West Chester Weekly News Roundup: May 1, 2026

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It’s Friday, May 1, 2026: This week, we talk with West Chester photographer Roman Coia, who is combining his love of dogs and portraiture to bring West Chester its first fine art animal portrait studio. Really, the work is stunning.  

Also, we have updates on the Gay Street Closure, Restaurant Inspection reports, someone has got to tell me what was done to those croutons, a look at the surge in West Chester University undergrad enrollment, the NeeDoh craze, and share where to buy a smoothie shop. It’s currently 40 percent off. Plus, we look at damage being done to West Chester’s trees and remember Barnaby’s founder.

Who’s ready? Let’s catch up. 

New events-only email coming May 6. Exciting news! By popular request, we are launching a new events-only newsletter. It will come out on Wednesday and highlight upcoming events. Unlike Friday’s email, look for that one to be short and sweet. Have an event to include? Let us know here.

Hang It Above the Mantle: Turning Fido’s Face into Fine Art

The family helped free both Scout and Sylvia, a pit bull terrier, from a dangerous situation in New York, and then became foster fails, meaning they are still happily housed at the Coia household. 

“We ended up foster failing that one, too,” Roman says of attempts to turn Sylvia over to a new family after months of bonding.

Fostering may have proven unsuccessful in the best way, but the dog portrait studio Roman launched earlier this year is anything but. “It’s really starting to take off,” Roman shares as we chat craft in his W. Gay St. studio. ”Dogs are everywhere,” he says of West Chester. 

There are a lot of dogs, and there are a lot of pictures of dogs, but this is not really that. 

“I’m trying to elevate above,” says Roman, who has a BFA from Penn State and specializes in fine art portrait photography. “I want these pieces up on the wall,” he says.

Roman can produce stunning examples in all types of photography styles—portraiture, action, or artistic. You can opt to have your two-hour session in his studio, at your home, or outdoors. You can also have your pet shot alone or with their person. You’ll get a chance to dictate the terms on a pre-consult call, then just let Roman work his magic.

“I love the challenge of trying to catch that iconic image,” he says.

After the two-hour shoot, Roman will select the 50 to 100 best shots and edit them for formal presentation. “It’s always helpful to know where you want to place the images,” he says. The service, which, when it’s at its best, ends with a museum-grade print hung in a prominent location, may not be for everyone, but there are plenty who would go back for the opportunity. 

“Since I’ve started this, I’ve had at least three or four people come and tell me, ‘I just lost my dog . . . I wish I had known I could do this,’” says Roman. That’s the goal. Capturing something fleeting forever. “[Find a place] to look at [it] every day through your life, because they’re with us such a short time,” says Roman. 

Roman was recently named Chester County Chamber of Business & Industry Entrepreneur of the Year. You can see Roman’s work for yourself tonight as part of the Spring Gallery Walk. Just pop into his studio at 39 W. Gay St., second floor. There is also a Lego puppy giveaway and Cutter & Cannon on-site. 

The Warnings.

West Chester Restaurant Inspection Reports are out for April.

Eight institutions were out of compliance last month, including a few downtown favorites, a gas station that may have to suspend coffee sales, a pizza place with a concerning case of croutons, and a reminder that it’s best to avoid prison food if you can help it.

Gas main struck in East Bradford. West Chester emergency services responded to a gas leak on Wednesday in the area of Brookworth and Highland Rds. According to initial reports, a contractor struck a gas main while digging in the area. The incident has been turned over to PECO.

Material spill reported in the Borough. On Friday afternoon, West Chester Borough reported a spill that closed Prescott Alley for several hours from High St. to Church St. Fortunately it seems it was more of an inconvenience than a danger. “There are currently NO environmental concerns related to this spill,” the Borough’s statement reads. 

Desk assistants unite. Another provocative report from our fearless intern and WCU Quad reporter, read it here.

The Sunshine Report.

Editorial: Chasing Federal Dollars But at What Cost (and Benefit)?

West Chester Borough and West Goshen Township are preparing to compete for a share of $4.8 million in federal funding, originating with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), passing through the Commonwealth, and ultimately administered by Chester County through the Community Services Block Grant (CSBG) program for the 2027–2028 cycle.

Interest is high based on the standing-room-only crowd at the county’s recent workshop, which signals just how competitive this process will be. According to state guidance, the CSBG program is intended to “provide funds to eligible nonprofit community-based organizations or government entities that work to ameliorate the causes and conditions of poverty in disadvantaged and low-income communities across Pennsylvania.”

Funding is directed toward nonprofits and government entities working to:

• Improve outcomes for low-income households

• Deliver social and housing-related services

• Strengthen community-based support systems

Applications are scored on four weighted criteria—organization capacity (40 points), program design and strategy (25 points), performance management (25 points), and demonstrated need (10 points). This funding is not just about infrastructure; it’s about impact on people.

West Goshen’s Approach. West Goshen has already approved spending $6,959 on a proposal from Carroll Engineering to prepare and submit a grant application. The application will rely on the Township’s 2023 Stormwater Feasibility Study, focusing on infrastructure deficiencies in the Chatwood area, and outlining the community benefit of proposed improvements.

Stormwater infrastructure matters, but this particular funding source raises a more specific question: How does a stormwater infrastructure project directly address the causes and conditions of poverty? Before investing time and taxpayer dollars into pursuing this grant, the Township should reflect on a few basic questions:

• Does this project clearly and measurably benefit low-income or disadvantaged residents?

• Is the connection between stormwater improvements and poverty reduction direct or indirect?

• How will this proposal compete against applications focused on housing, homelessness, and human services?

• Have other alternatives, including improved maintenance or repair, been fully addressed first?

Grant funding is competitive and purpose-driven. The bar isn’t just, “Is this a good project?” It’s, “Is this the right project for this funding?”

Keep shining! —Margie

Hello.

For you brave few who like to drive straight down Gay St. on a Saturday, well, it’s time to reroute for a while. The Gay Street Open Air Market begins today and will run through September. While today is the official season opener, parts of the street, especially on the western end, have been closed as contractors installed a series of bollards. Work and closures have now moved to the eastern end of the street as installations continue. 

Goodbye.

It’s goodbye again to West Chester’s supply of NeeDoh for sale. A shipment of the must-have stress reliever caused lines to snake down the Bradford Plaza sidewalk last weekend. Customers drove in from all around the area—Allentown, Philadelphia, even New Jersey. Parents and grandparents arrived with detailed lists of NeeDoh items for their children and grandchildren.

“We’ve had two NeeDoh drops in the last month. For our last drop, we had over 1,000 pieces. For both drops, we sold out in a few hours,” Monkey Fish Toy’s Laura Wallace told me. This week, I caught up with her on how this nearly 10-year-old toy suddenly became all the rage, who’s buying, and for those of you carrying around a NeeDoh wish list, when you can expect the next shipment.

A World Premiere Years in the Making!

The Woman Question, a world premiere years in the making, opens next week at People's Light in Malvern! This new play unearths stories of the PA pioneers who led the global charge for women’s health, following the 1894 class of the Woman’s Medical College of Pennsylvania — the first degree-granting medical school for women. The triumphs and struggles of these trailblazing students resonate across centuries in this docu-fantasy, which acclaimed playwright Suli Holum calls "a lesson to us all about perseverance, passion, community care, and the power of joy." Tickets are going fast, so plan your theatre trip soon!

**This is a sponsored post.**

The Accolades.

Things we are celebrating this week.

Organ donors. In 2024, doctors completed a record number of organ transplants in the U.S.—45,217 to be exact, saving 39,505 lives. Earlier this month, West Chester University student Garrett Nicholas died in a High St. accident. While his life was cut heartbreakingly short, his decision to become an organ donor has helped at least three others go on. Now, according to the Philadelphia Inquirer, several of his fraternity brothers laced up to help spread the word about the power of organ donation by running in this year’s Gift of Life Donor Dash, a 10K race that starts at the Philadelphia Navy Yard and supports donor families and transplant recipients. You read more about the race here. 

Penn Relays. The Penn Relays, the oldest and largest track and field competition in the United States, took place last weekend. Hosted annually by the University of Pennsylvania, the meet attracts more than 15,000 athletes across all levels. The West Chester University 4x400 team took second in the Eastern finals with a time of 3:19:86. This was the top finish of any non-Division 1 program. At the high school level, Rustin’s Aoife Speer-Gibson was representing. She claimed fifth in the high jump after clearing a height of 5’ 7”.

WCU Women’s LAX. West Chester University’s Women’s Lacrosse team is in search of its fourth straight conference title, which would make it a four-year sweep for this year's senior class, but it won’t come easy. After disposing of IUP in Tuesday’s quarterfinal, the Golden Rams now face Slippery Rock at home in the semifinals. The Lady Rams only have three losses this season, one of which was the season opener against Slippery Rock. Their chance to rectify that comes today at 1 p.m. 

Sitting pretty. West Chester University’s Baseball Team is sitting in a good position as it approaches the postseason. In the NCAA Division II Baseball Committee’s second set of regional rankings, the Golden Rams, with a record of 34–8, were ranked first. The top six teams will qualify for the NCAA Tournament. One more set of rankings is expected on Wednesday, and the D2 Baseball Selection Show will be held on May 10 at 10 p.m. WCU enters the final week of the season on a 10-game winning streak. 

Reading above your grade level. Shoutout this week to the members of the Westtown-Thornbury Elementary School Reading team. WTE brought home a blue ribbon at this year’s Reading Olympics. Even more impressive, 25 of the 29 members were 4th graders competing against students who were older. Go Wildcats!

Most clicked: Last week’s most-clicked story was about a West Chester native testing the strength of her relationship on Temptation Island. For those of you rooting for the couple, there was some good news revealed at this week’s Reunion Special. West Chester University’s Baseball Team is sitting in a good position as it approaches the postseason. In the NCAA Division II Baseball Committee’s second set of regional rankings, the Golden Rams, with a record of 34–8, were ranked first. The top six teams will qualify for the NCAA Tournament. One more set of rankings is expected on Wednesday, and the D2 Baseball Selection Show will be held on May 10 at 10 p.m. WCU enters the final week of the season on a 10-game winning streak. 

Pay it Forward.

On May 9, more than 5,300 West Chester University students are expected to move out for the summer. To help ease the trash burden caused by this annual tradition, Goodwill donation bins have been placed around campus. 

Bins will be set up from April 29 through May 11 in the Sykes Student Union, the FHG Library, the Student Recreation Center, at all on-campus residence halls, and at the University’s apartment complexes. Students are encouraged to donate usable items they no longer need, but no broken items, please.

Students who live off campus within the Borough of West Chester and have gently used furniture to donate can sign up for the Move Out, Give Back program organized by WCU’s Student Experience team. Those donations will go to Chester County’s Community Warehouse Project and can include household electronics such as lamps, microwaves, and coffee makers; sofas and other upholstered furniture without rips or stains; tables, chairs, bookcases, etc. To participate in this program, students will first need to register with Move Out, Give Back. 

Other ways to give back this week: 

Sign up to volunteer for Porchfest. West Chester’s favorite jam-on-your-neighbor’s-porch festival is coming back May 16, and they could use some help. “Whether you can help for an hour or the whole day, your support makes a huge difference,” they shared via their website. If you can help make the magic happen, it would be much appreciated. Sign up here.

Share your thoughts on composting. The Borough’s Sustainability Advisory Committee is in the process of exploring the viability of a food composting program in the borough. As part of the investigation, they are conducting a quick survey of residents to gauge their interest and willingness to participate in such a program. It only takes a few minutes. Share your thoughts here. 

Not-so-fun fact: Food waste contributes roughly 8–10 percent of total global greenhouse gas emissions. 

Get involved with the Borough. West Chester Borough is accepting applications for the Human Relations Committee and the Police and Non-Uniform Pension Committee. One advises the Borough on complaints, the other on pensions. Perhaps not committees for everyone, but I like to believe there is a committee for every resident. If either is a passion of yours, find your people and apply here. Just note you do need to be a Borough resident. Deadline for submission is May 25.

The Freakin’ Weekend.

What are you up to this weekend? We are heading to Wilmington to cheer on the Blue Rocks, the Single-A feeder for the Washington Nationals, and the band students from East Bradford, Starkweather, and Hillsdale elementary schools. The students have been invited to play God Bless America before what I am being told is a sold-out crowd. Then on Saturday, we are heading to a birthday party for a friend—I hope that’s not a surprise.

If you are around this weekend, it is First Friday in the Borough, street parking is free, and the Spring Gallery Walk will be in full force. It’s also the first weekend of the Gay Street Open Air Market. To celebrate, Jitters will be hosting its third annual Hot Dog Eating Contest. Also on Friday, West Chester University’s renowned Criterions Jazz Ensemble will perform its final concert of the season. That starts at 7:30 p.m. in the Madeleine Wing Adler Theatre. On Saturday, don your best hats and have your mint julep orders at the ready—Station 142 has a Kentucky Derby Viewing Party starting at 6:57 p.m. Expect it to wrap sometime around 7 p.m Then on Sunday, the Brickette Lounge is hosting a Car-B-Q. I am not exactly sure what that is, but $2 High Life Drafts and $10 wings is enough incentive for me to find out.

Finally, this week, a special thanks to our Community Sponsor - Gladiator Fitness! Gladiator Fitness is a boutique fitness studio led by personal trainer Brian Louis. Brian offers both individual and group training sessions with a focus on functional fitness, high-intensity training, sports-specific training, road and trail race training, and obstacle course training. Follow Gladiator Fitness on Instagram or call (610) 585-1152 to learn more. 

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:

May 1 - Gay Street Open Air Market opens for the season

May 1 - Cops and Coffee, 1375 Boot Rd., 10 a.m. - 12 p.m. Join your neighbors and the Westtown East Goshen Township Police Department to ask questions, voice concerns, and just say hello

May 1 - Spring Gallery Walk, Downtown West Chester, 4 -8 p.m. This self-guided art tour celebrates the thriving community of artists and galleries that make greater West Chester their home. Multiple galleries combine with additional “one-night-only” show hosts to showcase some great local Chester County artists. This is a free event.

May 1 - Criterions Jazz Ensemble, WCU Madeleine Wing Adler Theatre, 7:30 p.m.  The Criterions ensemble will be joined by Grammy Award-winning clarinetist Mark Dover. The program features a new concerto by Ragonese plus big band works by 20th-century composers including Leonard Bernstein and Igor Stravinsky.

May 2 - West Chester Growers Market, corner of Church and Chestnut, 9 a.m. - 1 p.m.

May 2 - West Chester Walking Club, meet at Bookmarks, 9:30 a.m.

May 2 - Borough Stroll, Downtown West Chester, 10 a.m. - 2 p.m. Join for a self-guided shopping stroll through West Chester Borough during the first Open Air Market weekend. Ticketed guests will receive a passport guide with discounts or perks at 10 participating locations. Tickets: $15 in advance; $20/day of.  Meet at Rose’s Little Donuts at 22 N. Darlington St. 

May 4 - Last Day of Spring Semester Classes, WCU

May 6 - How the Body Works, West Chester Public Library, 4:30 - 5:30 p.m. This 10-week program exploring how the body works is open to kids ages 8 to 13. This is session 10 - Tying it all together. Registration is required for each class and opens a week before.

May 7 - Bournelyf Special Camps 5K, downtown West Chester, corner of Market and Church Sts. $30 registration before Mar. 6, $35 after. Proceeds go to support Bournelyf Special Camp. Join the after-race party at Wrong Crowd and get a free pour.

May 8-10 - WCU Commencement Ceremonies, various

May 9 - Coffee with a Cop, Target Starbucks, 8 a.m. - 10 a.m. Join your neighbors and the West Goshen Township Police Department to ask questions, voice concerns, and just say hello.

May 9 - West Chester Walking Club, meet at Pine + Quill, 9:30 a.m.

May 10 - Mother’s Day Express, West Chester Historic Railroad, 12 p.m. or 2 p.m. Make Mom's day unforgettable with a relaxing 90-minute round-trip train ride from West Chester to Glen Mills and back aboard the West Chester Railroad. Tickets: $30/adults; $25/kids; $5/Mom

May 12 - Science on Tap - Chemistry, Barnaby’s Restaurant, 6 p.m. Each session will feature a different WCU expert sharing interesting ideas and new research. The program invites audience participation and, of course, food and drink will be available for purchase. Cheers to science!

May 14 - Helping Hands Amazing Race, Historic Chester County Court House, 12 p.m. - 8 p.m. 

May 14 - All That’s Purple Gala, Mendenhall Inn, 6 - 10 p.m. Help the Domestic Violence Center of Chester County (DVCCC) celebrate 50 years of impact. Enjoy a two-hour open bar, live entertainment, and both silent and live auctions — all while helping shine a light on hope and healing. Tickets: $200 if purchased before May 1. 

May 15 - Virtual Golf on Gay St., Gay St closure in front of the Post Office, 4 - 8 p.m.

May 14 - West Chester Unplugged Appy Hour Event, Bookmarks, 100 E. Gay St. 7 p.m. Attendees will discuss Jonathan Haidt’s The Anxious Generation and the follow-up, The Amazing Generation. No prior reading required. Snacks provided.  

May 15 - American Patriarch: Author Talk with H. W. Brands, Philips Autograph Library, 7 - 8:15 p.m. From historian and Pulitzer Prize finalist H. W. Brands comes an inspiring portrait of George Washington that examines his unrivaled leadership in the birth of America. The event is free but registration is required. 

May 15 - Trivia Night, Sunshine Rotary, Goodwill Fire Co., 6 p.m. The money raised by the event is for our 501 (C3) Foundation which supports non-profits in the community. This event is SOLD OUT

May 16 - West Chester Walking Club, meet at La Chic Boutique, 9:30 a.m.

May 16 - Community Festival, Good Fellowship Ambulance, 600 Montgomery Ave, 2-4:30 p.m. Join Good Fellowship for a family-friendly community festival

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!

This newsletter has been edited by Victoria Rose, Flickering Words: Copy editing. Substantive editing. Proofreading. Content writing. Technical editing. Contact her at [email protected] or @VictoriaRoseEdits to learn more.

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