mom-and-pop shops, national chains, and expansions of popular Philly-area names, such as decorated Szechuan eatery EMei and New Jersey-based burger chain Gouldsburger’s.

    Downtown Ardmore’s new retailers and restaurants join a collection of recent additions to Ardmore’s Suburban Square, the Kimco Realty-owned outdoor mall that has long been a retail anchor in Philadelphia’s western suburbs.

    Here’s a breakdown of the new retailers that have opened in Ardmore this year, and some others that are on the horizon.

    What’s new?

    OGYU Japanese BBQ

    OGYU Japanese BBQ (60 Greenfield Ave.) is a tabletop cooking Japanese steakhouse experience from Osushi owner Sam Li. OGYU offers an all-you-can-eat, tiered, fixed-price menu, as well as a full bar. Li has opened Osushi locations in Wayne, Ardmore, and Marlton, as well as upscale eatery Hiramasa in Newtown Square. OGYU opened last month.

    Just Salad

    Healthy food chain Just Salad (167 W. Lancaster Ave.) opened in Ardmore in May, adding to the company’s more than 100 locations across seven states. Just Salad serves fast-casual salads, warm bowls, wraps, and smoothies.

    Barizi

    Barizi (29 W. Lancaster Ave.) is a design, home, and gift store offering curated ceramics, textiles, leather goods, vintage furniture, and self-care items. Barizi’s Ardmore store opened in May and is its second after New York City.

    Gouldsburger’s

    Gouldsburger’s (4 Station Rd.), a Jersey-based mini-chain serving up burgers, cheesesteaks, chicken sandwiches, and other fried snacks, opened across from Ardmore’s train station in February. The restaurant has vegan and vegetarian options, and its cheesesteak has even made the ranks of the Inquirer’s favorites.

    Inside OGYU Japanese BBQ in Ardmore. Michael Klein / Staff

    CorePower Yoga

    CorePower Yoga (169 W. Lancaster Ave.), a heated yoga and strength training studio with hundreds of locations across the U.S., opened in Ardmore in April. This is the chain’s third location in the Philadelphia area, after Center City and Northern Liberties.

    Bikini Burger

    Penn Valley resident Mia Robertston opened Bikini Burger (44 Rittenhouse Pl.) in January with the goal of bringing a simple and “really good burger” to the area. Robertson’s Burgers are made with beef from a Lancaster County butcher, can be topped with Cooper Sharp, among other accoutrements, and are never smashed.

    R3 Gaming & Toys

    R3 Gaming & Toys (6 W. Lancaster Ave.) is a toy and game shop built for collectors and “curious minds of all ages.” The store stocks classic toys, board games, puzzles, comics, graphic novels, and other novelties.

    Jersey Mike’s

    Sub sandwich giant Jersey Mike’s (20 Greenfield Ave.) opened its doors in the former Revitalize Aesthetics storefront in March. The sub shop is open seven days a week and offers both hot and cold sandwich options.

    Mila’s Pup Tienda

    Mila’s Pup Tienda (18 E. Lancaster Ave.) is a cat and dog supply store opened in March by Ardmore resident Dayanna Cardenas. Cardenas prides herself on stocking organic treats, durable toys, and products sourced primarily from local brands.

    Mia Robertson, owner of Bikini Burger, makes a cheeseburger at the Bikini Burger in Ardmore. The burger joint is one of a slate of new businesses to open in Ardmore this year. Tyger Williams / Staff Photographer

    Revivéa Health

    Revivéa Health (20 Ardmore Ave.) opened in Ardmore in April and offers various wellness treatments including IV therapy, vitamin injections, and red light therapy. Ardmore is Revivéa’s second local storefront after West Chester.

    Raffs Italian Cuisine

    Raffs Italian Cuisine (65 Cricket Ave.) is the second restaurant of chef and owner Raffael Kupa, who also runs Buona Vita in Somers Point, N.J. Raffs, which opened in April, is BYOB, open for dinner seven days a week, and offers traditional Italian fare.

    Bored Trading Café

    Bored Trading Café (43 Cricket Ave.) is an all-day eatery serving bagels, sandwiches, salads, wraps, smoothies, and burgers, among other items. The cafe held its grand opening in January.

    What’s coming soon?

    Mango Mango

    At Mango Mango (38 Greenfield Ave.), an Asian-inspired dessert chain with locations across the U.S., “mango’s our muse.” Mango Mango serves mango- and non-mango-flavored cakes, waffles, smoothies, ice creams, and teas. Its Ardmore franchise will be opening later this month.

    Vintner’s Table

    Vintner’s Table (24 Cricket Ave.) is an Italian-inspired wine bar affiliated with Folino Estate Winery & Restaurant in Kutztown. The Ardmore location will be the third Vintner’s Table after Phoenixville and Wyomissing. Vitner’s Table has not shared an anticipated opening date yet.

    Chef Yongcheng Zhao preparing a crispy whole boneless sea bass dish at EMei in Chinatown. The restaurant is set to expand to Ardmore. TIM TAI / Staff Photographer

    EMei

    Inquirer food critic Craig Laban says EMei (98 Cricket Ave.) is a “Szechuan feast with few peers in Philly.” The lauded Chinatown eatery, owned by Dan Tsao, is expanding to South Philly and Ardmore in the near future, though the timeline for expansion has been pushed back due to permitting and architecture hiccups.

    Pure Green

    Cold-pressed juice company Pure Green (56 E. Lancaster Ave.) is set to open in Ardmore next year. Pure Green offers superfood smoothies, acai and pitaya bowls, steel-cut oatmeal bowls, sourdough toasts, and cold-pressed juices.

    Calm and Strong Yoga and Pilates

    Calm and Strong (46 Rittenhouse Pl.) is a yoga and pilates studio bringing a variety of sculpt, flow, and strength classes to Ardmore. The studio is set to open this fall.

    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.

  • 5 area Fourth of July events | Inquirer Lower Merion

    5 area Fourth of July events | Inquirer Lower Merion

    Hi, Lower Merion! 👋

    Communities throughout the region are pulling out the stops to mark the nation’s 250th anniversary this weekend. We’ve rounded up spots to catch the festivities. Also this week, longtime Narberth guitar shop owner Dan Gold reflects on his career, an Ecuadorian who grew up in the township is finding camaraderie and feeling proud amid the World Cup, plus a Wynnewood home once part of the Clothier estate is back on the market.

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

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

    The local Fourth of July events you won’t want to miss

    Wynnewood resident Lori Ney, along with her dogs Ava and Lilly, attended the Army’s Pershing’s Own followed by fireworks at the Great Plaza at Delaware River Waterfront in 2023.Elizabeth Robertson / Staff Photographer

    Celebrate the nation’s Semiquincentennial at one of these festive events, which are replete with parades, fireworks, and musical performances.

    • Bala Cynwyd: The Neighborhood Club of Bala Cynwyd’s annual parade starts at the Union Fire House and ends at the playground at Bala Cynwyd Park, where there will be a rock wall, pony rides, a petting zoo, and music. ⏰ Saturday, July 4, starts at 9:30 a.m. 💵 Wristbands are $15-$45 📍 Union Fire House and Bala Cynwyd Park
    • Ardmore: The community will celebrate the nation’s 250th anniversary with a ribbon cutting for its new mural, a “freedom walk,” and crafts and sweet treats at Linwood Park. ⏰ Saturday, July 4, 10 a.m.-1 p.m. 💵 Free 📍 Throughout Ardmore
    • Penn Wynne: The Penn Wynne Civic Association’s annual celebration kicks off with a parade at 10 a.m. followed by a carnival at Penn Wynne Park. ⏰ Saturday, July 4, 10 a.m.-12:30 p.m. 💵 Wristbands are $10-$30 📍 Penn Wynne-Overbrook Hills Firehouse and Penn Wynne Park
    • Narberth: This daylong event kicks off at 10 a.m. with a carnival, games, and pie-eating contest, which run until 1:30 p.m. After a break, the celebration continues at 6:30 p.m. with food trucks, live music, and a reading of the Declaration of Independence before the fireworks show. ⏰ Saturday, July 4, 10 a.m.-1:30 p.m. and 6:30-10:30 p.m. 💵 Free to attend, pay as you go for the carnival and food trucks 📍 Narberth Park
    • Garrett Hill and Rosemont: This festive hourlong parade starts at the Rosemont Business Campus at the corner of Conestoga and Williams Roads at 10:45 a.m. and ends at Clem Macrone Park, where there will be entertainment and live music. Residents can join in by decorating a bike or float. The judging begins at 10 a.m. ⏰ Saturday, July 4, 10:45 a.m. 💵 Free 📍 Rosemont Business Center to Clem Macrone Park

    🎇 See more area fireworks shows here.

    🇺🇸 Looking for other ways to celebrate the Semiquincentennial? Here’s what Montgomery County has in store.

    💡 Community News

    • Reminder for residents: There will be no trash and recycling pickup tomorrow when the township is closed in observance of the holiday. See how your household might be impacted here.
    • After a 17-year tenure in Narberth, Dan Gold remembers his time in the borough helming Danny’s Guitar Shop as “just perfect.” The Inquirer’s Denali Sagner caught up with the musician, who recently closed the guitar lesson and shop, about his career and what comes next.
    • World Cup fever continues throughout the region, and one resident who grew up in Lower Merion said the tournament has made him especially proud of his Ecuadorian roots. Rowan Teran, 24, was among those celebrating ahead of the team’s early round match at Lincoln Financial Field, finding joy with his fellow Ecuador fans.
    • Blackbird Health opened a new clinic last week at 225 E. City Ave. in Bala Cynwyd. The Pennsylvania-based chain offers mental healthcare for children, teens, and families.

    🏫 Schools Briefing

    • Applications are now open for eligible Lower Merion and Narberth seniors to get a 2025 rebate for property taxes paid to the school district. Learn more about the program here.

    🍽️ On our Plate

    • Two new eateries are getting closer to opening in Ardmore. Dessert spot Mango Mango is teeing up a July opening at 38 Greenfield Ave., while Vintner’s Table, a wine bar that dishes up Italian cuisine, is aiming to open in August on Cricket Avenue.

    🎳 Things to Do

    📖 Book Signing and Discussion with Jessica Knoll and Jennifer Weiner: Shipley School alum Jessica Knoll, who gained acclaim for her 2015 novel Luckiest Girl Alive, will sign copies of her new book, Helpless, and discuss it with fellow local author Jennifer Weiner. ⏰ Tuesday, July 7, 6 p.m. 💵 Free to attend, $25 for the book 📍 Barnes & Noble Bryn Mawr

    🎵 Music in the Park: The next concert features a performance by the Brazilian jazz outfit the Minas Trio. ⏰ Wednesday, July 8, 7 p.m. 💵 Free 📍 Narberth Park gazebo

    🏡 On the Market

    A three-bedroom Wynnewood cottage with Clothier estate ties

    The exterior of the home blends the Arts & Crafts and Tudor styles.Alcove Media

    A Wynnewood cottage once part of the Clothier estate is back on the market, this time with a new price. Designed in the Arts & Crafts and Tudor styles, the three-bedroom cottage has a distinctive exterior from its stone facade to its woodwork. Inside, the home has been overhauled to give it modern amenities, including a sleek eat-in kitchen which complements the original herringbone-patterned floors. It also has a patio, a deck, and a fenced yard. There’s an open house Sunday from noon to 2 p.m.

    See more photos of the home here.

    Price: $1.575M | Size: 2,673 SF | Acreage: 0.04

    📈 Lower Merion market report

    • Median listing price: $875,000 (down $100,000 from April) 📉
    • Median sold price: $1.1M (same as April)
    • Median days on the market: 31 (up six days from April) 📈

    This Lower Merion market report is published on a monthly basis. Above is data for May from realtor.com.

    🗞️ 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.