West Chester

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West Chester, Pennsylvania, is unique for the fact that it contains such a large collection of well-preserved eighteenth century architecture for such a such a small town located in a suburban region. The secret. West Chester was lucky in that its structures weren't destroyed by fire or some other disaster like what happened in many much larger cities. In fact, the entire town is listed on the National Register of Historical Places. There are over three thousand buildings dating back to the colonial period. It's one of the reasons the Philadelphia Inquirer called West Chester "one of the world's most perfect small towns."

For a small town it does feel very dense. Many of the buildings and roads were built before the invention of the automobile. It's what gives West Chester its cozy feel. But that's not to say the downtown area doesn't bustle with activity. West Chester serves as the Chester County seat. It's also home to West Chester University. And that's not all. Just outside the tightly packed borough are wealthy residential suburbs along with numerous corporate and industrial parks, providing the shops and eateries in West Chester with plenty of customers.

But West Chester's suburbanization was originally one of its challenges. Most major shopping in the area was confined to downtown West Chester. However, as people moved to the suburbs so did the malls and many of West Chester's stores followed. Fortunately, the vacancies were filled with less conventional retail such as boutiques, galleries, and gifts shops, as well as numerous eateries. West Chester has several Main Streets, but the heart of the action is on Gay Street. Other businesses can be found on High, Market, and Church Streets.

Visiting West Chester, you won't just enjoy the wide variety of shopping and dining but also the colonial architecture. In fact, High Street is known as the Athens of the west due to its abundance of Greek revival architecture. Despite the large amount of shopping, the stores tend to be a bit spread out throughout town, intermingled with services that you would expect in a County Seat (such as law offices). Also, Market and High Streets are one way streets that sometimes funnel large amounts of traffic through the borough so be careful crossing the street (especially Market). But sometimes that's to be expected in a small town with big city amenities.

Hours

The majority of the stores are open seven days a week although a few may be closed on Sundays or Mondays. Most shops are open until six but some close by four on Sundays. Almost all stores stay open late for the First Friday event.

Parking

On street parking is available but it is metered. There are also several pay parking garages and lots around downtown. Meters are free after 5 p.m. everyday and all parking is free during the weekend.

Events

On the first Friday of each month, West Chester holds First Fridays, when many of the stores stay open late.

Directions

West Chester is about 25 miles from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania and 86 miles from Baltimore, Maryland.

From Philadelphia, take state road 3 (West Chester Pike) all the way to West Chester until it turns into Gay Street. This is one of West Chester's Main Streets.

From Baltimore, take I-95 northbound for about 65 miles. Take Delaware exit 8 for U.S. 202 (Concord Pike) northbound. When the exit ramp forks, head left. Continue heading north on U.S. 202 for about fifteen miles. Concord Pike will turn into High Street. At the intersection with Market Street, you will be in the center of town.

External Links

www.downtownwestchester.com

Directory

Accessories

Ruby Slippers (18 North High Street, 610-719-6040)

Adult

Feminique Boutique (104 North Church Street, 610-551-3262)

Antiques

Alice Thomas Antique Shop (106 West Market Street, 610-344-0657)

Apparel

Blink (136 West Gay Street, 610-431-2212)
Fairman's (43 West Gay Street, 610-344-9959)
Jane Chalfant Kiki Boutique (123 North High Street, 610-696-0290)
Kaly (37 West Gay Street, 610-436-8272)
Moonflower (130 West Gay Street, 610-431-6607)
Ruby Slippers (18 North High Street, 610-719-6040)
Woman's Exchange Consignments (10 South Church Street, 610-696-3058)

Arts and Crafts

Beadniks (119 West Market Street, 610-692-6710)
Bling It On! (134 North High Street, 610-696-6996)
The Painted Plate (104 West Market Street, 610-738-0603)

Books

Armadillo Book Co. (109 North High Street, 610-696-8360)
Christian Science Reading Room (129 North High Street, 610-696-2847)
Second Reading Book Store (32 North Church Street, 610-692-6756)
TDS Enterprises Presents Comics & Games (14 South Church Street, 610-918-9009)

Coffee and Dessert

Starbucks (2 West Gay Street, 610-701-6370)

Coins

Coins of Chester County (20 North High Street, 610-436-8844)

Dining

Alberto Trattoria (116 East Gay Street, 610-430-0203)
Benny's Pizza (114 North Church Street, 610-696-0754)
Buddy's Burgers Breast & Fries (11 West Gay Street, 484-631-1006)
Doc Magrogan's Oyster House (117 East Gay Street, 610-429-4046)
Kildare's (18-22 West Gay Street, 610-431-0770)
Limoncello Ristorante (9 North Walnut Street, 610-436-6230)
Peace A Pizza (7 West Gay Street, 610-918-1116)
Pietro's Prime (125 West Market Street, 484-760-6100)
Pig Out BBQ Pit (134 East Gay Street, 484-887-8107)
Primo Hoagie's (39 West Gay Street, 610-429-0401)
Ryan's Pub (124 West Gay Street, 610-344-3934)
Saladworks (106 West Gay Street, 610-918-8500)
Saucey (12 East Market Street, 610-696-9770)
Three Little Pigs (131 North High Street, 610-918-1272)

Footwear

Ruby Slippers (18 North High Street, 610-719-6040)

Galleries

Kent Studios at Z Gallery (109 West Gay Street, 610-696-5515)
Sunset Hill Jewelers & Fine Arts Gallery (23 North High Street, 610-692-0374)

Gift Shops

The 5 Senses (133 West Market Street, 610-719-0170)
Grandiflora (122 East Gay Street, 610-918-4880)
Penwick Design (132 North High Street, 610-431-2739)
Pieces (126 East Gay Street, 610-692-4529)

Gourmet

Carlino's (128 West Market Street, 610-696-3788)

Health and Beauty

Plain Jane (128 East Gay Street, 610-918-0230)

Home Furnishings

Drake's (121 West Market Street, 610-692-8159)
The 5 Senses (133 West Market Street, 610-719-0170)
Grandiflora (122 East Gay Street, 610-918-4880)
Kent Studios at Z Gallery (109 West Gay Street, 610-696-5515)
Penwick Design (132 North High Street, 610-431-2739)
Pieces (126 East Gay Street, 610-692-4529)
Timeless Dwellings (136 West Market Street, 610-696-8699)

Jewelry

Artistic Jewels (113 North High Street, 610-429-4505)
Big Diamond Importers & Fine Jewelry (15 West Gay Street, 610-692-7707)
Grandiflora (122 East Gay Street, 610-918-4880)
Green Eyed Lady (132 West Gay Street, 610-431-2474)
Pieces (126 East Gay Street, 610-692-4529)
Ruby Slippers (18 North High Street, 610-719-6040)
Sunset Hill Jewelers & Fine Arts Gallery (23 North High Street, 610-692-0374)
Webb's of West Chester (117 West Gay Street, 610-696-0160)
Wright Jewelry (113 West Gay Street, 610-692-5233)

Music

Mad Platter (111 West Gay Street, 610-431-1509)
Taylor's Music Store (116 West Gay Street, 800-291-9700)

Sporting Goods

Fairman's (43 West Gay Street, 610-344-9959)

Stationary

Penwick Design (132 North High Street, 610-431-2739)

Toys and Games

Pieces (126 East Gay Street, 610-692-4529)
TDS Enterprises Presents Comics & Games (14 South Church Street, 610-918-9009)