News & Gossip – Week of August 3

Viggiano’s recently closed after nine years.  The owners of Spamps have taken over the lease for the entire building and will open Spampinato’s in mid-August.  They are planning reasonably priced Italian dinners and to help ease the transition from BYOB to full bar service they will have a “Great Deals” section on their wine list featuring several bottles at just $15.00.  Viggiano’s outdoor seating area will be rebranded The Grotto and will serve appetizers from both restaurants, plus cocktails.  Spamps will stay basically the same offering small plates, entrees and a sushi menu.

Conshohocken resident Kirsten Young was profiled in the Philadelphia Daily News for competing in 10 triathlons and raising money for charity.

Y2K was sold and the new ownership will be opening The Stone Rose in September.  They are aiming to capture the eclectic feel of Gypsy Saloon and will offer a wide range of local brews on tap.

Blackfish and Bella Luna were mentioned in Table Talk last Thursday on Philly.com.  The “Burb” burger at Blackfish was also profiled at Phillyburbs.com.

Conshohocken was well represented in Main Line Today’s July 2009 issue which featured the Best of the Main Line & Western Suburbs. In the Readers Poll, Blackfish was named Best BYO and the Fayette Street Grille was recognized for having the best Prix-Fixe Menu.  The magazine’s critics named the Haverford location of Conshohocken-based Saxbys Coffee as the Best New Addition to Haverford, Spamps was recognized as the Place to Please All Palates and Budgets, Tataro’s earned the title for Best Happy Hour Specials and RYAH Yoga and Health claimed Best Yoga Studio.

Conshohocken also made a nice showing in Philadelphia Magazine’s Best of Philly edition.  Kim Gider of Better Health Tanning & Nail Spa was named “Best Waxer.”  Jeff Kellemer Private Jeweler at Four Falls was recognized as the best place for “Jewelry Repair.”  Mike Gerber, who represents Conshohocken in the PA House of Representatives, was named the “Best Politician in the ‘Burb.”   While I don’t think NBC10’s Aditi Roy, who won “Best News Anchor,” lives in Conshohocken, she takes piano lessons at the Music Training Center and I saw her once at Blockbuster.

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Nothing in Conshohocken was on the “Hot List” in Philly Style Magazine.  Devastating.  I guess I should go stand in line at one of their “Hot List” bars, Strongbox, which is “closed for the summer.”

Do Me A Flavor, a new ice cream, water ice and baked good shop, has opened on Butler Pike and is profiled in the Montgomery News.

Conshohocken-based Quaker Chemicals exceeded expectations in the 2nd quarter with shares rising 18 percent.

West Conshohocken has a new police chief.

According to the LCB sticker on The Outback Steakhouse on Ridge Pike, the location has been sold from one Outback franchisee to another.