Commerce
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Coatesville/Exton Marriott Hotel Invests $2.5M in Major Renovation
The Courtyard by Marriott Philadelphia Coatesville/Exton is in the middle of a more than $2.5 million transformation, as its ownership group bets on modernizing the property to better serve families, sports teams, and wedding guests, writes Emma Dooling for the Philadelphia Business Journal. Work kicked off May 18, with a portion of the hotel’s 125 guest rooms…
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Someone Built a Hobbit House in Chester County and it’s Awesome
Tucked away in the picturesque Chester County countryside is a true-to-life scene from Middle Earth. Architect Peter Archer of West Chester’s Archer & Buchanan Architecture had the life-sized tribute to The Shire handcrafted for J.R.R. Tolkien fans alongside an 18th-century stone wall on their property, according to a Houzz tour by Lisa Frederick. “The location…
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9 Chester County Restaurants That Are Packed This Spring, and How to Get In
Spring has officially brought the Chester County dining scene back to life. Outdoor patios are opening, seasonal menus are launching, and some restaurants are seeing packed dining rooms nearly every weekend. From farm-to-table destinations to taverns and trendy cocktail spots, diners are flocking to restaurants that have a great atmosphere and even better food. Here are 9 Chester County restaurants drawing…
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Why Virginia Retirees Are Choosing Freedom Village Over Northern Virginia’s High Cost of Living
For decades, Northern Virginia has been a powerhouse for technology, government contracting, and data centers. It’s an ideal location for ambitious professionals and workers in Virginia who thrive in fast-paced, high-growth environments. But when it’s time to slow down, prioritize wellness, and enjoy the fruits of long careers, many older adults in Virginia are looking…
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Tracy Davidson Tells Ursinus Graduates About Courage, Failure, and What Actually Matters
Tracy Davidson has spent decades delivering the news. Last week, she spoke at Ursinus College’s commencement ceremony and delivered something harder to come by: honest advice. The longtime Philadelphia broadcaster stood before the Class of 2026 and set aside the kind of polished, inspirational language that graduation speeches tend to traffic in. What she offered…
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How Housing Stability and Mental Health Are Connected: Friends Association’s Work in Chester County
Friends Association is now in its third century of service, helping vulnerable families across southeastern Pennsylvania with shelter services and compassionate community care. These days, that help includes providing mental health support for those facing the challenge of housing stability. During Mental Health Awareness Month in May, understanding the connection between mental health and housing…
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TLC: The Power of Play: How Play Helps Kids Heal and Grow
“Play is what makes kids, kids. It’s what they do,” says Allison Gopnik, human play researcher and psychology professor at the University of California, Berkeley. Yet each decade, society has continued to edge play out of the regular rhythm of life for children and families, replacing that play with busyness, distraction, and isolation. Families have…
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Register Now for Widener University’s Engineering Camp for High School Students
High school students looking to jump-start their future in engineering are invited to sign up for Widener University’s 2026 Engineering Camp this summer. Students in grades 9 through 12 will explore engineering, robotics, design, and technology from June 22 to June 26 in Kirkbride Hall on Widener’s Chester campus. Register Here. The immersive four-day program…
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Hankin Group Celebrates Grand Opening of Ann’s Heart Purcell House in Phoenixville
A newly renovated transitional housing property in Phoenixville is helping expand long-term emergency housing options for individuals and couples experiencing homelessness. Hankin Group recently celebrated the grand opening of Ann’s Heart Purcell House, a renovated three-story property that will allow Ann’s Heart to increase its housing capacity and provide supported transitional housing for up to…
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Former Iron Hill Brewery in Media Up for Lease Seven Months After Bankruptcy
The future of the former Iron Hill Brewery & Restaurant on State Street is still up in the air seven months after the beloved regional craft beer chain filed for liquidation bankruptcy and abruptly shuttered all of its locations. The 9,300-square-foot Media brewpub is now on the market for lease, joining a handful of other vacant Iron…
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The AI Buildout Came to Montgomery County. Now Residents Fear It’s Too Late to Stop It.
The battle over data centers in Montgomery County has entered a critical new phase, writes Justin Heinze for Patch. Eight projects backed by developer Brian O’Neill and his King of Prussia firm MLP Ventures are now formally on the table, targeting sites near Renaissance Park, Swedeland Road, Horizon Drive, and River Road. Together, they represent…
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New Restaurant, Cocktail Bar from Square Roots Collective Coming to Kennett Square
Square Roots Community Initiative, a nonprofit that supports the Kennett Square area, will open a new American restaurant and cocktail bar in Kennett this summer, writes Emma Dooling for the Philadelphia Business Journal. Opus will open in the two-story building at 201 Birch Street, previously home to Hank’s Place diner, which occupied the space while rebuilding its original Chadds…
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Where to Enjoy Authentic Pasta Dishes in Chester County
There is nothing quite like a comforting bowl of homemade pasta to warm up during the winter months, and Chester County restaurants offer no shortage of flavor when it comes to this classic meal, writes Ed Williams for Main Line Today. Here are four restaurants offering delicious pasta options perfect for dining in or takeout.…
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Malvern Native Turns Mental Health Journey Into Mission-Driven Clothing Brand
For Hollie Mershon, the weight of a hoodie is the point. The Malvern native and former professional basketball player spent years quietly wrestling with anxiety and depression, a struggle that deepened after ACL injuries cut short her overseas career, reports staff at 6abc. When the sport that had defined her career was suddenly gone, Mershon…
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Find Compassionate, Affordable Women’s Health Care at LCH Health in Chester County
May is Women’s Health Month, a timely reminder that taking care of yourself matters. If you’ve been putting off that appointment, waiting until things feel more settled, or simply haven’t found a provider you trust, stop waiting. Women should not have to struggle to connect to a qualified, compassionate provider in Chester County and surrounding areas. That’s why LCH Health and Community Services steps up with answers and…
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Freedom Village at Brandywine Hosts ‘Why Now?’ Retirement Planning Event June 11 in Malvern
For many older adults, the idea of moving to a senior living community is often postponed until a health crisis or major life change forces the conversation. But representatives from Freedom Village at Brandywine say the best time to make those decisions is much earlier — while individuals are still healthy, active, and fully independent.…
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Arc of Chester County’s Bubble Walk & Fun Day Raises $125,041 — Hitting Fundraising Goal
The Arc of Chester County’s 23rd Annual Bubble Walk & Fun Day raised $125,041 in support of individuals with disabilities and their families, and achieved its ambitious fundraising goal of $125,000. The beloved annual event held on Sunday, May 17, at West Goshen Community Park, welcomed 260 registered attendees who enjoyed a day filled with…





























































