West Chester Weekly News Roundup: Feb. 7, 2025

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It’s Friday, Feb. 7, 2025: West Chester Restaurant Inspection reports are out for January. There were 14 establishments out of compliance. Lots of handwashing violations and a concerning batch of ice. Hope it wasn’t going toward drinks. Speaking of drinking, Johnny O’s, 9 Prime’s member-only speakeasy, is opening to the public on select days in February. I have an inside look at what you can expect if you decide to head over. Plus, efforts to remember an old Westtown graveyard, the rating of West Chester’s sidewalks, and the West Chester Seafood Kitchen is open for business. I haven’t been so someone’s going to have to tell me what they think.  

Who’s ready? Let’s catch up.

West Chester Restaurant Inspection Reports: January

At first, I thought this would be an easy month. Then I got to the 19380. Fourteen establishments were out of compliance with the Chester County Health Department at the end of January including one that let an employee handle money and then food without washing his hands, several downtown favorites, and one local church that can’t seem to do anything right. Also, Wasabi is out of compliance - again. Fortunately, this time it’s not our go-to location.

Here’s the full list: 

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The Warnings.

The Accolades.

E-A-G-L-E-S, EAGLES! I told you we could do it again. Shout out to East Bradford Elementary for representing the fandom. 

Ambitious dining. According to Philadelphia Magazine’s critics, two of the restaurants “taking ambitious leaps and unexpected risks” are right here in West Chester. Coming in at #17 in the magazine’s annual ranking of the region’s top 50 restaurants is Ground Provisions. The new American restaurant impressed with the “depth, scope, and simplicity” of its “unapologetically vegan tasting menu.” Close behind at #21 is Andiario. Both restaurants were credited for their ever-changing menus, Andiario to the mood of the day. While you may not know what you are eating until you show up, that is part of the fun. “Take a chance on the unknown,” the writers said of the Gay St. eatery.  

Well-deserved promotion. Congratulations to Good Fellowship Ambulance’s Charles Brogran on his promotion to Executive Director. Chaz joined Good Fellowship in 2004 - as a sophomore at Henderson(!) He has since earned his EMT and paramedic certifications and has served as Director of Operations and most recently interim executive director. Chaz replaces Tom Wilcox who stepped down as Executive Director in August. 

Business smarts. West Chester University’s Master of Business Administration (MBA) program recently celebrated 10 years on U.S. News and World Report’s list of top online programs. “We’ve ranked in the top 100 every year that we have participated in the survey. We are very proud of that,” said WCU professor and MBA Coordinator Brian J. Halsey. This year the program ranked 88 out of the several hundred reviewed by the publishing company.  

Your best princess wave. Congratulations to West Chester University junior Gabby Kopcynskie on being named Miss West Chester University 2025. Gabby, whom you can see waving from cars in parades for the next year, hopes to use her reign to raise awareness about pediatric cancers. Twelve contestants competed in the annual event hoping to win $3000 in scholarship prizes.  

Home court advantage. West Chester University’s Men’s Basketball team extended its home win streak to 15 this week with a 57 - 49 victory over Shepard on Tuesday. WCU is now tied for the fourth-longest win streak in Division II with a chance to extend it on Saturday. They face Mansfield at Hollinger Fieldhouse for Senior Day. Game starts at 1 p.m.  

Future starters. The Rustin JV boys’ basketball team has been stacking up wins. After starting the season 1-2 they have won 14 straight games for an overall record of 15-2. They finished the season on Monday at Sun Valley. (Sorry, no word on how that went.)  

Wrestling wins. Shout out this week to the Henderson wrestling team. The Warriors defeated West Chester East on Friday to clinch the Ches-Mont National Division title. While most of the highlights from the 53-11 senior night victory belong to Henderson, the Vikings managed to find a bit of a silver lining in the form of Zach McFarlane. The senior recorded his 100 career win during the match and it took him about 46 seconds to do it. 

Know someone who should be recognized? Let me know: [email protected].

Hello

This Tuesday, Johnny O’s finally made good on a promise. It opened its doors to the public. Every Tuesday this month from 5 to 9 p.m. anyone and everyone, up to room capacity of 62, is welcome to check out the 9 Prime speakeasy. 

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Goodbye.

It turns out that after 225 years, things start falling apart. West Chester is desperate to say goodbye to its aging stormwater infrastructure but while the ends may be promising, the means are a costly proposition. Fortunately for the Borough, they just claimed another grant to help defer at least a bit of the costs. 

Pay it Forward.

I don’t know about you, but I’ve been noticing the sidewalks a lot lately. This is mostly because snow and ice covered many of them for much of the last month. Some due to homeowner neglect, others to the uneven nature of the Borough’s many brick sidewalks - but if I couldn’t get through, I can only imagine what it’s like for individuals with a disability or even a parent pushing a stroller. West Chester resident Eva Arriaga has been wondering the same thing and not just in snow conditions but all year round. 

“As an older resident with a dog who walks regularly, I had noticed how uneven and sometimes absent the sidewalks can be,” she says. “Also, I noticed some strange intersections with all kinds of wheelchair accessibility that go nowhere!” 

Eva, as it turns out, is getting her Masters in Geography at West Chester University (for fun, she says.) As part of the program, she has to present a project. While brainstorming ideas, she stumbled (pun intended) upon West Chester sidewalks. So she reached out to researchers at the University of Washington to get West Chester added to Project Sidewalk, an open-source web tool that lets anyone with an internet connection contribute sidewalk accessibility information using Google Street View. Once the data is collected it’s free to use. 

“That data can be used by anyone who wants to do research for the Borough. Even the Borough itself can use that data to gain a better understanding of what the reality [on the ground really] is,” she says.

West Chester and all its intersections are now live if you would like to go in and rate them. I gave it a try.  There is a detailed tutorial to walk you through how the software works and a game-like feel that makes you think it would be a good project for a school class or a Boys’ or Girls’ Scout Troop. And don’t worry about claiming territory, this is a the-more-the-merrier kind of project.   

“The more people tag and validate, the better the data will be,” says Eva. 

Other ways to give back this week: 

Grab the gang for a game of Quizzo. Act In Faith is hosting Quizzo for Cause on Feb. 15. They provide the place and the game. You bring the snacks, beverages, and competitive spirit. Although, they say it’s less about the trivia and more about a fun night for a great cause. I say a win is a win. Either way, tickets are $25 - and if you go, I just might see you there!

Take in a show for a good cause. Later this month, a collection of your favorite local artists - think Harrison Dance Studios, Better than Bacon, and Uptown Singers- are hosting an “Artists Unite for LA” benefit show. The event is being held at Uptown on Feb. 28 at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are available here. All money collected goes directly to the California Fire Foundation.  

Eat your body weight in sweets. Sweet Charity, the sweetest charity event of the year is coming back on Mar. 4. This year, 11 bakers including West Chester’s own Master’s Baker, John Serock Catering, New Street Catering, and Northbrook Marketplace will be participating. You can get your tickets here for this always fun event.  

The Freakin’ Weekend.

What are you up to this weekend? We are heading to NYC for a quick getaway before coming back to cheer on the birds. It will be our first trip to the Big Apple with kiddos. We are thinking the basics, but if you have any suggestions, please share.

We are heading to NYC for a quick getaway before coming back to cheer on the birds. It will be our first trip to the Big Apple with kiddos. We are thinking the basics, but if you have any suggestions, please share. 

If you are around this weekend, don’t forget the West Chester Seafood Cafe is now open on Gay St. Also, on Saturday, the Merchant of Menace in Marshalton is hosting a Sip and Shop event with wine, hot chocolate, and the work of several local artists and on Sunday, Levante is hosting its 10th annual Kegs ‘n’ Eggs event, known this year as an Eagle’s Super Bowl tailgate party. Bar opens at 10 a.m. There will be two food trucks and a collection of yard games. Plus, donate five nonperishable goods to the West Chester Food Cupboard and get a free pour. Want out among the people but not so early? Watch parties abound. Not sure where to go? I’m bringing back last year’s viewing guide from our friends at Drunks of West Chester - almost entirely still applicable. And if you are not a football fan or a Philadelphia fan, Uptown has a showing of Rachel Harris, One Woman Over the Line scheduled for Sunday afternoon.  

Also, be sure to check out the Chester County Historic Courthouse. It will be lit in green all weekend in support of the Eagles.

And a very special thank you to this week's Community Sponsor, TG Customs. TG Customs specializes in custom-built camper van conversions. They also have the cutest little custom tear-drop available for rent. Elevate your next outdoor experience with this fully loaded pull-behind camper. Follow them on Instagram for rental information and to catch all the amazing transformations.

View a list of all our amazing Community Sponsors here.

Business leaders: Want exclusive access to this amazing community? Of course, you do. There are only three spots an issue so each one gets a lot of attention, and from what I hear, responses. Placements are filled first come- first served. Send me an email if you are interested.

Mark Your Calendars:

• Feb. 7 - Learn Chi Walking, West Chester Senior Center, 12:30 p.m. Join Carol Bilek, certified Chi Walking instructor for free Chi Walking demonstrations, open to public. Questions? Email Carol

• Feb. 7 - Rachel Harris, One Woman Over the Line, 226 N. High St, 7:30 p.m. This full length, multi-media dance production shares the story of Chester County runaway slave Rachel Harris and her search for freedom and dignity. Tickets: $35/adult; $28/Student/Senior

• Feb. 8 - Sip & Shop, Merchant of Menance, 1351 W. Strasburg Rd., 11:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. Savor fine wine, sip hot chocolate, mingle with artists and treat yourself to a little Valentine's Day gift.

• Feb. 8 - Jingo, 226 N. High St, 7:30 p.m. Enjoy the music of Santana. Tickets: $40

• Feb. 9 - 10th Annual Kegs 'n' Eggs, Levante Brewing, 10 a.m. Join for beer and brunch Natalie's Fine Foods and Philly Hots. Plus, DJ, yard games and Sequon Barkley giveaway. Bring five non-pershible food items and get a free pour of your choice.

• Feb. 9 - Rachel Harris, One Woman Over the Line, 226 N. High St, 2:30 p.m. Multi-media dance production tells the story of Chester County runaway slave Rachel Harris and her search for freedom and dignity. Tickets: $35/adult; $28/Student/Senior

• Feb. 10 - Film for $5: When Harry Met Sally, Uptown, 226 N. High St, 7 p.m. Complimentary popcorn included.

• Feb. 11 - Teens & Tweens Paper Quilling, West Chester Public Library, 3:30- 5 p.m. Learn the art of paper quilling and make a heart for someone you love.

• Feb. 13 - Documentary: Champions of Golden Valley, Uptown, 226 N. High St, 7 p.m. Tickets: $15

• Feb. 13 - Pierce and Henderson Orchestra Concert, Henderson, 7 p.m.

• Feb. 14 - Andrea Carlson and the Love Police, Uptown, 226 N. High St, 7:30 p.m. An evening of love songs with an ode to Paris. Tickets: $35

• Feb. 15 - West Chester Grower's Market, corner of Church & Chestnut Sts, 10 a.m. to Noon

• Feb. 15 - Valentine's Tea, Mimi's Tea Cottage, 30 S. High St., 11 a.m. - 2 p.m. Celebrate love and friendship with an elegant tea experience. Includes live music and tea service. Tickets: $45.99/person. Registration required.

• Feb. 15 - Holding History: Civil War Letters, Chester County History Center, 1:30 - 3 p.m. Discover the personal stories of Civil War soldiers through the lens of their correspondence with one woman who connected them all. This is a-pay-as-you-wish, in-person event.

• Feb. 15 - Quizzo for a Cause, ACT in Faith, 212 S. High St., doors open at 6 p.m. Games start promptly at 7 p.m. Come hang out with friends while testing your trivia knowledge. Tickets are $25/person and all proceeds go to ACT in Faith. Note: This is a BYOE (bring your own everything event - beer, wine, snacks, etc.) event

• Feb. 15 - Mamma Mania, Uptown, 226 N. High St, 7:30 p.m. Prepare to be transported back to the vibrant 1970s with New York City’s premier ABBA tribute band. Tickets: $40

• Feb. 16 - WCU Symphony Orchestra Concert, Emilie K. Asplundh Concert Hall, 7 - 8:30 p.m. Modest Mussorgsky’s Pictures at an Exhibition anchors this engaging program that also includes a performance of Lili Boulanger’s beautifully descriptive D’un matin de printemps.

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That’s it. Stay safe, stay happy, and thanks to everyone who helped make this week’s issue possible. I’ll see you next week!

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