The New Conshy – Results from the Census
There was an article in the Times Herald recently detailing the shift in demographics throughout Montgomery County as outlined by the recent census. There were two interesting sections that mentioned Conshy:
“According to the Planning Commission, some of the largest increases in the number of single-person households were found in communities where large numbers of apartments were built in the past decade. For example, in Conshohocken, many apartments are oriented towards young, single professionals; while in Lower Providence, many newer housing units are age restricted and often occupied by only one person.”
“On the municipal level, school-aged children — the population age 5 to 17 — rose by more than 50 percent in Limerick, Pennsburg, Perkiomen, Skippack and Upper Providence townships. West Conshohocken, Red Hill, North Wales, Conshohocken and Bryn Athyn saw sizeable drops in school-aged population.”
As you can see above, the 2010 census reported that the population of Conshohocken Borough proper (not the areas of Whitemarsh and Plymouth with a Conshy address) only increased by 294 people over 10 years. However, during that 10 year period 1,000 apartments and condos at Riverwalk, Londonbury and The Grande were built, so the big change wasn’t more people moving into town, but previous residents moving out of Conshy or passing away.
So what does all that mean? People are living by themselves or with friends, not their spouse, and they do not have any kids. For example, how many kids do you think go to Conshohocken Elementary? Only 150 students over three grades and kindergarten attend the school.
Basically the typical Conshohocken resident is someone who moved here after college, plans to enjoy his or her 20’s/early 30’s in Conshy and then settle in a bedroom community like Collegeville. Conshohocken is on the verge of becoming a community where people live for a few years before they settle down and have kids.
News & Gossip
So Philadelphia magazine released their annual “Best of Philadelphia” edition this week. I bought a copy to see which Conshy places made the list and found only Blackfish recognized, along with its sister restaurant Mica in Chestnut Hill, as the “Best Reason to Leave the City.”
I also picked up a copy of Main Line Today due to their article titled ‘Where to Eat Now.” They basically asked area chefs their favorite places and dishes. There were a couple mentions of Conshy in the article. Chef Michael Favacchia of Marly’s in Phoenixville stated that the Lobster Mac & Cheese at Gypsy Saloon and Stella Blu is his guilty pleasure. Chef Michael Cappon of Isabella participated as one of the chefs and said that the Pan-Seared Wild Striped Bass at Nectar in Berwyn is one of his favorites. There were also some blind quotes regarding “The Most Overrated Main Line Restaurants and Chefs” and one anonymous chef took a swipe at Blackfish stating, “There is no way they deserve the press they get.”
MoreThanTheCurve.com launched on August 3, 2009. It has been a quick two years which saw tremendous growth of the site. In 2011, there was an average of 7,600 visits to the site each month and almost 26,000 unique visitors over those seven months. We hope you have enjoyed visiting the site. It is going to be revamped in the coming months.
A new charity was formed in Conshohocken recently by Robin Gupta, owner of Guppy’s, Kathy Romano, who is on the Preston & Steve Show on WMMR, Gary DeVito, a well known Center City lawyer, and Megan Ann Reshetar, a new resident to Conshy who is in the solar panel business. The charity, the Fresh Smile Foundation, will help disadvantaged children. Want to help? At this point LIKE their Facebook page.
West Conshohocken’s Ciright Systems teamed up with local non-profit group Philadelphia Diabetes Act Now! Foundation to raise over $7,000 to increase awareness in the Philadelphia region about the growing diabetes epidemic. Over 100 runners and walkers braved the record-breaking temperatures this past Saturday, July 23rd to participate in the first annual Ciright 5K Run and Walk along the scenic West River Drive in Center City Philadelphia.
Conshy native Nick Stagliano has a new film, “Good Day for It.” The film has played at the Nashville Film Festival, the Newport Beach Film Festival, Cinefest in Philadelphia and is now in theaters in Los Angeles. Stagliano is the co-screenwriter, director and producer of the film. You can watch the trailer above.
OBVI, the relatively new boutique at 5th and Fayette, has been a great addition to Fayette Street. One of the best things they do is change their window display all the time. I do not think I saw the same display more than twice. I spoke to their owner today and they are about to switch over to fall fashions.
Candy of the Week
A bandit made off with the above bike from The Grande. If you see the bike admire its sleek design and contact the proper authorities. Also, email me and I will alert the owner (kevin@morethanthecurve.com).
Candy of the Week
Ever try a Wasabi Peanut Crunches? Edwards-Freeman Nut Company has all the classics, but some unusual items too.
Real Estate
Mittman & Rehling have two new listings, one at 338 West 6th Avenue and one at 127 West 5th Avenue.
The Jeremy Bowers & Mike Sroka Team have five singles and three row homes about to come to market. They are all in Montco. To inquire contact Jeremy Bowers at jbowers@cbpref.com.
Foodie Events
Every Tuesday, Blackfish offers a four course dinner featuring a different ingredient. You can see the upcoming featured ingredients here. Price is $45 per person. Call 610-397-0888 for more info.
Stella Blu is now offering their Lobster Summer Special. The menu offers two two courses for $35.00. The menu features lobster prepared eight different ways.
Events, Happenings & Specials
The Borough is holding summer concerts in Sutcliffe Park. The next concert features the Norris Tones on August 16th from 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. and the Paul Moore Band will perform on August 23rd from 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.
Spamps is also celebrating their 5th anniversary on Thursday, August 4th from 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. with music, a complimentary pig roast and drink specials.
Flanigan’s Boathouse is giving out FREE WINGS on Thursday, August 4th from 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. All you have to do is come in and ask!
The Philadelphia Fight Vixens are holding their 1st annual Bikini Contest to crown Miss Vixen 2011 at 8 East starting at 8:00 p.m.! There will be a DJ, dancing and your vote counts! Drink specials all night, photos with the girls and more.
Business News
MoreThanTheCurve.com has created a Business Group on LinkedIN. If you would like to join, follow the link and request to be a member. This group is geared towards business networking for people who live and/or work in Conshohocken and West Conshohocken. I would love to get more people and companies in the big buildings involved with the site and community.
Four Falls Corporate Center was put into receivership recently. CB Richard Ellis was appointed to oversee the property once owned by a joint venture between Thomas Properties Group and the California State Teachers Retirement System.
The Derry Township supervisors awarded a $5.3 million contract Tuesday night to N. Abbonizio Contractors of Conshohocken for a stormwater improvement project.
Newtown Township officials recently awarded a half-million dollar contract to a Mid-Atlantic Site Contractors of Conshohocken to improve roads in the municipality.