SAVVY MAINLINE

it's what you want to know

More hazing fallout: Stoga accuser sues T/E Schools & football coaches; Bryn Mawr’s new Turning Point and Solidcore; Lost ladies of Lithe & more

/ By Caroline O'Halloran / /

The criminal case against Conestoga football players was settled last week, but the dispute is far from over.

SAVVY Main Line has learned that the alleged victim and his father have filed a federal civil lawsuit against the Tredyffrin/Easttown School District, Conestoga High School, former head coach John Vogan and his five assistant coaches.

The 22-page lawsuit, obtained by us this week but filed Nov. 2, 2016, alleges that the plaintiff (aka the then-freshman football player) was subjected to a “hostile educational environment” where he suffered “sex-based harassment and sexual abuse” … “so severe, pervasive and objectively offensive” that it denied him the educational opportunity or benefit provided by the school.”

According to the suit, the plaintiff suffered “severe and permanent injuries” and his civil rights were violated. He and his father are asking for compensatory and punitive damages, court costs and attorneys’ fees.

Read More See More

Hat hijinks at Devon Ladies Day, Sizing up the new SoulCycle Ardmore, A Gateway getaway & much more

/ By Caroline O'Halloran / /

Smashing, surreal, sublime or silly, the hats turned more heads than the horses at Devon Ladies Day Wednesday.

So, deepest apologies to the dedicated riders in the ring; our eyes were elsewhere.

A record number of hopefuls sashayed before a nine-judge panel.

The maddest hatters told us they’d been perfecting their ensembles for months; others claimed they’d just rustled something up that morning.

Sure, if you say so.

The parade was a study in stunning artiface. A few talked about rising at 4 a.m. for hair and makeup calls – beauty rest be damned.

Read More See More

Bold, hip & rockin’, new Bulldog Yoga romps into Villanova (will yoga ever be the same?), plus a new Zavino, Besito blasted, shoutouts & fond farewells

/ By Caroline O'Halloran / /

Take every notion you’ve ever had about yoga, then flip it – like your best downward-facing dog.

What do you get? Bulldog yoga.

Debuting its flagship this Friday, Feb. 19 in stunning space in the new Villanova Center, bulldog aims for Top Dog status. If it hits the bull’s eye, it will become nothing short of the SoulCycle/FlyWheel of yoga.

A breed apart AND a breed above.

Read More See More

SoulCycle spins to Ardmore, T/E tops in U.S., Paoli gets a Devon Donut & Drums Alive, a bang-up new workout

/ By Caroline O'Halloran / /

SoulCycle – the coolest workout on one wheel (just ask ’em) – is rolling our way.

The indoor cycling company with the celebrity-soaked clientele will open in Ardmore this spring, its first Philly location after recent debuts in DC, Boston, Miami and Chicago.

Soul’s signature yellow bikes will be installed in the 3,400 sq. ft. former Corner Bakery space in Suburban Square across from Ruby’s Diner. (Still no takers for the rest of the building’s first floor, vacant now that the holiday pop-ups have departed.)

Read More See More

Taste of downtown Philly coming to “wave of the future” King of Prussia Town Center (near Wegmans)

/ By Caroline O'Halloran / /

Bring it on! A hipper, more community-oriented cousin to our sprawling mall, the King of Prussia Town Center is finally beginning to take shape next to Wegmans.

When the construction dust settles next summer, get ready for a 21st-century dining, shopping and hangout hub unlike any the area has seen.

The idea is to bring a downtown experience – with lots of outdoor noshing, free entertainment and upscale retail – to the boring old burbs.

Read More See More

SAVVY shorts: my big-screen debut at BMFI (?), a Suburban Square inspiration, Brave-ing Mojo Fitness & more

/ By Caroline O'Halloran / /

Over the years I’ve bid on and “won” a fair share of charity auction prizes. Among the more memorable: a week on St. Martin, a finish-line box at the Preakness, and a cocktail party on a terrace overlooking Rittenhouse Square.

But nothing quite compares to the prize I won at WXPN’s spring fundraiser and claimed last weekend: a speaking part in a movie in New York City, all expenses paid.

(Little known fact about me: All things being equal, I’d rather be acting. I took acting lessons as a kid and have belted out show tunes for years – lustily, if not always tunefully. Another fun fact: Indiana Caroline is almost always game for adventure.)

Read More See More

Haverford’s new brew, a thumbs up for Devon Yard, a fitness flameout, sexting in T/E & more

/ By Caroline O'Halloran / /

I’ve long contended that the eastern Main Line was ripe for new Coffee Shops Not Named Starbucks. So naturally, I’m pleased to report that after a string of “soft opening” days in low gear, .Green Engine Coffee Co. is going full throttle in Haverford.

The hip new coffee bar on Haverford Station Road should appeal to commuters, college students and coffee geeks alike.

I dropped by Green Engine this week and liked what I saw: sunny bay windows, a plush couch and fireplace, re-purposed church pews and a most unusual piece of hanging art – an 81 sq. ft. “living wall” of ferns.

Read More See More

Life Time, a gigantic fitness & health “resort” chain (waterslides included!), wants to build in Wayne

/ By Caroline O'Halloran / /

A country club without golf? The Ritz Carlton of YMCAs? A spa resort minus the palm trees? It’s hard to find a perfect analogy for Life Time Fitness – the “healthy way of life company” – that plans to put one of its mammoth recreational facilities in Wayne.

But be warned, Main Line health clubs, fitness studios, spas and salons: Life Time is known as “a category killer.”

A Minnesota-based company with 117 locations and counting, Life Time wants to build its first Pa. facility at the corner of Swedesford and Old Eagle School roads, across from the Marriott Courtyard and within view of the King of Prussia Wegmans.

Read More See More

Stepping out for sarcoma with Herzlich and Maher, Ardmore’s hot condos, heroin hits Wayne & more

/ By Caroline O'Halloran / /

I had one yesterday when Mark and his lovely new bride, Danielle, joined fellow sarcoma warriors, family and friends at a “Steps For a Cure Walk/Run” at Chesterbrook’s Wilson Park.

Mark and my son, Shane, were playgroup pals in their preschool days, so seeing Mark healthy and whole always warms my heart. He stood head and shoulders above his buddies even then; of course, he would grow up to wear a Giant-sized uniform.

Mark told the crowd if he had been diagnosed five years earlier he might not have been standing before them. Still, there’s a long way to go before every warrior with this rare and insidious cancer becomes a survivor, he said.

Read More See More

End of an era at Main Line Health & Fitness; Conestoga teacher wins top U.S. honors

/ By Caroline O'Halloran / /

After a 40-year run, there’s a new regime doing the heavy lifting at Main Line Health & Fitness.

The area’s original Iron Man, Roger Schwab (pictured above) has sold his Bryn Mawr fitness mainstay to the real estate group that owns The Sporting Club at the Bellevue.

So, naturally, MLH&F is being rebranded as The Sporting Club at the Main Line.

New owner Tim Rubin tells SAVVY that members will likely get reciprocal privileges in Center City at discounted rates. And some of Bellevue’s best instructors will lead special workshops in Bryn Mawr.

Rubin says he’ll take a few months to evaluate the place before he comments on any other changes – although he did hint at a facelift of the monolithic building, which he now owns.

Read More See More