Inside a West Chester startup’s downfall | Inquirer Chester County
Plus, local centenarians share their stories.
Hi, Chester County! 👋
How did a West Chester tech startup go from a $137 million valuation to being sold for pennies on the dollar? We investigate. Also this week, the county celebrates its centenarians, popular beer garden The Creamery is adding a wedding venue, plus the latest on efforts to prevent an East Whiteland data center.
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The founder of West Chester-based startup LifeBrand is facing accusations of fraud, including misspending funds on splashy Philadelphia sports stadium advertising deals and pocketing millions to pay for an extravagant lifestyle (see: a $4.8 million Shore home.)
Investors are taking T.J. Colaiezzi, the company’s CEO and a former gym manager with no tech background, to court, claiming he squandered their investments. LifeBrand — which helped users find and delete potentially embarrassing social media posts, as well as companies vet potential candidates — was once valued at $137 million, but sold in 2024 for pennies on the dollar.
One investor called it a “Ponzi-like” scheme, but Colaiezzi says the venture was a genuine effort, albeit full of mistakes — none of which he said amounted to fraud.
In this Inquirer investigation, reporter Max Marin delves into Colaiezzi’s actions that led to the downfall of a once-promising startup.
Last week, Chester County celebrated a group of residents with a unique and shared distinction: reaching or exceeding the age of 100.
During their lifetimes, they’ve witnessed numerous changes locally and globally, from increased traffic in the county to the rise of television.
The Inquirer’s Brooke Schultz shares some of their stories.
📍 Countywide News
There will be roadwork in several municipalities this week, including ongoing work on Route 30, plus the start of a $1.9 million retaining wall project. See all the possible delays and detours you need to know this week.
💡 Community News
In case you missed it, at least six people were detained by Immigration and Customs Enforcement last week in Phoenixville, according to immigration advocates.
A Chester County judge has quashed two appeals seeking to halt construction of a 1.5 million-square-foot data center proposed in East Whiteland Township. Here’s what to know about the latest effort to stop the project.
Main Line Health is expanding its Paoli Hospital campus by adding a 108-bed pavilion. The $220 million to $240 million project will increase its capacity by over 40% and is slated to open in 2029.
A former East Whiteland Township police sergeant and a former member of Octorara Area School District’s school board enrolled in an advanced rehabilitative disposition program last month after being charged with illegally recording a closed executive school board session. Upon completing the program for first-time offenders, Anthony Falgiatore Sr.’s charges will be dismissed and his record expunged. The Inquirer’s Vinny Vella has the details.
Beloved Kennett Square beer garden The Creamery is expanding next year by adding a dedicated wedding venue. The new adjacent space will accommodate up to 300 guests. It will have an area for a cocktail reception and suites for the wedding party to get ready.
On-air hosts at West Chester-based QVC are moving to unionize as the home shopping giant reorganizes amid a Chapter 11 bankruptcy. The hosts are seeking recognition of their union, with plans to join SAG-AFTRA, which represents 160,000 media professionals nationwide.
West Goshen Township is hosting two conditional use hearings regarding West Chester University’s master plan. The first meeting will take place Tuesday at 6 p.m. at the township building, with another slated for June 30.
The first phase of construction is underway on the Randolph Woods Nature Preserve in Malvern. The project includes an ADA-accessible loop trail and a pedestrian bridge, boardwalk, and viewing platform. Work is expected to continue through the fall.
West Vincent Township is celebrating the opening of Fellowship Trail tonight with a community event that includes pretzels, ice creams, and a ribbon cutting. The trail links to Upper Uwchlan Township by way of a 1.3-mile pedestrian- and bike-friendly path.
A women’s-only fitness studio opened its newest location this week in West Chester. Located at 109 N. High St., Train & Nourish offers personal training and classes.
The Spring City community pool opens daily for the season on Saturday. Its new hours are noon to 7 p.m. Admission is $10 a day for non-members.
🏫 Schools Briefing
Earlier this month the Coatesville Area School District reached a four-year agreement with the teachers’ association, which the school board approved at last week’s meeting. The new contract goes into effect July 1 and includes a new schedule for wage increases, with 3.5% bumps for the first three years, and 2.5% for the final year. The board also approved the 2026-27 budget, which includes a 3.5% property tax increase.
Tredyffrin/Easttown School District’s board approved its 2026-27 budget last week with a 4.99% property tax increase, which includes the allowed 3.5% increase plus an additional 1.49% through a referendum exception for special education expenses. That translates to a roughly $388 annual increase for the average assessed home.
Two Chester County girls’ lacrosse teams took home championships over the weekend. Twin Valley High School’s girls’ lacrosse team clinched the PIAA 2A championship on Saturday, defeating Wyomissing Area Junior-Senior High School 11-5. And B. Reed Henderson High School in the West Chester Area School District claimed the PIAA 3A title, beating Conestoga High School 11-6.
Phoenixville Area School District’s school board passed its 2026-27 budget earlier this month, which calls for a 3.5% property tax increase.
🍽️ On our Plate
Last week, The Inquirer dropped our list of the 76 most iconic dishes in the region and there are some local ties among them. Ranking at No. 61 is Santucci’s upside-down pizza, which you can grab at the Paoli outpost. And potato chips from Nottingham-based Herr’s took the No. 46 spot for being so ubiquitous they’re found on virtually every deli shelf in the region. Lastly, Crabfries from Chickie’s & Pete’s rank No. 20. You can get the tasty crinkle cut fries dusted with crab seasoning at the location in Malvern.
Good news for bagel lovers: Delaware-rooted shop The Original Hot Bagels opened its newest outpost at 100 Landenberg Rd. on Saturday, taking over The Landenberg Store’s former space. The Original Hot Bagels is known for its bagels and bagel sandwiches including breakfast versions, a bagel burger, a bagel cheesesteak, and pizza bagels.
🎳 Things to Do
🎙️ Sound of Summer Free Concert Series: Blues and funk mashup band Antar Goodwin and the Faithful Sinners headlines this week’s show. There will also be food trucks. ⏰ Wednesday, June 17, 6:30-8:30 p.m. 💵 Free 📍 Anson B. Nixon Park, Kennett Square
🍄 250 in Kennett: The borough will celebrate the nation’s semiquincentennial by bedecking the beloved giant mushroom used for the New Year’s Eve drop in red, white, and blue. ⏰ Thursday, June 18, 5:30-9 p.m. 💵 Free 📍 West State Street, Kennett Square
🎤 East Pikeland Summer Concert Series: Be Kind Rewind, a ‘90s cover band, headlines this year’s first concert. ⏰ Thursday, June 18, 6:30 p.m. 💵 Free 📍 Miller Ampitheater at Kimberton Park, Phoenixville
🎈 Chester County Balloon Festival: See hot air balloons take to the skies or take a ride yourself at this three-day festival. ⏰ Friday, June 19-Sunday, June 21, times vary 💵 $12.51-$28.52, free for kids under 6 📍 Ludwig’s Corner Horse Show, Glenmoore
🏳️🌈 PrideFest: This Pride festival will have live entertainment, over 170 vendors to browse, and kid-friendly activities. ⏰ Saturday, June 20, noon-5 p.m. 💵 Pay as you go 📍 Bridge Street, Phoenixville
🗓️ Coatesville Juneteenth: The Coatesville area NAACP branch is hosting a day of celebration for the holiday, including a family basketball tournament, a parade, and a community fair. ⏰ Sunday, June 21, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. 💵 Pay as you go 📍 Around Paul Palmer Park, Coatesville
🏡 On the Market
This four-bedroom home in the Hadley’s Mill community of East Marlborough Township has undergone a number of updates throughout the years. It features a two-story great room with ample windows and a fireplace, an eat-in kitchen with granite countertops and high-end appliances, and an office. It also has a first-floor primary-suite with two closets and a spacious bathroom. An upstairs bedroom opens onto a bonus room, while the finished basement could accommodate another suite thanks to a full bathroom there. Out back, there’s a new deck that looks onto the woods.
See more photos of the home here.
Price: $1.15M | Size: 5,218 SF | Acreage: 0.58
🗞️ What other Chester County residents are reading this week:
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