Letter from the Chamber President

This year has brought many challenges to our region including rising inflation and concerns about healthcare with the closure of the Brandywine Hospital. Despite these challenges, the communities in ChescoWest and Western Chester County Chamber of Commerce have continued to come together to overcome adversity.

Large public events have returned to our area, including the famous Strawberry Festival hosted by the Rotary Club of Coatesville. The Borough of Parkesburg commemorated its 150th anniversary with a multi-day event in May while the Borough of Modena’s Fire Department celebrated their 100th Anniversary. Events continue to keep rolling on; Valley Township will host their Valley Day on September 24th, Atglen is gearing up for its Di-Atglen Alley Wizard Faire on October 1st and Honey Brook Township will host its Veterans Celebration on November 6th.

Over the summer, the City of Coatesville celebrated ribbon cuttings for updates to Palmer Park, the re-opening of the Courtyard by Marriott, and the opening of Justin Chan the Nth Innovation Center in the west end of town. The re-alignment of the intersection at Lincoln Highway and 1st Avenue is now complete with new signals and pedestrian cross walks which leads nicely into the several new restaurants expected to open this fall in downtown Coatesville.

We have welcomed several new member businesses in Parkesburg including El Limon, a delicious new Mexican Restaurant and Sweet Serendipity Cupcakes & Treats on Main Street. Our area has some exciting developments coming up, such as a new shopping center that is under construction at Octorara Trail and Lincoln Highway (Rt. 10 and Rt. 30), which is sure to bring new services to the area.

In this issue of Western Chester County Life, we focus on family-owned businesses in our region. As

I said in our last issue, business at its core, is about people. It is about buildt ing and maintaining those relationships, dywine something our Chamber does extremely well. Our membership includes many businesses that have served our region for multiple generations, and all come from different backgrounds. A trip to Coatesville Flower shop takes you back in time with its classic storefront and historical photographs paying homage to the family’s history in Coatesville. Honeybrook Golf Club is family-owned and operated by three siblings who saw a vision and opportunity for their family’s land; the vision led to the 18-hole Golf Course that now welcomes visitors from all around. Page through this issue to learn about other family owned businesses in our area. My business, Valley Creek Productions, produces the Western Chester County Checks In segments for the Chamber, which are video updates that feature local member businesses. This year we’ve visited many places including Hydraterra Professionals, The Parkesburg Point, SERVPRO of Kennett Square/Oxford, Pieris Day Spa, and Kings Tavern Restaurant. Follow the Chamber’s social media channels to watch these and for all of our latest news and events. While my video production business is only in its first generation, I am proud to be a part of this business community. As the first President of the Chamber that’s a member of the LGBT community and Chinese, I’ve always found my diversity to be respected and appreciated within our Chamber family. If you are interested in joining our Chamber or would like to learn more about us, attend one of our many upcoming events this fall, we look forward to meeting you!

Sincerely, Justin Chan Valley Creek Productions

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