Main Line Homes Blog

I noticed a couple of new construction homes in Berwyn, PA recently. A home that had sold earlier in the summer in Berwyn village in Pennsylvania and obviously the new owner got permission to tear that down and sub-divide the lot to build two new construction homes in Berwyn, PA. At the moment only one has gone up, but they have a roof on and seem to be progressing quickly. You will not have much yard, but are situated right next to the secret little park I wrote about earlier this year right in the heart of Berwyn Village, PA.

Berwyn Village located in Easttown Township primarily, although some parts cross over in to Tredyfrrin, has a variety of Victorian single family and twin homes built through the village. But to see new construction homes in Berwyn, PA is a surprise. Priced in the high $500,000's they seem to have a nice layout and floorplan.

Four beds, two and half baths these look really nice new construction homes in Berwyn PA at a good price point for the T/E school district in a great location.

For more information contact us.

I recently met an interesting person, Bob Perkins, President and Founder of B & B's French Wine Club in PA. B& B's French Wine Club allows you to obtain French wine without going through the PA State Store system. Bob told me that you pay a joining fee $500 and then a certain price for 48 bottles of wine purchased through B & B's French Wine Club which is the cost of the wine plus shipping. It allows you to purchase French wine at a greatly reduced price.

Bob travels to France and selects the wines personally for the French Wine Club in PA and I will seek to cover an interview with Bob in a later post. The club has it's own website, www.bandbsfrenchwineclub.com from where you can learn a lot about the wine's imported. None of them are available in America other than through the club. Bob estimates that you get $2500 of value for an investment of $1500, that is an approximate cost for 48 bottles. Thus each bottle is costing approximately $31.25, so this club is more for connoisseur than the everyday drinker. I tried some of the wines recently at a holiday party given by some friends and have to say they were good, but probably needed a little more time to breathe to reach their best.

Now it intrigues me that this avenue is open to French Wine Club drinkers under the PA licensing system, and makes me wonder about other wine clubs that might be out there as well, for Italian, Australian, South African and South American wines to name a few. Let me know what you discover, I know that I am certainly going to be looking around for some different options. Also it intrigues me to think that I could also open a wine club and travel to buy the wines as well. What do you think? Where would you go to get wines?

The Main Line Antiques Show 2010 raised a record amount of funds for the beneficiary Surrey Services for Seniors. As chair of the show I am in the picture above with Steve & Kathy Bajus, major sponsors at the preview party in the booth of Port 'n Starboard a new exhibitor for this year.

In every way the show shone, with many new exhibitors, new visitors, a new location at Radnor Valley Country Club and great feedback from dealers and visitors alike. The layout of the booths throughout the country club set off the club and also allowed the antiques and art being displayed to stand out magnificently.

We had a record number of visitors to the show this year, with the lecture series on Visiting the Main Line - Railroad Ties being a major success with standing room only at both events on the Saturday at the show. With food available and somewhere to sit, many visitors took advantage of resting their feet and enjoying a drink and either a sandwich or saled before looking around the remainder of the show. With thirty one dealers from up and down the East Coast there was plenty to see and enjoy as well with a great mix of pictures, paintings and prints, furniture of different styles and ages with porcelain, pottery, jewelry, metalware, folk art and sporting goods there was something for everyone.

So reserve the dates for next year November 12th and 13th and we look forward to your support and seeing you there. Check the website for updates throughout the year www.MainLineAntiquesShow.com.

Is now the time to buy a home? Video below has "experts" giving their opinions, but all real estate is local and needs to be considered on a local basis.

So what is your opinion of the Philadelphia Main Line market? As you can see from the video even the experts are confused and don't agree. Our opinion is that locally whilst prices are down by about 30% from 2007/2008 highs, there are buyers who are looking to buy and who are qualified and able to get mortgages. Mortgage rates are low and will rise even if slowly, depending on your circumstances yes now is the time to buy a home.

Berwyn community holiday party and tree lighting Sunday 12/5 starting at 6.30 pm. The big evergreen tree at the Berwyn Train Station by the east bound tracks always seemed the central hub of the village of Berwyn.  Many years ago, Gene Williams remembers saving this area in the parking lot by not allowing commuter parking spaces.  The early development of the village was around the train area.  In the 19th century, a market car allowed the local farmers in the surrounding area to ship their produce into the city. Other businesses supporting the train line developed between the Lancaster Turnpike and the railroad tracks.  Around the station area, businesses like Fritz Lumber, Mack Oil Burns Milling and the Bronze Company all with access to the tracks as well as the bank, post office, livery stables and general stores all centralized around the station area.

 The Berwyn Devon Business and Professional Association formed in the 1930's in response to the Lancaster Highway, Route 30 coming through town.  Along with Easttown Township and the Berwyn Fire Company they worked together to light up the big evergreen in the center of the parking lot. Electricity came from one of the telephone poles in the lot along the highway. Later, the lights on the tree were sold in memory of residents and businesses in Berwyn and the names were published  in the Suburban and Wayne Times.

 A Holiday Party at the train station, with a Tree Lighting Ceremony and a visit from Santa became a well loved tradition in Berwyn . Different groups of children from the local schools and churches have  provided musical entertainment.   Refreshments were often dispensed from Aquilante's Trolley with hot chocolate and cider from  Pattymac's and treats from Clay's Bakery.  The Berwyn Fire Company would deliver Santa to the tree and raise a ladder for him to climb and touch the tree at the top and the tree would magically light.  Then, Santa would sit and listen to all the children tell him what they wanted for Christmas and give them a candy cane when they were finished. It was always a fun evening and a gathering of the community no matter how cold.

 The Ansley Family moved to Berwyn in 1950.  As a child, Jack Ansley remembers the tree being lit with colorful lights for the Christmas Season. Other fond memories from long time residents have been, "Riding down with my dad in the fire truck to help put the lights up during the day and thinking about what I was going to ask Santa that year."Another resident remembers the excitement of eating dinner that special Sunday and the treat of going to the train station and seeing the chair for Santa...smelling the hot chocolate and being so excited to see the fire truck with Santa coming down the street.  When his hand reached to touch the top of the tree, the lights went on and the excitement went through the air. Many of these memories that were developed as a child are now going to be shared with grandchildren.

Years ago, the old Tree began to die and the lighting became harder and harder to manage.  Several years ago, the Veterans Association of Easttown and Tredyffrin Townships took down the old tree and planted a new evergreen with the help of Doyle.  This new tree is the central point of a garden in honor of the Gold Star Mothers of the Townships.  While the tree was growing, the Berwyn Fire Company hosted the event and Santa climbed up to light the Berwyn Fire Station. Berwyn's Evergreen tree is ready for lights.  This year, the town of Berwyn is bringing  back  this old tradition at the train station.

 The Berwyn Devon Business Association and the Verterans Association will be sponsoring the Community Holiday Party.  The event will take place December 5^th.  Entertainment will start at 6:30 pm with local performers from Berwyn Montessori, Berwyn Methodist Preschool, Trinity Preschool, Tarleton School and Betsy Daily Dance School of Performing Arts.  Santa  will light Berwyn's new tree, for the first time, at 7:00pm.  Refreshments will be provided by PattyMacs and Clay's Bakery. In addition, many other businesses are helping to sponsor the event:  Trinity Presbyterian Church, Ufberg Dental, PC, John H. Ansley, Inc., McAndrew Law, The Targaglio Family, Daeminon Counceling and Doyle and McDonnell. This is a free community event.  For more information contact Mary Shultz:  mzshultz@comcast.net.

Main Line Antiques Show 2010 a success with more dealers exhibitng than before, a new venue, increased numbers at the preview party and increased numbers over the weekend. Surrey Services for Seniors the beneficiary also did well raising over $100,000. Here are some photos of new exhibitors at this years show.

Thurston Nichols booth in the Radnor Room

Port 'n Starbnoard booth, both were new exhibitors this year.

Perry Joyce's booth another new exhibitor

Eve Stone Antiques a bright addition to the show this year.

Hanes & Ruskin laid out an attractive booth.

Hope we see you next year at The Main Line Antiques Show 2011.