Press
Economic development in downtown Kennett Square at an all-time high
Oct 14, 2011
State Rep. Chris Ross . Chester County Commissioner Ryan Costello and other dignitaries joined with Historic Kennett Square Wednesday night to mark the opening of seven new businesses in the downtown area of the borough.
“Historic Kennett Square and borough officials deserve credit for their success in attracting new businesses to the downtown area, particularly given the state of the national economy,” said Costello. “These new shops and restaurants represent a $1 million investment in the downtown area. This is a really win for the borough.”
Said Ross: “Kennett Square is a spectacular little town. These (new merchants) are creating new jobs and creating new economic activity in a time like this when it’s tough to do that.”
Kennett Square Mayor Fetick said keeping storefronts alive is vital to the health of the central business district, which is located on East State Street.
“Having a vibrant downtown affects the quality of life, and impacts property values,” said Fetick said. “There are mayors all across this country who are looking for opportunities like this to welcome new businesses, but their businesses are dying on the vine while almost all of our storefronts are full.”
Fetick and Costello credited Mary Hutchins, executive director of Historic Kennett Square, a non-profit organization serving as the Main Street organization for the borough for her leadership in bringing in the new businesses.
“New businesses are a sure sign of the lively economic development activity occurring in the downtown,” said Hutchins.
“ We’re going to keep it going,” said Matt Greico, president of Historic Kennett Square. “ It’s a collective effort and it’s something we have that we can be proud of.”
The new businesses include:
• Byrsa Bistro, a Mediterranean/southern French BYOB restaurant, will open at 102 E. State Street by the end of October.
• Greenable, a design and home-improvement resource that offers customers eco-friendly, “green” choices in building materials opened at 114 S. Union Street.
• Lily’s Asian Cuisine Sushi and Grill, the borough’s first Pan-Asian eatery, opened in early summer at 104 West State Street and has helped to diversify the downtown restaurant scene.
• Liz Marden Bakery, an award-winning European-style patisserie and bakery featuring a wide selection of cakes and special pastries, gourmet coffee and teas, opened at 110 S. Union Street.
• Polished Salon, a critically acclaimed natural nail salon, opened at 112 S. Union Street.
• Scout & Annie, an upscale vintage homegoods store offers a variety of unique hands-elected furniture and household items, opened in August at 125 E. State Street
• Willow on State, a unique art gallery at the corner of State and Willow streets has an eclectic mix of hand-crafted jewelry, vinyl records and vintage books.
In addition, two new businesses – an Italian eatery and a wine bar and tapas restaurant, both located in the 100 block of East State Street – will open sometime before the end of the year.
And Portabello’s is now under new ownership and is offering new menu items.
“These merchants have invested a lot of time and money into our downtown,” Fetick said.
“Historic Kennett Square and borough officials deserve credit for their success in attracting new businesses to the downtown area, particularly given the state of the national economy,” said Costello. “These new shops and restaurants represent a $1 million investment in the downtown area. This is a really win for the borough.”
Said Ross: “Kennett Square is a spectacular little town. These (new merchants) are creating new jobs and creating new economic activity in a time like this when it’s tough to do that.”
Kennett Square Mayor Fetick said keeping storefronts alive is vital to the health of the central business district, which is located on East State Street.
“Having a vibrant downtown affects the quality of life, and impacts property values,” said Fetick said. “There are mayors all across this country who are looking for opportunities like this to welcome new businesses, but their businesses are dying on the vine while almost all of our storefronts are full.”
Fetick and Costello credited Mary Hutchins, executive director of Historic Kennett Square, a non-profit organization serving as the Main Street organization for the borough for her leadership in bringing in the new businesses.
“New businesses are a sure sign of the lively economic development activity occurring in the downtown,” said Hutchins.
“ We’re going to keep it going,” said Matt Greico, president of Historic Kennett Square. “ It’s a collective effort and it’s something we have that we can be proud of.”
The new businesses include:
• Byrsa Bistro, a Mediterranean/southern French BYOB restaurant, will open at 102 E. State Street by the end of October.
• Greenable, a design and home-improvement resource that offers customers eco-friendly, “green” choices in building materials opened at 114 S. Union Street.
• Lily’s Asian Cuisine Sushi and Grill, the borough’s first Pan-Asian eatery, opened in early summer at 104 West State Street and has helped to diversify the downtown restaurant scene.
• Liz Marden Bakery, an award-winning European-style patisserie and bakery featuring a wide selection of cakes and special pastries, gourmet coffee and teas, opened at 110 S. Union Street.
• Polished Salon, a critically acclaimed natural nail salon, opened at 112 S. Union Street.
• Scout & Annie, an upscale vintage homegoods store offers a variety of unique hands-elected furniture and household items, opened in August at 125 E. State Street
• Willow on State, a unique art gallery at the corner of State and Willow streets has an eclectic mix of hand-crafted jewelry, vinyl records and vintage books.
In addition, two new businesses – an Italian eatery and a wine bar and tapas restaurant, both located in the 100 block of East State Street – will open sometime before the end of the year.
And Portabello’s is now under new ownership and is offering new menu items.
“These merchants have invested a lot of time and money into our downtown,” Fetick said.
