West Chester Weekly News Roundup: Sept. 5, 2025

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It’s Friday, Sept. 5, 2025: West Chester Restaurant Inspection Reports are out for August and with only nine out of compliance this month, it seems restaurants are working hard to stay off the list, but not everyone has it together. Out this month, a West Chester fixture, a popular fast food duo, and a Chester County nursing home with a cockroach problem. Yuck. Also, this week, we have an actual approved proposal to improve the Gay Street Closure, but it’s going to cost you. A look at what we’ll get for the money, East Bradford neighborhood drama, puppies for sale, the West Chester Children’s Business Fair, and Barnaby’s is sold. What we know about the August transaction and what it might mean for the West Chester University go to. Phew. Fall is back in full swing, people.

So, who’s ready? Let’s catch up!      

West Chester Restaurant Inspection Reports: August

Over the course of the year, the Chester County Health Department reviews the kitchens of all licensed food facilities in Chester County. These include restaurants, bars, grocery stores, convenience stores, and school cafeterias - pretty much any facility that dispenses food to the public. The inspections are unannounced. This month, inspectors reviewed 42 establishments and found nine to be out of compliance. A marked improvement over previous months, but still plenty to discuss, including a West Chester fave dispensing chemicals from unmarked spray bottles, a fast food duo with a lengthy cleaning list, and a Chester County-managed nursing home with signs of a concerning infestation.  

Complete Care Strategies: When Do You Tell Your Aging Loved One They Need More Support?

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Having “the talk” with your loved one may feel overwhelming, but you don’t have to navigate it on your own. Contact Complete Care Strategies today.

The Warnings.

SEPTA stalemate continues. Last Friday evening, several residents and the Mayor of West Chester joined in a Better By Bus Advocacy Walk in hopes of encouraging state leaders to pass a budget and restore SEPTA service, but to little avail. The budget stalemate, and SEPTA’s funding with it, remain in limbo. As a result, mass transportation services remain a confusing hodgepodge. 

Fee hikes, and Regional Rail cuts, halted. On Friday, a judge issued a temporary injunction barring SEPTA from cutting any more services or implementing fare hikes until a hearing is held on a lawsuit accusing the transit agency of improper business practices. 

Some Philly bus lines restored. After reports of a spike in student absences and tardies during the first week of school, SEPTA restored some bus and trolley lines, but not the one impacting West Chester. 

West Chester cuts remain. Service on Route 104, which runs from West Chester University to Philadelphia 69th Street  Station, remains at a 20 percent reduction. “Midday headways will go from 30 to 40 minutes,” a route notice on the SEPTA website reads.

East Bradford neighborhood drama. East Bradford resident Leslie Ann Kilkuskie-Cridland was in court this week after her neighbors accused her of violating the terms of her bail. Leslie Ann was arrested twice in April after those same neighbors called police and accused her of harassment. They alleged she sent them threatening emails and ordered them to stop what West Chester Police deemed “normal everyday activities,” including playing soccer, using the lawnmower, and walking the dog. When they didn’t comply, she reportedly began following them on walks, videotaping them, and in one instance, attempted to hit one with her car. The case is set to go to trial next week. In the meantime, neighbors insist she has been violating the terms of the bail, which include no recording, photographing, or contacting any of her alleged victims. Without rescinding bail, Chester County Common Pleas Judge Bret Binder did reiterate the terms on Tuesday. “I am telling you, you cannot record, photograph, or contact” any of these neighbors, he said. “Do you understand?” “Yes,” she replied. You can read more about this case here. 

Puppies for sale. Just a week after preemptively banning all sales of dogs, cats, and rabbits at retail locations in the Borough, photos of unauthorized sales of puppies held in a cage on a table on Gay St, Friday night began popping up all over the internet. West Chester Police reported on Sunday that they are aware of the situation and are investigating fully, yet no further information has been provided. I reached out to West Chester Public Information Officer Dave March on Thursday, but was unable to get an update. I’ll keep you posted if I hear anything.  

Prison break. Two years ago Sunday, Danelo Cavalcante scaled the walls of the Chester County Prison before taking the county and the country on a wild, two-week ride. On Wednesday, it nearly happened again, or maybe not so nearly. “This afternoon, an inmate attempted to escape from the Chester County Prison. He was quickly apprehended due to a combination of security features and prison staff,” Public Information Officer Rebecca Brain shared on Wednesday. “Chester County has been focused on prison security over the last couple of years, and the public should be reassured that this escape attempt was stopped quickly and successfully,” she added.

Bale fire at Starr Farm Park. This week, East Bradford Township reported an ongoing bale fire at Starr Farm Park. The park will remain open, but visitors are asked to adhere to posted signs and follow any additional instructions from emergency responders. 

Get them while you can. Chester County Health Department has announced the dates of its seasonal vaccine clinics. Both flu and COVID-19 vaccines will be available free of cost to anyone who wishes to get one. “We are committed to making vaccination accessible to everyone in Chester County,” County Health Director, Jeanne Franklin said. There are nine dates and locations listed - however, only one is in West Chester. That would be Oct. 27, at the Community Clinic at the Government Service Center on Westtown Rd. from 3 p.m to 6:45 p.m. However, starting on Sept. 16, appointments can also be made throughout the season at the Government Service Center. Call 610-344-6225 with any questions. Note: Appointments are required for all clinics.  

The Sunshine Report.

Your inside look at local government at work. Each week, key decisions are made about how to spend tax dollars, what new developments go forward, and the best way to deliver key services, like trash - and parking. The Report is here to make sure you don’t miss a single one.  

Barnaby's Has Been Sold

One of West Chester's most popular restaurants, Barnaby's of West Chester, has officially changed hands.

According to Chester County Deeds records, on August 13, 2025, Barnaby's High Street, Inc. sold its well-known High St. property to 21 Jump Street LLC (87.5%) and SKM WC LLC (12.5%) for $4.3 million. The deed was recorded on August 19, 2025.

Opened in 2007, Barnaby's quickly became a community favorite, whether for family dinners, its late-night drinks menu, or as a go-to place to watch the big game. Its central location and deep roots in the Borough make the sale a significant moment in West Chester's dining and nightlife scene. It was also a bit of a budget booster.

The sale generated $86,000 in transfer taxes - $43,000 to the state, $21,500 to the West Chester Area School District, and $21,500 to the Borough.

What the new owners have planned remains to be seen, but Baraby's status as a cornerstone of the Borough's restaurant culture ensures that many eyes will be on the property's future.

An emailed request for comment from the new owners has not been answered.

Stay tuned, I believe there is more to come on this one! 

- Margie

Hello.

Finally, it seems we have a plan to improve the Gay Street closure. (Yay.) With just about a month left to go in the 2025 Gay Street Open Air Market season, West Chester Borough Council has decided on what the near(ish) future of the closure will look like. Last week, Council held a special meeting and voted 6-0 to award a $1.844 million contract to Marino Corporation out of Skippack, PA to install crash rated barriers at Matlack Street, Darlington Street, and both sides of High Street, as well as fixed bollards on the sidewalks at Darlington, Matlack, and High St. The approval came despite the fact the bid was more than double the original budget.   

Um, wait, what? Why so high? 

Goodbye.

West Chester Borough has a new plan to rid its waterways of pollutants and excess sediment, two components that can be detrimental to the health of a stream. However, it seems the only way to clean up our waterways is to embrace a bunch of acronyms. So here we go - 

• MS4 - Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System (Essentially this is the management of the path stormwater takes from the sky to the stream.)

• PRP - Pollution Reduction Plan (How we plan to reduce that excess sediment)

• TMDL Plan - Total Maximum Daily Load Plan (How we plan to limit water pollutants) 

• BMP - Best Management Practice

The Accolades.

The New York Times bestselling authors among us. 

I am not sure if it’s West Chester University, the abundant coffee shops, or our relatively convenient location between Philly and New York, but I am beginning to notice we seem to have more than our fair share of published authors hiding in our midst. Just last week, I stumbled onto another, after he had an issue with the newsletter subscriber site. 

It turns out New York Times bestselling author J. Randy Taraborrelli is a subscriber(!) (Probably more exciting for me, than you.) He is also a well-known journalist, an accomplished celebrity biographer with more than 20 books to his name on everyone from Madonna to Beyonce, and something of an expert on the Kennedys.

This summer, he published his sixth biography on the family the latest titled JFK: Public, Private, Secret.  

With JFK, Randy seeks to chip away at the enshrinement created by John F. Kennedy’s untimely death to reveal a complex, multi-faceted individual who was just beginning to ask himself hard questions about who he had become—as a man, a husband, and a president of the United States.

Debuting at #4 on the NYT bestsellers list, JFK is the follow-up to his wildly successful account of Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis, Jackie: Public, Private, Secret. 

Originally from Ridley, Randy moved to Los Angeles right out of high school, only to eventually make his way back east. He is now a West Chester resident.      

Congratulations to Randy on his 20th bestseller; now that we know, maybe, we’ll see him at one of those aforementioned coffee shops? 

Want your own copy? Both JFK and Jackie are currently available on Amazon and likely at the bookstores downtown, but I’ve not had a chance to check yet. 

Other things we are celebrating this week: 

Finding your footing. Now in year two, West Chester University Head Football Coach Duke Greco is starting to settle in. “I don’t even know how to describe it,” he told Daily Local News sports reporter Neil Geoghagen. “Some people can jump into a room and they are comfortable. I am the opposite. It takes me a long time. This summer was the first time I pulled into the office, and it felt normal,” he said.

Well, the Golden Rams will get their first chance to show just how comfortable they are this weekend against Bentley University. They finished last year, their first under Coach Greco, with a record of 4 - 6, but it was really a year of two halves. A slow start, rebounded by a more respectable 4-3 conference campaign. It is that ending momentum WCU hopes to build on this year. To help them do that, they will need to rely heavily on the senior leadership of quarterback Cooper Jordan, a four-year starter and last year’s PSAC East Offensive Player of the Year, and defensive linebacker and D2Football's Elite 100 pick Conner Noble. Thanks to several graduations, transfers, and injuries, much of the rest of the field is up for grabs. However, there are a few names you’ll want to listen for, including running back Ali Barkley, yep, Saquon’s younger brother, a Temple transfer, and Virginia Military Institute transfer wideout Ivan Thorpe. 

“Ivan Thorpe is a name you guys are going to be hearing a lot,” Cooper told the paper. The Golden Rams, who were picked to finish third in the PSAC East, kick things off Saturday at noon in Waltham, MA.

When the Golden Rams, return home on Sept. 20, improvements to Farrell Field should be complete including the addition of a brand new video score board. See the video above for updates.

Battle for West Chester. Fall sports are starting to heat up, and West Chester’s perrenially tough soccer squads look to battle it out for best of West Chester early this year. Things got off to a quick start this week, when Henderson took on East at home. Henderson’s Carter Lee came out for a quick score, and that would do it. Neither team would find the back of the net again. Henderson faces Rustin on Tuesday for a chance to claim the title outright. If not, Rustin is at East on Sept. 17. In any case, if you want the title, you’re going to have to win one on the road.  

Also, grabbing wins this week, the Rustin Golf and WC East Volleyball teams. East Volleyball took a step toward a Best of West Chester title of its own with a 3-2 victory over Henderson. The Vikings were led by Casey Miller with 15 kills. While, Rustin Golf continued its early run with an impressive (taking the DLN word on this) 184-207 win over Great Valley. Rustin senior Cole Berry led all golfers with an even-par 35, followed by teammates Chris MacNeal at 36 and Zach Raihall with a 37. The Golden Knights move to 4-0 with the win.    

A bumper crop. This summer, Exton students checked “grow a garden” off their summer bucket list - and it was a real, actual garden, not the online version churning out trillion-dollar romanesco broccoli and elder strawberries that my kids have been obsessed with. The Exton garden, now protected by a new fence, may not have such valued speciality items but it did yield 239 lbs of actual fresh produce for the West Chester Food Cupboard.

TikTok worthy dorm rooms. When I moved into college the big get was a mini fridge and the loft bed. Now, there are interior designers who specialize in dorm room design. This week, Christine Dennison, and her WCU freshman, earned a mention in the Phildalphia Inquirer for their polished dorm design. I’m not going to lie, this is making my carpet remenant bought out of a van from a man parked in front of the dorms seem like less of the finishing touch I thought it was.  

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Pay it Forward.

In 2021, West Chester residents and parents John and Tori McDonald were exploring educational opportunities for their children when they came across a micro school with resources to launch a business fair in your local town.

“Our son was born with an entrepreneurial spirit,” said Tori. “So it felt like a good opportunity to jump in and see if there were other young people in the area who also wanted a platform to showcase their abilities.” Now in its fourth year, I caught up with Tori on the unexpected success of the event and what residents can expect on Saturday. 

HWC: Now on number four, the West Chester Children's Business Fair seems to get bigger every year. Did you think it would be so well received? 

TM: We can't believe we're on number four already! When we started this, we had no idea that there would be so much interest in it, so we have decided to make it an annual thing. West Chester is such a community town that it felt like the right place to host something like this.

HWC: What are some of the most interesting business ideas you have seen so far?

TM. I love that there is so much variety! Some unique ideas have included a group of entrepreneurs who created their own board game. It was very creative. You could tell a lot of thought went into it. We’ve also had incredible spray paint artists, really creative 3D printing businesses, and other simple business concepts, such as one young lady offering to take photos of her bunny with clients. That was really popular. Oh, and face painting. This was a huge hit last year, and it'll be back this year!

HWC: Ok, give us your best elevator pitch. If someone has never been, why should they come out on Saturday? 

TM. Want to be inspired? Having a bad day? One smile, one interaction with these incredible young people will be enough to turn even the Grinch's frown upside down. Kids are capable of amazing things, and oftentimes in our culture ,we discount their abilities and dismiss their ability to take on responsibility. Come be amazed!

Thanks, Tori! We, for five, will be there. 

The Children’s Business Fair is taking place this Saturday morning at the corner of Gay and Church St from 9 a.m. to noon. The event is free to attend. The wares, however, will cost you. 

Full disclosure: I have two young entrepreneurs participating this year. I told them if they create an event flyer, I will share it on social. So, I wanted to open that up to any participants. If you have kids with a business and they would like a little promo help, just message me with a flyer or tag HWC on social, and I will share to my stories.  

Other ways to pay if forward this week: 

Go on a staples run. Master Baker’s Community Pantry is looking a little bare. If you making a stock up run this weekend maybe toss in a few more things? 

Make a run for it. The 2nd annual Dr. Mary’s Legacy 5K Run is tomorrow at West Goshen Community Park, and 9/11 Heroes Run is next Sunday at Rustin. 

Take a short biking survey. Like that idea of the trail system that connects West Chester with some of the other parks and schools in the area? Wish it were easier (and safer) to bike into town on an errand? Take this short 10-question survey and share your thoughts with the Borough.   

Sign up for a swanky night out. The West Chester Downtown Foundation’s Up on the Roof fundraiser event is on Saturday, September 13 at 5 pm, and it is not too late to buy your ticket for West Chester’s premier end-of-summer party! Food, drinks, live music, and stunning views of the West Chester skyline. Get your tickets now and join the fun! (Full disclosure, I am on the WCDF board. So, come say hi if you make it out!) 

The Freakin’ Weekend.

What are you up to this weekend?  We will be at the Henderson Football game on Friday night. We are not yet official members of the high school football crew, but I always find something nostalgic about watching the game played under the lights. My own youth, I guess. We’ll also be at the Children’s Business Fair and soccer starts this weekend. I was hoping to hold onto those summer vibes a bit longer but doesn’t look like that’s happening!

If you’re around this weekend, there is a lot going on. First, it is First Friday in the Borough and they are presenting the final performances of their Summer Concert Series. There will be bands at the 44 West and the Historic Courthouse. My friend and her band Secretly Sixty are playing at the courthouse. If you get a chance, check them out. They’re fun. The Master’s Baker is celebrating 55 years with an Open House tonight and free mini cupcakes and Scoops and Smiles ice cream. Event runs from 4 to 8 p.m. And on Saturday, there is the Children’s Business Fair in the morning and, if you just learned last night, you have no good gear left, La Chic Boutique is having an Eagle’s event at noon.

If you’re a high school football fan, you’ll want to scoot over to Rustin tonight. The Golden Knights will take on defending Pope John Paul II, the District 1 Class 4A champions. Much like Rustin, PJP saw much of their district-winning team graduate, but still, again, like Rustin, they are 2-0. Should be a good game. 

Looking for more ideas? The Fall Event Guide is out - and it was just updated with new events! Get it here.

And finally, special thanks to this week’s Community Sponsor Mitten Systems! Mitten Systems is an operations consulting firm focused on helping small businesses and nonprofits find more efficient ways to work. What small business couldn’t use that? Check out their website to learn how they can help your business do more with less!

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:

• Sept. 5 – First Friday, Downtown West Chester, free metered parking after 5 p.m.

• Sept. 6 – West Chester Growers Market, corner of Church and Chestnut Streets, 9 a.m. – 1 p.m.

• Sept. 6 – West Chester Children’s Business Fair, 44 W. Gay St. 9 a.m. – noon. Now in its fourth year, this fun event showcases the wares of more than than 40 different kid-run businesses. Come, shop, support West Chester’s next generation of business leaders. All all participants are between 5 and 14 years of age.

• Sept. 6 – Secret Gardens of West Chester walking tour, various, 10 to 2 p.m. This is a self-guided walking tour of privately owned gardens in the northeast area of the Borough of West Chester. There will be an accompanying plant sale on the West Chester Friends School campus. Tickets: $25 Proceeds go to support the West Chester Friends School.

• Sept. 6 – Yoga in the Park, Marshall Square Park, 10:15 a.m. Bring a mat, water, and sunscreen. Registration encouraged, but walk-ins welcome. Class: $15. FYI if you’re registering it’s listed under “Be Rooted.” 

• Sept. 6 – Dr. Mary’s Legacy Run, West Goshen Community Park, 9 a.m. The proceeds from this event will benefit the Dr. Mary Brennan Wirshup Endowment Fund at CVIM. Cost: $25 before Aug. 17; $30 after

• Sept. 6 – Ireland Meets Philly, Uptown Theater, 7:30 p.m. Join musicians Lily Enos and Kate Dineen for a wonderful night of music. Lily is an alternative rock artist from Philly and Kate is a folk-pop artist from Ireland, both will be playing their original music accompanied by a full band. Tickets: $22

• Sept. 7 – Sip & Dine at Turks Head Wines, 120 N. Church St. 12 – 7 p.m.  There will be live music from 1 to 4 p.m. and a portion of all sales will go to support the West Chester Food Co-op. 

• Sept. 7 – Author Talk: Andy Miller, American Helicopter Museum, 1:30 – 2:30 p.m. “Heroes are Forever.” Tickets required.

• Sept. 10 – Swing Kings Concert, Oakbourne Park, 6:30 – 8:30 p.m. BYO chairs and picnic for a free concert in Oakbourne Park. The Swing Kings cover songs from Patsy Cline to Glenn Miller. This is a free community event. Rain date 9/11.

• Sept. 13 – West Chester Growers Market, corner of Church and Chestnut Streets, 9 a.m. – 1 p.m.

• Sept. 13 – Free a Tree volunteer day, Plum Run Preserve (Meet at parking lot at 940 Tigue Rd., West Chester, PA) 10 a.m. Learn basic natural land stewardship skills and become more familiar with East Bradford parks. Can be used to count towards public service hours for students.

• Sept. 13 – Halfway to St. Patrick’s Party, Columbus Social Room, 110 W. Market St,  1 – 5 p.m. Entertainment will be provided by Father Charles O’Hara and the O’Shenanigans Irish Band and the Do’Cairde School of Irish Dance. Proceeds go to support the Society of St. Vincent DePaul.

• Sept. 14 – Route 926 Litter Clean Up, 1120 E. Street Rd, Westtown Township, 7-9 a.m. Participants must be at least age 18, sign up in advance, and sign a waiver. Meet at the Concept School parking lot at 6:30 am to check-in. 

Want more? Visit the Event List for all the events on our radar.

Reader tip: If you have trouble with these emails going to spam or promotions, reply to this email. Nothing particular, even a random letter will do, but that should keep them coming to the inbox.

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!

Hello, West Chester Community Sponsors