BY PEG DEGRASSA-- DIGITAL FIRST MEDIA According to a borough official, if all goes as planned, the Shoppes at Brookhaven on Route 352 are expected to be up and running by December 2016. Slightly less than a year ago, I wrote a “What’s Coming to Delco” column, highlighting local businesses that will soon come to town. Ever since that column appeared, I get inundated with calls, tweets and e-mails, asking me questions like, “Do you know when the new ShopRite is going to open in Brookhaven?’ or “Any current word on the Cracker Barrel’s progress in Ridley Township?” I figured the best way to find out the answers to all of these questions, and dispel any incorrect rumors (I’ve heard a few doozies), was to go straight to the right sources and ask. Although new businesses are sprouting up all over Delco, I concentrated on the several boroughs and townships for which I recently received the most inquiries from readers. Here’s what I found out, starting with Ridley Township.

“Is the Cracker Barrel still coming to Ridley and when will it open?” The plans were approved for the new Cracker Barrel to be located in the Ridley Square Center, with entrances from both Sellers and Stewart Avenues. The shopping center is also bounded by I-95 and the Industrial Highway. ghost chair rental san joseOfficials said it’s a safe bet that the project will move right along, with construction to begin in either spring or fall. wheelchair van rental new zealandChances are, this time next year, Delco residents may be rocking in one of those wooden Cracker Barrel rocking chairs on the long front porch of those beloved classically designed restaurants that previously they only visited while on vacation.accent chairs canada leon's

“What’s going into the former Italian Village Restaurant on MacDade?” It’s not a question anymore, because there’s a concrete factual answer. Harvey’s Lock and Door Service, Inc. already moved in and opened at 902 MacDade Boulevard in Milmont Park. “I see construction going on at the former Fresh Stop. wooden rocking chair amishWhat’s going in there?”cheap table and chairs swindon A new branch of Bank of America is under construction and will open, when finished, on the corner of Morton Ave. and MacDade Blvd. in the Folsom section of Ridley Twp.cane rocking chair ebay “What’s going into the former Pathmark Supermarket on MacDade Boulevard?” According to a very reliable township official, two supermarkets are looking at the site and let’s just say, “neither are discount chains.”

One of the supermarkets interested plans to knock down the existing structure and build a brand new supermarket; the other party interested will keep the existing building and do extensive renovations. No deal is inked yet, but both parties are seriously interested so at this date in time, it looks like there will be another supermarket in town and the only question remaining is which one. “The Last Stand on MacDade was knocked down. Nothing has been decided yet. The owners thought it was more marketable to sell if the land was cleared. “The Kentucky Fried Chicken in Woodlyn is still empty. Any word on what’s coming there?” Taco Bell has been discussing a possible location there, but nothing is definite yet. Finally, across the street from the new Wawa at 420 and MacDade Blvd., a new developer has taken over so hopefully there will be new plans for the corner where there’s now the Cash for Gold place and former Array Appliance. Also, the brand new Auto Zone, on MacDade in the Folsom section of the township, is slated to open this week.

Now let’s move right along to Brookhaven Borough, where there’s a lot of commercial construction going on along Edgemont Ave. (Route 352). “When will the new ShopRite and Lowe’s, located in the 352 Plaza, open?” Both are very close to completion and will likely open in August or September. “What stores are coming to the new Shoppes at Brookhaven on the other side of 352 and when will they be ready to open?” Most are tentatively set to open around December, right in time for holiday shopping. Stores going into the Shoppes at Brookhaven include Giant Supermarket (no tenant yet for the former Giant across the street), Starbucks, Hair Cuttery, L.A. Fitness, Smashburger, Mavis Tire, AT&T store, Wine and Spirits, Lee Spa & Nails, Hand and Stone Spa, Pet-Valu, and Sports Clips: Haircuts for Men. In Media, everybody’s hometown, there’s a lot of new business coming . “What’s going in the former Plumstead Inn?” The popular hot spot Brick and Brew in Havertown is expanding with another location at 26 W. State Street.

After the Plumstead Inn, a fixture in the borough for 55 years, closed its doors, residents anxiously awaited a new arrival and can now check out Brick and Brew which is set to open about the first week in August. “Are there other businesses opening this summer or fall in Media?” By the end of this month, Hidalgo, a Mexican restaurant that had many fans when it was formerly located at Baltimore Pike in Clifton Heights, will soon open its doors at 30 W. State St., in the former Planet Hoagie. Tom’s Dim Sum is getting set to open across from the Armory. Already a popular location on 11th Street in Philly, the authentic Chinese Shanghainese restaurant is known for its varieties of taste and superior Shanghai soup dumplings. Burlap and Bean, the  family-owned and -operated coffeehouse on 252 in Newtown Square, will open a second location at 455 W. Baltimore Ave., in the West End of Media, probably in the early fall. “Are there any brand new places in Media that already just opened?”

Sunset Slush, located next to the Koffee Korner on Jackson Street, recently opened and Tagine Moroccan Cuisine recently celebrated its grand opening at the 111 West State St. location, the former site of Media Pizza and Grill.  The restaurant offers an authentic Moroccan dining experience. Also, two new yoga places opened in the county seat. Sarva Yoga opened at 29 W. Jasper St. and Heart Space opened at 215 W Baker Street. Opened below Seven Stones and by the same owners,  Nick and Denise Yocco, Heart Space will not only be a place for yoga, but also book groups, alternative healing modalities, talks, drum circles, meditation classes, talking circles, exercise and dance, children and adult workshops, art exhibits and music. Additionally, Past Life, a vintage and handmade boutique, just recently opened at 7 East State Street. Jaco Juice and Taco Bar recently opened at 21 W. State Street this summer, right next to Earth and State. The unique restaurant, which also has locations in West Chester and Georgetown, offers quick and healthy alternatives to traditional fast food.

To switch over to the eastern side of the county in Upper Darby, residents are anticipating the opening of the new Wawa Store #8070 at 8240 West Chester Pike, across from St. Laurence. According to a very reliable township official, the store is expected to have its grand opening in about mid-November. Also in November or December, Fresh Grocer will be coming to the former Pathmark supermarket at Marshall Rd. and 69th Street. The Wave Tavern at 4201 Ferne Boulevard in Drexel Hill closed its doors for the final time a few weeks ago but locals should have no fear—an up and coming popular pub, with a reputation that precedes it, will soon settle in at the same location. Other new business coming to Upper Darby Township, according to my source, will be a trendy cigar shop coming to the Providence Shopping Center on Providence Road in Secane in about two months, a new pizzeria on West Chester Pike around Park Ave. in about two weeks, and a storage facility and 67 new spots for SEPTA commuters coming in the very near future to the former Daily Times property