Yowza, that was some year, Main Line!
Before we turn the page to ’24, hope you enjoy this recap of last year’s year’s biggest stories – with direct links in case you missed a few the first time around.
Prompting the most buzz: our in-depth, exclusive investigation of “the swift rise and abrupt fall” of Wayne boutique owner, Hillary White Jean, whose purported rich-and-famous lifestyle crumbled under a barrage of personal bankruptcies, contentious lawsuits and criminal arrests.
Engendering the most good will: Our account of Stoga ’21 grad Patrick Hoey’s tragic accident and the guardian angels who’ve saved his life and lifted his family. As we had hoped, our story boosted the grassroots fundraising efforts of #hope4hoey. Yay!
Making us smile most: our profile of Sonny DiMartini, perennially sunny Hall of Fame Conestoga football coach and former player who, oh yeah, has Down’s Syndrome.
Biggest story we shared on social media: Villanova’s plan to purchase Cabrini. We were the first media outlet to report it. Runners up: Eataly’s plans to open at the King of Prussia Mall and Gov. Shapiro leading a huge rally in support of Israel in Wynnewood.
Main Line real estate developement was front and center once again. Among the nuggets we broke: a second mixed-use proposal (after the Louella Ave. project) that would change the streetscape of central Wayne and groundbreakings for the swanky Coulter Avenue Assemblage in Suburban Square and The Metropolitan Narberth Square at the old Albrecht’s. We visited the newly opened Ember Berwyn and The Fritz, the lux apartments at the old lumberyard and tried to get answers about the construction holdup of Berwyn Square. (We’re still trying…) We explored the Main Line’s “millennial squeeze”: a tight home market and a pervasive child-care crunch. And yeah, we beat the drum for our local merchants. Want those vacant storefronts filled? Patronize nearby mom-and-pops. (Sorry/Not sorry to keep flogging that old horse.)
And we didn’t shy away from the tough stuff: the police traffic stop gone horribly wrong in Lower Merion and its aftermath; ugly eruptions of anti-Semitism in Tredyffrin; a beloved Malvern Prep teacher/coach and rapper filing a civil rights claim after he was fired; and a T/E student’s hair-raising epilepsy journey and her family’s work to educate us all about this widely misunderstood brain disorder. All the while, we’ve been keeping an eye on the ever deafening campaign to spare Stoneleigh sister Oakwell from Lower Merion School District bulldozers; evolving plans to build a new T/E elementary school; the growing teen mental-health crisis; Tredyffrin and Easttown joining hands to improve emergency services in both townships; scuffles over off-leash dogs in Radnor and LOTS more.
We were first to share news about three exciting new Main Line happenings: Yuletide at the Devon Horse Show, Surrey’s Holiday House Tour and Berwyn Farmer’s Market. All three plan to be back in 2024.
As usual, we ate our way up and down the Pike, checking out virtually every eatery that opened in 2023 including Amada (Radnor), The Blue Elephant (Wayne), Villa Artigiano (Ardmore), Joey Chops (Malvern), Motto Sushi (Berwyn), Exit 13 Gastrobar (Rosemont), Le Mignon (Devon), At The Table (Wayne), Takumi (Wayne) and The Vanilla Bean (Wayne).
We also scoped out new ventures that nourish our bodies and spirits, among them: DTXFY renewal studio; The Happy Mixer GF bakery; and SPENGA fitness (all in Gateway Shopping Center); Hotworx workouts (Wayne); The Living Room & Cricket Café (Ardmore); and Colonna Contemporary and Peter Strid art galleries (Wayne).
We said good-bye to third-generation “riding boot and shoe” cobbler Joe Quici (Berwyn), Aux Petite Delices, Wayne Jewelers, Cowan’s Flowers, and Pat’s Barbershop (all in Wayne), Bernie Robbins Jewelers (Villanova), Diane’s Sidewalk Deli (Chesterbrook), and Dink City, the pickleball courts that arrived amid much fanfare on VFMAC grounds only to be closed by Tredyffrin zoning officials.
And we tried to do our part for local nonprofits: judging Ladies Day Hats at the Devon Horse Show & Country Fair and a floral contest at Surrey’s first Garden Party; playing Alex Trebek with former Jeopardy contestants at Main Line School Night; and talking up Main Line Health’s Women’s Heart Initiative at Waynesborough CC and Women’s Emotional Wellness Centers in KOP and Newtown Square at DiBruno Bros. We love building community and meeting our readers!
Sooooo, what’s ahead for SAVVY in ’24? Funny you should ask. Here’s a sneak peek:
Let’s just say Team SAVVY has been busy … very busy.
Looking back, we simply can’t thank you enough for:
And in every way, cheering on our little (OK, not so little) experiment in engaging, relevant local journalism.
Happy, healthy New Year! We’ll catch you again in a few weeks.
Hi Caroline,
I am very grateful that you are here for us, doing the hard work to create connection between neighborhoods up and down the Main Line.
Peace,
Liz
Thank you for taking the time to write that, Liz. Wishing you peace and all good things in 2024!
HNY Caroline! As a lifelong resident ( and realtor for 30+ years) of the Main Line I always look forward to getting your Savvy’s! Wanted to make sure you knew about an new, and Main Line first business opening in Ardmore later this week; https://wallacedrygoods.com/ – Wallace Dry Goods – a non alcoholic bottle store that will sell NA beverages and other chic, and beautiful entertaining items. See link for more details – owner is Robin Cummiskey (702-882-4876) a dear friend of mind. Please check it – it deserves your attention! Wishing you and our community a happy, healthy and safe 2024. My best, Eleanor Godin.
Hello Eleanor, Turns out I interviewed Robin and wrote a story – I think it published in the September edition – about Robin’s plans for Wallace Dry Goods but I plan write an update now that she’s open. Hope to stop by her grand opening this weekend. Thanks so much for reading SAVVY and I wish you all the best in ’24!
Happy New Year!!!
Happy New Year to you, too, Linda. (You were always one of my fave fashion entrepreneurs back in the day…)
Would Team Savvy consider writing an article about people walking their dogs allowing them to use your property as their personal toilet? When did this become “normal” and accepted? “I pick up after my dog” isn’t the point. There is still residue left attracting other dogs to “mark” their territory (your property) over and over again. What do you think and how should/can this issue be addressed? Township regulations? fines? health issues? common curtesy?
Thanks!
PS I LOVE dogs and it certainly is NOT their fault. It’s the personal responsibility of people, but how do you communicate that??
Interesting. You make a good point about the spot being marked.
Even if there were ordinances against such activity, I don’t know how they would be enforced, particularly because we’re talking about private property. Could you put out a “curb your dog” sign? Speak during the public comment portion of a township meeting to get politicians’ and the public’s attention?
Superb job as always. What a year. Around my little town of Gladwyne, no story was bigger than the McCaffery’s opening. You covered it as I recall. On to 2024!
Yes, that was huge news in Gladwyne. The community actually got what it wanted – a food market and not a big housing development…
Thanks for all your great coverage of the issues. Would love it if you could give us an update on the Ardmore Amtrak/Septa station, which is taking forever to be built!
Will see what we can find out! Thanks–