I SPY…melting snow—and my front lawn (finally!) And if you need another sign that spring will spring forth, a Rita’s is opening in Wayne (you’re welcome).
• Buzzy New Hotel Coming to Radnor
A $60-million, 120-room luxury hotel is rising fast in Radnor. The Brandywine will welcome its first guests this spring, bringing rooftop cocktails, boutique style and elevated dining to a prime location off King of Prussia Road.
Less than a mile from the storied Radnor Hotel, The Brandywine is poised to attract business travelers visiting nearby Radnor Financial Center, Main Line Health and Penn Medicine, plus families in town for college tours, graduations and parents’ weekends.
On the ground floor you’ll find Merrick’s Tavern (named for Samuel Vaughan Merrick, the first president of Pennsylvania Railroad), serving classic American cuisine, local beers and inventive cocktails. Upstairs, the year-round Pomelo Rooftop Terrace promises expansive views paired with globally inspired fare.
Adding to its cachet, The Brandywine will be Pennsylvania’s first property in the Marriott Bonvoy Tribute Portfolio, a collection known for distinctive design, vibrant social settings and art-driven interiors. Select rooms boast patios overlooking landscaped gardens.
The Brandywine Hotel will open at 165 King of Prussia Road in Radnor.
• Tasty Table Debuts Event Space
After 15 years delivering meals to homes and venues across the region, Tasty Table Catering has unveiled its own dreamy event space in Berwyn.
Owners Mary and Matt Soldano are calling the newly transformed first floor of their Leopard Road headquarters “The Table.” Styled in a way that feels equal parts elegant and cozy (think farmhouse tables and wainscotting), the space can host up to 40 guests—perfect for bridal and baby shows, rehearsal dinners, milestone birthdays and other special occasions.
The Table made its debut with a sold-out Valentine’s Day popup dinner, prompting the Soldano’s to consider weekly BYOB dinners. Check the website for details.
The Table at Tasty Table Catering is located at 10 Leopard Road in Berwyn.
• Money Matters for ALL
Local billionaire and developer Michael Karp has purchased the former headquarters of Bryn Mawr Trust with plans to turn it into a nonprofit financial literacy center for kids and adults.
While a WSFS Bank branch will remain on site, much of the grand interior will be reimagined as classrooms and interactive exhibits exploring financial history, wealth-building and smart saving strategies, according to the Philadelphia Business Journal. The center will offer programs for all ages, from first graders to adults.
Founder of University City Housing and a longtime education advocate, Karp paid $7.6 million for the property and hopes to launch the initiative within the next two years. He also plans to partner with Lower Merion School District, potentially looping in other districts as the center grows.
• Gateway to Beauty
Gateway Shopping Center is getting a major beauty boost! Global beauty powerhouse Sephora is putting the final touches on its newest Main Line location, set to open March 13 in the former SPENGA.
The arrival marks Sephora’s third Main Line outpost—joining its Ardmore and KOP mall locations. Inside, shoppers can browse thousands of products from more than 300 coveted brands, get personalized advice from trained “Beauty Advisors” and more.
• Spring Scoops
Wayne welcomes a sweet neighbor this spring. Rita’s Italian Ice & Frozen Custard will open a location just a few blocks from downtown Wayne, near the Radnor Library. Rita’s rotates through more than 75 crave-worthy Italian ice flavors, alongside creamy frozen custard, layered gelatis, milkshakes and more.
The brand was founded by Bob Tumolo, a former Philadelphia firefighter who started selling Italian ice from his front porch, naming his first shop after his wife, Rita. Today, that humble porch operation has grown into a beloved chain spanning more than 30 states. Rita’s is also famous for offering a free six-ounce Italian ice to all customers on the first day of spring—March 20 this year!
Rita’s Italian Ice & Frozen Custard will open at 232 West Wayne Avenue in Wayne.
