Across County Lines

For 50 years, County Lines has brought you the best of the Brandywine Valley — shopping, dining and all the things that make our corner of the country so special. And there’s no better time to explore than autumn, when the foliage bursts with color, the fields glow golden and the weather demands sweaters.

For countless Octobers, we’ve encouraged readers to get out and discover County Lines country. Inspired by our popular shopping maps in the late ’70s and ’80s, we introduced the “Autumn Shopping Ramble” in 1990, with listings and a map highlighting places for “shopping the way it used to be” — independent shops with character and unique finds, staffed by friendly, knowledgeable faces. Soon, we added dining and lodging stops, followed by photos of the unique and colorful shop signs that dotted downtowns and country backroads.

In 2000, we rechristened the feature “Across County Lines.” Over the years, it evolved from listings and shop signs to a guided tour of the region, showcasing favorite shops, restaurants, attractions and fall events.

Now, as we celebrate our golden anniversary, we’re feeling nostalgic. Come along for a guided trip down memory lane as we revisit some of the shops and restaurants we’ve featured over the years, discover what’s new, and take a few extra detours for extra fall fun.

West Chester

Since County Lines’ early days, West Chester has been home to charming locally owned shops. In our October 1998 “Autumn Shopping Ramble,” we sent readers to longstanding local businesses that have since closed — like Halladay Florist, opened in 1957, and the historic Jane Chalfant, a landmark on North High Street for nearly a century, now home to Mayday Coffee Shop. Others have stood the test of time, including KALY, which has been keeping West Chester stylish since 1988.

West Chester’s retail scene continues to evolve with newcomers like Leaves & Lore. Hundreds of eager fans lined up around the block for this fantasy-focused bookstore’s late-August opening, prompting an early closing when bookworms nearly cleared the shelves. Inside, browse dark wood shelves draped in greenery, then settle into an armchair by the fire with a cup of Twin Valley Coffee or tea from Mimi’s Tea Cottage. Or pick out a “book bouquet” — literature wrapped in flowers.

New arrivals also include Setting the Bar, specializing in vintage barware, custom bars and cocktail-party essentials, along with classes and private events. And at long last, the West Chester Cooperative has a permanent home on West Market Street, offering fresh produce, organic foods and sustainably sourced goods while supporting local farmers and producers.

West Chester’s dining scene has flourished, too. New spots include Dim Sum Taste, bringing authentic Shanghai soup dumplings to West Gay Street; Los Sombreros, a family-owned restaurant serving Mexican and Venezuelan cuisine; and The Biscuit Lady, dishing up breakfast sandwiches and buttery biscuits. For something stronger, visit Cutter & Cannon Spirits’ new bottle shop and tasting room on East Gay Street for small-batch rum, whiskey and bourbon — then take a bottle home.

For a perfect fall outing, head downtown Friday, October 2 for the Fall Gallery Walk. Explore over two dozen stops on this self-guided tour of public art murals, local galleries and studios, including The Art Trust at Meridian Bank, Roman Coia Photographer and Sunset Hill Jewelers & Fine Arts Gallery. One-night-only galleries will pop up at Bookmarks, LoCali Wine Lounge, Pine + Quill and more. An added bonus: on-street parking is free starting at 4 p.m.

Western Chester County

The western part of the county has changed quite a bit over the years. In 1998, we highlighted The Mad Hatter’s Tea Room, a “charming olde world tea shop” in Uwchlan Commons, and The Clay Lady for pottery and gifts in a historic Eagle home that’s now a WSFS Bank branch. Yet a few familiar names remain, including Exton’s Ball & Ball, which has been outfitting homes with antique hardware reproductions for 87 years and counting.

Blending old and new, The Iron Bird in Chester Springs offers a curated mix of vintage and new furniture and decor, clothing, jewelry, gifts and other finds, with an emphasis on local and American‑made goods. This spring, owner Jenna Dobyn opened a second location at Sauder’s Nursery in Downingtown, featuring the works of 29 talented artisans.

Also new this spring, Artisan Alley & Market in Downingtown combines a gallery and working studio for seven featured artisans. The space is open by appointment, with monthly Studio Drops (open houses) announced on social media. Meanwhile, Looker Books is preparing to move to a larger storefront in Coatesville. The indie bookstore has operated out of the Made in Coatesville Small Business Incubator since 2022 and is moving just across the street. Stay tuned for the grand opening.

Hungry? Western Chester County has plenty of new dining options. Downingtown newcomers include Mother, serving tacos, margs and local beer, and The Borough, a happening pub with two bars, live entertainment and 60 big-screen TVs. This spring, Irish native Brendan FitzGerald opened Dublin Brewing Company, an authentic Irish pub pouring its own Irish dry stout (think Guinness). And the team behind Pomod’oro is transforming the historic Thorndale Inn into La Piazza Trattoria, promising Italian cuisine, New York-style pizza and much more.

For Italian now, head to Eagleview Town Center and L’Olivo Trattoria. The husband-and-wife team behind Birchrunville Store Cafe opened the restaurant last fall, serving northern Italian faves from Chef John Amann, formerly of Amani’s BYOB. Or drop by Andréa’s Jazz Café in Coatesville, which opened in February after much anticipation. Come for live music, American and Creole-inspired fare and good company.

For a final fall detour, make your way to Historic Yellow Springs. Along with the Fall Fest on October 11 (see October Picks), the historic village hosts art workshops and classes year-round. October highlights include beginner watercolor on October 10, printmaking with plants on October 24 and a spooky gel-plate printmaking workshop on Halloween. Check online for the full course catalog.

Southern Brandywine Valley

Rolling hills and pastoral roads await in the southern Brandywine Valley. In October 2000, our inaugural “Across County Lines” guide recommended Barbara Hood’s Country Store in West Grove, now the site of Casa Carmen Farm & Winery, and The Stencil Shoppe in Chadds Ford’s Olde Ridge Village, before grabbing a bite to eat at the historic Kennett Square Inn — now home to Letty’s Tavern.

This year, two new Kennett Square shops are worth a visit. On Valentine’s Day, bibliophiles welcomed Forage Books, an indie bookstore whose name is a nod to the town’s mushroom heritage. “Forage” for your next read in this sunny, plant-filled space. At historic R-P Nurseries, family owned for over 160 years, Rooted in Kennett offers another kind of treasure: handcrafted goods from over 250 small businesses and local artisans, plus popular toys like Jellycats and NeeDohs.

For dinner in Kennett, try Opus, which opened last month in a restored Birch Street building that served as Hank’s Place’s temporary location. The latest project from Square Roots Collective serves elevated New American fare in an intimate downstairs dining room, with a moody upstairs lounge for after-dinner drinks. Curated artwork adds to the atmosphere, while proceeds benefit local nonprofits including The Garage Community & Youth Center and Brandywine Red Clay Alliance.

There’s more to come. Top Dog Cocktails is bringing a cocktail bar and vinyl listening lounge to Kennett Square this fall, while Proximity Wine Bar plans to celebrate local wines in the former Catherine’s Restaurant space in Unionville.

Make it a weekend with a stay at The Francis Hotel & Suites, another new Square Roots project. A long-vacant historic home has been transformed into a boutique hotel with eight well-appointed rooms, each with a local story to tell — from The Watchmaker king suite, a tribute to the craftsman who once lived there, to The Abolitionist room with private balcony, paying homage to Kennett’s Underground Railroad history.

And of course, no southern Brandywine Valley outing is complete without visiting Longwood Gardens. Autumn brings fall foliage, festive harvest displays and the return of the Garden Railway. From October 16 to November 1, the fan-favorite Chrysanthemum Festival fills the conservatories with dazzling blooms and whimsical forms. This year, look for a spectacular double-chrysanthemum arch in the East Conservatory.

Main Line

The Main Line has always known how to honor the past while making room for what’s next. In 2000, we featured The Little House Shop in Wayne, whose roots date to 1934, and Walter J. Cook Jeweler, the renowned Paoli jeweler that closed last year after nearly 80 years — but has since found new life as Michael Cook Jeweler, a boutique, appointment-only shop. For dining, we recommended 333 Belrose in Radnor. Then a newcomer, the popular bar and grill reopened in June after a yearlong renovation, with rearranged dining rooms, a larger bar and the same beloved nachos.

In 2026, update your wardrobe with two stylish boutiques that have expanded to the Main Line. The family behind Phoenixville’s Refinery opened a second location in Malvern this summer: Refinery on King, offering the same effortless styles the original is known for, plus a permanent jewelry station from Headstrong Jewelry. In Wayne, Style by Per Lei joins locations in Newtown Square, Ardmore, Media and beyond, bringing the latest trends and personalized styling. While in Wayne, pick up a bottle at Nature’s Vin, specializing in natural, sustainable wines from women-led producers.

Then grab a bite at The Buttery. It’s been a busy year for the Martha Stewart-approved bakery and café, with a brand-new location on Lancaster Avenue in Bryn Mawr, another on the way in Northern Liberties, and the addition of dinner service at its flagship Malvern location. For more baked goodness, visit its outpost at the Ardmore Farmers Market, which opened last fall, or Wild Yeast Bakehouse’s new location in Wayne’s Eagle Village Shops, a move that takes this one-man sourdough operation out of his Rosemont living room.

Make it an evening — or a weekend — at The Brandywine, a Marriott-affiliated boutique hotel that opened in Radnor this spring. Enjoy seasonal comfort food at Merrick’s Tavern, or head upstairs to Pomelo Rooftop Terrace for shared plates and botanical cocktails.

Before leaving the Main Line, keep an eye out for murals. We covered many in our May issue, but there’s even more to find. Main Line Mural Arts has added new works, including an America 250-themed mural at Wayne’s At the Table, a Jazz Age-inspired mural at Berwyn’s Midtown Social and a tribute to veterans on Lancaster Avenue near the Devon Horse Show grounds.

Plus, the Ardmore Mural Project celebrated the completion of new murals near the SEPTA station and longtime home of Past*Present*Future, where after five decades owner Sherry Tillman is preparing to close up shop and begin her next chapter.

Delaware County

Small but mighty, Delco is having a moment. These days, you may spot a celebrity or two — Jason Kelce grabbing a bite at the Havertown Grille, Mark Ruffalo and Mahershala Ali filming the next season of “Task” at the Llanerch Diner. But beneath the buzz, Delco remains full of the local charm that logtime residents — and visitors — know and love. Our 2006 edition of “Across County Lines” recommended Bunny Hare’s in Newtown Square for jewelry, home goods and gifts and Media’s Silver Moon Studio Antiques for vintage finds. Two decades later, both are still going strong.

Alongside longtime favorites, Media has welcomed new additions to State Street’s eclectic mix of independent shops. This summer, yarn and fabric shop Homesewn moved to the former Ten Thousand Villages space at State and Olive Streets. The larger shop means more room for craft supplies, plus classes and workshops, like the Japanese fabric mosaic technique, kinusaiga (October 4), needle-felted pumpkins (October 26) and a five-week crochet class for a granny-square vest (Mondays, October 5 to November 2). In Homesewn’s former East State Street location, Media Mercantile, an outdoor lifestyle store, opened in September.

Although Dining Under the Stars ended in September, Media’s dining scene is still shining. Newcomers include Maris, restaurateur Loïc Barnieu’s latest venture (La Belle Époque, Sterling Pig) with a Mediterranean and seafood-focused menu, and Taquero, a Mexican BYOB by Antonio Garcia, the longtime chef at Ariano. Cheesesteak connoisseurs can sample several varieties (classic, balsamic brie, hot honey pepperoni) plus sandwiches, wings and Meyers Brewing Company beer at Jackson St. Steaks. Meanwhile, The Hungry Hub, a family-run breakfast and lunch spot, is slated to open October 1 in the former Rivalry Café space, with plans for extended hours and a late-night menu.

For a quick detour, head to Swarthmore and Celia Bookshop, which opened next to the library last fall. This lively bookstore and community hub stocks over 8,000 titles, with a special focus on local authors. Coming soon: Stylus Room, a vinyl listening room and bar. Check social media for updates.

Before crossing back over the county line, spend an evening at The Media Theatre. From October 1 to 18, see “Murder for Two,” a rollicking musical take on old-fashioned murder mysteries, with just two performers playing 13 eccentric suspects. Families can return October 10 to 25 for the youth ensemble’s performance of “Shrek the Musical Jr.” starring everyone’s favorite ogre.

Wilmington

Our final stop is Wilmington, a city that has reinvented itself many times over. When we launched the “Autumn Shopping Ramble,” Wilmington was transitioning from its industrial past into the vibrant riverfront city we know today. In our October 1991 issue, we directed readers to Artisans Emporium, a quaint country store in the Concord Mall, and The Pot-Pour-Ri, a gift shop and furniture store in Fairfax Shopping Center promising “The Unique and The Imaginative.” We also recommended a meal at The Brandywine Room at the Hotel du Pont, now home to the modern French brasserie Le Cavalier.

Today, the Hotel du Pont has another new addition: The Little Huxley. The team behind beloved indie bookstore Huxley & Hiro on Market Street opened this intimate shop last fall, offering books, curated gifts, Delaware souvenirs and snacks. Nearby, a colorful storefront on North Market Street hints at another newcomer. Next to La Fia, Create Magic Art Shop is preparing to open this fall as a locally owned art supply shop, drop-in studio, craft café and gallery. For now, it’s open by appointment and for special events.

For dinner, try Ezme, the latest venture from James Beard-nominated Chef Antimo DiMeo of the Bardea Restaurant Group. Inspired by the chef ’s travels along the Aegean Sea, the menu features coastal Mediterranean cuisine. Or rediscover Moro Bistro, revived by Chef Michael DiBianca after a 10-year hiatus. Now in the former Brandywine Brasserie space a few blocks from its original location, it pairs old favorites — duck confit salad, blood-orange cocktails — with new surprises. Speaking of comebacks, Iron Hill Brewery returned to the riverfront this spring under new management, including original founder Mark Edelson.

Cap off your Wilmington visit at the Delaware Art Museum. Admire the dramatic Chihuly glass installation at the entrance, then explore the museum’s renowned collection of British Pre-Raphaelite works, the largest outside the U.K. This month, “Pyle and the Pre-Raphaelites” examines how Wilmington native Howard Pyle was inspired by Pre-Raphaelite art, and “Transcendent: Landscapes of the Hudson River School” examines beloved works through the lens of Transcendentalism, a 19th-century spiritual movement.