Cheers to the new year with a craft donut shop in Berwyn, the long-awaited opening of Ballard Designs in Wayne, a Barry’s Bootcamp in Suburban Square and more!
• Donut Sleep on This!
One of the buzziest openings in downtown Berwyn is fast approaching! Parlor Doughnuts will start serving its famous craft doughnuts—plus pastries, bagels, sandwiches, coffee and more—this March.
A tasty twist on the classic doughnut, Parlor’s version pairs crisp, buttery layers with a flaky, croissant-like interior, finished in inventive flavors like French toast, maple bacon, honey glaze and raspberry pistachio. Vegan, gluten-friendly and keto varieties are available, along with mini donuts and pup treats.
Savory fans will have plenty to love too, from spinach pesto and chorizo sandwiches to breakfast tacos. And while Berwyn is about to get its own slice of sweetness, Parlor Doughnuts is making waves nationwide—reaching 100 locations since its 2019 debut as a small, stand-alone shop in Evansville, Indiana.
Parlor Donuts will open at 604 Lancaster Avenue in Berwyn.
• Design Time
Finally! After a loooong buildout, beloved home furnishings retailer Ballard Designs has officially opened its doors in the old Gap in downtown Wayne. The stunning 10,000-square-foot space is filled with beautifully styled room vignettes that showcase Ballard’s signature blend of traditional and transitional design. (Ballard Designs is part of the QVC Group family, which also includes HSN, Frontgate, Garnet Hill and Grandin Road.)
Shoppers can browse hundreds of designer fabrics and book a free appointment with one of Ballard’s design consultants, ALL of whom relocated from the brand’s former King of Prussia Mall location.
Happy shopping!
Ballard Designs is located at 132 East Lancaster Avenue in Wayne.
• Barry Good News!
Celeb-favorite Barry’s Bootcamp will bring its legendary HITT-style workout—dubbed “The Best Workout in the World”—to Suburban Square.
The brand’s signature format (RUN x LIFT) combines cardio intervals on the treadmill with functional strength training on the floor. Prefer to skip the treadmill? A “Double Floor” option lets you focus entirely on strength training.
Classes take place in the chain’s iconic Red Room, complete with dim red lighting, antimicrobial rubberized floors, a booming sound system, curated playlists and state-of-the-art Woodway treadmills.
No two days are the same, with each class targeting specific muscle groups like abs and upper body. Since launching 26 years ago, Barry’s has become a global fitness phenomenon, now boasting over 90 studios across 15 countries. (Kim Kardashian, David and Victoria Beckham, Jennifer Lopez, Harry Styles, Dua Lipa, Hugh Jackman and Lady Gaga are fans!) Who’s in?
• Villanova Reveals Plans for Cabrini Campus
Villanova University has unveiled new details for its 112-acre Cabrini campus transformation, set to welcome students in August 2026.
The reimagined campus will house 900 sophomores across six residence halls and an apartment-style building. Several academic programs will relocate there as well, including the Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences, the graduate nursing school, core ethics courses and cutting-edge media labs for the Department of Communication.
Students will also enjoy a host of modern amenities, from diverse dining options and a dedicated study center with tech zone to a 100,000-square-foot sports and recreation complex.
Villanova is investing $75 million in the renovations and upgrades. While some buildings will be demolished, historic landmarks like Woodcrest Mansion will be restored. A dedicated shuttle service will seamlessly connect the two campuses.
In other higher ed news, Eastern University will purchase 33 acres of land from Valley Forge Military Academy and College, which recently announced plans to close due to mounting legal and financial issues. The land includes VFMA’s football stadium, track, fieldhouse and pickleball courts, plus multiple apartment buildings for student housing. Eastern had been leasing the sports facilities from VFMA since 2021.
• Meet Your Match
Main Line families seeking on-demand caregivers for seniors have a new option thanks to BOBIcares . Founded by Berwyn resident Alison Bowers and her former Apple colleague Ben Gullickson, BOBIcares is an online platform that connects seniors and their families with trusted, vetted care partners.
Families can log on to BOBIcares to create profiles outlining their needs, then browse and message care partners based on experience, availability, location and overall fit. Care partners complete a multistep screening and interview process before joining and share detailed profiles highlighting their background and interests. Once a match is made, booking and secure payment happen seamlessly through the platform. Both sides can leave feedback after care is completed.
Families can search for part-time or on-demand support. Available services include companionship, light housekeeping and cooking, errands and transportation to appointments. For each request, BOBIcares sets a minimum hourly rate based on the type of care, local living wages and an insurance stipend, then allows care partners to accept or counter.
Bowers was inspired to launch the company after caring for her late father Bob, who was diagnosed with early-onset Alzheimer’s in 2018, while juggling her own family and career demands. The name BOBIcares both honors his memory and reflects the company’s mission: Building Opportunity, Bridging Independence.
• Haus of Paws
Haus of Paws has relocated just up the road from its Devon location, expanding into a space much larger, directly across from the Berwyn Tavern. The newly opened Berwyn location is already pampering and primping dogs of the Main Line. A doggie daycare has also been approved and is slated to open in summer 2026—giving local pups even more reason to wag their tails.
Got a scoop for In The Loop? E-mail kate@mainlineneighbors.com
