News & Gossip – Week of 02/28/11

News & Gossip

The best sweater in Conshohocken.  Happy 40th birthday Carl.

It looks like there will not be a Farmers Market this year in Conshohocken.  Why you ask?  There are a number of factors.  After the first couple of years there was never the attendance necessary to make it worthwhile to the vendors.  The Amish farmer that was the main vendor would have to get up at the crack of dawn, load his truck, pay a driver (its a long trip with a horse and buggy) and set-up by 10:00 a.m.  If only 150 people show up, he isn’t going to make enough money to make it worth his time.  He held on for a couple years hoping things would improve.  But after last year he decided to not come back.  I always thought holding it on Friday was a major issue, until last year when we held two Saturday markets and the same number of people came as on a Friday.  Now, I am sure you are saying, but when we went to it, there were hardly any vendors.  What vendor wants to set-up for so few people and not make any money?  It was a vicious cycle of disappointment.  Another contributing factor was that the Borough secured a grant to help pay for management and marketing in the past and this type of grant is not available this year.

So now what?  If you want a market for next year, it has to be worked on now.  If no one in from the community wants it, it will simply cease to exist all together.  If you are interested working on this, email me at kevin@morethanthecurve.com and I will give the names to the proper people.

Until then, Maple Acres Farm is open year round right over in Plymouth Meeting and Whitemarsh Township is planning a Farmers Market at Miles Park in Lafayette Hill this year (I couldn’t find any details, but I know its happening).

Da’Rell Scott, Conshohocken native and University of Maryland football player, ran the fastest 40 yard dash for running backs at the NFL Combine.  He is projected to be drafted.

You may have heard that Wawa was now interested in opening the proposed Super Wawa on Ridge Pike at a timber yard instead of at the Moore Chevrolet location on Fayette Street.  I emailed Wawa and Moore to find out the latest, but neither has responded as of yet.  However, I heard that Conicelli has secured the timber yard, so Wawa’s might be taking another look in Conshy.  I’ll try to find out more.

Pepperoncini’s second location will be opening in Phoenixvlle in the next couple of weeks.

Cheryl Ann Floral Design is the featured florist at the “Elegant Bridal Show” March 8th 6:30 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. at the Plymouth Meeting Mall.

I ran into Gary DeMedio today. His company leases and manages residential, commercial, retail and industrial properties and he is a great source of information regarding businesses looking to make Conshohocken their home.  He gave me the following update:

  • A sandwich shop is considering opening at 523 Fayette Street where On A Roll had been previously.  A strong effort was made to secure a bakery or candy/cake shop.
  • Main Line Health Care is moving out of 902-904 Fayette Street at the end of the summer.   A new tenant is being sought and potential uses for the spot include another medical office, jewelry store or boutique.  The space is approximately 1920 sq ft.
  • An upscale photography studio (personal, corporate, weddings and events, etc.) is looking for a spot in Conshohocken.
  • And finally, he is getting calls from other banks that want to open on Fayette Street.  He has advised them against it    He said, “A lot of people are sad and upset about the demolition of the old Miraglia Home (see video below), but I think the true story is finally making the rounds (I am going to have an interview on this soon with the person who sold to Continental Bank).   I have had several calls recently from other banks looking to do the same thing in town……and I told them we have enough (banks) already.”

The Stonerose’s Brian Pieri is going to Haiti with Students for the Poor (they allow non-students on some trips) from May 9-13 to volunteer.  Basically you are a grunt for the doctors, nurses and other aid workers.  A few people dropped out, so there is still a chance to go if you are interested.  You can find all the details here.

Rumor has it that a local bar is in advanced talks to participate in a reality show on Spike.  Keep you posted.

Train wreck at the Howard residence.

Borough Council appears to have decided to fix up old Borough Hall at 8th and Fayette and eventually move back in.  Currently it has a lease at 1st and Fayette and has been considering moving into the Verizon Building, between 4th and 5th on Fayette, which it also owns.  The Verizon Building needs about a $500,000 roof repair, which the Borough is planning to do with hopes of eventually selling once the real estate market returns to its former glory.  FYI, if you follow the link, it says the Borough owns 1st and Fayette, which is incorrect.

According to this couple, one of the biggest reasons to move to Conshy is the food.

After a few weeks of removing trees and digging up the yard, the pretty house at 6th and Fayette started to be knocked down today.

Danielle O’Brien of Conshohocken, a professional organizer, was recently part of a special group that attended a broadcast of Good Morning America as part of their “Get Organized” month.

Above is raw footage of Rob Hyman, from the Hooters, adding his trademark Melodica (the Hooter) to the solo section and to part of the fade of the song “This Beggar’s Heart” on Michael Tearson’s upcoming album.  The song was recorded at Hyman’s Elm Street Studio in Conshohocken.

Above is a nice bit of history and details on the Wissahickon Ski Club on Barren Hill Road.

St Patrick’s Day

I am working on getting details for all the St. Patrick’s Day celebrations that will be going on in Conshohocken for March 12th (Parade Day) and the 17th. Here is what I have so far:

The St. Patrick’s Day Parade down Fayette Street will begin at 2:00 p.m. on March 12th. It will last about two hours.

8 East is having a “Kiss Our Irish Ass Lass” Party the day on March 12th for the parade. You can get all the details here.

On parade day, Guppy’s is opening at 8:00 a.m. and offering an authentic Irish breakfast. During the day there will be free ham and cabbage, bag pipes, $4 Tullamore Dew shots.

On the 17th, Guppy’s will have live music with Dave Duong going Irish. There will be $2 Bud Light drafts and $4 personal shepherd pies and $4 Tullamore Dew shots.

Maloney’s Pub will open at 11:00 a.m. on St. Patrick’s Day!  They will have beer and drink specials all day; including green beer, shots and drinks and their FAMOUS Maloney’s Pub Shamrock Shake!  There will be Irish Music and free give-aways and Ham & Cabbage and other Irish Favorites on the menu.

For St. Patrick’s Day Baggataway is having beer specials, corn beef and cabbage and live music.

Congressman Patrick Meehan, who represents most of Conshy, is hosting a St. Patrick’s Day themed fundraiser at the Great American Pub on March 3rd. Blackthorn will be performing. Tickets are $100.00.

M Bar is going to have a Inflatable Pub in their parking lot for St. Patrick’s Day.  Worried you won’t be able to see the kick-off of March Madness?  Don’t worry, the Inflatable Pub comes with flatscreens and its own bar!

If you are a bar or restaurant owner, please send what you are doing for St. Patrick’s Day (parade and 17th) to kevin@morethanthecurve.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.

Trattoria Totaro is holding a Wild Game Night on March 10 and 11. There will be five courses of uniquely prepared wild game paired with micro brews.

Volunteer

Cradles to Crayons is holding a Young Friends Volunteer Night on Wednesday, March 9th from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.  They usually go out for drinks after.

Events, Specials & Happenings

Get ready for Baggataway’s annual Cinqo de Mayo/Kentucky Derby Party on May 7th from 2:00 p.m. to 11:30 p.m.  There will be live music, Coronas, a Margarita Bar, Mexican food, Dos Equs, Mint Julips and a lot more.  For those that have not been before, Baggataway puts up a big tent in their parking lot and its a blast, photo from last year above.

Spamps is holding their second annual Sushi Class on March 9th from 7:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. The class is limited to 60 people and it is $45.00 per person.  There are a couple spots left.

Speaking of Spamps, Tip N Bones will be back at Spamps this Thursday from 8:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m.

Mikey Doyle will be playing at Maloney’s on Friday, March 4th.  Click for the details.

The Piatto Grille, which just opened on Ridge, is offering MoreThanTheCurve.com fans several coupons.  You can click here to download the document.

Stay tuned for details on Gypsy Saloon’s “Comfort Food Month” in March.

Team Kristy is holding a fundraiser at Guppy’s on Saturday, March 5th.  Click for the details.

Guppy’s has also changed its Karaoke schedule.  DJ Dan will now be hosting Karaoke on the first Wednesday of every month at 9:00 p.m.

The Boxing Show and Totaro’s are making this Thursday night’s show a fundraiser for local fire fighters.  There will be a $30.00 Open Bar and Buffet from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m., plus giveaways.  The radio show starts at 9:00 p.m.

Flanigan’s Boathouse is participating in the Main Line Restaurant Week in April. The menu will be announced closer to the promotion.

Candy of the Week


The chocolate dipped Peeps have arrived at Edwards Freeman Nut Company.

Real Estate

19428homes is pleased to announced that it just rented 1509 Ford Street.  You can also click here for current Sale Listings and current Rental Listings.

We now have a second sponsor of our Real Estate section.  Please welcome The Jeremy Bowers & Mike Sroka Team to the MoreThanTheCurve.com family.  You can check out their Conshohocken-centric home search here or visit their all new Facebook Fan Page.

Business News

Firstrust Financial Resources LLC, a wealth-management subsidiary of Conshohocken, Pa.-based Firstrust Bank, has left broker-dealer Axa Advisors LLC for Metlife Securities Inc.