Kennett Square

Stay up to date! Click to join us on Facebook now!!!

Kennett Square, Pennsylvania's claim to fame are the millions of pounds of mushrooms that it produces every year, making it The Mushroom Capital of the World. But the town had a lot going on long before the mushroom arrived. Originally the town served as a stopping point on the long road between Philadelphia and Baltimore. You'd hardly know that now. Today, U.S. 1 connects the two cities, and just outside Kennett Square, it's a freeway that bypasses the small town altogether. If you blink, you could miss The Mushroom Capital of the World, not even realizing that it's just an exit away.

It all started back in the late nineteenth century when William Swayne first brought mushrooms to the area. He grew carnations and wanted to make good use of the wasted space underneath the flowerbeds. The mushroom industry took off.

Unfortunately, today the industry is not without its troubles. The local producers are having a harder time keeping up with the big growers. Labor is a growing expense. However, immigrants provide a large amount of that mushroom growing labor. Their influence is felt at many of the Latino businesses in town.

But Kennett Square is about more than just mushrooms. A major event in the history of Kennett Square was the Battle of Brandywine, when the town itself was used as a staging point. Today visitors can tour the Brandywine Battlefield Historic Site (610-459-3342) just a few miles away. In town, there are plenty of signs that the Revolutionary War took place near its front doorsteps, including historical markers and murals of colonial soldiers painted on the walls.

Kennett Square's Main Street is State Street, which is part of Baltimore Pike, the highway that was once a major route connecting Philadelphia and Baltimore (before U.S. 1 came along). Other shops and restaurants can also be found on Broad and Union Streets. The town tends to be quiet despite offering many stores, which makes for a relaxing atmosphere. But the excitement picks up when Kennett Square holds one of its many festivals so check out their calendar.

Retail Hours

Many stores are open seven days a week but some are closed on Sundays and Mondays so call ahead. Also, some stores have limited hours during the winter months.

Parking

Metered parking is widely available throughout town but there are also parking garages for when the town is busier, such as when a major festival is underway. Sometimes the garages are free during these festivals so be on the lookout.

Events

Crowds pick up whenever there is a major festival, and Kennett Square has several of them. On the first Friday of the month from April to December from 6 to 9 p.m., Kennett Square offers
First Friday Art Stroll. The shops stay open late, but you can also enjoy artisan demonstrations, special exhibits, refreshments, and live music.

And every September Kennett Square holds their weekend-long annual Mushroom Festival (888-440-9920). Enjoy demonstrations, food, and entertainment all in celebration of the respectable mushroom.

Tips

No trip to the Mushroom Capital of the World would be complete without a stop at The Mushroom Cap (114 West State Street, 866-924-8484). It's a museum and gift shop featuring the town's most famous crop. Check out the exhibits to learn more about Kennett Square's number one industry (that isn't tourism).

Directions

Kennett Square is about 38 miles from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania and 72 miles from Baltimore, Maryland.

From Philadelphia, take U.S. 1 south. Following the signs, head right towards Kennett Square and Baltimore Pike. Baltimore Pike will turn into State Street which is Kennett Square's Main Street.

From Baltimore, take U.S. 1 north. Take the exit for Pennsylvania Route 82 towards Kennett Square and Unionville. Turn right at Pennsylvania Route 82 (Unionville Road). This will turn into Union Street and take you into the heart of town.

External Links

www.kennettsquaremerchants.com
www.historickennettsquare.com

Directory

Accessories

Cenzia Arts & Gifts (121 West State Street, 610-444-9255)
Chantilly Blue (120 West State Street, 610-925-4644)
He and She Vintage Clothing (109 South Union Street, 610-444-4433)
Pinklily Boutique (109 West State Street, 484-732-8605)
Torelli's Custom Shop (129 East State Street, 610-444-3979)

Apparel

Chantilly Blue (120 West State Street, 610-925-4644)
He and She Vintage Clothing (109 South Union Street, 610-444-4433)
Pinklily Boutique (109 West State Street, 484-732-8605)
Torelli's Custom Shop (129 East State Street, 610-444-3979)

Arts and Crafts

Wool Gathering (131 East State Street, 610-444-8236)

Books

Kennett Square Resale Book Shoppe (113 South Union Street, 610-444-6069)
Neon Samurai Comics & Games (109 South Union Street, 610-925-3656)
RLD Books (111 South Union Street, 610-444-8334)
Thomas Macaluso Used & Rare Books (130 South Union Street, 610-444-1063)

Children's

Bedbugzz... (128 East State Street, 610-444-5566)
Beetle Creek Kids (117 West State Street, 610-444-8944)
The Growing Tree (114 West State Street, 610-444-8484)

Coffee and Dessert

Alondra's Bakery (113 West State Street, 610-444-3966)
Harrington's Coffee Company (109 South Broad Street, 610-444-4120)
La Michoacana Ice Cream (231 East State Street, 610-444-2996)
Sweet Christine's Gluten Free Bakery (132 West State Street, 610-444-5542)

Dining

Alondra's Bakery (113 West State Street, 610-444-3966)
Challie's Famous Grille (104 West State Street, 610-444-0940)
Enzo's Italian Eatery (108 East State Street, 610-444-8844)
Fran Keller's Eatery (119 West State Street, 610-444-1763)
Half Moon Restaurant & Saloon (108 West State Street, 610-444-7232)
The Kennett Square Inn Restaurant (201 East State Street, 610-444-5687)
Newton's on State Street (114 East State Street, 610-925-5055)
Portabello's (115 West State Street, 610-925-4984)
El Ranchero Mexican Restaurant (305 West State Street, 610-925-0122)
Sinclair's Sunrise Cafe & Tea Room (127 East State Street, 610-444-8141)
State Street Grille (115 West State Street, 610-925-4984)

Florists

Barber's Florist (302 Juniper Street, 610-444-1264)
Chansonette Flowers & Art (201 South Union Street, 610-925-3656)
Kennett Florist (405 West State Street, 610-444-6040)

Footwear

He and She Vintage Clothing (109 South Union Street, 610-444-4433)
Pinklily Boutique (109 West State Street, 484-732-8605)

Framing

Brush & Palette (123 East State Street, 610-444-4565)
Longwood Art Gallery (200 East State Street, 610-444-0146)

Galleries

Artworks (126 South Union Street, 610-444-6544)
Brush & Palette (123 East State Street, 610-444-4565)
Cenzia Arts & Gifts (121 West State Street, 610-444-9255)
Chansonette Flowers & Art (201 South Union Street, 610-925-3656)
Longwood Art Gallery (200 East State Street, 610-444-0146)
Marion's Room (107 West State Street, 610-444-8312)
Metalworks (124 South Union Street, 610-444-3648)

Gift Shops

Barber's Florist (302 Juniper Street, 610-444-1264)
Cenzia Arts & Gifts (121 West State Street, 610-444-9255)
Chansonette Flowers & Art (201 South Union Street, 610-925-3656)
Marion's Room (107 West State Street, 610-444-8312)
The Mushroom Cap (114 West State Street, 866-924-8484)
The Rusty Hinge (102 East State Street, 610-444-9352)
Torelli's Custom Shop (129 East State Street, 610-444-3979)

Gourmet

The Mushroom Cap (114 West State Street, 866-924-8484)
Sweet Christine's Gluten Free Bakery (132 West State Street, 610-444-5542)
Talula's Table (102 West State Street, 610-444-8255)

History

Military History Shop (204 East State Street, 610-368-4513)

Home Furnishings

Cenzia Arts & Gifts (121 West State Street, 610-444-9255)
Chansonette Flowers & Art (201 South Union Street, 610-925-3656)
E & H & Son Appliances (407 East State Street, 610-444-1220)
Holly Peters Oriental Rugs & Home (109 South Broad Street, 610-444-6032)
The Rusty Hinge (102 East State Street, 610-444-9352)
V Galleria (100 East State Street, 610-444-4049)

Jewelry

Bove Jewelers (124 West State Street, 610-444-4525)
Brush & Palette (123 East State Street, 610-444-4565)
Cenzia Arts & Gifts (121 West State Street, 610-444-9255)
Chansonette Flowers & Art (201 South Union Street, 610-925-3656)
Chantilly Blue (120 West State Street, 610-925-4644)
Kennett Square Jewelers (123 West State Street, 610-444-5595)
Pinklily Boutique (109 West State Street, 484-732-8605)

Maternity

The Growing Tree (114 West State Street, 610-444-8484)

Stationary

The Paper Market (103 West State Street, 610-444-9484)

Pets

Paws & Claws (305 West State Street, #1, 610-925-5546)

Tea Rooms

Sinclair's Sunrise Cafe & Tea Room (127 East State Street, 610-444-8141)

Toys and Games

Chansonette Flowers & Art (201 South Union Street, 610-925-3656)

Wine

Flickerwood Wine Cellars Tasting Room (116 West State Street, 610-444-8341)