Business is booming along the Main Line, especially in Wayne, which welcomes a Ballard Designs, FP Movement and lux doggie spa. Gobble gobble neighbor!
• Pamper Your Pup
Put your paws together for Woof Gang, a 5,000-square-foot luxury dog groomer and bakery now open in Wayne’s Eagle Village Shops. This is the 238th location for the Orlando-based franchise, which is one of the nation’s fastest-growing pet chains.
In addition to premium brands of canned and dried pet food, Woof Gang sells tasty kibble “toppers,” oven-baked treats made with all-natural ingredients like honey and peanut butter, unique gifts and plush toys and health supplements. You can even treat Fido to a slice of “barkday” cake.
Bathing and grooming rooms are tucked away in the back of the store. A full groom includes a shampoo, conditioner, cut and blowout, followed by nail, ear and gland work. A stylish bandana and revitalizing spray provide the finishing touch.
New customers can book a full groom for $65. After that, Woof Gang charges by dog size: $60 to $75 for small dogs and up to $130 for extra-large breeds.
Woof Gang is located at 503 W. Lancaster Avenue in Wayne. Check the website for hours and to book an appointment.
• Bookmark It
Downtown West Chester is home to a new independent bookstore! Nearly a year in the making, the two-story, 1,800-square-foot shop sits across from the West Chester Post Office, in a historic house on Gay Street, and stocks about 2,500 paperbacks and hardbacks in a variety of genres. Owners and avid readers Ty and Lisa Strohl relocated from Harrisburg to open Bookmarks, knowing next to nothing about the industry when they started. (Suffice to say they’ve learned A LOT.)
The lower level houses children’s books and gifts, while the upstairs features adult books, including new releases, classics and selections by local authors.
Bookmarks is located at 100 E. Gay Street in West Chester. Hours are 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM Tuesday – Friday, 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM Saturday and 12:00 PM – 4:00 PM Sunday.
• Plenty in Store for Wayne
After several high-profile pandemic-era departures (Lululemon! Starbucks! Gap!), downtown Wayne is well on its way filling those vacancies. Here’s what’s in store:
• The old Chili’s on Lancaster Avenue will soon be home to Burton’s Grill & Bar. Headquartered in Massachusetts, the franchise specializes in classic American fare and craft cocktails. It’s also known for going the extra mile to accommodate diners with allergies and dietary restrictions.
• The European-influenced home décor and furnishings brand Ballard Designs will take over the old Gap on Lancaster Avenue.
• The former Wayne Jeweler’s at the corner of Lancaster and North Wayne Avenues will house a standalone FP Movement , the largest in the area. Part of URBAN’s Free People brand, FP Movement sells yoga and workout wear, outdoor apparel, footwear and accessories.
• Say Cheese!
Comfort food fav Mac Mart just opened a shop in Ardmore. Mac Mart Mac n’Cheesery serves cups, bowls and grilled sandwiches bursting with cheesy goodness. The franchise was founded locally by Marti Lieberman in 2013 as a food truck and quickly built a cult following as it traveled to area markets, food festivals and events. The brand’s breakthrough came when it booked catering gigs for the Eagles and 76ers.
Customers can choose from about 20 mac and cheese bowls made with the brand’s signature seven-cheese base. After that, things get interesting…top your bowl with Philly steak, jumbo lump crabmeat dip, Buffalo chicken, tater tots and more. Seasonal offerings include “Beast Before the Feast,” a Thanksgiving-themed mac and cheese bowl featuring slow-roasted turkey in an herb gravy with cornbread stuffing and a cran-apple drizzle.
Gluten-free and vegan options are available, and customers are welcome to build their own bowl.
Mac Mart is located at 40 Rittenhouse Place in Ardmore. Check the website for hours.
• Bryn Mawr Now Home to Nirvana Indian Bistro
Nabin Chhantyal has brought his popular Nirvana Indian Bistro concept to Bryn Mawr, taking over the old Tip O’Leary’s. Chhantyal and his wife Sonia painstakingly transformed the space, replacing the old booths with tables, renovating the restrooms and adding a stylish hostess station and elegant decor.
Customer favorites include the crispy cauliflower appetizer, chicken momos (Himalayan steamed dumplings) and the creamy butter chicken, which is grilled overnight in a clay oven. And don’t sleep on dessert, especially the gulab jamun (tender fried dough balls made from milk solids and soaked in a sweet sauce).
Nirvana Indian Bistro is located at 610 Lancaster Avenue in Bryn Mawr. Hours are 11:00 AM – 9:00 AM every day.
• Noodle This
Ramen is having a moment! Get your fix at Rakkii Sushi & Ramen , a new Japanese BYOB nestled in Malvern’s Lincoln Court Shopping Center.
The eatery’s signature ramen stars hand-pulled noodles simmered for hours in a rich broth and married with fresh meats and vegetables. Rakkii also serves abura soba, a broth-less dish smothered in a savory sauce and topped with a poached egg. Dine in or carry out. Yum!
Rakkii Sushi & Ramen is located at 235 Lancaster Avenue in Malvern. Hours are 10:30 AM – 9:00 PM Monday through Thursday and 10:30 AM – 10:00 PM Friday and Saturday.
Got a scoop for In The Loop? E-mail kate@mainlineneighbors.com
