Gladwyne developers’ new plans keep ‘quirkiness’ | Inquirer Lower Merion
Plus, the latest on the race to replace retiring State Rep. Mary Jo Daley.
Hi, Lower Merion! 👋
After hearing public feedback, the Yass-backed design group planning to overhaul parts of Gladwyne has pared back its plans. Here’s what it now has in mind. Also this week, ballots are still being counted in the race to replace retiring State Rep. Mary Jo Daley, construction on the Piazza at Ardmore is underway, plus, the first phase of Lower Merion’s leaf blower ban goes into effect.
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Five months after design firm Haldon House and billionaires Jeff and Janine Yass unveiled plans to give Gladwyne a facelift, they’ve pared down their proposal, which now aims to keep some of the community’s “quirkiness.”
Revised plans now center on moving and expanding the Gladwyne Pharmacy into the former Gladwyne Market space; opening a restaurant akin to a local “watering hole” in the former OMG Hair Salon building; developing a new home to expand cafe Homeroom; and adding green space and a parking lot.
💡 Community News
A winner has not yet been declared in the Democratic primary for Pennsylvania’s 148th State House district, which spans Whitemarsh, Narberth, and parts of Lower Merion, The Inquirer’s Denali Sagner reports. The four-way primary to replace retiring State Rep. Mary Jo Daley has come down to a razor-thin margin, with House staffer Megan Griffin-Shelley edging out environmental attorney Jason Landau Goodman by 102 votes as of yesterday afternoon. Montgomery County Commissioner Neil Makhija on Tuesday said the county was in the process of verifying around 105 outstanding ballots, including provisional, military, and overseas ballots, adding that this is “certainly the closest race at this level I’ve seen since I’ve been in office.”
Forthcoming luxury apartment complex the Piazza at Ardmore is officially underway after crews broke ground on the Lancaster Avenue project last week. It will have 270 one-, two-, and three-bedroom apartments, an outdoor courtyard, and 30,000 square feet of retail space. It’s expected to open in early 2028.
The community is mourning the death of longtime Bala Cynwyd resident and celebrated artist Lucy Edwards, who died earlier this month at the age of 98. She specialized in clay platters, pots, and animals, and was a founder of the Haverford Guild of Craftsmen.
Lower Merion and Narberth are both receiving funds from the county’s latest round of Montco 2040 Implementation Grants. Lower Merion has been awarded $100,000 for streetscape improvements on Cricket Terrace while Narberth has been awarded $250,000 toward its Elmwood Avenue pedestrian bridge project, as well as the Indian Creek stormwater project.
Reminder for residents: The first phase of Lower Merion’s gas-powered leaf blower ban goes into effect Monday and continues until Oct. 1. The township’s commissioners voted last week to advertise an amendment to the ban that would clarify language exempting wheeled blowers and chemical sprayers. Township officials said the machines were never meant to be banned under last fall’s leaf blower ordinance, but that unclear language in the ordinance had caused confusion, The Inquirer’s Denali Sagner reports. The proposed amendment drew pushback from residents, who said it was a rollback of the township’s original ban. Read about what else you need to know about the current iteration of the multi-year phase-out.
Bricks and Minifigs is opening a location at 1149 Lancaster Ave. in Bryn Mawr, with a grand opening planned for Saturday. The store sells Lego sets and individual pieces.
Sunday is the last day for Danny’s Guitar Shop in Narberth as its owner and namesake Dan Gold retires.
The New York Times featured Merion Station native Marian Sherry Lurio’s weddings in its “Mini-Vows” section recently. She wed Haverford College alum Jonathan Buffington Nguyen last month at the Pump House in Bala Cynwyd, nearly four years after sparks flew upon meeting at a mutual friend’s wedding. Read more about how they fell in love.
🏫 Schools Briefing
Among Lower Merion School District’s elementary schools, Merion has the lowest rate of measles vaccinations for kindergartners. Its 93.6% vaccination rate puts it below the threshold to reach so-called herd immunity, according to an analysis by The Inquirer. See how your school compares and read more about changes in area vaccinations here.
There are spring concerts tonight and tomorrow evening is the Cynwyd Carnival. Tuesday is Harriton High School’s commencement, which is followed by Lower Merion High School’s on Wednesday. Both are being held at Villanova University. See the district’s full calendar here.
🍽️ On our Plate
Ogyu Japanese BBQ is soft opening Monday at 65 Greenfield Ave. in Ardmore, taking over the former Iron Hill space. It’ll offer meats grilled tableside in the Japanese yakiniku style.
Fast-casual chain Just Salad is now open at 167 W. Lancaster Ave. in the Ardmore West shopping center. Just Salad is known for its selection of customizable salads, market plates, bowls, and wraps.
6abc’s Alicia Vitarelli recently paid a visit to Arrowroot, an apothecary and wellness cafe in Bryn Mawr that serves gluten-free and plant-based foods. While there, she also got a look at how the 825 W. Lancaster Ave. spot’s chef makes the shop’s best-selling sesame braised tofu. See the segment here.
🎳 Things to Do
🎶 Bryn Mawr Twilight Concerts: This year’s concert series kicks off with headliner Darlingside and opener Brittany Ann Tranbaugh. ⏰ Friday, May 29, 7 p.m. 💵 $25.88, free for kids 12 and under 📍 Bryn Mawr Gazebo
🏎️ Gladwyne VFW Car Show: See cool cars up close and try your hand at some raffles. ⏰ Sunday, May 31, 10 a.m.-2 p.m. (Rain date: June 7) 💵 Free 📍 Gladwyne VFW
🏡 On the Market
This Bala Cynwyd stone rowhouse dates back to 1925 and retains original elements like a distinctive rounded stone archway outside its front door, parquet flooring, and subway tiles. While the home offers a glimpse into the past, it’s been updated with modern amenities. It has three bedrooms upstairs, with space for a fourth in the finished lower level. There’s an open house Sunday from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.
See more photos of the home here.
Price: $490,000 | Size: 1,742 SF | Acreage: 0.07
📈 Lower Merion market report
Median listing price: $975,000 (up $163,000 from March) 📈
Median sold price: $1.1 million (up $291,000 from March) 📈
Median days on the market: 25 (down two days from March) 📉
This Lower Merion market report is published on a monthly basis. Above is data for April from realtor.com.
🗞️ What other Lower Merion residents are reading this week:
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