Good to Know: October 2024
Just a few things we’d thought you’d like to know this month
Attention Bibliophiles
Downtown West Chester has another new bookstore! Located in a historic home on the corner of Gay and Matlack Streets, Bookmarks currently offers around 2,500 paperbacks and hardbacks in a variety of genres. The ground floor houses a children’s section and gifts, while upstairs is dedicated to adult books — including new releases, classics and a dedicated table for Pennsylvania authors. 100 E. Gay St., West Chester. On Instagram @BookmarksWC.
Conservation Campaign
Last summer, local nonprofit Natural Lands protected one-third of Westtown’s Crebilly Farm through a conservation easement. Now, you can help preserve the remainder. The Save Crebilly Campaign hopes to raise $2.5 million by October 31 for a 206-acre, Westtown Township-owned, passive-use park. Over $20 million has been committed to this conservation effort already, plus a new $2 million matching challenge from Mt. Cuba Center and an anonymous donor. Time to get involved in the final push! NatLands.org/CrebillyFarm.
New Threads
Looking to update your fall wardrobe? Three new West Chester shops can help. On North Church Street, Deborah Ann Mack Fashions offers custom-made luxury women’s clothing and has been featured in Harper’s Bazaar. Plus, Downingtown’s Clara Mae Company opened a second vintage boutique, also on North Church. Then, accessorize with jewelry, trinkets and treasures from Tiger Snake Vintage, now open in the Gay Street Commons. DAM.Fashion. ClaraMaeCompany.com. TigerSnakeVintage.com.
Geek Haven
Got a gamer in your life? They’ll love Phoenixville’s Nerd Merch Co. This unabashedly geeky spot deals in trading cards (Magic: The Gathering, Pokémon and more), carries collectibles from Funko Pop! figurines to classic comics, and sells tabletop games like Dungeons & Dragons. Best of all, they have a free gaming lounge complete with lots of board games, high back chairs and concessions — or BYO games, food and drinks. 224 Bridge St., Phoenixville. NerdMerch.co.
Page-Turner
Missing the beach and summer vibes? Read “The Swells of Stone Harbor” (Bover Publishing) by West Chester’s Erica M. Reilly. In her debut novel, Reilly tells the story of Margo St. James, a Stone Harbor artist who witnesses chaos unfolding in her Jersey Shore town — sinking sailboats, thefts and home break-ins — and teams up with her friends to discover the culprit. Find it at your local independent bookstore. On Instagram @Erica.Reilly.Writes.
