Ardmore Station’s reopening ends a fraught chapter | Inquirer Lower Merion
Plus, how a Main Line Fertility provider accidentally injected a patient with acid.
Hi, Lower Merion! 👋
After years of delays, SEPTA’S Ardmore Station opened on Monday, a moment of relief for residents and business owners. Also this week, we delve into how a Main Line Fertility provider accidentally injected a patient with acid several years ago, district parents are pushing back on technology use in schools, plus PopUp Bagels has opened at Suburban Square.
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The long-awaited reopening of Ardmore Station on Monday marked the end of a fraught chapter for a number of residents and business owners who were impacted by its yearslong delay.
SEPTA approved a $62 million overhaul to the aging station in the heart of Ardmore back in 2019, expecting work to last 2½ years. Thanks to a number of unforeseen circumstances — including the pandemic, backlogs in the supply chain, and crumbling infrastructure that needed repair — the work dragged on for six years, snaring already busy roads and causing some shops to lose business.
With the ADA-accessible station now open, Downtown Ardmore District’s executive director Alec Hersh is hopeful it will “reinforce Ardmore’s rightful position as a key linchpin in the western suburbs.”
The Inquirer’s Denali Sagner explores how the delays impacted businesses and residents.
Main Line Fertility has settled with a patient after a doctor at its Havertown clinic accidentally injected acid into her cervix, uterus, and fallopian tubes during a 2022 procedure. Known as a “never event” due its preventability, the incident left the 33-year-old with second-degree burns that permanently scarred her reproductive organs, thighs, and legs.
“All I wanted was a family, and all I got was scars for life,” she said.
After settling the case last month, court records show what led to the mistake. The Inquirer’s Wendy Ruderman delves into how the error occurred.
💡 Community News
Ardmore is hosting a “No Kings” protest on Saturday at 2 p.m. at the intersection of West Lancaster and Ardmore Avenues. It’s one of thousands of protests against President Donald Trump’s policies planned nationwide this weekend.
Two Lower Merion spots are among the top 10 2026 Best Places to Live in America, according to the latest rankings from data firm Niche. Ardmore comes in at No. 7 and is followed by Penn Wynne at No. 9. Both improved their rankings from last year. In creating its list, which spans hundreds of locales nationwide, Niche took into account the cost of living, schools, crime, job opportunities, and local amenities.
Nike released its latest homage to basketball legend and Lower Merion High School alum Kobe Bryant this week. The new collection, officially released Monday on the 30th anniversary of the Aces’ 1996 state championship win, features two Air Force 1s in the school’s colors, as well as apparel. Welsh Valley Middle School teacher Austin Rosen was among the first to score gear after waiting in line for hours at Lapstone & Hammer in Philadelphia over the weekend.
Bryn Mawr Hospital received an anonymous $1 million donation last week to help nurses pay for their student loans, the latest in a chain of similar donations to Main Line Health. Last year, a pair of donors each gave the same amount to nurses at Paoli Hospital and Lankenau Medical Center, while Riddle Hospital nurses were gifted $260,000 earlier this year. Combined, donors have given $4.26 million, or up to $3,600 each to 706 nurses.
The convenience store at the Wynnewood Sunoco at 330 E. Lancaster Ave. sold a ticket worth over $5.8 million for last Monday’s Match 6 drawing. The store will receive $10,000. (Fox 29)
🏫 Schools Briefing
A group of parents spoke out during a community meeting Monday at Harriton High School to voice their concerns over how the school district is using technology. Some expressed frustration at the reliance on Chromebooks, with a handful requesting the option to opt out of them, something Superintendent Frank Ranelli said isn’t possible. Others pushed back on what kids can access on their district-issued devices, noting some of it, like a Jeffrey Epstein-inspired game, is inappropriate. Others raised concerns over the use of AI for cheating. Ranelli said during the meeting that these parents weren’t necessarily representative of most district parents’ views. The Inquirer’s Maddie Hanna delves into their concerns and the district’s response.
Harriton and Lower Merion High Schools are hosting parent-teacher conferences tonight. Monday is the start of the weeklong spring break. District offices will be closed next Thursday and Friday, and the Lower Merion High School pool will be closed next Thursday through Sunday.
🍽️ On our Plate
PopUp Bagels opened in Ardmore’s Suburban Square last week to a great deal of fanfare, so much so that patrons lined up early Friday morning to get a taste of the TikTok-famous chain, even breaking into a wave at one point. PopUp is known for its sets of three, six, or 12 bagels that consumers “Grip, Rip, and Dip” into a selection of schmears. It’s open daily from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m.
The Inquirer’s Kiki Aranita proclaimed earlier this year that a Gladwyne retirement community had the best meal she’s ever eaten on the Main Line. In a new video, she and Inquirer staffer Esra Erol give us a behind-the-scenes look at Waverly Heights' culinary team.
🎳 Things to Do
📽️ 42nd Street: Catch a screening of the 1933 black-and-white film that gives a glimpse at backstage life in show business. ⏰ Thursday, March 26, 7:15 p.m. 💵 $11.75-$16.25 📍 Bryn Mawr Film Institute
🧺 Normandy Park Egg Hunt: Kids 10 and under can hunt for eggs at this annual event. ⏰ Saturday, March 28, 10-11 a.m. (Rain date: April 4) 💵 Free 📍 Normandy Park
🧺 Narberth Easter Egg Hunt: The annual hunt for hidden eggs returns. ⏰ Saturday, March 28, 11 a.m. 💵 Free 📍Narberth Park
✡️ Pre-Passover Family Program: Gear up for the start of Passover with crafts, games, and an Afikoman hunt. You can also make your own matzah. ⏰ Sunday, March 29, 2-3:30 p.m. 💵 $18 📍Kaiserman JCC
🥁 The Newspaper Taxis and Brown Sugar: The Beatles and Rolling Stones tribute bands will take the stage. ⏰ Sunday, March 29, 7 p.m. 💵 $24.32-$71.42 📍Ardmore Music Hall
✡️ Community Passover Seder: This celebration includes an interactive seder and traditional Passover cuisine. Registration is required. ⏰ Wednesday, April 1, 7:45 p.m. 💵 $25 for children, $54 for adults 📍Chabad of Penn Wynne
✡️ Passover Seder: Celebrate Passover with a community seder. Registration is required. ⏰ Wednesday, April 1, 8 p.m. 💵 $30 for children, $60 for adults 📍Chabad of the Main Line
🏡 On the Market
Built in 1956, this four-bedroom Cape Cod has undergone numerous updates, including a family room addition on the first floor. The room has vaulted ceilings, a fireplace, and doors leading to the yard. It sits off of the kitchen, which has stainless steel KitchenAid appliances and granite countertops. Elsewhere on the first floor is a formal dining room, a living room with a fireplace, and two bedrooms, including the primary suite. There are two additional bedrooms upstairs, and additional living space in the finished basement. The home has a two-car garage, a fenced yard, and a stone patio. There’s an open house Sunday from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.
See more photos of the home here.
Price: $1.2M | Size: 3,582 SF | Acreage: 0.78
📈 Lower Merion market report
Median listing price: $566,500 (up $66,600 from January) 📈
Median sold price: $562,500 (down $737,500 from January) 📉
Median days on the market: 43 (down 25 days from January) 📉
This Lower Merion market report is published on a monthly basis. Above is data for February from realtor.com.
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