City Avenue’s changing landscape | Inquirer Lower Merion
Plus, a look inside the Saks Fifth Avenue in Bala Cynwyd during its final days.
Hi, Lower Merion! 👋
City Avenue has undergone some big changes in recent years, with more possibly on the horizon. The former Lord & Taylor site is now home to a recently opened luxury apartment building, while the future of the Saks Fifth Avenue space remains unknown. Also this week, we’ve rounded up spots to dine outdoors, parents continue to push back on Chromebook use in the classroom, plus, the county wants you to design its next “I Voted” sticker.
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City Avenue’s identity continues to be slowly reshaped, moving closer to making the Bala Cynwyd corridor less of a car-centric office park capital and more a walkable hub.
The Blayr, a new 217-unit apartment building at the former Lord & Taylor site, has added to the mixed-use offerings there. Opened late last month, the luxury residence adjacent to the Bala Cynwyd Shopping Center has 19,000 square feet of retail space and is within walking distance to the Cynwyd Heritage Trail and SEPTA’s Cynwyd Line.
Developments such as the Blayr are part of a long-running push to create a space where residents can live, work, and shop with ease.
With the closure of the Saks Fifth Avenue on City Avenue, a shopping destination opened nearly three-quarters of a century ago, more change may be on the horizon for that section of Bala Cynwyd.
While redevelopment isn’t likely imminent as Saks’ parent company undergoes a Chapter 11 bankruptcy, Bryan Fenstermaker, the president and CEO of the City Ave District, has some ideas for what could come of the site.
“People are looking for additional hotels,” he said. “Sit-down restaurants, that is another angle that we’ve been pushing hard.”
The Inquirer’s Erin McCarthy took a look at the store’s last few days, and what might come next.
🎥 Also check out McCarthy’s video inside Saks here.
💡 Community News
Lower Merion Township’s board of commissioners released a statement last week about ICE activity, stating they “will not stand for violence, lawlessness, or persecution of any kind and will do everything in our power to protect and support all our residents.” The board reiterated that the township won’t provide resources to ICE agents without judicial warrants and that local police don’t enforce civil immigration orders. There has only been one known instance of ICE activity in the township since nationwide crackdowns began, according to the board.
A judge has thrown out a lawsuit accusing Bryn Mawr College of “deliberate indifference” to the needs of students with disabilities after he said they failed to show the school deprived them of accommodations. The ruling comes nearly a year after six current and former students sued the liberal arts institution for what they said was violating the Americans with Disabilities Act.
The longtime owner behind Danny’s Guitar Shop in Narberth is getting ready to retire on May 31, and when he does, the shop will close its doors. Located at 102 Forrest Ave., Danny’s opened 17 years ago and offers musical instrument sales and repairs, as well as guitar lessons.
When Sleepers Awake comes to the Academy of Music later this month, it will feature an Ardmore resident on stage. Brian Major is making his Opera Philadelphia debut in the reimagining of Sleeping Beauty, in which the baritone will play the court poet. Major is currently splitting his time between Philadelphia and New York, where he’s also performing in the Metropolitan Opera’s rendition of La Traviata. (Main Line Times)
Montgomery County’s population continued to grow last year, according to the latest U.S. Census data. Montco added about 2,500 residents, putting it among the Philadelphia collar counties with the highest gains.
Montgomery County is searching for artists to design new “I Voted” stickers that will be handed out at the polls during the November election. This is the first time it’s held a design contest for the stickers, which must be submitted by April 30.
🏫 Schools Briefing
About 200 parents have signed a petition seeking to opt their children out of receiving district-issued Chromebooks, part of an ongoing standoff between parents and the district over technology’s role in the classroom. Parents have expressed concerns over how much screen time kids get at school and its impact on their development. The district has remained firm on its stance, though Superintendent Frank Ranelli said administrators will work with teachers to ensure there’s “more play time, more pen and paper,” The Inquirer’s Maddie Hanna reports.
There’s a school board facilities and purchasing committee meeting today at 9 a.m. on Zoom, and tonight, Bala Cynwyd Middle School and Gladwyne Elementary School are hosting spring chorus concerts, while Penn Wynne Elementary School has its band and orchestra concert. There’s a school board finance committee meeting tomorrow morning, and Saturday is Harriton High School’s junior prom. Monday night is a regular school board meeting. And Tuesday through Thursday is PSSA English/language arts testing for Black Rock Middle School students. See the district’s full calendar here.
🍽️ On our Plate
Raff’s Fine Italian Cuisine has made its debut with a soft opening in Ardmore. The restaurant at 65 Cricket Ave. serves a selection of pasta, meat, chicken, and fish dishes, and has a kids’ menu.
Warm weather have you looking for a spot with al fresco dining? The Inquirer’s Hira Qureshi put together a guide to outdoor dining in the suburbs, including The Landing Kitchen in Bala Cynwyd, Lola’s Garden in Ardmore, and the Pub of Penn Valley in Narberth.
🎳 Things to Do
🎶 Modern Bliss: The upbeat party band, known for covering everything from Taylor Swift tunes to Mumford and Sons songs, takes the stage. ⏰ Saturday, April 18, 8 p.m. 💵 $24.32-$56.93 📍 Ardmore Music Hall
🪴 Build Your Own Terrarium: Learn to create a mini ecosystem during this workshop. ⏰ Thursday, April 23, 6-7:30 p.m. 💵 $70 📍 Plant 4 Good
🏡 On the Market
Built in 1930, this Bala Cynwyd home was updated in the last two years to give it a modern interior. The first floor features a living room with a fireplace, an office, a dining room, and an eat-in kitchen with granite countertops, stainless steel appliances, and a wet bar. There are three bedrooms upstairs, including the primary suite, which has a gas fireplace and a renovated bathroom. There’s more living space in the finished basement, including an additional bedroom. The home also has a patio and a two-car garage.
See more photos of the home here.
Price: $1.195M | Size: 3,962 SF | Acreage: 0.23
🗞️ What other Lower Merion residents are reading this week:
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