Good Morning Chester County,

Leaves are starting to turn colors, pumpkins are everywhere (including in our coffee), and fall festivals are happening every weekend.

Fall is here. It may still be a bit too hot out to break out your favorite flannel, but you won’t find me complaining about some extra warm sunny days.

Whether you’re a home body or an “out-the-door from Friday evening to Sunday night” type of person, I hope you’re getting to enjoy this change in the season.

Side note: IF you plan on visiting downtown West Chester this weekend - a friendly reminder that it’s homecoming weekend. Drive carefully as the students and guests could be enjoying the weekend’s festivities (a lot) and may forget to look twice before they cross the road.

This is what we’ve got on tap:

• Fall Festivals, First Fridays, & WCU Homecoming/Parents Weekend

• A ChesCo gem you need to visit

• Our favorite furry friends up for adoption locally

• & more than 30 events going on throughout the county this week

The Blend

A curated mix of local stories, updates, and announcements from our team.

🌟 Chester County Gems: Northbrook Marketplace

On the corner of Rt 842 and Northbrook Rd in West Chester stands an unassuming building that, if you live local, you’ve probably gone by on more than one occasion.

As you drive by you may get a glimpse of the renovated farmhouse and think to yourself, “I wonder what’s in there?”

Do me a favor: stop thinking and go there today (or Thursdays specifically…keep reading).

Why?

Because what you’ll find are so many of the things that make Chester County such a great place to live.

At the risk of derailing the rest of the newsletter, I’m going to highlight some of my favorites from my two visits there.

• Locally owned and operated, the marketplace has a full deli and bakery with TONS of locally sourced food & goods to enjoy.

• Their apple cider donuts are top 3 I’ve ever had (and growing up in this area you know you have some good options). Not only that…they also make APPLE CIDER DONUT CHIPS you can buy and take home. The two bags I bought did not last the weekend

• Uncle Harold’s Chips: What started out as an “accidental” item has turned into one of Northbrook’s most beloved items. Trust me, go buy a bag (or 3).

The deli, bakery, and marketplace are really just the tip of the iceberg here.

We visited on a Thursday evening (remember 👆) for what I think is one of Chester County’s best kept food secrets - The Thursday Night BYOB Pasta Buffet.

From 5:30 - 8:30 walk upstairs to the dining area (that doubles as a private event space) and you’ll be treated to one of the best and most affordable AYCE dinners I’ve found.

Although there are staple items you’ll be likely to find each time you’re there, a majority of the menu is changed weekly based on the season and the brilliant ideas the chef cooks up.

I could gush on about the food for some time, but what I think is most important to highlight are the people who make the marketplace what it is.

Whether you’re stopping by for a quick deli order, enjoying your Thursday meal, or having your private event there you will be made to feel like a part of the family at Northbrook.

In a world that has largely become transactional, it’s something I think we could all use more of.

Check out the video we made on our Instagram

Learn more about what Northbrook has to offer ⬇️

♥️ Local Adoptable Pets of the Week

🐶 Meet Banks

This scruffy-haired fella is recovering from a tough past. Dumped on the side of the road with his mom and siblings in Mississippi as a newborn, his early days were not too kind. Banks is a gentle soul who’s kind personality is sure to win you over. Dog-friendly, crate trained, and eager to find a loving home - he’s hoping you’ll be the one to give him the trust and patience he deserves.

🐱 Meet Bunny (the cat)

Bunny is ready to hop right into your loving arms. Found as a stray, volunteers describe him as cuddly, playful, and affectionate. He knows that you’ve been looking for the perfect feline friend and is ready to meet you. Think you’re the one to give him the forever home he’s been waiting for?

P.S. - If you’ve adopted a pet because of our newsletter, we want to hear from you! Reply to this email and tell us your story!

The Featured Pour

A closer look at the standout event happening this week

This week’s featured events are First Fridays happening throughout the county!

When: Friday, 10/3/2025, 5 - 9 PM

Where: Coatesville, Oxford, Phoenixville, West Chester

What to expect: One of my favorite events that go on throughout the county are “First Fridays.”

If you haven’t been, the concept is simple:

On the first Friday of every month, a portion of the town becomes a hybrid mix of open-air block party and local showcase/market.

Your favorite local businesses run sidewalk specials, artists pop up in galleries and “one‑night‑only” hosts, and there’s always live music somewhere around the corner. Families stroll, friends meet up for dinner, and you’ll bump into at least three people you know.

This week West Chester leans artsy with the Gallery Walk; Oxford is throwing a Tailgate party; Coatesville is having it’s harvest market; Phoenixville ties in with the last “Inside Out” of the year for outdoor dining and street-hang vibes.

It’s free to wander, easy to support your favorite small businesses, a great way to explore and kick off the weekend with the whole family.

More info about each is listed below ⬇️

What’s Brewing

Upcoming events you won’t want to miss this week.

_{If you see “$” in the event description, that means it is a paid event. Events with no “$” are free to attend!}

It’s a stellar weather line up this week, so go try something new to enjoy it!

See you out there.

With Gratitude,

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