Much has changed within the Berwyn community during the last dozen or so years. We say “community,” because in the world of governmental officialdom, Berwyn exists only as a station stop of the SEPTA R-5 line and a ZIP code (19312) covering oft-confusing serendipitous sections of Easttown and Tredyffrin Townships. (Even the Easttown Twp. Building has a Devon address designating another ZIP code-only spot on the Main Line map. But I digress.
To the thousands of people who reside and work in the ZIP code area of Berwyn, it not only exists, but is a special place likened to a “village of both heart and mind.” (Confirm that with someone you know who has lived there longer than a few years.)
Like in all station stops along the Main Line, commercial, residential, and retail landscapes have noticeably changed in Berwyn over the last decade. Many long-standing businesses and residential areas have fallen victim to the passage of time, and the changing real and perceived needs of au current wants and whims.
At the same time, landmark businesses like Casey’s Pour House and the Berwyn Tavern, within a flying popped cork distance from each other on Lancaster Avenue, Clay’s Bakery, Frankie’s Fellini Café, Berwyn Pizza, Nectar, Main Line Mower, and a few other businesses remain as part of the Berwyn terrain.
Concomitantly, senior living has moved onto the scene, and proposed real estate developments for change continue to become the new norm. Some good. Others not so much.
Sadly, for Berwynites, a major plan a couple of years ago for what we believed would have been a wonderful mixed- use development in the epicenter of Berwyn (the site of the former Fritz Lumber Co. next to the train station) ran into so many Easttown Twp. obstacles that Eadeh Enterprises abandoned it. They subsequently sold the property it acquired it had purchased from the Fritz Family to another developer that is now building a high-density apartment complex wrapped around the venerable, long standing Berwyn Tavern (BT to its legion of patrons.)
Fast-forwarding to today, another mixed-use plan in the heart of Berwyn (again in Easttown,) at Midland and Lancaster Aves, will soon be taking shape as Berwyn Square, a mixed use three-story, 107-unit luxury apartment building, with scaled back retail space at the street level.
As part of the plan, Handel’s Homemade Ice Cream & Yogurt, a popular, year-round neighborhood sweet-tooth emporium at the corner, would be razed, along with a small unattractive shopping strip. Handel’s is planning to move across the street into a large space in Eadeh Enterprises’ historic Bronze Building complex.
Also, currently moving ahead in Berwyn (this time in Tredyffrin) is the T/E School District’s goal to remake the former Doyle McDonnell nursery business on Cassatt Road, adjacent to Conestoga High, into a sports field complex. There are several site options on the table for this athletics multiplex to meet the needs of a growing student population, parental demands, and financial stewardship.
So, much as it was a dozen years ago, “where is Berwyn going, anyhow?” remains to be seen. We will keep you posted along the way.
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While thinking about Berwyn, it is difficult to ignore the many lasting friendships that have been forged in this “community” by families and students in the area’s schools, both public and private.
One such group still getting together “after all these years,” (can you say: mid-1980s) Conestoga High alums joined up a couple of weekends ago in Charlotte, NC to attend the Eagles-Panthers game and a Dead & Co. concert. The same group (often with their families) have been renewing their close friendship at various places throughout the years, and the country, to recall their days at Conestoga, and a few even at Valley Forge Junior High.
Members of this group of “puberty pals,” are now living in Georgia, Maryland, Rhode Island, the Greater NYC area, and North Carolina, to name a few, as well as a couple still residing on the Main Line. Professionally, they range from owning their own businesses to serving in executive rolls in major companies. Among the group are Ron Bascai, Peter Boyd, Jon Dressler, Dave Erwin, Jeff Fewless, Keith Hoffman, Bob Hopper, Jamie Kerr, Dave Lenehan, Roger Murphy, Phil O’Rourke, Hank Oberly, Doug Reed, Bobby Schad, and Craig Vosburg.
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Just for fun, we’re passing along a few items published in church bulletins and/or newsletters whose choices of words provide a chuckle or two. They remain anonymous “church mouse morsels” to spare embarrassment of the devoted secretaries or church members that published them:
“Thursday will be tryouts for the choir. They need all the help they can get.”
“Potluck supper Friday at 5 p.m. Prayer and medication to follow.”
“Weight watchers will meet at 11 am Tuesday. Please use the large double doors at the side entrance.”
“The eighth graders will present Shakespeare’s “Hamlet” on Friday at 7 pm. The congregation is invited to attend this tragedy.”
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Lastly, nobody asked me, but do you remember when “no trump” was only a great bid in bridge!
The Last Word: Good day, good luck, and good news tomorrow!
Comments about Ray’s column are invited to [email protected].
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