Local and Loving It - Chester County’s Best Kept Secrets

Originally published in the July/August 2012 edition of The Chester County Women's Journal

GROWING UP in a Philadelphia neighborhood, I learned to “shop local” long before it became fashionable. I loved to visit the candy counter at Roosevelt Pharmacy and smell the steak and onions cooking at Pat’s Steaks. Our garden may have been small at our Olney home, but we enjoyed farm-fresh products thanks to Jim Bowen’s eggs and Clarence’s mobile produce truck. A short drive away on Fifth Street, we delighted in merchants’ treasures including Stutz candy, gifts, Italian pastries, clothing, and jewelry.

I’m a little older now, a Chester County resident for more than fifteen years, and have a family of my own. But the thrill and significance of shopping locally has stayed with me. I get excited about discovering and supporting local businesses (Just ask my husband to show you the receipts). Furthermore, as the organizer of Chester County’s Best Kept Secrets Tour, I get to introduce other people to the merchants, leaders, and charities who make a difference in our community.

Join me in discovering gems that our county has to offer during Chester County’s Best Kept Secrets Tour, September 14 through 29, 2012. This 16-day shopping, food, and fun adventure showcases off -the-beaten-path businesses hand-picked for their uniqueness. Travel from place to place, in your own vehicle, and enjoy special free items and experiences that business owners ha ve planned for you—demonstrations, drawings, gifts, and refreshments. The stops are varied, so there’s something for everyone—gifts, home furnishings and décor, farms, crafts, consignments, antiques, jewelry, food, and more. Receive coupons from every business. Enjoy opportunities to win prizes.

Although the businesses are located throughout the county—from Elverson and Chester Springs in the north to Kennett Square and West Grove in the south—you will never drive more than 20 minutes between stops if you follow the suggested path. It’s a fun way to explore.

Tickets go on sale August 6 and cost $7 each, with $1 donated to Bridge of Hope LCC, an organization that works to end homelessness for women and children in Chester County. The first 2,000 people to purchase tickets also will receive a shopping bag of promotional goodies.
Invite your girlfriends, women’s group, or spouse, and get ready to experience Chester County in a whole new way. Statistics show that for every $100 spent in independently-owned stores, $68 returns to the community, compared to $43 if spent in a national chain and as low as zero if spent online. Take the time to shop locally—it’s a great way to show your love for the community we call home!

Is Your Business Chester County’s Best Kept Secret?

Chester County’s Best Kept Secrets Tour is a low-cost way to welcome hundreds of qualified shoppers into your store, farm or restaurant. Contact Michele Scott today at tour@mommyforward.com or 484.551.5175 for more information and an application for our May 2013 Tour. Non-profit and sponsorship opportunities are also available.

Testimonials

“Fantastic! Loved every minute of the tour.”– Ann from Wayne

“I had a great time driving through areas of Chester County I’d never visited and meeting shop owners. Thanks for organizing this!” – Kathy from Downingtown

“My friend and I had a blast. Thanks for putting this together.”– Cindy from Robesonia

Meet Chester County's Best Kept Secrets Tour

Discover Chester County’s Best Kept Secrets

Originally published in the March/April 2012 edition of The Women's Journal of Chester County

IT’S NO SECRET that some of the finest shopping and dining destinations call Chester County home. But did you know that beyond the malls, big box stores, and chain restaurants, sit treasure-filled shops along tree-lined streets, farm-fresh and local eateries and historic buildings just waiting to be explored?

You’re invited to discover all that our county has to offer during Chester County’s Best Kept Secrets Tour, May 4 through 19, 2012. This 16-day shopping, food and fun adventure showcases off-the-beaten path businesses hand-picked for their uniqueness. Travel place to place throughout the countryside enjoying special free things like demonstrations, drawings, gifts, and refreshments the business owners have planned just for you. The stops are varied, so there’s something for everyone… home furnishings and gifts, farm markets, crafts, consignments, antiques, jewelry, cafes, and more.

You’ll receive coupons from every business and have chances to win prizes, too. Although the businesses are located throughout the county, you will never drive more than 20 minutes between places if you follow the suggested path. You’ll be pleasantly surprised by the merchants you’ll meet tucked away in the countryside. It’s a fun way to explore.

I fell in love with the original Best Kept Secrets Tour as a tour-participant in Lancaster County. There’s something about discovering the unique stores, items, business owners and farmers in your own backyard. There’s community connection and personalized service you won’t find in a national chain or online experience. Furthermore, statistics show that for every $100 spent in locally owned independent stores, $68 returns to the community compared to $43 spent in a national chain or as low as $0 spent online.

I knew Chester County’s shops, farms, and restaurants deserved the spotlight. So I contacted Melissa Nordhoff (the former manager of her family’s business, Carson’s in the Cornfields) and asked if I could bring the Tour to Chester County. Since then, I’ve been hard at work with Chester County’s best merchants to create a fabulously fun shopping adventure you’re sure to enjoy.

Tickets go on sale March 5 and cost $7 each. $1 per ticket will be donated to the Arc of Chester County, which provides programs and services for people with disabilities. The first 2,000 people to purchase tickets also receive a shopping bag of promotional goodies.

Invite your girlfriends, woman’s group and spouse – or treat your mom as a Mother’s Day gift.

Get ready to experience Chester County in a whole new way!