For Daniel Embree, visiting Kennett Square for the first time was love at first sight, writes Jen Samuel for the Daily Local News.

The former New York City resident was on a birthday trip to Longwood Gardens.  

“Something I distinctly remember about that trip is how impressed I was with historic Kennett Square and its charming architecture, quality shops and restaurants, and beautiful flower displays,” he said.  

Despite growing up in Illinois, Embree has ancestral roots in Chester County, particularly the village of Embreeville in Newlin Township. In 2020, he revisited those roots by making the move from the Big Apple to the Mushroom Capital.

He’s now the new executive director of Kennett Collaborative, formerly known as Historic Kennett Square, a nonprofit founded in 1986. It’s behind some of the most iconic events in Kennett Square: Winterfest, the recently launched Summerfest, and Kennett Blooms.  

Operating from a windowless basement, the nonprofit relies heavily on donations and volunteers. Despite a humble work environment, Embree has high hopes for the town. His vision is to make Kennett Square “the most beautiful town in America.”  

“Kennett is and can be more of a welcoming home for new and longtime residents alike,” he said.

Read more about Embree’s vision in the Daily Local News.