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Narberth’s dining scene gains ‘momentum’ | Inquirer Lower Merion

Plus, how a Bala Cynwyd native helped WNBA players score a major off-court victory.

Lassan Indian Traditional is one of two new restaurants to open recently in Narberth.
Lassan Indian Traditional is one of two new restaurants to open recently in Narberth. Read moreTyger Williams / Staff Photographer

Hi, Lower Merion! 👋

Narberth’s restaurant scene is evolving thanks to two new additions. Here’s what to know. Also this week, Narberth’s council has banned gas-powered leaf blowers, a Bala Cynwyd native played a major role in helping WNBA players score a better contract, plus, Lankenau nurses helped a couple tie the knot after one of them was rushed to the medical center.

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Two buzzy new restaurants are receiving a warm welcome in Narberth.

Malooga opened in March followed shortly after by Lassan Indian Traditional, which debuted earlier this month. It’s the second location for both restaurants, which have original outposts in Old City Philadelphia and Lafayette Hill, respectively.

Malooga specializes in Yemeni and Saudi dishes, and also has a fully functional bakery and coffee bar, while Lassan focuses on Indian cuisine. Its owners hope to introduce Nepalese flavors in the future.

The new restaurants are “a real sign of momentum for our downtown,” Narberth Mayor Dana Edwards said.

The Inquirer’s Denali Sagner has more about the new additions to the borough.

💡 Community News

  1. Narberth’s borough council has banned gas-powered leaf blowers, as well as portable generators used to charge electric leaf blowers and their batteries. The Inquirer’s Denali Sagner has the details.

  2. WNBA players got a major boost last month when its players association finalized a collective bargaining agreement that included a 367% increase in salary. One of the lawyers who played a major role in securing that historic win was Bala Cynwyd native, Lower Merion High School alum, and former basketball player Deb Willig. The Inquirer’s Alex Coffey digs into how Willig fought for what one player described as a “life-changing” agreement.

  3. Ann Gitter, the local fashion icon behind now-shuttered boutique Knit Wit, which had several locations, including in Ardmore and Bryn Mawr, died last week at the age of 78 after battling Lou Gehrig’s disease. Gitter is credited with introducing local shoppers with certain fashion brands before they gained household notoriety. Gitter was also passionate about social justice.

  4. A 73-year-old cyclist sustained life-threatening injuries after being hit by a driver on Sunday on School Lane in Ardmore. The cyclist was taken to Lankenau Medical Center and listed in critical condition, while the driver sustained minor injuries. Lower Merion police are investigating the incident. (Main Line Times)

  5. Nurses at Lankenau Medical Center helped a couple tie the knot two weekends ago when the bride was rushed to the emergency room after suffering a seizure on her wedding day. Melissa Kellogg and Derek Graham were wed in the trauma bay, which staff decorated for the occasion. The nurses helped turn the day from “one of the scariest moments of my life to having the happiest moment of my life — getting married," Graham said.

  6. Two new fitness studios are opening this Saturday. Jetset Pilates, which specializes in Reformer pilates, is hosting a grand opening for its new Haverford studio at 354 W. Lancaster Ave. from 1 to 4 p.m. And CorePower Yoga is opening at 169 W. Lancaster Ave. in the Ardmore West shopping center. CorePower offers various yoga classes, including ones incorporating weights and cardio.

  7. Saturday and Sunday is the final township cleanup weekend until the fall. Residents can dispose of unwanted goods at Lower Merion Public Works Complex from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. both days. There’s a $20 fee per carload.

🏫 Schools Briefing

  1. Sarah Stout, Black Rock Middle School’s founding principal, is planning to leave the district at the end of the school year to become principal at Simmons Elementary School in the Hatboro-Horsham School District, which is closer to her home, Superintendent Frank Ranelli said. Plans for a replacement search will be shared in the coming weeks.

  2. The school district is hosting a community meeting on Tuesday about the high school football programs, which some parents have proposed merging. The meeting will take place at Lower Merion High School from 6 to 8 p.m. Registration is requested.

  3. PSSA testing continues for select students this week. Tonight is Harriton High School’s spring musical, Chicago: Teen Edition, which runs through Saturday. Lower Merion High School Players kicks off its run of Miss Holmes tonight, which runs through Sunday. Tomorrow is Black Rock and Lower Merion Middle Schools’ jazz event. Harriton High School’s International Baccalaureate exams begin Monday for select students. And on Wednesday, Harriton High will host a band and orchestra concert. See the district’s full calendar here.

🍽️ On our Plate

  1. One of the best things an Inquirer editor ate last week? A traditional afternoon tea at Taste of Britain in Wayne. SEO editor Caryn Shaffer enjoyed a selection of finger sandwiches, a scone with clotted cream, and the pastries that came with her pot of tea. She also noted the “calm atmosphere” was perfect to help her unwind.

🎳 Things to Do

📽️ To Kill a Mockingbird: Catch a screening of the 1962 film adaptation of Harper Lee’s Pulitzer Prize-winning novel. ⏰ Thursday, April 23, 7:15 p.m. 💵 $11.75-$16.25 📍 Bryn Mawr Film Institute

👟 Matt McCloskey Memorial Narberth CF Run and Walk: Lace up your sneakers and hit the pavement for a 2-mile walk or 5-mile run benefiting cystic fibrosis nonprofit Take A Breather Foundation. There’s also a kids’ fun run. ⏰ Saturday, April 25, 9 a.m. 💵 $25-$30 for the walk, $50-$55 for the run, $10 for kids 📍 Narberth Park

🎶 Golden: A K-Pop Kids Party: This family-friendly dance party will feature Korean pop songs. ⏰ Sunday, April 26, 2 p.m. 💵 $29.50-$77.63 📍 Ardmore Music Hall

🏡 On the Market

Built in 1930 and since updated for modern living, this stone Colonial is a blend of past and present. The home’s first floor features a living room with a fireplace, a home office with built-ins, a dining room with wainscoting and built-ins, and an open-concept kitchen and family room. The kitchen features an island, Calacatta Miraggio gold quartz countertops, and stainless steel appliances. It opens onto a family room with vaulted ceilings, ample natural light, and a fireplace. French doors lead to a patio with a stone wall. There are four bedrooms upstairs, including a primary suite with a soaking tub. There’s additional living space in the finished walk-up attic that’s complete with a full bathroom, as well as in the finished basement. There are open houses today from noon to 2 p.m., Friday from 4 to 6 p.m., Saturday from noon to 2 p.m., and Sunday from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.

See more photos of the home here.

Price: $1.485M | Size: 3,624 SF | Acreage: 0.28

📈 Lower Merion market report

  1. Median listing price: $812,000 (up $245,500 from February) 📈

  2. Median sold price: $809,000 (up $246,500 from February) 📈

  3. Median days on the market: 27 (down 16 days from February) 📉

This Lower Merion market report is published on a monthly basis. Above is data for March from realtor.com.

🗞️ What other Lower Merion residents are reading this week:

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