New and Improved

In the Know & On the Go

New and Improved

We celebrate our local businesses and want to share their accomplishments and showcase everything that’s new! Be sure to check out these great shops and businesses on social media or use the contact information included below.

Alvernia University

Starting off the celebration, Alvernia is announcing that it welcomed its third straight largest class of nearly six hundred students to the local campus, including the first students planning to enter the university’s new physician associate program. The class also includes Alvernia’s first NCAA men’s hockey, women’s bowling, and triathlon athletes, and the largest class of Reading Collegiate Scholars students.

The diverse incoming class has seventy percent of its students hailing from Pennsylvania and 25 international students from Brazil, Canada, Iran, Ireland, Peru, Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates, and Venezuela.

Alvernia University College Towne 401 Penn Street, Reading 888-258-3764 www.alvernia.edu

Kimberton Whole Foods

A new and exciting October addition to the Penn Avenue corridor is Kimberton Whole Foods, joining the other great businesses at the revitalized Knitting Mills and Vanity Fair complex.

Kimberton Whole Foods is a family-owned and operated grocer and apothecary, dedicated to supporting local farmers and food artisans since 1986. Their newest location in Wyomissing offers a wide variety of organic produce, local meat and dairy, specialty groceries, wholesome grab-and-go options, and a cafe serving freshly made juices, smoothies, and coffee drinks. (Read more about Kimberton Whole Foods in our cover story on page 22 and in the Eat, Drink & Live feature on page 36.)

810 Knitting Mills Way, Wyomissing www.kimbertonwholefoods.com

Ady Cakes

Anyone looking for a sweet and beautiful treat will find an amazing assortment at Ady Cakes’ storefront on Penn Avenue in West Reading.

Central Pennsylvania’s first and only winner of the Food Network’s Cupcake Wars, Ady Cakes has been in business since 2007 and offers a wide variety of desserts including custom cakes, cupcakes, sugar cookies, cake pops, and French Macaroons.

631 Penn Ave, West Reading 610-898-4064 helloadycakes@gmail www.adycakes.com

Finch + Fern

A favorite stop for anyone who loves a beautiful and eclectic shopping experience, Finch + Fern celebrated its second anniversary on Penn Avenue.

The shop offers “thoughtfully curated pieces” for home décor and gifts and includes a delightful mix of local, vintage, handmade, global, and new inventory.

728 Penn Avenue, West Reading 484-869-5617 finchnfern@gmail.com www.finchnfern.com

Rothenberger Insurance Services

Brady West was formally introduced as the new vicepresident at Rothenberger Insurance Services.

West has the years of experience in insurance and the leadership skills to be an amazing asset to both the Rothenberger clients and team.

A full-service independent insurance agency opened by Ron Rothenberger in 2007, Rothenberger Insurance offers quality and affordable personal and commercial insurance.

436 Penn Avenue, West Reading 610-406-5827 ron@risquote.com www.risquote.com

Say Cheese! Restaurant and Cheese

An exciting addition for Penn Avenue in West Reading is the reopening of the Say Cheese! Wine and Cheese shop, now relocated right next to the restaurant.

The beautiful store is filled with an array of cheeses, plus crackers and jams, olive oil, pasta, nuts, bar mixers, chocolate, and more. Beer lovers can check out their selection of bottle beer and the addition of wine bottle sales is coming soon!

602 Penn Avenue, West Reading info@saycheese-restaurant.com www.saycheese-restaurant.com

The Little Lotus Children’s Boutique

Another welcome new addition to Penn Avenue is The Little Lotus Children’s Boutique, brought to area shoppers by owner Jordhanna White, a Berks County native who grew up in the Wilson School District.

Even though the new shop is a children’s boutique which specializes in unique and special clothing and accessories, White wants shoppers to know there are special offerings for moms in her store too!

720 Penn Avenue, West Reading

LEO Design Gallery

Another spot focused on creating beautiful moments arrived in November on Penn Avenue in Wyomissing with the addition of the LEO Design Gallery, flower shop, and rental showroom, a wedding and event showroom giving anyone planning an event the opportunity to meet and hire the best vendors from Philadelphia and the surrounding areas.

1295 Penn Avenue, Wyomissing (610) 670-6502 leodesigngallery@gmail.com www.leodesigngallery.com