Home Care In Ambler, PA

Long-running Mexican restaurant Cantina Feliz will move five minutes from Fort Washington to downtown Ambler. It will take over the building now occupied by the Lucky Well, whose owner is shifting his barbecue restaurant to off-premises catering and events.

Lucky Well owner Chad Rosenthal said the restaurant — which features live blues — would close at the end of the year. He said his business partner has sold the building at 111 E. Butler Ave. to Brian Sirhal, Cantina Feliz’s owner.

Cantina Feliz will remain open on Bethlehem Pike until the Ambler space is ready next spring, said Sirhal, who opened the Fort Washington restaurant 11 years ago with chef Tim Spinner, who has since left the partnership to own Taqueria Amor in Manayunk. Sirhal also owns La Calaca Feliz in Fairmount.

The new location will mean higher visibility on Ambler’s main street, more private dining space, and a bar twice the size of the current Fort Washington bar. Sirhal also noted the financial benefits of owning the building. “I just love what’s happened in Ambler over the last 10 years,” Sirhal said. “Just having foot traffic and being in a downtown setting is going to make a difference, I think.”

No future tenant has been announced for Cantina Feliz, on the former site of Alison two and Marita’s Cantina.

Rosenthal, who opened the Lucky Well in 2013, said he would pivot to private events and continue his Lucky Well restaurant incubator in Philadelphia. He also said he would open a scaled-down barbecue restaurant at 41st and Chestnut Streets in University City in early 2024.

Ambler’s thriving restaurant scene spans the fancy (La Provence and Bridget’s Steakhouse) to the midrange (Melody’s Vietnam, Geronimo’s, and From the Boot) and the casual (such as El Limon, KC’s Alley, and Sweet Briar Cafe).

The Lucky Well, one of the larger restaurants in town, replaced the Shanachie Irish Pub.

Rosenthal — who started with smaller Rosey’s BBQ locations in Ambler and Jenkintown, and later operated two Banh Street banh mi shops — said he would lead a group creating barbecue-theme experiences and events. Barbecue, with its high food costs, lends itself better to off-premises gatherings than a traditional restaurant, he said. Through the bar of his Lucky Well location at 990 Spring Garden St. in Philadelphia, he has an off-premises liquor license. He also has a mobile smoker.

“We do a ton of events and catering and weddings, and we make money doing it because the overhead is low,” Rosenthal said.

From the village feel of Skippack, to the movie scene quaintness of Ambler, Montgomery County makes it merry for the holidays.

Both destinations offer great options for unique gifts, with a more intimate shopping experience than center city locations.

In Ambler, Beyond The Jewel Box is a full-service jewelry store, family-owned and operated for decades.

The Ambler location of Primitive Boutique is in full Eagles mode right now, with decals and patches available to personalize almost any item in the store.

In the town of Skippack, Jacque's Faux Florals offers seasonal faux flowers that can be designed professionally into an arrangement or wreath.

Copper Partridge Uniquities is an expansive boutique that features home goods, clothing, and more - curated by a mother-daughter team.

For a shopping break, or adult beverage gifts of custom-brewed blends, the Brothers Kershner Brewing Company puts drinks and entertainment front and center in Skippack.

Valley Forge Tourism & Convention Board (VFTCB)

Beyond The Jewel Box | Instagram | Facebook

9 W. Butler Pike, Ambler, PA 19002

215-367-5452

Primitive Boutique - Ambler | Facebook

103 E. Butler Avenue, Ambler, PA 19002

215-939-3190

Primitive Boutique - Ocean City

601 E. 9th Street, Ocean City, NJ 08226

Jacque's Faux Florals | Facebook | Instagram

4007 W. Skippack Pike, Skippac, PA 19474

727-480-4443

Copper Partridge Uniquities | Facebook | Instagram

4015 W. Skippack Pike, Skippack, PA 19474

610-584-8800

Brothers Kershner Brewing Company | Facebook | Instagram

4119 W. Skippack Pike, Skippack, PA 19474

610-222-2739

AMBLER — Act II Playhouse announces its latest production, the classic thriller “Gaslight” by Patrick Hamilton.

Previews begin September 26, and the production opens Friday, September 29. “Gaslight” runs through Sunday, October 22.

Presented just in time for Halloween, “Gaslight” is set in Victorian London and follows newlywed, Bella Manningham. Strange things have started happening to her after she moves into her new home with her husband. She hears strange noises and finds herself accused of things that she cannot remember. By night, the gas lamps in the home begin to dim for no reason. Is Mrs. Manningham going insane or does her new house on Angel Street harbor some dark, deadly secret?

Premiering in 1938 under the title “Angel Street,” the play has become a beloved classic; restaged and reinterpreted through the decades. The play was adapted into the 1944 Academy Award-winning film starring Ingrid Bergman, and featuring a young Angela Lansbury.

“‘Gaslight’ has an incredible legacy,” says Act II Playhouse Artistic Director Tony Braithwaite. “It is exciting to bring the classic thriller to the Playhouse. I think audiences will be surprised by how prescient the play was and how relevant it continues to be today. Presented in our unique space, this will be a production of the classic thriller like you have never seen before.”

Headlining the cast of the Act II production is Jessica Dalcanton as Bella Manningham. Dalcanton returns to the Playhouse having appeared in their sold-out regional premiere of “Boeing Boeing” in 2009. Prolific television actor Curtis Mark Williams makes his Act II debut in the role of Jack Manningham, Bella’s mysterious new husband. The cast is rounded out by Penelope Reed returning to Act II after appearances in “Eleanor,” “Steel Magnolias,” and “Boca;” and Laura Mancano making her Playhouse debut.

Behind the scenes, Kate Brennan directs the production returning to the Playhouse after last season’s, “Eleanor.” Paul Dake is the Production Stage Manager, Nick Cardillo the Dramaturg, Parris Bradley the Scenic Designer, Eric Baker the Lighting Designer, Seana Benz the Costume Designer, Eric Baker the Lighting Designer, Neill Hartley the Dialect Coach, and Adam Danoff the Fight Director. Avista Theatrical Services provided the properties, and Flannel & Hammer Scene Shop constructed the set and provided Technical Direction.

Ticket prices start at $32 and are available online at act2.org, by calling the Act II Box Office at 215-654-0200, or in-person at the Box Office at 56 E. Butler Ave., Ambler, PA. The Box Office is open Mon-Sat, 2 – 6 p.m. Student tickets are $15 and group discounts are available.

AMBLER, PA – The U.S. Department of Labor has obtained a consent order to enable the recovery of $317,097 in back wages for three U.S. and 56 workers from Mexico employed by an Ambler, Pennsylvania, swimming pool subcontractor under the federal H-2B guest worker visa program.

The order by the Office of Administrative Law Judges follows an investigation by the department’s Wage and Hour Division that found GSI Pool Finishes Inc., operating as GSI Pool Finishes, violated provisions of the H-2B program by failing to pay required wages to the U.S. and foreign workers. The employer illegally paid the workers, hired as cement masons, a piece rate not at least equal to the applicable required offered wage rate. The incorrect wage rate resulted in the workers being owed $266,627 in back wages by the employer.

“These vulnerable workers left their home country to come to the U.S. to work under conditions clearly defined by the H-2B visa program. They deserve every protection that comes along with those promised conditions,” said Wage and Hour Division District Director Jim Cain in Philadelphia. “The Department of Labor protects workers’ rights and is diligent in its efforts to ensure they receive the wages they earn. Employers who choose to participate in the H-2B program must ensure they are aware of their obligations and abide by the law.”

The employer additionally violated H-2B program provisions when it:

The H-2B violations led the division to assess $67,649 in civil money penalties. In addition, the employer must pay the workers $50,470 in travel expenses as part of their back wages.

“The U.S. Department of Labor will vigorously pursue litigation against employers who violate H-2B program requirements and will work hard to make sure the rights of workers to receive the wages and benefits are legally protected,” explained Deputy Regional Solicitor Samantha Thomas, in Philadelphia. “Those who wrongly believe they can ignore the law are deeply mistaken and will be held accountable.”

GSI Pool Finishes LLC is a subcontractor specializing in swimming pool construction services.

The federal H-2B visa program permits employers to temporarily hire nonimmigrants to perform nonagricultural labor or services in the U.S. The employment must be temporary in nature and be for a limited period, such as a one-time occurrence, seasonal need, peak load or intermittent need.

For more information about the FLSA and other laws enforced by the Wage and Hour Division, contact the division’s toll-free helpline at 866-4US-WAGE (487-9243).

Learn more about the Wage and Hour Division, including a search tool to use if you think you may be owed back wages collected by the division. Download the agency’s new Timesheet App for Android devices to ensure hours and pay are accurate.

U.S. Department of Labor, Office of Administrative Law Judges, Cherry Hill, New Jersey

Case: 2022-TNE-00001

Blue Taj Indian Cuisine will take over 35 E. Butler Avenue, the former Buutchiis Grille, as soon as the end of the month.

“We’re looking to bring authentic Indian food to Ambler,” owner Manu Nischal said. “We’re aiming to open around the end of October or the middle of November. It’ll depend on inspections, but we don’t expect any issues.”

Restaurant personnel includes Ajay Ananda, Nischal’s business partner, and Blue Taj’s manager, Samita Verna, who said they hope to bring more than just food to the Ambler community.

“We not only plan to introduce Indian food but also Indian culture. Every First Friday, we hope to offer cultural entities like Indian dance, Indian folk music, festivals,” Verna said. “We hope that people will enjoy that.”

The name Blue Taj is a tribute to Nischal’s favorite color.

“And of course the Taj Mahal is a famous place. So we thought we should combine them. Blue conveys loyalty, richness, and it’s significant when it comes to customer service,” he said.

Nischal is also the owner of Palace of Asia in Fort Washington, which first opened 18 years ago. Prior to that, he was in Allentown running another Indian restaurant.

“I’ve been doing this since I came to the U.S.,” he said. “I have almost 25 years of experience in the industry, and we’ll hopefully do a decent job in Ambler. I’m very excited.”

Nischal said he’s been visiting Ambler regularly for the last two months, eating at restaurants and meeting people. His plans in Ambler will overlap with his plans for the Palace, which he expects to convert over the coming months.

“It’s a good support system in Fort Washington, but after the pandemic, a lot of offices moved out, so we don’t have the lunch clientele quite as much,” he said. “So we decided to go to Ambler. We’re looking to convert the Palace into more of a banquet hall and takeout facility. People have a lot of memories here.”

We’ll be in touch with a grand opening date soon. Stay tuned.

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