Hats by Katie's most famous hat is the Mini-Topper (tm). This style has been worn by Lisa Singer, Suzy Stafford, Sharon Chesson and Lana Wright in all the many combined driving World Championships they competed in, both here and overseas.

Twenty years ago, having a difficult time finding hats that were attractive and that fit well, Katie Whelan started making hats as a sideline. As her carriage driving career developed, so did the variety of hats she made for family and friends. Eventually the Long Island native, who grew up in Sugarloaf, New York, evolved the interest into a full-time occupation. Hats by Katie launched in 1990 with Whelan utilizing her arts minor from Boston’s Regis College as the basis for beginning a millinery business that is now world-renowned. That success has evolved, most recently, into an appointment-only shop in nearby Paris, Kentucky. “The main reason I started making the hats is because I have a big head and a lot of hair. I could not find any hats that fit me or that I particularly liked,” explained Whelan. A recent highlight of her career was winning the “Best Booth” award at the Royal Windsor Horse Show, Windsor, England.

Katie has been driving for 30 years. She has been pinned Grand Champion at Devon and at Walnut Hill, she represented the US at the 2003 and 2005 Pony World Championships, and she has been both national four-in-hand champion and national single horse champion-so she is well aware of what hats work for the driving community, for both pleasure drivers and combined drivers. As for Devon, Whelan has been a beloved boutique and popular shopping destination for Main Line ladies for over a decade. Her works of art have been worn at the world’s most prestigious equestrian events including the Horse Show, Kentucky Derby, Royal Ascot (one of the world’s most famous race meetings dating back to 1711 and attended by the Queen of England), the Walnut Hill Farm driving show in Pittsford, New York-among others. Hats by Katie has been featured in Southern Living Magazine and O Magazine—in which, in 2006, she outfiitted Oprah and a group of Winfrey’s dearest girlfriends with hats for a garden party shoot, including Oprah’s lifelong friend Maria Shriver.

Hats by Katie’s Katie Whelan at her Devon Horse Show booth beautifully modeling a one-of-a-kind creation.

AroundMainLine.com: How do you make your hats?

Katie Whelan: A hat starts very much like a dress pattern.
We have ‘blocks’ as they are called and there is a special block for the brim, a special block for the crown. And, then you sew them together. A well made hat, if you turn it upside down and look underneath the sweatband, will be sewn in two pieces. A cheaper hat is sewn in one piece.

There is a whole process to it. You take the straw or the felt or Sinamay and start working with the design. (Sinamay is a very popular material in hat making and is a natural fiber produced from the banana plant.) Sinamay comes in bolts, very much like fabric, and you mold it over the block, you pin it down, and you place it in an oven with sizing on it so it molds itself around the form.

AML: Like an actual oven?

KW: Yep, an ‘oven’ oven. You repeat the process with the brim, you sew them together and then you start doing your trim work.

AML: Ok, interesting. How long does it take to create one of our gorgeous hats?

KW: One of my dressier ones can take six hours to a couple of days—it’s really an assembly line process.

AML: Each of your designs is so unique. Where does your inspiration come from?

KW: Usually Europeans are a bit ahead of us as far as colors and trends, especially England. So, I will get the color patterns from England. A lot of time I will take a blank hat and decide what I want to do with it—I’ll see a flower in my trim bin or a grouping of feathers. Other times I have an idea in my head where I am headed and begin the creative process from there.

AML: Are there trends in hat as there are trends in fashion?

KW: Sure! And, depending on what event I am designing for designates the style too. (Kentucky) Derby ladies are always big hats, no matter what is in style. If its carriage driving, a medium brim is appropriate. The coaching people like the big brims. Steeplechase people like feathers, felt and more fall-inspired hats. It’s very much a time and place kind of thing.

“The whole trick of the hat is that the hat does not wear you, you wear the hat. If you live by that phrase, you will be fine,” explained Whelan.

AML: Your hats are worn around the world at all the major equestrian events. That is amazing!

KW: I do a lot to Ascot. Now that I have started showing in Europe with my ponies, I sold one of my feather hats right off my head. When I traveled back and forth recently to Europe, I delivered two more.

AML: So, how does it work with an event such as Ascot? Or, for that matter a customer who wants a hat designed by you but is on the other side of the country or world? Since, obviously, everyone cannot meet with you one-on-one for a fitting.

KW: The Americans will come to me with an outfit and they will just take the hat over. Or some of the English people will email me, because I used to do the Royal Windsor show with my hats, and they let me know what they are thinking. They email me a picture of their outfit, head size and what they look like is important. If a customer is petite, I don’t want to do a hat so enormous in proportion to their body, it does not look right.

AML: Can any woman wear a hat?

KW: Yes, you just have to find the right one. That’s kind of a misnomer-they come in here during the Horse Show and say ‘Oh, I look terrible in hats.’ Well, first of all they are not wearing them correctly. The brim should be parallel to the ground. And the hat should be in proportion to your body. The whole trick of the hat is that the hat does not wear you, you wear the hat. If you live by that phrase, you will be fine.

Hats by Katie will be at the Horse Show through Sunday June 6th. Ms. Whelan has an appointment only shop in Paris, Kentucky. Kindly visit her website hatsbykatie.com, call 859-707-0818 or email: hatsbykatie@pinehurst.net

The Devon Horse Show and Country Fair is one of the largest and most prestigious outdoor equestrian events in the country. The Country Fair offers boutique shopping, great food and fun for the whole family. Proceeds of the Devon Horse Show and Country Fair benefit Bryn Mawr Hospital. For information please call 610-688-2554 or visit www.devonhorseshow.org. Join the Devon Horse Show Facebook page for daily updates.

A fresh face on Manayunk’s Main Street, Molly Cygan’s The Little Apple

A little piece of the O.C. has landed on Manayunk’s Main Street! Entrepreneur and Southern California native Molly Cygan opened The Little Apple boutique in February with an Etsy meets Anthropologie feel to the charming, and now popular, shop. Cygan, a 2006 Berkeley grad who boasts an art history degree, was inspired years ago by her boarding school days at Exeter Academy in New Hampshire. “The seeds were definitely planted when I was at boarding school at Exeter. Here we were-lots of young kids in a small town with disposable cash—but nowhere to spend it. I was determined when I went back for my five year reunion (at Exeter) to start looking into opening a little boutique. And, of course, when I returned the downtown was packed with great shops-so clearly a few other people had the same idea! So, I kind of gave it up at that time but still wanted to pursue opening my own shop when the time was just right,” explained Cygan.

That time came last fall. After Berkeley, Cygan lived in New York City briefly before moving to Philadelphia this past October with her fiancé, who is in medical school at Drexel. (They will be tying the knot at her parent’s house in Cal July 3rd.) It was then that she started to rethink the idea of her own storefront. “I started to check out some spaces around the city and nothing seemed to be a fit. Then, some of my fiancé’s friends suggested that I look into Manayunk and that’s when I found this space on Craig’s List. It needed some serious TLC but I could see the potential,” said Cygan.

The long, bright 900 square foot boutique is directly across from La Colombe coffee and down the corner from the new Saxby’s. It has old world charm accented by Cygan’s terrific sense of style that includes kitschy pick me ups—a fish stapler—to serious home décor accents—a preppy footstool by Main Line designer Chairloom (chairloom.net). The Little Apple boasts a vintage tin ceiling that Cygan had painted white, stain glass accents and gorgeous, original hard wood floors.

The Little Apple is a marvelous retail start-up in Manayunk where you'll find new, vintage and repurposed home goods, unique gifts and cards.

Cygan’s research found the building was built around the civil war and was once a cigar shop with the owner’s home above. Among the shops eclectic and fun mix of items are Lucia Candles, Louella Press stationery, jewelry from local Etsy artist Tree and Kimble, and vintage seltzer bottles. “I feel like the store has something for everyone and I try to find something new to bring in weekly—accessories, kitchen and entertaining accents, hostess gifts. And, my products are affordable, which I think is really important to shoppers these days,” said Cygan.

Once Cygan secured the Manayunk store front, she purchased, and admittedly devoured, Retail for Dummies and sought out advice from key business advisors—who encouraged her to jump start her brand on Twitter and Facebook immediately. “That same night I opened my Twitter account it was instantaneous feedback and interest. And the Facebook page has been active and growing—I am meeting a lot of people through it and they are walking through the door here. Social media is my main source of marketing—and it’s been amazing,” said Cygan.

Shop online with The Little Apple’s online store.

With her pending nuptials about a month away, Molly was inspired to begin a collection of bridal gifts and accents at Little Apple, including the line of flower pins and hairpieces (very SJP!) part of the Etsy store, Cultivar. A recent AML Etsy Phavorite, Cultivar’s line is made from reclaimed fabric and recycled beads. A customer came across the selection of artist Katie’s Reims pins and commissioned her one-of-a-kind bridal hairpiece from Reim. Cygan is considering expanding to a bridal registry for her customers.

For those who can’t make it to Manayunk but want to browse and shop online, Cygan recently launched an online store with her product line (thelittleapple.bigcartel.com) and is developing her website. “There seems to be so much going on in Manayunk right now. Saxby’s just moved in a few stores down and there’s a lot of new retail surrounding me, so I think this is a great space. And, I’m staying open late to accommodate the people who come to Manayunk to dine out after work and need to grab a gift, or who are looking to shop while they are here. It’s a great feeling and I am having a lot of fun with my store,” enthused Cygan.

More Info on The Little Apple

Online Store: thelittleapple.bigcartel.com

Publisher’s Product Pick: Adorable Rose Petal Cake Servers!

Address: 4353 Main Street, Manayunk

Phone: 267-335-4968

Store Hours: Wed through Sat 11:30 a.m. to 7 p.m., Sunday Noon to 5 p.m.

Facebook: The Little Apple

Twitter: TheLilAppleStor

Website: www.thelittleapplestore.com

The 28th Annual Chester County Antiques Show features 18th and 19th Century American and Continental furniture, rugs, paintings, porcelain, glass, silver, jewelry, needlework and other decorative arts.

The 28th annual Chester County Antiques Show, benefiting the Chester County Historical Society (CCHS), is returning for its second year to the historic Westtown School near West Chester, PA the weekend of March 19 to 21, 2010. This year’s Honorary Show Chairs are Leonard A. King, President of the Devon Horse Show and his wife, Pat. In support of the Equestrian Traditions of Chester County theme, rarely seen trophies from the Devon Horse Show, including the Wanamaker trophy, will be showcased. Memorabilia from private collections in the Chester County equestrian community will complete this remarkable History of Champions loan exhibit. Kristine C. Lisi, one of the co-chairs of this year’s show and chair for the dealer’s luncheon, has been involved in the Chester County Antiques Show for three years. Lisi said that CCHS is excited to be partnering with the Devon Horse Show. “I think it’s a great marriage. And, anyone who is in the horse world knows and appreciate that Chester County is at the center of that culture. It’s a perfect fit.”

Described by Maine Antiques Digest as ‘the best venue for an antiques show in the Delaware Valley,’ Westtown School’s spacious new field house allows ample room for 59 dealers from eleven states to display their beautiful collections of antiques for purchase. With the winning combination of PECO as the renewed Presenting Sponsor, the 2010 Antiques Show is sure to be another winner. There is a Preview Party on Friday, March 19, to get an early viewing of this special loan exhibit and the wonderful array of beautiful antiques, as well as meeting the honorary show chairs, CCHS Board of Trustees, and fellow supporters.

The show’s preview party on Friday, March 19th is a perfect opportunity for the public to get a first look at the exciting collections.

Josh Barker, CCHS’s Special Events Coordinator, explained the meaning behind this year’s equestrian theme. “Every year we base our theme on a current exhibit at the historical society. Since we currently have an exhibit on Barbaro, a very famous horse who hails from Chester County, we felt that the equestrian theme would fit very well with our audience. And, Chester County has such a strong equestrian culture and tradition. The collections should be very exciting, the dealers have all been encouraged to showcase their best equestrian collections-from antique weathervanes to oil paintings, furniture and more,” enthused Barker.

The preview party on March 19th, which will be catered by Carlinos Market, is an exciting opportunity for the public to get a first peek at the fantastic antiques the show has to offer and peruse the aisles and meet with the dealers. On Saturday, there will be two free lectures regarding caring for furniture at 1pm and caring for artwork is at 3pm. In addition, there is a guided show tour available at the beginning of the day on Saturday and Sunday so shoppers can learn about each vendor and their exciting collections at the show. “On Sunday, we will have expert appraisers on hand which is really exciting. From 11-1pm on Sunday with paid admission, it is $5 for each item appraised which is a fantastic deal. If you sought out a local appraiser or auction house, it would be considerably more expensive,” explained Barker. Local experts from the Philadelphia area will be available for the appraisals.

Whether you are interested in purchasing or simply exploring a truly outstanding collection of antiques, the 2010 Chester County Antique Show is a must-see. The show runs all weekend from 10am – 7pm on Saturday and from 11am – 5pm on Sunday. General admission is only $15 and $12 for CCHS members. The money raised from the antiques show goes to the educational programming at CCHS.

The theme for this year’s show is Equestrian Traditions of Chester County. Rarely seen trophies from the Devon Horse Show will be on display.

The 28th Annual Chester County Antiques Show

When: Friday March 19th through Sunday March 21st

Show Hours: Saturday March 20th 10am to 7pm; Sunday March 21st 11am to 5pm

Where: The Westtown School

Website: ChesterCoHistorical.org

AroundMainLine.com: AroundMainLine.com is a proud signature sponsor of this year’s show.

Free Lectures: On Saturday, March 20th attendees can enjoy two free show lectures: ‘Caring for furniture’ at 1pm & ‘Caring for artwork’ at 3pm.

Expert Appraisals: On Sunday, March 21st from 11a.m. to 1p.m. with paid admission and $5 per item appraised.

Cost: $15.00 General Admission (Includes Show Catalog & Free Parking)

Preview Party: Friday, March 19th 6-9pm $130 admission, 5pm early admission $200

2010 Theme: Equestrian Traditions of Chester County

Why: The annual benefit for the Chester County Historical Society

For more information on the show or the Preview Party, please contact the Chester County Historical Society at 610-692-4800 or visit their website at ChesterCoHistorical.org.

CCHS is a not-for-profit educational institution whose mission is to promote an understanding of the history of Chester County and southeastern Pennsylvania by collecting, preserving, exhibiting and interpreting that history and its relationship to the region, and nation beyond, to audiences of all ages and interests.

By AML Publisher
Photos by Belle Vie Photography

Local celiacs and vegans now have the first Philadelphia-area bakery to call their own with Lansdale’s Virago Baking Company.

Walk into Lansdale’s quaint corner Virago Baking Company and the cases are packed with one delicious treat after another: dozens of mouth-watering, generously iced cupcakes, hearty pies, breakfast breads, birthday cakes and more. Seems like any other small town bustling bakery business until you take a close look at the menu. Everything in Regina Mason‘s sensationally successful bakery is gluten-free, vegetarian or vegan. “I knew I wanted to open a bakery in Lansdale, but not your typical concept. There really is no way to compete with the local supermarkets in a traditional bakery model and there is very high demand now for what we offer with food allergies being so prevalent. A bakery for the Philadelphia region that prides itself in offering the same items but made for those dietary restrictions in mind are what we pride ourselves on-and, what can I say, it is working,” explained Mason.

Opening an all natural bakery café catering to vegans and celiacs in 2007 was an astute business move by Mason considering the prevalence of those Americans following a vegan lifestyle or diagnosed with a gluten intolerance-known across the medical industry as celiac disease. Celiacs were not part of mainstream America until these past few years when celebrities like The View’s Elizabeth Hasselbeck became diagnosed and produced a top-selling cookbook. Also thrusting celiac disease into the limelight with numerous appearances on Larry King, Oprah and prime time television-actress Jenny McCarthy who embraced a gluten-free diet for her autistic son.

Virago offers gift boxes, trays, baskets, and cupcake and cookie trays to order and ship across the country for the holiday season.

According to Philadelphia’s National Foundation for Celiac Awareness (NFCA) and their website celiaccentral.org, over 3 million Americans have celiac disease but only 5% have been correctly diagnosed. Celiac disease is an autoimmune digestive disease that damages the villi of the small intestine and interferes with absorption of nutrients from food. This means that, essentially, the body is attacking itself every time a person with celiac consumes gluten.

Celiac disease is triggered by consumption of the protein called gluten, which is found in wheat, barley and rye. When people with celiac disease eat foods containing gluten, their immune system responds by damaging the finger-like villi of the small intestine. When the villi become damaged, the body is unable to absorb nutrients into the bloodstream, which can lead to malnourishment. Left untreated, people with celiac disease can develop further complications such as other autoimmune diseases, osteoporosis, thyroid disease, and cancer.

Yum!

Regina has designated days of the week where Virago only bakes gluten-free. So, there are strict guidelines in place to avoid any cross contamination for those with higher sensitivity to gluten-free particles. In addition, Virago serves a light lunch menu using all natural products. Items such as wraps, salads, soup, quiche and frittata are available as gluten-free, vegan, and vegetarian for customers. On Fridays and Saturdays, Virago offers gluten-free pizza by the slice, take & bake or a plain pizza shell.

The good news for local celiacs looking to celebrate the holiday season-Virago Baking Company will ship anywhere across the Delaware Valley (and country) to make sure you have your fair share of holiday treats and sweets. “The goal of my bakery is that we want our baked goods to look just like they would if you walked into a traditional bakery. If you are a celiac, you deserve a beautiful birthday or wedding cake that is gluten-free, looks great and tastes delicious. Dietary restrictions and choices exist and it’s really our job to make our customers excited to have our pies and cakes and enjoy them just as they would if they did not have to watch, or choose, how they eat. We have a lot of customers who buy from us just because they find my baked goods delicious, not because they have a food allergy, restriction or intolerance,” explained Mason.

Virago Baking Company is located at 620 South Broad Street in Lansdale, PA 19446. Their hours of operation are: Tuesday through Friday 7AM to 6PM, Saturday 8AM to 5PM, Sunday 8AM to 1PM. They are closed Mondays. Call: 215-412-7071.

Their website is: www.viragobakingcompany.com

Follow Virago on Twitter at: twitter.com/ViragoBakingCo

Join their Facebook Fan Page to keep up to date with specials and bakery news.

Think you may have celiac disease? Visit celiaccentral.org for a checklist of symptoms and comprehensive information.

Looking for a fun holiday guide for the next few weekends? We have got you covered with six super towns that are pulling out all the stops to entertain and delight the young and old.

The most cherished holiday tradition in Chestnut Hill is its Stag & Doe Nights which will be held on Wednesdays: December 9th, 16th and 23rd. Pictured is a holiday display in Robertson’s Florist.

Chestnut Hill
Holidays on the Hill
December 2nd through December 24th
www.chestnuthill.org

Discover wonderful holiday design ideas this weekend at the Chestnut Hill Holiday House Tour on Saturday, December 5th. Five magnificent homes, each with unique design and architectural styles, will be professionally decorated for the holidays and open from 10 am to 4 pm.

The most cherished holiday tradition in Chestnut Hill is its Stag & Doe Nights which will be held on Wednesdays, December 9th, 16th and 23rd, from 6 to 9 pm. Shops offer evening hours with wine and cheese or cocoa and cookies. Live music, roasting chestnuts, carolers and merriment make the nights come alive with joy and holiday spirit. And everyone looks forward to greeting Santa as he, too, enjoys the fun of Stag & Doe. New this year is Girls Night Out on Wednesday evening, December 2nd from 6 to 9 pm. Participating shops will offer lots of goodies and the ladies can get a head-start on their holiday revelry (and shopping, too).

Chestnut Hill’s highly anticipated Holiday House Tour is Saturday, December 5th from 10am to 4pm. For full info on the tour, visit chestnuthill.org

For a special treat, Santa will be in Chestnut Hill every Sunday from 1 to 4 pm. He has invited all the children to visit him at his gingerbread house and tell him their wishes for Christmas. The Morris Arboretum has a special gift for all children who stop by to see Sant-admission for two children for the price of one with a full-price adult admission to the Arboretum’s 9th Annual Holiday Garden Railway Display. Visitors of all ages will be wowed by a quarter mile of track featuring seven loops and tunnels with fifteen different rail lines and two cable cars. The Garden Railway opens on Friday, November 27th and remains open through January 3rd.

Marshallton
Christmas in Marshallton House Tour
Saturday December 12th, 10am to 4pm

Located just four miles west of West Chester, Marshallton offers a charming Chester County daycation year round. This year’s Christmas in Marshallton House Tour is the perfect reason to experience the town for the first time. The tour benefits the Marshallton United Methodist Church and offers a fun glimpse of unique Victorian homes and buildings decorated for the holiday season. Tickets are $25 in advance, $30 the day of the tour. Tickets are available at the church Monday through Thursday from 9am to 1pm. No food, drinks, high heels, smoking or children are permitted on the tour. For more information, call 610-696-5247 or 610-793-0201.

Bah Humbug!
Narberth’s popular Dickens Festival, slated for December 12th, is chocked full of old fashioned fun for the kid in all of us. ©2008 Donald D. Groff

Narberth
The Narberth Dickens Festival
Saturday December 12th, Noon to 4pm
www.narberthonline.com

The Narberth Dickens Festival is a free family event held on a Saturday afternoon every December on the streets of downtown Narberth. This year’s event is from Noon to 4pm on December 12. The event had a modest start in 2006, when the Narberth Business Association (NBA) hired a brass quartet to stroll through town playing holiday music. It was met with such enthusiasm that the NBA expanded the entertainment to create a Dickens themed event, complete with horse and carriage rides, musicians, Christmas carolers, plus Ebenezer Scrooge and all the characters from “A Christmas Carol.” There’s a scavenger hunt for the children, sending them searching high and low for every character in order to win a prize. The 2008 prize was a top hat that was worn all afternoon by hundreds of kids throughout Narberth’s version of 1840’s London.

Malvern
Malvern’s Victorian Christmas
Friday December 4th, Saturday December 5th
malvernbusiness.com

NBC Philadelphia’s Lori Wilson is the emcee for this year’s Victorian Christmas festivities in Malvern. Rain or shine, starting on Friday at 6:15 p.m. in Burke Park, the community will gather to light Malvern’s town tree for the season. The ceremony will be covered live on NBC10 for the sixth year.

Following the tree lighting, there will be musical performances throughout town, strolling street performers, children’s shows, horse and carriage rides, a hay ride and more. Malvern’s shops will also be hosting open houses with refreshments. In addition, the most highly anticipated guest, Santa Claus, will hear the wishes of all the children in the pavilion Friday night. On Saturday at Malvern Federal Savings Bank, Mr. and Mrs. Claus will be welcoming the children from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. with plenty of activities and workshops for families to enjoy.

Wayne’s Finer Things will be one of the town’s stores open late for the annual First Friday ‘Wayne Christmas,’ with over a thousand locals expected to attend.

Wayne
Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony, Old Fashion Christmas
Friday December 4th, Saturday December 5th
waynechristmas.com

The Wayne Hotel is the title sponsor of the Old Fashioned Christmas in Wayne, an annual event presented by the Wayne Business Association (WBA). The two-day community and family celebration begins Friday evening, December 4th with festive caroling and horse drawn carriage rides along North and South Wayne Avenues and culminates with the lighting of the Christmas Tree at the Wayne Train Station. The countdown to the tree lighting, scheduled for 7:30 p.m., will be led by 6ABC Action News Reporter Cathy Gandolfo.

The festivities continue with a parade on Saturday morning, December 5th. Led by Radnor High School’s marching band, Jolly Old Santa will make his way down Lancaster Avenue from the Wayne Acme on a fire truck to the porch of the Wayne Hotel. Wide eyed children and their families will gather on the porch to visit with Santa, while enjoying fresh baked chocolate chip cookies and hot chocolate compliments of the hotel. New this year is the opportunity to contribute to Toys for Tots and on Saturday you are invited to bring a new, unwrapped toy when visiting with Santa on the porch of The Wayne Hotel. Bring your loved ones to celebrate at the Wayne Hotel’s Old fashioned Christmas!

West Chester’s popular Old Fashioned Christmas is in its 30th year.

West Chester
Flavia Old Fashioned Christmas
December 3rd-6th
greaterwestchester.com

Now in its 30th year, the four-day (Thursday through Sunday) celebration features over forty events including theatrical and musical performances, guided walking tours, a holiday craft bazaar and breakfast with Santa. The parade, scheduled for Friday, December 4, begins at a new time, 8 p.m., giving spectators plenty of opportunity to get into the Borough and enjoy all the evening has to offer. Beginning at 5:30pm, many businesses and organizations throughout the downtown will host Holiday Open Houses featuring refreshments and seasonal entertainment. At 7 p.m., the First Annual Jingle Elf Run kicks off at Market and High Streets with a 2-mile run and a 1-mile walk.

The evening culminates with the Old Fashioned Christmas Parade which offers a blend of traditional and new elements. In keeping with West Chester’s small town ambiance, a host of local schools, businesses, volunteer fire companies and service organizations will be represented among the many marching bands, floats and antique vehicles that have become a mainstay of Old Fashioned Christmas. Appearing for the first time will be Radio Disney recording artist, Joey Page; the United States Submarine School Silver Dolphins Drill team from Connecticut; and the Cultural Fraternidad Pachamama Dancers from Maryland. Meteorologists Karen Rogers and Adam Joseph from 6abc Action News will serve as emcees. The parade also features a “Salute to the Military” and, of course, the arrival of Santa Claus.

Shipley Shops is a popular tradition that brings together premier retailers and artists from throughout the United States and attracts customers from within and well beyond the Shipley community. Pictured are stockings from Shops’ vendor Boxwood Linens.

It’s shop till you drop at the Main Line’s premier holiday shopping event, nine weeks before the hectic holiday season descends upon us. And locals don’t have to brave the crowd at nearby malls to find a gift for every person on their list! Shipley Shops, now in its 49th year, kicks off next Wednesday evening with a preview party and runs through Saturday October 24th. The annual popular fundraiser for the school offers Main Liners one fantastic variety of beautiful retail products with vendors from across the Delaware Valley-and across the country.

Shipley Shops features perennial favorites like Bella Casa (fine home accessories), Jacques Ferber’s (luxurious furs and outerwear), Jane Roth (vintage jewelry), Occhio Bags (one-of-a-kind handbags), and Tuyet Jewelry (handcrafted custom jewelry). Some new vendors include The Belted Cow (handcrafted belts designed by artists), Boxwood Linen (fine linen home accessories), KEP Designs (fun and feminine jewelry), The Pink Mink (select collection of personal accessories and home goods), and Sea Bags (custom totes crafted from recycled sails, recently featured in Martha Stewart Living).

Seabags is a New England company who is a first time vendor with Shipley Shops. They will be showcasing their popular line of custom totes and accessories constructed from recycled sails.

Jennifer Irey, Director of Special Programs and Events at Shipley, spearheads the annual event. “Shipley Shops began as a holiday shopping event for the Main Line and 39 years later it has evolved into so much more than just a seasonal experience. Shipley Shops is a shopping experience for the Main Line unlike any other event. We have everything from children’s clothing to men’s apparel, to linens and more. I got all my holiday shopping completed last year at ‘Shops!’ We work hard to have a strong variety of new products, but maintain our companies that have become favorites throughout the years,” explained Irey.

Attendees should be sure to check out Shipley’s Four Corners. Foodies will love Culinary Corner, where they’ll find baking and cooking supplies from Viking Culinary, as well as a selection of gourmet food items and kitchen accessories. Unique crafts, made by Shipley colleagues, can be discovered in the Community Corner. Hungry shoppers can take a break to grab a cup of homemade soup or a sandwich in the Cuisine Corner. Finally, stop by Collectibles Corner, where someone’s donation may become your new treasure.

Tuyet Wong Bracelet: Black Spinel gemstones, Bali sterling silver, fresh water pearl, mother of pearl, Swarovski crystals.

Becky Snyder Fawcett, cofounder of HelpUsAdopt.org and ’88 Shipley alum, is one of the beneficiaries of this year’s event. HelpUsAdopt.org is a national non-profit financial grant program, formed in 2007, which helps couples and individuals with the high costs associated with adoption. HelpusAdopt.org provides up to $15,000 towards adoption expenses to those who qualify. “Adoption is very expensive. It does not matter who you are or where you live-it is very costly period. An average adoption costs $30,000 and that is just the average. My husband and I felt very fortunate when we adopted our son Jake that we wanted to give back to those who would not have this opportunity,” explained Snyder Fawcett.

You can feel guilt-free about splurging at Shipley Shops because a portion of every purchase benefits The Shipley School in Bryn Mawr. Pictured: Fashion by Charlotte Brody

Snyder Fawcett is considered a Shipley lifer, having attended kindergarten through twelfth grade. Her presence at Shipley Shops will be tied in with Denise Cox of Denise Cox Designs (denisecoxdesigns.com) who is HelpUsAdopt.org’s jewelry partner, and a friend of Becky’s. Don’t miss the booth hosted by Denise Cox Designs, which is donating 5% of sales to HelpUsAdopt.org (100% if you purchase the signature HelpUsAdopt.org bracelet).

Tuyet Wong (tuyetjewelry.com), a former registered nurse, is a very successful jewelry designer based in Radnor who creates distinctive one-of-a-kind pieces using semi-precious stones and freshwater pearls. Wong is part of the local artists and designers who are Shipley Shops regulars year in and year out. “For me, Shipley Shops defines community service and I feel very strongly about taking my time to help out a great school. Of course The Shipley School is a great Main Line school, with outstanding faculty. But, I enjoy participating each year in Shipley Shops because they are always so supportive of local artists and they have helped to put me on the map with so many of my clients,” explained Wong.

SIX SHIPLEY SHOPS’ VENDORS TO SET YOUR SIGHTS ON:

1) CPC Designs, Wayne, PA
www.cpcdesignsinc.com
Spearheaded by Main Line moms magnificent trio of Caroline Linz, Carrie Grau and Gaby Evers, CPC Designs offers fashion forward mix and match designs(moms choose the fabric and trims) for the customized outfits which includes sundresses, courdoroys and overalls.

2) Seabags, Portland, ME
www.seabags.com
Beach bunnies in attendance at Shipley Shops do not want to pass by Seabags! Since 1999, Seabags has been making customized bags out of recycled sails. Each uber-preppy bag is designed and inspired by the sail itself and all vary in texture and fabric.

3) Charlotte Brody Designs, NYC
www.charlottebrody.com
A first time Shipley Shops participant, Charlotte Brody Designs, out of NYC, offers high quality designs in luxurious fabrics such as Italian cashmere, Scottish tweed, linen and silk.

4) Flee Bags, Chicago
www.fleebags.com
Flee is a boutique brand specializing in oilcloth products and designed exclusively for busy women with “on the fly” lifestyles. The Flee product line utilizes oilcloth, most originally known for tablecloths in the 1950’s, and features carry-alls such as handbags, totes, diaper bags, backpacks, laptop carriers, lunch boxes, coolers…and of course tablecloths & placemats.

5) Boxwood Linen, Mount Pleasant, PA
www.boxwoodlinen.com
Boxwood Linen makes and designs decorative home accessories from 100% linen cloth. Table linens, aprons, pillows, guest towels, sachets and other gift items are meticulously handmade in Bucks County, PA in a variety of colors. Their line bridges the gap between European classics and clean modern design.

6) Polka Dots, Paoli, PA
www.shopatpolkadots.com
The popular Paoli boutique offers fashion forward, affordable, fun clothing and accessories.

The 49th Annual Shipley Shops

Denise Cox Designs will be featuring this bracelet at Shipley Shops. Proceeds benefit the charity Helpusadopt.org, which was founded by Shipley alum Becky Snyder Fawcett.

WHEN: October 22-24, 10:00 am – 6:00 pm Thurs. & Fri.
10:00 am – 3:00 pm on Saturday

WHERE:
The Shipley School, Bryn Mawr, PA
Shipley’s Yarnall Gymnasium
The Shipley School
814 Yarrow St. Bryn Mawr, PA

Wednesday, October 21
Preview Party 6:00-9:00 pm, Yarnall Gymnasium
All are welcome, $75 single patron

COST: Admission is $10 on Thursday and Friday.
On Saturday, Family Fun Day, Admission is Free.

Open Bar
Featuring innovative and delicious cocktail fare from Bryce’s Catering
All are welcome to attend this fun and festive evening. It is an opportunity to shop and socialize in a casual and exciting atmosphere! Be one of the first to see (and purchase) unique items from our very exclusive vendors from New York, Maine, Washington, D.C. and local vicinities.

Thursday, October 22
Shops Open 10:00-6:00 pm All are welcome
Lower School Parent Get-Together 12:30-2:30 pm-Gather, socialize, and shop!
Shipley Past Parents Tea 3:00-5:00 pm

Friday, October 23
Shops Open 10:00-6:00 pm All are welcome
Shipley Grandparents Coffee 9:30-10:30 am
Middle School Parent Get-Together 12:00-2:30 pm-Gather, socialize, and shop!
Shipley Alumni Tea 3:00-4:30 pm
Shipley Alumni Cocktail Party 5:00-7:00 pm

Saturday, October 24
All are welcome and admission Saturday October 24th is FREE!
Family Fun Day featuring children’s activities and Cradles to Crayons collection

For more information at www.shipleyschool.org/shipleyshops

Pearl Stationery’s charming line of trick or treat favor boxes, ideal for your chic Halloween party.

Philadelphia native Stephanie H. was invited to a card making class about a year ago with her cousin. It seemed to awaken her child within. Stephanie had a passion for scrapbooking, crafting and paper projects as a little girl—spending hours working her way through stationery kits and playing with stamps, construction paper and embellishments. And, thus, a few weeks after her class, Pearl Stationery-her popular line of high-end custom stationery-was born.

Now thriving on Etsy.com, an online store for artisans, collectors and hand crafters, Stephanie finds inspiration abounds from just her daily life. “I was riding the train into work one day this summer and noticed all the men in their business shirts that looked so crisp-white with the pinstripes. I thought the designs were very intricate and clean and summery, so my mind started thinking. A few weeks later, I put together a set of cards from that one thought. Inspiration can come from anywhere and with stationery, you can really go in so many directions-have fun, be creative,” enthused the young designer.

As part of her fall line, Pearl’s selection includes these autumnal shades accented by charming quotes from well-known authors, like Emily Bronte. “Every leaf speaks bliss to me, fluttering from the autumn tree.”

Since her launch last year with her incredibly affordable line (over half the price less than any retail or custom stationery store), Stephanie, 23 and a Lansdale native, has prospered with her business [keenly] referred to in short as P.S. or Pearl Stationery. Stephanie is very inspired by the seasons, especially her weekend jaunts down to the Jersey shore. “I found this Martha Stewart anchor punch and I just worked around it, and created something my own. I love the shore, love summer. Handcrafting is back, and Etsy obviously is providing this cool technology to support the resurgence of this industry. People get great delight in sending something handmade and when someone takes the time to send a friend or loved one a card, thank you note…it is special and something that is really appreciated.”

Etsy Site: pearlstationery.etsy.com

Started on Etsy: March 2008

Price Range: $1.50 and up per invitation/item

Sales on Etsy: 90

Email: pearlstationery@yahoo.com

Hometown: Lansdale

Age: 23

High School: North Penn

College: DeSales University

Occupation: Events Editor

Invite your guests in style with Pearl’s understated, yet elegant, Thanksgiving invitations.

A Sale Down Under: An Etsy customer from Australia recently a placed an order with Pearl Stationery. “That really made me excited to think someone in Australia, on the other side of the world, appreciates my stationery and will be using it to send thank you notes to their friends! It’s pretty cool,” said Stephanie.

Attention to Detail: Every piece of Pearl Stationery is handmade and created by Stephanie herself-every ribbon is hand tied, every embellishment glued by hand, every stamp perfectly centered and placed on her invitations, every piece of paper meticulously handled when it comes off the printer. “I am very careful and precise with all my products; it is my name behind it. It’s time consuming but that is what my customers expect and appreciate.”

Spook-tackular Selection: Halloween parties are right around the corner, and Pearl Stationery has created the coolest invites around. Wow your guests with the shabby chic look of Pearl’s classic-meets-contemporary Trick or Treat invitation. The original design is custom printed with hi-definition ink on smooth pumpkin orange cardstock & hand-embellished with mini Swarovski crystals. Pearl’s line comes with a matching black linen envelope. Stephanie recommends writing the recipient’s address on the front using a white gel pen (not included) for a chic look. $2.50 per, 5 x 7. Visit Pearl Stationery.

Etsy Love: “I am always amazed by the talent on Etsy, I find myself getting caught up in the photography, the pottery—really everything. Etsy gives me, as a handcrafter, this awesome appreciation for people with so many levels of talent.”

Seaside Heights: Pearl’s seasonal lines are just what Main Liners and consumers alike, who appreciate a creative eye and great value, are looking for. Her summer barbeque and nautical-themed party invites are simple, clean, and preppy and have wide appeal.

Send seasonal sentiments this fall with this series of greeting cards, hand stamped inside in chocolate ink with the greeting “Warmest Wishes.”

Publisher’s Picks: We can hardly wait for Turkey Day here at AML, one of our favorite holidays. So, we are ordering Pearl’s Rustic Leaf Table Setting Set-an adorable Menu and Place Card Duo for Thanksgiving Dinner. The holiday line boasts ever-so-slightly distressed edges and chocolate brown ink on smooth ivory stock card. It is not only chic but super affordable, one menu and one place setting is only $1.50 for the pair!). Visit Pearl Stationery.

Bridal Bliss: Stephanie’s customized wedding invitations are one part of her booming Etsy-based business. One of her favorite brides had a Hawaiian-themed wedding with a magenta and black color scheme. “I did not want something in your face ‘Hawaiian’, it was very fun to work with a cool, contemporary color theme of black and hot pink and make it work in a sophisticated fashion,” explained Stephanie.

My Best Friend’s Wedding: Stephanie’s best friend is getting married in July 2010, so she is working closely with her for an elegant, custom invite. She will work with local brides within the greater Philadelphia region to develop stunning, yet affordable, wedding stationery. “I really enjoy working with brides and having that one-on-one interaction. They take their invitations very seriously so it’s a rewarding creative process for me.”

In The Works: Pearl Stationery can provide Save the Date cards, Holy Communion invites, bridal and baby shower invitations and more. Stephanie will be expanding the line to include other selections this fall, due to customer request, including some custom family party invites for Yours Truly!

A full selection of Pearl Stationery’s custom stationery and invitations, from wedding to holiday themes, baby announcements and more can be found on her Etsy site at http://pearlstationery.com. To inquire about custom orders, email: pearlstationery@yahoo.com.

Know a great Etsy vendor that’s based in the Delaware Valley? Send us their link for consideration for our Etsy Phavorites series. Contact: info@aroundmainline.com

The Blue Horse Boutique has revitalized a part of Wayne’s bustling retail row, a popular stretch of stores along Lancaster Avenue.

Chicago has its Magnificent Mile-one of the most desirable mecccas of shopping real estate in the world. For the Main Line’s top shopping town, Wayne, the highly coveted strip of shops along East Lancaster Avenue is known as ‘Retail Row.’ The stretch of stores, packed daily with moms, couples and Radnor Middle school students, starts with the GAP and ends with Liz Ayerle’s popular women’s boutique, Fresh Ayer (freshayer.com). It is considered the hottest, and priciest, piece of retail property for local developers.

This summer Main Liners were abuzz when a colorful and chic new boutique opened its doors on the ‘Row.’ And, the name and royal blue horse logo had a very familiar look. The Blue Horse Boutique evolved from the success of the popular Devon Hill Boutique, located in the Devon Hill BMW dealership. The boutique resonated so well with customers who were waiting in the service department, or just stopping on through, that the owners felt it was due time for a retail space on the Main Line.

The boutique is bright and spacious—and absolutely chocked full of one great gift after another. From kids’ toys to designer jewelry, hand-painted bar ware, shaving kits for men, funky fashion accessories and more it is a shopper’s dream come true. “We work very hard to find things that are different, that you cannot find everywhere. We want this store to be different than any other shop on the Main Line. What will drive Blue Horse is a unique selection, and that will make for an intriguing visit and experience for our customers each time they step through the door,” explained Courtney Davis, Blue Horse manager.

The boutique’s sprawling and colorful space can be rented out for baby showers, cocktail parties and private events.

Blue Horse owner Amanda Wetherill Holmes explained how the concept for the Wayne locale evolved from a booming retail space at Devon Hill. “We originally had the BMW product line in the boutique at the dealership (to start out) and we did well. So, we decided to add retail items to the store to grow the interest and inventory and it just took off. People would come to the boutique to shop-many who did not have BMWS, were not looking to have their car serviced. That’s when it clicked that we had done a good job with our product selection-so it just made sense for us to grow beyond the original concept.”

“Our goal is to be a destination for funky and cool, fun things,” explained store manager Courtney Davis. The boutique offers a wide selection of handbags, pet trinkets, jewelry, children’s toys, hostess gifts, accessories and more.

Wetherill Holmes’ skill for purchasing interesting merchandise that has a distinct Main Line appeal is no stroke of luck. Her family has owned and operated Devon Hill BMW for decades, so she understands the local consumer. In addition, Blue Horse was inspired by one of Amanda’s favorite retail gift shops-the now defunct national chain Blue Tulip. “I think there has been a void since Blue Tulip closed. It was one of my favorite local gift shops to stop in! So, I had that in my mind when I was searching for a location to open our first Blue Horse outside the dealership. First and foremost, we wanted a great space on the Main Line, we love Wayne. I came right in here and looked at Courtney and said, ‘Yes, this is it.’ Plus, I love green and bright colors; it creates a fun atmosphere for our customers. So, we took this opportunity and ran with it,” explained Holmes.

Formerly occupied by the antique store Age of Content, the space had been vacant for several months and was in dire need of a facelift. On June 18th Blue Horse opened with the anticipation of a fun, fresh retail space. Bright colorful walls, and eclectic selection of gifts and cute pick me ups (sterling designer jewelry, sunflower yellow enamel stack bracelets, cute preppy silk purses with seasonally appropriate designs, hand painted one-of-a-kind picture frames courtesy of Davis) make it a great quick stop for a hostess gift or a pick-me-up. “We’ve had so many people pop in and say ‘We are so glad you are here, it’s so refreshing. Wayne needed this,’” said Wetherill Holmes.

The friendly staff of Blue Horse: pictured l to r owner Amanda Wetherill Holmes, Vince Picciotti and manager Courtney Davis. The store will have an official grand opening celebration this weekend starting Thursday Sept 24th through Sunday September 27th.

The Blue Horse Club is a special customer promotion the boutique is offering-which rewards loyal shoppers. Once a member of the club reaches $1,000 in purchases, they receive 10% off each purchase for the remainder of the year-ending June 2010. In addition, the first shopper through the doors of The Blue Horse Boutique at 10 a.m. each day will receive 20% off the purchase of their choice! The store will have an official grand opening this weekend starting Thursday Sept 24th through Sunday September 20th. “Our philosophy is to revive this piece of real estate and work together with our neighboring shops. That makes the most sense and will benefit both of us. We are looking forward to a great fall and holiday season in downtown Wayne, the Main Line’s top shopping destination,” enthused Wetherill Holmes.

THE BLUE HORSE BOUTIQUE GRAND OPENING FOUR DAY CELEBRATION!
THURSDAY SEPT 24TH THROUGH SUNDAY SEPT 27TH
10-7 Thursday, 12-5 Sunday

Celebrate in style at Blue Horse Boutique this weekend as they will have a festive atmosphere for their customers complete with store specials, raffles, complimentary food, drinks and more!

Blue Horse Boutique is located at 118 East Lancaster Avenue in Wayne, PA. You can join their fan page on Facebook for more information. Their website, bluehorseboutique.com, is pending. Hours of operation are Mon-Sat 10-7pm and Sundays 12-5pm. To contact the store directly call: 484-654-1245 or 610-254-BLUE or email cdavis@devonhill.com.

Amber Resin and Glass Necklace, $55.
Peel’s pieces are all one-of-a-kind, handcrafted works of art using some of the earth’s most gorgeous gemstones.

Artist Krista Peel is a self-proclaimed “rock fanatic.” Peel grew up surrounded by the picturesque plains of Cheyenne, Wyoming where her childhood days were spent appreciating the undisturbed elements of nature. “It was very serene, and as a child in a rural area I was surrounded by these intricate rocks and stones. There were not the distractions children have today, so I developed a very keen sense of the land around me and nature,” explained Peel.

Fast forward to 2009 and Peel is one of the most successful Philadelphia-based jewelry lines showcased on Etsy.com, the world’s largest online marketplace for designers and artists. That’s quite an accomplishment considering the tens of thousands of designers from the Delaware Valley who showcase their wares on the site. “Etsy allows me to have an audience that I can interact with. It really is a friendly community, a positive environment of artists that all support each other. And, looking around at the company of awesome talent on Etsy is so inspiring for me to keep producing beautiful pieces. Whenever you are in a situation like that (as a designer) there is nowhere to go but up. Etsy has been just great.”

Castaway
Peel discovered these beautiful shell fragments recently at the Jersey shore and converted them into one-of-a-kind wonderfully dimensional earrings, a perfect complement (and conversation piece) to any summer outfit, $25.

Gem lovers will be salivating as they peruse Peel’s collection (kristapeel.etsy.com) and her crisp cornucopia of semi precious gemstones and vintage materials. Among the dizzying-and delightful-choices of materials that are mounted on silver and gold wires: amber, blue chalcedony, moonstones, opalite, green quartz, dark brown freshwater pearls, pale green jade, smokey quartz, lava rocks, rainbow flash labradorite, apricot moonstone, lapis lazuli, vintage salmon acrylic, Botswanan agate, milky white sea glass…and more. “It’s always evolving what I design with, what I gravitate towards and how I find my materials. I started out in bead shops looking around at the endless possibilities-after a course of time some stones appeal to me more than others. I just found micah and a slew of quartz rocks on my mother’s property in Delaware. So, this morning I already researched how to take raw materials and translate them into beads,” explained Peel.

Howlite dyed large yellow turquoise nuggets on silver hand formed earwires, $27.

Etsy Site: kristapeel.etsy.com

Started on Etsy: May 2007

Price Range: $19 and up

Sales on Etsy: 275

Website: kristapeel.com

Hometown: Cheyenne, Wyoming

Current Residence: West Philadelphia

Age: 35

Education: Art Institute of Chicago

Current Favorite Gem: Crab Fire Agate

Publisher’s Pick: Agate and Vintage Lucite Nuggets Necklace, which boasts tones of chestnut, cinnamon and beige, is the ideal fall statement piece for your wardrobe-$75

Favorite Etsy Sites: dressgreen.etsy.com, dikua.etsy.com, spartasoap.etsy.com, lolabags.etsy.com, jennanewton.etsy.com, threesistersink.etsy.com

Favorite Etsy Shopping Feature: Peel loves the Time Machine 2 feature on Etsy, where shoppers can browse very quickly over recently listed, about to expire, or recently sold items. “I visit and browse there all the time!”

Favorite Philly Coffee Shop: Satellite Cafe, 50th & Baltimore

Favorite Place to Dine in West Philly: Vientiane Cafe

Last Etsy Purchase: Peel and her husband Zak purchased their wedding rings from Etsy jewelry designer Zoe and Doyle (ZoeAndDoyle.etsy.com)

Design Philosophy: “I really want my pieces to be these small, sculptural objects that are unique and beautiful and simple. And, with my jewelry, it is also about the touch and feel of the gems, the material, the antique resin or sea glass.”

Design Crush: Jonathan Adler (www.jonathanadler.com)

First Job: Helping her father who was a renowned taxidermist in Cheyenne. “My dad would ask me to go out and gather grass and elements for the animal so it was mounted correctly. I think that really forced me to study nature and this intricate world inside a world, and the details it offers. Wyoming has such a neat geology. There’s no doubt that shaped my view of nature and the art it offers.”

Huge nuggets of green gaspeite turquoise and multi-toned botswana agate faceted beads hang on silver wire, 17" long, with a handmade silver clasp, $85.

Hitting the Books: Peel has a voracious appetite for literature that explores the history of rock formations.

Future Plans: “I feel like recently I have just gotten my (artistic) voice, and I’m ready to extend my line beyond earrings to necklaces and other pieces. Ideally, I would like to evolve into interior design as well.”

Backyard Find: The collection of quartz materials recently discovered in her mother’s Delaware backyard will someday be transformed into beautiful and unique pieces for Peel’s ever-evolving line.

Pet Project: Peel and her husband Zak Starer, a video tech at Moore College of Art, started a groundbreaking program for visiting artists called PhiladelphiaArtHotel.org. In the beginning of July, the art hotel (currently their home in West Philly) welcomed its first artist to its residency program for about a week’s stay. Having a designated period of time where artists can focus on their work can be crucial for their creative process. By the end of ’09, there will be a new building and locale for the visiting artists. “If, through the hotel program, Zak and I can enrich the art community each and every day, that will be one of the most rewarding personal ventures and a dream come true,” enthused Peel.

A full collection of Krista Peel’s designs can be found on Etsy.com at kristapeel.etsy.com. Her other sites include kristapeel.com and philadelphiaarthotel.org. To contact Krista directly email: kristapeel@gmail.com

Know a great Etsy vendor that’s based in the Delaware Valley? Send us their link for consideration for our Etsy Phavorites series. Contact: info@aroundmainline.com

When it comes to boozing it up at the airport, one is hard pressed to find a drink more exotic than Sam Adams or an atmosphere more appealing than a brightly lit bar fit with CNN-blaring TVs and a 70-year old bartender serving out of plastic cups. But Vino Volo has been changing all that. The airport wine bar chain debuted in 2005 at Washington DC’s Dulles International Airport and has since opened a number of locations around the country. Vino Volo (derived from “wine flight” in Italian) was so successful when it opened in the B/C Concourse of the Philadelphia International Airport in May 2008 that it opened a second Philly location at the D/E Connector.

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